Selling other guitars to focus on flamenco

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ralexander

Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Selling other guitars to focus on fl...

This is one of those "good problems" to have, I suppose

I have been playing guitar for about 17 years, with a focus on fingerstyle the past 7 yrs or so. I've just started studying flamenco a few months ago, and I can already feel that I would like to dedicate most if not all my time to developing my flamenco techniques. I already have a nice blanca, but lately I have been thinking of jumping in with both feet and selling off my last steel string guitar to buy a negra. In some way, I feel like I'm perpetuating some bad habits/techniques when I play the steel string (ie wrapping the thumb of the fretting hand over the neck). My blanca feels foreign if I have been playing the SS and vice versa. I want to get to the point where I really connect and feel comfortable with the flamenco in my lap, and in some ways I think the SS is preventing that.

I don't really know what I'm looking for in terms of advice here. Who else here plays other styles of guitar, and how do you feel it affects your flamenco?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 27 2010 14:06:42

xirdneH_imiJ

Posts: 1890
Joined: Dec. 2 2006
From: Budapest, now in Southampton

RE: Selling other guitars to focus o... (in reply to ralexander)

i also play rhythm guitar in a rock band and it doesn't affect my flamenco at all (and i focus 90% on flamenco of course)...in fact the fretting thumb technique only benefitted my flamenco playing and after years of flamenco, playing electric guitar seems really easy...
i only own 4 guitars (2 electric, 1 classical, 1 flamenco) but i can't imagine parting with any of them, i've become emotionally attached :)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 27 2010 14:19:00

ralexander

Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

RE: Selling other guitars to focus o... (in reply to ralexander)

I don't usually get attached to instruments - I've bought and sold quite a few over the years. I know where you're coming from, though. I just hate to see guitars sitting around if they aren't getting a lot of attention. The SS I have now is just so much different than my blanca - it's a jumbo rosewood Lowden with a slim neck. Really nice guitar, but again I just feel like I want to remain disciplined and focused and the SS is like more of a "fun" instrument for me now.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 27 2010 14:41:56

lowden

Posts: 69
Joined: Apr. 14 2010

RE: Selling other guitars to focus o... (in reply to ralexander)

I know exactly how you feel. I bought a Lowden f38 and she is awsome. Probably interms of sound quality the best guitar Ive ever palyed on. Only problem is when you discover the Flamenco music its all you want to play. I considered selling the F38 and couldnt part with it. Try to enjoy both even if ss is neglected a little.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 27 2010 14:51:54

ralexander

Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

RE: Selling other guitars to focus o... (in reply to ralexander)

Hey Lowden - I saw your username and thought "uh oh, I just got busted by George for talking about selling a Lowden!"

F38 is a great model - mine is an oldie, a F34 made in 1980 (early Japanese model - jumbo spruce/rosewood - like today's O32) - it is a great guitar, especially considering what I paid for it even after doing some upgrades. I probably will end up keeping it, but I'm tortured by how little playing time it receives these days. As you said, all I want to do is play flamenco

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 27 2010 14:57:28

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Selling other guitars to focus o... (in reply to ralexander)

hey ralexander,
if you've been playing for only a few months, i would put off getting a negra. im sure there's still a lot to explore with your blanca. just put away your other guitars and wait one year before you make a decision.

i just went through the same experience recently:
http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=143759&appid=&p=&mpage=1&key=burning&tmode=&smode=&s=#143759

as for playing other styles, i played electric guitar before flamenco and i thought it didn't help at all. musically, it did, but technique wise, no. it may have even hindered my progress. but flamenco going to other genres is easy. my electric playing improved from flamenco, especially with rhythm.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 27 2010 15:19:22

lowden

Posts: 69
Joined: Apr. 14 2010

RE: Selling other guitars to focus o... (in reply to ralexander)

That would be funny if George came on and gave you a tellng off. I rarely play mine, infact today is the first time in probably six months ive had a strum. Tried to remember a bit of Akaskero I learned by Thomas leeb. Played for half an hour and my fingers hurt!!! Shes gone back to sleep for now.
The f38 is powerfull and bell like having the braz back.
My user name Lowden I put in by mistake and cant change it!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 27 2010 15:59:35

ralexander

Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

RE: Selling other guitars to focus o... (in reply to at_leo_87)

Hey there, at (Anthony, right? I've been lurking a while

) - thanks for your input, and for the link to your thread. I missed that one - lots of interesting opinions there. A negra is definitely more of a "want" than a "need" for me - you are right that there's lots of exploring left on the blanca - I'm not a good enough flamenco player yet to even properly evaluate it! My teacher sounds great on it and sure seems to like it!

lowden - Thomas Leeb fan, eh? I really like his work, but have never tackled any of it. I'd like to pick up his arrangement of "No Woman No Cry" at some point. I've focused most of my time in the past 7 years working on Don Ross tunes. Don recently moved to my hometown, and it's been amazing becoming close friends with someone I've admired for so long!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 27 2010 16:33:30

lowden

Posts: 69
Joined: Apr. 14 2010

RE: Selling other guitars to focus o... (in reply to ralexander)

Yea I like some of his music but dont really like belting my guitar like he does so only really learned the mellow songs. I know you can download music from his web site (www.Thomas leeb.com ). I have the riddle book if you would like any of that. I'll look don up, see what hes like.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 27 2010 18:40:32