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.
Currently I'm trying to learn the alzapua technique, but I'm really having trouble getting my head around it.
From what I've gathered most of the movement needs to come from the wrist, in a motion similar to turning a key in a lock. But what angle does the wrist and thumb need to be in relation to the strings for the greatest economy of motion, and how wide should the turning motion be?
Also, I notice that nearly all the players I've seen anchor their first finger on the E string; is this necessary or could you anchor a finger on the body of the guitar without compromising efficiency? (I ask as I find anchoring the first finger on the E string slightly awkward, but don't want to develop bad technique that will cause injury or hinder me at higher speeds)
Any help you can give would really be appreciated, or even better a video demonstrating the "correct" way of doing it (if it's not too much trouble ) Right now I'm learning the Alzapua exercise from Norman's site (http://www.ctv.es/USERS/norman/pmiexc.htm#alzap%C3%BAa)
I believe the biggest problem learning Flamenco guitar players have, is that they think they can just "learn" a technique.
You cannot. Because the learning is ONLY 50% of the equation.
You must practice a technique, and slowly over a long period of time the muscles to do that technique develop in your hand (i.e. grow, get stronger, the brain learns the motion, etc.). Then one day finally, you have trained the motion AND have developed the muscle strength do do it.
There's no shortcut to the strength, it takes repetition over time for the muscles to change. Also requires breaks to let the muscles recover. (i.e. don't practice every single day, or else your muscles can't recover, and then it takes longer for them to develop - A common mistake.). Practice only 5 days a week, two days off for muscle recovery. You will get better faster this way.
It's just like sports, with regard to muscle development. Days off are as important as days practicing.
Ah, thank you for the Jose Tanaka vid. Exactly what I needed! He really demonstrates the mechanics clearly.
Jeff, you are very right. I've played electric guitar for ten years, and taught professionally for three. The points you make are true, and excellent advice. However, my problem arose from being unsure if the technique I was using was correct (it wasn't...). I didn't want to develop it and risk injury, or hitting a brick wall later in my playing. Now, I can play it correctly and already it feels more natural, and much easier. I'm sorry if this wasn't clear in my original post; I was tired and frustrated and may not have worded my questions clearly. But, now I've got it, and all is good! And I'll keep your wise words in mind as I develop my alzápua
Printable Version
) Right now I'm learning the Alzapua exercise from Norman's site (http://www.ctv.es/USERS/norman/pmiexc.htm#alzap%C3%BAa) 
He really demonstrates the mechanics clearly. 
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