Taking Solace

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Taking Solace

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cathulu

Posts: 950
Joined: Dec. 15 2006
From: Vancouver, Canukistan

Taking Solace 1 votes

Well Cathulu totally BOMBED on that one. All will be revealed soon. But I still want more comments so Judges please keep it coming and don't go all fluffy! I have met my Foro Flamenco Waterloo. The humiliation is unbearable, so it is off to Heidelberg!

I have over reached, a wonderfully poignant human failing really.

So anyone else that may feel that in these challenges - whether beginner, intermediate or advanced - take some solace! You did it, you got in the game and didn't sit on the sidelines. Your ego took a hit but that helps define you ever more sharply. Not only that, the game aint over and your journey is still only beginning so get the frick up, dust off and get back in the game!

To quote Pachino on Any Given Sunday, with liberty...

We are in hell right now, gentlemen (and ladies)
believe me and we can stay here
and get the **** kicked out of us

or

we can fight our way
back into the light.
We can climb out of hell.
One inch, at a time.

Because in either game
life or music
the margin for error is so small.
I mean
one half step too late or to early
you don't quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast
and you don't quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in ever break of the game
every minute, every second.

So take them! And don't chicken out - don't even think about it!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 25 2009 20:39:21

henrym3483

Posts: 1584
Joined: Nov. 13 2005
From: Limerick,Ireland

RE: Taking Solace (in reply to cathulu)

all i have to say is the criticism is fair that i have recieved so far. i definately need to work on a number of aspects of my playing. i didnt go into this game with the mindset of winning i went in just to get some critique.

from this i have learned one thing namely, my technique is not at a level where i can attempt a buleria falseta as such im going to put it on the shelf for a while and come back at a later time. it's a great palo, but it really is the one which separates the bedroom noodlers from the real guitarists.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 26 2009 2:05:00

xirdneH_imiJ

Posts: 1893
Joined: Dec. 2 2006
From: Budapest, now in Southampton

RE: Taking Solace (in reply to henrym3483)

remember, that this falseta was about half a minute long, your playing can't be accurately judged when the falseta's short, the sound quality suffers because of many things and you get nervous while recording (and even frustrated when you've tried several times)...
most criticism is fair, though i got one or two that don't reflect my general playing...it's down to the reasons mentioned above...
and Henry, it's all the more reason for you to get into more bulerías! you'll just keep improving and if there's another challenge in the future, you'll have more confidence going into it (and since you'll be improving, you'll be less satisfied with yourself, but that's just natural :))

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 26 2009 2:12:04

henrym3483

Posts: 1584
Joined: Nov. 13 2005
From: Limerick,Ireland

RE: Taking Solace (in reply to xirdneH_imiJ)

quote:

and Henry, it's all the more reason for you to get into more bulerías! you'll just keep improving and if there's another challenge in the future, you'll have more confidence going into it (and since you'll be improving, you'll be less satisfied with yourself, but that's just natural :))

i understand where you're coming from, but id rather be able to beat out a solid compas, i know playing that one falseta is'nt representative of my skill but it highlights where i need to work on. there's one track i listen to everyday on the ipod called Ahi te quedas and its off tomatito's paseo de los castanos. it inspires me everyday when going back from work and study to pick up the guitar.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 26 2009 2:27:57

mrMagenta

Posts: 942
Joined: Oct. 25 2006
From: Sweden

RE: Taking Solace (in reply to cathulu)

I feel what you're saying. But don't loose your spirits.
To me, this is where things really begin. I also feel I totally messed up.. but now I need to show it to myself that I can get my bearings right and start making progress from here. Doesn't have to be with this specific falseta, but to me at least.. It presents the perfect challenge, now it involves not only technique, rhythmic understanding and musicality, but it also presents an exercise in overcoming issues of prestige. To be able to look in the mirror and see all those shortcomings and still keep your ambitions, patience and moral.. and allow yourself to be scrutinized.

As for judging, I think they are doing a great job. I just hope that they won't puke at shaky buleriando-intros after this, because I might take up on Jasons suggestion and upload a follow up, and I hope others will too.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 26 2009 3:03:51

Ailsa

Posts: 2277
Joined: Apr. 17 2007
From: South East England

RE: Taking Solace - Solea challenge (in reply to cathulu)

Thought it was time to resurrect cathulu's thread! I hope you all realise that I deliberately came joint last in the Solea challenge to prove that even though I organised it, it wasn't fixed

Well there's no point in pretending it's not crushing when you hear other people's entries and realise you are so far behind them. Or more to the point, you are aiming at completely the wrong type of sound! I had been practising away gradually getting better (yes hard to believe but it was worse when I started!) and thinking I was going in the right direction. Then when I heard the other challengers play I heard that I just wasn't even trying to do the right thing!

Of course the good news is now I know, and some things will be quite quick to put right (others will be hours of painstaking practice). And the thing is I would never have learnt that had I not uploaded. So all you guys out there, you just have to take the risk if you want to improve. And yes it is excrutiating, but you will learn a lot. Let's have more uploads!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 21 2009 22:48:29

cathulu

Posts: 950
Joined: Dec. 15 2006
From: Vancouver, Canukistan

RE: Taking Solace - Solea challenge (in reply to Ailsa)

Ailsa, I heard your upload, and you sounded great! The winner put in a better performance than that German chap. All of you guys did great. FYI I didn't submit cause I just need a break from the guitar for a bit, I am busy with life and spring is here and I boo booed my finger but that is OK now.

Anyways, getting those uploads in creates a great feeling of accomplishment. Congrats!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 22 2009 19:49:44