I'm new

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ecross

Posts: 20
Joined: Jun. 28 2011
From: British Columbia, Canada

I'm new

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, my name is Elijah and I am completely new to flamenco guitar. I have been playing the guitar for about 7 years, but never any finger-picking. Long story short I got a beat up/cheap classical guitar from a friend's parents and recently acquired some Paco de Lucia to see what the hype was all about.

I wouldn't say I'm in love with flamenco yet, but I am really beginning to like it.

Can any of you experienced players point me in the right direction to start?

My music theory skills are not great and neither are my finger-picking skills; two things I want to work on. But besides those, where does one start with flamenco?

Thank you

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2011 1:52:06

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: I'm new (in reply to ecross)

First of all, stop calling it finger picking. lol.

The way you use your fingers is completely different from other styles, even classical. Try to find a good teacher to start teaching you good basics. Don't take any of your other guitar habits into flamenco. To start flamenco guitar is start over from the beginning.

If you cant find a teacher in your area, Ricardo Marlow gives lessons through skype.

Another option is online lessons. Check out:
Jose Tanaka's http://www.flamencoguitarlesson.com/
Jason McGuire's http://www.flamenco-lessons.com/

Flamenco takes time to grow on you. There's a lot of weird tonality and rhythms that most people aren't used to. But once you get used to it and understand it more, you'll grow to love it, become addicted to it and will never go back. You're starting to walk down a very dark path.

Thankfully, you don't need a lot of music theory to start flamenco. If you do decide to learn some theory, learn about rhythm and get a metronome asap.

Welcome to the foro!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2011 2:33:52

rodrigovalt

Posts: 296
Joined: May 1 2011

RE: I'm new (in reply to ecross)

Welcome to the foro Elijah!

Flamenco is a really complex world, you have to be patience and be consistent with your work. The good thing is that it's always fun and rewarding when you get to learn a new technic, palos (rithms) etc.

I'm not an expert but if I could give you some advice is that you should start to work on your technic (if you are right handed, this hand will be your little engine). You can find tons of videos on youtube, look for the ones with good ratings

. Also, I'm sure that you can find a lot of material here in the foro.

Here is a little video so you can have a better idea of the posture:

Cheers

Rodrigo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2011 2:40:51

machopicasso

Posts: 973
Joined: Nov. 27 2010

RE: I'm new (in reply to ecross)

Welcome, Elijah.

If you want to learn to play real flamenco, I'd recommend start learning some of the main "palos" (rhythmic structures), e.g. bulerias, solea, and alegrias. It's easy for guitarists coming in from other styles to become immediately fascinated with the many, very cool techniques peculiar to flamenco guitar. But, at the end of the day, if you can only play those techniques but not play "in compas", then you're playing flamenco-esque guitar but not real flamenco. Good luck.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2011 10:40:26

bursche

Posts: 1182
Joined: Jul. 19 2007
From: Frankfurt, Germany

RE: I'm new (in reply to machopicasso)

It is important to know about Fakemenco™ before you start.

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Visit me on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRaGz6Lf-Uz0HxUv-dGQFLQ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2011 17:32:15

ecross

Posts: 20
Joined: Jun. 28 2011
From: British Columbia, Canada

RE: I'm new (in reply to ecross)

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I bought a low end Yamaha earlier today, so it's a step up from the rattling and buzzing from the broken wood of my $20 one haha

But seriously though, I'm quite excited to try my hand at flamenco guitar. Taking lessons isn't an option for me at the moment so I'll be getting a book and using the internet quite a bit. Obviously not as good as an actual face to face teacher, but it will have to suffice for now.

Anyway, thanks again gentlemen.

Until next time,

Elijah

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 1 2011 6:17:00