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I need some advice and recommendation from you. I've just started to learn flamenco guitar. Truth is, I cannot afford taking lessons from a teacher at the moment.. It might take a few months before I could do so, I'm afraid..
So now in this case, what method book would be the best choice for a TOTAL beginner in flamenco in your opinion? I haven't played on a nylon string before either, therefore I'd prefer a book that would cover ALL the basic stuff like body posture, hands position, plucking technique...etc.
If there's no all-in-one method book, then please recommend me a combination of good method books to work on at the same time, and please mention what I'd benefit specifically from each single book! This would be really appreciated.
Well, before this turns into yet another big long topic containing the same old recommendations people have made dozens of times before, let me say this:
The most productive thing you can do right now is to learn how to search this forum, then spend lots of time reading everything on the subject of method books that people have said over the past 10 years. Then do the same to research which guitar is best for beginners. Then do the same to find out how to shape your nails. Etc. There is an enormous amount of information hidden in the archives here, and if you learn how to make use of it you will progress far more rapidly.
If, after doing your research, you find your question still hasn't been answered, then you will be in a position to ask an informed question and make use of the expert advice of the community.
Oh, and don't forget to use your public library as a source of books. You can check out and try many different method books (by interlibrary loan, if your local library doesn't have anything) before deciding on which one(s) fit your learning style the best.
I did read actually few previous threads on this subject before posting, but because..
quote:
I haven't played on a nylon string before
and ESPECIALLY since I said..
quote:
If there's no all-in-one method book, then please recommend me a combination of good method books to work on at the same time, and please mention what I'd benefit specifically from each single book!
I thought my situation would be sorta different, hence I asked for some insights from the experts here!
While books are great, I found that video has been such an asset if you cannot have a teacher. I especially find Jose Tanaka's /http://www.flamencoguitarlesson.com/ very thorough and Jose breaks down the Palos so well. His explanations are clear and tabs are available. Saludos!
It would help me even more if you could limit the book choices to two or maybe three books which, COMBINED, should work really well and would cover almost every thing I need at this stage.
Also, since I can't pay for lessons now, are you aware of a good YT channel on teaching flamenco guitar for complete beginners?
This would help me further along with the combination of books you'd recommend.
It would help me even more if you could limit the book choices to two or maybe three books which, COMBINED, should work really well and would cover almost every thing I need at this stage.
Everyone will have a different opinion on learning materials and the teachers I have used, have their own style. In Spain it is watch, listen, practise a lot and repeat
I found Paco Peña and the Granados material very useful, but that was after some lessons, which were vital to understand where to start (the techniquers can be very challenging).
Everyone will have a different opinion on learning materials and the teachers I have used, have their own style. In Spain it is watch, listen, practise a lot and repeat
I found Paco Peña and the Granados material very useful, but that was after some lessons, which were vital to understand where to start (the techniquers can be very challenging).
Thank you
I see what you mean. A teacher should make things easier for me. I can tell already that it's certainly not an easy job to play good flamenco guitar.
I'll learn as much possible from books and YT for now, and I'll definitely take some private lessons as soon as I can.
BTW, your opinions on books, no matter how different, they ALL matter to me.
I cannot afford taking lessons from a teacher at the moment..
Yet you want a COMBINATION of method books to work with? Do the math and then realize your main problem is your concept of how to learn this art form. In one lesson you can get on the right path, or spend the equivalent of 3 or more lessons value on books that you might not make any sense of or worse, get lead far astray for god knows how long till you get your first real lesson and get straightened out.
So now in this case, what method book would be the best choice for a TOTAL beginner in flamenco in your opinion? I haven't played on a nylon string before either, therefore I'd prefer a book that would cover ALL the basic stuff like body posture, hands position, plucking technique...etc.
You can't learn flamenco from books. Believe me I tried, and I was already a classical player. Flamenco playing is all about technique and compas and you're not going to get that from a book. With technique its best to start correctly otherwise you'll have to unlearn bad habits later. Only a teacher can really help you with this. If you can afford a couple of books then you can afford a lesson with a teacher. Even just a lesson every few months will be far better than none. And the teacher will be able to provide you with tabs and exercises, YouTube recommendations, contacts with other students, events, setting up your guitar etc
If you simply cannot afford any lessons then online is the next best thing. Good luck.
Wow.. I could tell already that flamenco guitar is really hard but had no idea I'd have zero chance in actually being able to play some good flamenco without a teacher.
I thought I'd do fine if I started off learning from books and YT then taking few lessons later on for additional help. Looks like learning proper technique early on is actually the key to success in flamenco guitar, and I can tell from what you said that it's impossible to get the required technique down on my own.
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