Flamenco Rumba time signature

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Goldwinghai

Posts: 215
Joined: Mar. 17 2015
From: Virginia USA

Flamenco Rumba time signature

A week ago I asked my friend to have his band play rumba accompaniment to my Flamenco piece, Agua Marina by Paco Cepero. I had a difficult time playing with the band, mostly due to my novice abilities — I have never played with another player or band before. To add to the problem, the band played the traditional 4/4 time rumba. Later I learned that Agua Marina is written in the 2/4 time signature. What are adjustments I need to make if any? Is flamenco rumba always written in the 2/4 time? So now I am experimenting with having a Cajon accompaniment and start looking on YouTube for the 2/4 rumba Cajon. I would appreciate any answer, recommendations or suggestions. Thanks.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 4 2018 15:27:22

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Flamenco Rumba time signature (in reply to Goldwinghai)

Could it be they were just playing too fast? 2/4 and 4/4 shouldn't really make a difference unless they were playing like rumba catalan speed. Agua Marina is on the slow side compared to what people typically expect from rumba....

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 4 2018 23:26:01

Ricardo

Posts: 14806
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Flamenco Rumba time signature (in reply to Goldwinghai)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Goldwinghai

A week ago I asked my friend to have his band play rumba accompaniment to my Flamenco piece, Agua Marina by Paco Cepero. I had a difficult time playing with the band, mostly due to my novice abilities — I have never played with another player or band before. To add to the problem, the band played the traditional 4/4 time rumba. Later I learned that Agua Marina is written in the 2/4 time signature. What are adjustments I need to make if any? Is flamenco rumba always written in the 2/4 time? So now I am experimenting with having a Cajon accompaniment and start looking on YouTube for the 2/4 rumba Cajon. I would appreciate any answer, recommendations or suggestions. Thanks.

2/4=4/4 when you define the quarter note= half note. In other words the same rumba might be 2/4, quarter note=92bpm, or 4/4 quarter note=184bpm.... there is no difference other than how it looks on paper. What is important is the feeling of the subdivision and groove. If it’s 2/4, then the rhythm is based on a16th note pattern (1)e&(ah)2e(&)ah.....in 4/4 you groove on the fast eighth notes (1)&2(&)3&(4)&.... the () are the accents. IMO the 2/4 at slower tempo is more correct, however I more often see it written in 4/4 at fast or double time tempo.... because transcription of flamenco is often done by rhythmically challenged folks.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 5 2018 6:27:02