Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.
We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.
|
|
The Complete Beginner's First Lesson - A Play in One Act
|
You are logged in as Guest
|
Users viewing this topic: none
|
|
Login | |
|
Ramon Amira
Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City
|
The Complete Beginner's First Lesson...
|
|
|
Recently on the Delcamp classical guitar forum there was a thread where a complete beginner student had been given "Romance" to play right off the bat. Many members pointed out that that was not the best way to start, and that a student really needs to first learn basic technique. Well, I am also a playwright, so that thread has inspired me write this little play which I had posted on Delcamp. I thought some members here might enjoy it as well, so here is "THE COMPLETE BEGINNER'S FIRST LESSON." The Complete Beginner's First Lesson A Play In One Act By Ramon Amira Time: The present Place: The classical guitar studio of Sr. A. Poyando Characters: Sr. A. Poyando – Teacher of Classical Guitar Mr. T. Rando - Complete beginner student At Rise: Sr. Poyando, middle fifties, is sitting running through some scales. There is a knock on the door. Teacher: Come in. (Student enters carrying a guitar case. He is in his early twenties) Student: Hello. I'm Mr. Rando T: Come in. Have a seat. (Mr. Rando sits) S: (taking out his guitar) I just bought a new guitar. I hope its suitable. T: What make is it? S: It's an Esteban. T: An Esteban? Is that the guy who looks like the Lone Ranger? S: Yes, that's him. He's quite a virtuoso. T: He is? How do you know? S: He said so. That's why I bought the guitar from him. T: Okay. Well, let's start the lesson. Tell me, I know you said you're a complete beginner on guitar, but have you ever had lessons on any other instrument? S: Yes. I took a violin lesson once. T: One lesson? S: Yes. It didn't go too well. T: What happened? S: Well, I was a complete beginner on violin also. He sat me down, put some music on the stand in front of me, and said, "Play this!" T: What was the music? S: Paganini's "Moto Perpetuo." T: He gave you that on the first lesson? S: Yes. T: That was foolish. He should never have given you something like that to play before the third lesson. S: Right. And I thought that he should have at least shown me how to hold the bow. T: Well, have no fear. I won't do anything like that. S: You mean you won't ask me to play Moto Perpetuo? T: No, no – I mean I won't ask you to play anything you're not ready for. S: Oh, that's a relief. T: First you have to learn how to hold the guitar. S: Oh, I already know that. I've been watching videos. T: Which player have you watched? S: Esteban. T: Esteban the virtuoso? S: Right. Isn't he incredible? T: He's that all right. Okay, let's get started. (Puts down some music on the stand) This is your first piece. It's entitled, "Romance." S: Sounds romantic. T: Yes, well . . . Okay. First you place the pinky of your left hand on the seventh fret of the first string. S: What's a fret? T: Those little metal bars on the fingerboard. S: What's a fingerboard? T: That long black piece of wood on top of the neck – wait! Don't ask – the neck is that long piece of wood – oh never mind. Just put your left pinky right here. (S puts his pinky on the seventh fret, first string) T: Okay. Now you strike the first string with the third finger of your right hand – that's called A. S: Why is it called A? T: It stands for annular. But that's not important. Just strike the first string with it. (S strokes the sixth string with A) T: No, no – the FIRST string! S: Isn't this the first string? T: No, that's the sixth string. S: Well, it's the first string that meets the eye. Why isn't this one called the first string? T: Why? Because . . . because . . . well, actually I don't know why it isn't. Look, this one here is the first string. Just do a rest stroke to start. S: What’s a rest stroke? T: Don't you know ANYTHING? S: No. I'm a complete beginner, remember? T: Oh, yes. Well, let's continue. Strike the first string and let your finger come to rest on the second string – (hurriedly) that's the one next to it. S: (Does a rest stroke) (all excited) I played a note! T: Congratulations. Incidentally, that kind of stroke is called apoyando. S: Apoyando. Hey – rhymes with your last name. T: Could we continue? S: Sure. What do I do next? T: Now with M you do a free stroke on the second string. T: (Nodding his head as he says in unison with S) "What's a free stroke?" T: A free stroke is when you DON'T come to rest on the next string. It's called tirando. S: Hey – rhymes with MY last name. T: (looks to the heavens) Let's just do the stroke. (S does the stroke, but nothing comes out) S: Nothing came out. T: That's because A is still resting on the second string. S: It shouldn't be? T: No. S: Then why did you tell me to rest it there in the first place? T: Because . . . (pauses in puzzlement) . . . (confused) . . . because . . . well, there must be a reason. Don't mix me up. Now just strike the third string – that's this one – with a free stroke with I – that's this finger. Don't worry, it'll come out. S: (Plays the third string) Hot ziggety! Another note! T: Now we're getting somewhere! Okay, let's play that whole sequence again, but this time after you do the rest stroke take your finger off. S: (All excited) Okay – let me make sure I have it straight. First I play the seventh stroke on the A fret with an apoyando free stroke, then I play the M string with a third string stroke, then with the I finger I play the open string making sure it's not closed. T: Something like that. Well, the hour is just up. We've made enormous progress. Go home and practice everything for a week, and next week we'll go straight to work on the SECOND beat of the first measure. S: Thank you so much. You've inspired me. CURTAIN Copyright 2011 Ramon Amira
_____________________________
Classical and flamenco guitars from Spain Ramon Amira Guitars
|
|
|
REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date Dec. 7 2011 16:24:24
|
|
New Messages |
No New Messages |
Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
Locked w/ New Messages |
Locked w/o New Messages |
|
Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts
|
|
|
Forum Software powered by ASP Playground Advanced Edition 2.0.5
Copyright © 2000 - 2003 ASPPlayground.NET |
0.046875 secs.
|