Geraldo the great

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Geraldo the great

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Mark2

Posts: 1882
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco

Geraldo the great

I just got the new instructional dvd from Geraldo Nunez. He's never been my favorite player, his technique is so perfect that I actually like him less than maybe if he wasn't so great. I know that that sounds strange, but I really like to hear a few mistakes or unclean passages-that's what shows the personality for me-but that's just a personal preference. Having said all that, this is the best instructional aid I've ever seen for flamenco guitar. That perfect technique makes for an exceptional teacher, and I can see why he is so revered as a teacher, apart from his ability as a player. I've only watched maybe a half hour or so of it and can't imagine that any flamenco guitarist couldn't get something from it. He covers older style playing as well. One of my concerns was that all the material would be so difficult that it wouldn't help me, but the part I saw at least contains all usable material for me. After almost giving up on the guitar this year, I'm feeling motivated again, and hope to spend a lot of time studying the stuff on this dvd. I only wish this was around twenty years ago-it would have had a dramatic impact on the way I play today.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 10 2005 16:36:29

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Mark2)

I agree completely. It doesn’t get much better.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 10 2005 18:00:59

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Mark2)

Geraldo is pretty good.

But i think Gerardo might have the edge. :)

TK

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 10 2005 18:52:01

Jon Boyes

Posts: 1377
Joined: Jul. 10 2003

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Mark2)

Hey Mark, I just saw this same post on FT under the name 'MartinC'. I didn't realise you were the same person.

So what's your real name?

Jon

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2005 8:12:45

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Jon Boyes)

My guess is Martin C. Mark II

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Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2005 13:03:10

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Mark2)

My guess is Geraldo Rivera.

TK

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2005 13:21:56

Mark2

Posts: 1882
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Mark2)

Gerardo..........I have no idea why I always thought his name was Geraldo. Like I said , I wasn't a huge fan in spite of owning about three or four of his CD's. I'm Martin from San Francisco. I used to be Martin on this forum as well, but after taking a year or so off, I found I couldn't log on-I simply didn't remember the necessary info. Many people call me Mark because I have a way of pronouncing my own name so that people think that's what I'm saying-it's bizarre. So, here's my story: I'm 46, married,two daughters, 11 & 18, small business owner, guitarist for thirty years, flamenco aficianado for twenty.
I studied with Mariano Cordoba, Pepe Haro, Jason McGuire, and done workshops or
limited lessons with Chuscales, Pedro Cortes hijo, David Serva, and various others. Been to Spain once-many years ago. I've done thousands of gigs, played most popular styles of guitar at different levels. I played full time for various periods including stints as an electric guitarist and as a soloist. I have had some success, but nothing major that would support a family. I started a band maybe 13 years ago, and it has worked out well. Chris the violin guy is in it as well as an electric guitarist and a congero. I learned enough compas to have played with flamenco dance groups, but
never went all the way into it for various reasons. I enjoy communicating with other flamenco aficianados, recording enthusiasts, and surfers on the net.
I'm a lucky and happy guy. But, I'd take Geraldo Rivera's gig in a second! Maybe even before Gerardo's.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2005 16:43:29

Miguel de Maria

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

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Mark2)

Markin, thanks for introducing yourself. I was talking to my wife the other day about a friend of mine, the guitarist Craig Alden Dell, and she asked me about his wife and kids. And I said, well I dont' know if he's married or has kids! Of course, she found this very startling, although this has occurred many times. It's funny how compartmentalized guys are. Well, let me introduce myself.

I'm Miguel de Maria! [stagename of Michael W. Cho, which is why you'll often find Jon or Ron calling me Mike!] I am a guitarist in Phoenix AZ where I mostly play at private parties or resorts. Last night I played at an art gallery, tommorrow night I'm doing a thing for a rich couple, just two people and me, and Sunday I'll be playing in a resort lounge. That's the kind of stuff I do. I have been married for 1 year and 24 days, have no kids except for a golden retriever and a welsh corgi. :)

I play a variety of "fingerstyle" guitar, mostly Latin based. Flamenco and Spanish classical are my two favorites, but I'll play other things as well, if needed. Currently I am working on several pieces for an album this summer: Capricho Arabe, Recuerdos, and Torre Bermeja. My flamenco work is on the side a little right now, although I'm occasionally trying to add falsetas to my repertoire.

I am obsessed with picado! My ridiculous work on picado has taken over my life for the last two years, but no more! Now I am going to work on playing music and having good rhythm and I know that the picado will come eventually.

My short term goals are to do a decent "greatest hits of guitar" album this summer, to master guitar technique, to build my career as a working musician, to put together a good group for gigging/concertizing, and to have a great life!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2005 17:26:20

Ricardo

Posts: 14889
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Mark2)

Gerardo makes tons of mistakes. I don't think he is as fast a picado-er as Paco de lucia and many others. But of all the flamenco guitarists other than Paco, he was the only one who really moved me from a first hearing. I loved his ideas, melodies, and especially rhythm. That is what grabbed me and still does. Amazing groove and accent. He is no more "perfect" than Moraito IMO. When does Morao or Tomatito make mistakes? His tempos are not faster than old style Sabicas, etc. He just makes great use of his arpeggio technique.

Anyway, there is a special agressive feeling Gerardo expresses when playing, which is slowly disappearing from a lot of modern players, in exchange for a more suave style. He maybe a perfectionist when recording, but watch his DVD and you can see him miss plenty of notes. I have tried to learn a lot of his music, and some I can play technically "perfect", but the difference I notice and strive for is his articulation. He really "feels" all those notes and that is hard to do. There is more to technique practice than speed. Still, I find a lot of his stuff easier to handle at tempo, than some of Paco's stuff, or Sanlucar, even Moraito has some harder stuff.

Anyway that is how I see it, but of course I take his course in Spain, and that makes you listen to his recordings w/ different ears. Seeing his vid takes me back there, very inspiring. But really being in the actual environment is like this DVD x 5. Plus you get to see him accompanying different singers and keeping the juerga alive every night.

I always enjoyed talking to Michael Cho and Martin C, did not realize you guys were them. I am Richard Marlow from DC, but they call me Ricardo. My wife is a dancer and my son is 2. You can see pics of me playing w/ gerardo this past summer at this guys site under Flamenco course 2004. I am also the guy asleep in class on Friday's pics:

http://home.tiscali.nl/falsetas/

Ricardo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2005 19:06:19

duende

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

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Ricardo)

I though it was only me...In the picado section Gerardo is a bit unclean.

But he´s got the force he´s got the power..

what the hell am i saying??...i had to much vine

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This is hard stuff!
Don't give up...
And don't make it a race.
Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.

RON

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2005 20:49:16

Mark2

Posts: 1882
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Ricardo)

Thanks Ricardo, for your thoughts. Of course your right about the other players-hard to find mistakes on their records too. I'm sure he makes mistakes, I just am not familiar enough with his playing to hear them-I will scutinize the dvd in order to find evidence that he is in fact mortal. :-)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2005 21:04:58

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Ricardo)

Quite a difficult site to negociate tharr Ricardo!

I couldn't see you in the pictures??

DON'T tell me you're the guy in the shorts and hairy legs!

Seriously, though...it's great to be inspired by stuff...a situation... a person.. a piece of music...a guitar...

That's what it's all about!

I definitely agree that Gerardo is a major figure in Flamenco.
That's without doubt.

You're a lucky (and hardworking!) guy to get that close!

We all need an "injection" of enthusiasm like that, from time to time, to keep our heads where they want to be, and cope with the mundalities of day to day life IMO.

Good stuff Ricardo!

Thanks for that.

cheers

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2005 21:08:47

Miguel de Maria

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

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Mark2)

It's not just enthusiasm, Ron, he learned from him. From observing the actions of a great player in person, as well as learning from a great player who also happens to have the inclination and imagination to be a good teacher.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2005 22:46:34

Ricardo

Posts: 14889
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Mark2)

I consider myself very lucky to have met him and been invited to his course. Anyone can go to his course really, but I was intimidated and awed by his recordings before meeting him. I feel very proud of his playing (on CD and what I have witnessed live), teaching, and of knowing him as a person. He is very giving and down to earth, very supportive of young people learning, and foreignors getting involved at a pro level. He gets lots of underserved criticism from various sources. I wish his critics could just spend one night in Sanlucar enjoying the juerga he puts on! But it is their loss really. Anyway, I recommend to everyone, all levels, to take his class or check out his video, even if you don't enjoy his recordings.

Ricardo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 12 2005 19:53:57

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Geraldo the great (in reply to Ricardo)

Hi Ricardo,
That's what I was trying to say...
When Paco Peña offered to give me some free lessons, when I met him backstage at the Corries concert, (when he was playing at the Edinburgh festival and I was totally young and broke), I was totally stimulated, not only because the lessons (at that time, very basic) were of great value, but just observing the complete humanity of the man...
That's what got me....
Sitting in front of him while he played Malagueñas in his hotel room is something I'll never forget.
The fact that this guitar hero of mine had given me his address and phone number in London and asked me to visit him before I went to Spain...
This made the whole thing come back down to earth and get beyond hero worship and become real.

Or when I travelled 16 hours by bus to Oxford without sleeping to meet Rafael in Oxford.
I spent two afternoons with him, playing, chatting, ****ting...
It wasn't just the technique and theory, but, again just the humanity of the man.

So that's why I know that you have a special fondness for Gerardo.

A lot of these "geniuses" are actually very "ordinary" folk as well, as you well know!

But an experience like that does give you a reason to keep going, an "injection" if you know what I mean.

cheers

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 12 2005 20:41:05