Pros and scale exercises

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Phil

Posts: 382
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Rota, Spain

Pros and scale exercises

In another thread someone asked if the pros practice scales. I found this article yesterday on Pedro Sierra. The author of the article attended a workshop with Manolo Sanlucar in 1984 and Pedro Sierra was one of his roommates. Sierra would have been about 18 at the time.

Here's a quote from it: "El compañero nos despertaba todas las mañanas a las siete y media con escalas y diferentes ejercicios. No venía a desayunar con nosotros en la cantina, sino que dejaba el instrumento a la diez menos cuarto para subirse en el microbús que nos llevaba a las diez a los Alcázares, lugar del curso".
Translation: "Our roommate woke us up every morning at 7:30 with scales and different exercises. He didn't come to breakfast with the rest of us at the cantina. He didn't put the guitar down until a quarter till ten to board the microbus that took us at ten o'clock to los Alcázares, the place where the course was held".

That doesn't really answer the question about scale practice. Were they full scales up and down the neck or short runs from actual falsetas? However, I think it gives a little insight into the sacrifices that the pros made while coming up.

Phil

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 23 2006 10:13:53

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Pros and scale exercises (in reply to Phil)

Sacrifices? Look at Paco, he sacrificed his childhood, his whole life to this thing.

One random thought is I've met guys who put some foam (espuma) under the strings of the guitar (a sock also works) so they can practice during siesta or late at night. It also seems to help rhythmic control.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 23 2006 15:28:09

duende

Posts: 3053
Joined: Dec. 15 2003
From: Sweden

RE: Pros and scale exercises (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

it´s very good for the rythm just to hear the "snapp" of the string.
Then you´ll be the drumer, and thats very good for the rythm.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 23 2006 20:45:59

Phil

Posts: 382
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Rota, Spain

RE: Pros and scale exercises (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

quote:

Sacrifices? Look at Paco, he sacrificed his childhood, his whole life to this thing.

Miguel,
That was my point. While the other guys were sleeping, going to breakfast and socializing, Sierra was getting in a couple of extra hours of practice. This is probably the norm for the top players and this article about Pedro Sierra reinforces what you have said in countless posts about 'talent' and the whole 'nature or nurture thing'.

Phil

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 24 2006 8:53:37

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Pros and scale exercises (in reply to Phil)

Phil,
I think so, even look at our resident geniuses like Ricardo and Todd and Grisha. Living and breathing music.

Hey, man, any lessons at el Carbonero lately? You have a knack for storytelling!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 24 2006 15:01:38