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Posts: 377
Joined: Nov. 22 2005
From: Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Dance accompaniment
I really want to learn to accompany dance, and know that I will in the future...some day! Anyway, I'm wondering what online resources are available to study this. I can understand studying cante, since there is so much to listen to. But as far as dance is concerned, I don't come across very many decent videos on youtube and, quite honestly, I don't understand the basic structure.
I would really like to start learning as of now all of these basics so as to not be so lost in the future, but I'm not sure how to go about this being so far away from any type of flamenco seen. Does anybody have any advice?
Has anybody used these David Leiva books, and do they help for training in dance accompaniment? Can you buy these in the United States somewhere, or only in España?
Fastest way forward is to get along to a dance class. To begin with, you will need an understanding of the palos and compas and be able to maintain time. By listening and asking questions, the dance teacher will be able to share their knowledge of structure and the terminology used in dance.
If there is no guitarist to follow, start going at a time when they start a new dance for beginners. They will go over the steps one compas at a time. The teacher should be able to give you a recording of the type of accompaniment necessary for the dance.
ORIGINAL: KMMI77 By listening and asking questions, the dance teacher will be able to share their knowledge of structure and the terminology used in dance. The teacher should be able to give you a recording of the type of accompaniment necessary for the dance.
This is the "best case scenario"
As you should know, there is also Jasons online lessons on accompaniment and they are the real deal (they really are!). As far as i remember there was an Alegrias letra and escobilla, but he may have updated more dances/structures.
If you don't have access to a dance class right now, then the best way to prepare is get your RHYTHM and RASGUEADOS completely tight and STRONG in all palos, and a get a few simple falsetas for each. Practice llamadas or strong chording rhythmic compases for all palos. If you have these things you will be able to accompany dance. Don't worry too much about structures if you don't have these other things down yet because structures can vary and you can work them out with the dancer. That would be my advice
Sorry for the late response and thanks for the comments. Im still lost when it comes to ecobilla and llamadas and all that though. I have no idea what they are.
What about a possible dance accompaniment challenge or excersise? Like maybe playing to a video or something? Has anybody ever uploaded dance accompaniment tracks or ideas on here before? Just thinking out loud here.
I forgot about Jason's site. I think my time has run out, but maybe Ill get some more lessons there soon.
Find a dancer and get to work!! If you plunge in you'll be surprised at how quickly you'll pick things up! Dancers will also give you heaps of advice and guidance. Don't be afraid people! We don't bite ;-) If you have a specific palo you would like to study let me know and I will see if I can help and provide you with decent youtube vids.
I am also thinking of hosting a Dance Accompaniment Workshop next time I am over from Seville with Socrates. It seems a lot of guitarists want to learn but don't know how or don't have 'flamencos' around them to help..
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