Spanish guitarists

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Spanish guitarists

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kkrause1

Posts: 17
Joined: Oct. 30 2006

Spanish guitarists

I think that many people who are unfamiliar with flamenco assume that most of the people who play it are either Spanish or have a Latin background. Also, they would assume that most guitarists are men. Do you agree with these assumptions? I am doing research for a class and would really appreciate anyone's help answering this question.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 15 2006 20:00:28

JBASHORUN

Posts: 1839
Joined: Jan. 23 2005

RE: Spanish guitarists (in reply to kkrause1)

quote:

I think that many people who are unfamiliar with flamenco assume that most of the people who play it are either Spanish or have a Latin background. Also, they would assume that most guitarists are men. Do you agree with these assumptions?

No and yes. I mean that most of the good, famous Flamenco guitarists DO happen to be Spanish, but that is slowly changing. More and more foreigners are taking an interest in the artform, and where there is interest, there is sometimes talent. Many (if not MOST) members of this forum are non-Spaniards. probably because its an English-Speaking forum, but it also goes to show how wide the interest in Flamenco is, and you will certainly find some talented players here- just have a listen to some of the uploads in the audio section and judge for yourself. The number of PROFESSIONAL flamenco guitarists on the forum is less large, but there are still some non-Spaniards there, for Example "JohnO", etc. But Flamenco could be considered a "minority artform" outside Spain, so undoubtedly the number of Flamenco musicians will be less than the mainstream ones. Flamenco is probably even a minority artform in Spain too. Only certain regions and people in Spain follow Flamenco, but having a famous artform that "sort of" originates or is located within your country does help to promote the artform to outsiders living there.

The male domination issue... its true. But again there are even a few female Flamenco guitarists who use this forum- I'd say about 3 or 4 (Eg. Romanza, etc)... perhaps not professionals yet, but you never know!

. Its more common to find female Flamenco dancers or singers. But this goes for ALL genres of guitar-based music- female guitarists are less common. Partly, I think, becuase guitar playing appeals less to them for some reason. Maybe a female perspective would be useful on that one...

Jb

_____________________________

¡Si esto no está en compas, esto no es el Flamenco!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 15 2006 20:47:59

kkrause1

Posts: 17
Joined: Oct. 30 2006

RE: Spanish guitarists (in reply to JBASHORUN)

Now that you mention it I think you are right. When I think about rock music very few female guitarists come to mind, or any other genre for that matter. I guess fore me as woman, I think I do associate guitar as being something that is masculine. However, that is not to say that women shouldn't play guitar. I am sure that there are many very talented female guitarists out there, I am just not familiar with them.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 15 2006 21:14:21

Exitao

Posts: 907
Joined: Mar. 13 2006
From: Vancouver, Canada

RE: Spanish guitarists (in reply to kkrause1)

If you take a look at the Globalisation thread you'll also see part of the reason why Flamenco is dominated by Spaniards.
It's a folk music. It is the music a specific people. It is incredibly complex, compared to our generalised notions of what 'folk' means, and it is a very powerful music, which is why it is spreading beyond the confines of its folk origins. Nonetheless, it is their music and people born to that culture have the advantage of it's being second nature and actually living it.

As for the dearth of girl guitarists, I blame the girls. It can only be laziness on their part. Rabble rabble.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 15 2006 21:40:08

fevictor

Posts: 377
Joined: Nov. 22 2005
From: Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

RE: Spanish guitarists (in reply to kkrause1)

quote:

I think that many people who are unfamiliar with flamenco assume that most of the people who play it are either Spanish or have a Latin background.

You wont find any latin countries that play flamenco as part of the local folk music. Inca, Mayan, Aztec, and lots of other indigenous groups have set the music scene in general, but obviously there has been modern influence. You are more likely to hear the pan pipe in south america, the marimba in central america, and alot of trumpet an acordian in Mexico.

Disclaimer: This was just an extremely simple example!!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 16 2006 2:48:36

Ricardo

Posts: 14833
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Spanish guitarists (in reply to kkrause1)

quote:

assume that most of the people who play it are either Spanish or have a Latin background. Also, they would assume that most guitarists are men.

Well, NOT latin as you say. Latin American people are in the same boat as japanese, german, french, dutch, british, american white bread, etc. They are all "guiris" or foreignors. Not anyone in that list is treated as a more stereo typical person to pick up flamenco. Some spaniards will refer to anyone from Canada to Argentina (don't cry for me) as "Americans".

If any "guiri" plays flamenco well, it is a special exception to the point of view of Spanish flamencos. True that some ignorant Americans might think of "flamenco" as "mexican music". Probably because of Zoro.

But the people of latin america are not confused as people who play flamenco. Perhaps a Spaniard in America might get confused for a Mariachi player. See the difference? (So is Antonio Banderas Spanish or Mexican?

)

About women it is true. As mentioned not specific to flamenco but guitar in general. You don't find so many in other styles either, and since there are going to be fewer flamenco guitarists than other types, you will see THAT much less girls involved. But they are out there for sure. I mentioned before that you don't see as many male flamenco dancers either, for the same reasons. Different sexes in general are interested in different things. It is not about what is "macho" or not.

There are lots of girls playing well in the country, folk, and classical guitar genres. (ducks head from the classical guitarists lurking

)

Ricardo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 16 2006 8:00:33