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Posts: 23
Joined: Jan. 10 2010
From: Eastern Sierra, CA. USA
Hola
I have been lurking here for about a month and would like to introduce myself.
Since I retired I have been exploring my Spanish roots. My mother came from Catalunya Spain to New York, USA when she was about 12. My father was English. I was raised mostly by my Spanish grandmother who spoke half in Catalan, half in English and all with a Brooklyn accent.
I have just started, again, with the guitar. This time, after a 35 year layoff, with a flamenco. It's a Yamaha CG171SF. I am a rank beginner so it's a great guitar for me.
I have enjoyed reading your posts. They have been very beneficial to me.
What would be the one piece of advice you give me to help me on my way to flamenco?
2 pieces of advice I wished I had gotten into my head properly right from the beginning
1. practice relaxation, be aware when you're building up tension in your hands, shoulders, back, neck etc. when hands are tensing up, stop playing.. shake em, take a break, find the relaxed state before starting again
2. before playing, know the rhythm so that you can sing it with simple syllables. ta ta take take taketi take etc. when you feel very at home with the rhythm, you can better do nr 1.
that, and patience. a single compas played well can carry a lot of meaning
-stay open minded, don't get sucked into any one way of thinking. you'll learn more and have more fun. -have fun -challenge yourself. perfect is never perfect. it's funner this way. -have fun
welcome mate.. I'm also a beginner.. word of advice on flamenco guitar.. get a teacher.. books are great.. but nothing beats a proper flamenco guitarist as a teacher to show you the proper thing.. =) but of course if there's none.. a book or dvd have to suffice.. =)
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And welcome to the board! 
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