Flamenco advice for a newcommer.

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jaggedsphere

Posts: 146
Joined: Feb. 6 2010
From: Ottawa/Toronto

Flamenco advice for a newcommer.

First a little about me: Have been listening to Flamenco for a few years now and am starting to include it in my routine of study again. It's getting to the point that I am starting to recognize the separate palos and understand a little bit about how they are used.

My queries are regarding getting involved with the Flamenco community in my city. (Ottawa)
Recently I have begun to meet some of the dancers and have been invited to the jam.('jam' seems to be perhaps not the best choice of word...is there a more accurate one?) I will not likely bring my guitar until I go to a few of these jams or until I know more of what it is I should do with myself! I am a beginner and will likely be sitting there not really knowing what to do with myself but I firmly believe that there is no way to learn to swim other than jumping into the water.

Not sure what the 'right' questions are at this point but I DO know that I have had a love for Flamenco ever since I saw a video on the local PBS channel 15+ years ago. I knew what it was I was watching because I grew up in a family of dancers and musicians but was quite mesmerized by this bailaor. One day I will discover who this dancer was...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 1:32:55

Adam

Posts: 1156
Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to jaggedsphere)

A jam.... probably a juerga? I went to one in Connecticut my teacher helped organize when I was just getting started and it was quite the experience (in fact, it was a guy I met there who told me to come to this foro!). Definitely go with guitar in hand, otherwise how will you learn anything? And try to pick up the rhythms people are clapping out, it will help you better understand the compás. I remember one old lady at that juerga in Connecticut showing me some palmas for soleá over and over and over again, and I couldn't quite pick it up, but it helped. You won't be up there accompanying singers or anything, but if there are enough guitarists around, you'll learn a bunch on the sidelines from people more than happy to help out a newbie.

Oh, and pro tip: don't capitalize "flamenco" any more than you would capitalize "rock" or "classical" or "sci fi." It's a genre, not a proper noun!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 1:44:15

jaggedsphere

Posts: 146
Joined: Feb. 6 2010
From: Ottawa/Toronto

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to Adam)

Ah very good! juerga. Could you spell that phonetically for me? Lest I embarrass myself!
In Ottawa from what I gather there is a bit of a shortage on males involved with flamenco. I understand that there is just one dancer at the school among dozens of women...He must know something I dont ;) Uncertain if there is a substantial amount of flamenco musicians or not but next month I will have a better understanding.

Thanks ramparts!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 2:05:00

chester

Posts: 891
Joined: Oct. 29 2010

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to jaggedsphere)

Hey jaggedsphere, sounds like you're in for loads of fun. Ramparts already gave you some great advice, just make sure you enjoy yourself and don't put too much pressure on yourself. This is something that is learned by repetition - lots and lots of it.

Juerga is pronounced hoo-er-ga.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 6:44:49

Adam

Posts: 1156
Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to chester)

quote:

ORIGINAL: chester

Juerga is pronounced hoo-er-ga.

Well, HWER-ga, really; because of the u, the "ue" is a dipthong.

Not trying to turn this thread into the Ramparts Grammar Hour, I swear!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 9:51:47

machopicasso

Posts: 973
Joined: Nov. 27 2010

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to Adam)

As I see it, there's no harm in a first-timer going to a juerga without a guitar. The point is to learn as much as you can (e.g. about the palos, about palmas, etc.). If you show-up with a guitar, people will reasonably expect that you're going to play something. So, if you don't know enough to play --and I don't mean just strum or pluck but rather play different palos and in compas--, then perhaps leave the guitar at home. You can always bring it later.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 11:23:55

Adam

Posts: 1156
Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to machopicasso)

quote:

ORIGINAL: machopicasso
If you show-up with a guitar, people will reasonably expect that you're going to play something. So, if you don't know enough to play --and I don't mean just strum or pluck but rather play different palos and in compas--, then perhaps leave the guitar at home. You can always bring it later.

I don't know, I went to my first juerga and no one sat me on a stage saying "quick, play alegrías!" I don't think much good at all comes from leaving the guitar at home. If you're just learning, you won't be "reasonably expected" to do something people know you can't.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 12:19:40

XXX

Posts: 4400
Joined: Apr. 14 2005

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to Adam)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ramparts
Oh, and pro tip: don't capitalize "flamenco" any more than you would capitalize "rock" or "classical" or "sci fi." It's a genre, not a proper noun!

in this case i would recommend to switch over to German: we write it Flamenco.

_____________________________

Фламенко

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 13:33:39

El Kiko

Posts: 2697
Joined: Jun. 7 2010
From: The South Ireland

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to jaggedsphere)

I like Flamenco with a capital F , it makes it look important and so it should be ..even though the Oxford English dictionary may not agree.
But if enough people write it like that for 1 hundred years it has to be automatically entered into the dictionary with a capital...or so I was told .........

Starting today.........

_____________________________

Don't trust Atoms.....they make up everything.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 14:30:28

itoprover

Posts: 343
Joined: Jan. 3 2006

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to jaggedsphere)

quote:

ORIGINAL: jaggedsphere
In Ottawa from what I gather there is a bit of a shortage on males involved with flamenco.

^^
I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing :))

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 14:49:14

jaggedsphere

Posts: 146
Joined: Feb. 6 2010
From: Ottawa/Toronto

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to itoprover)

quote:

^^
I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing :))

Then you must be the guy I must apprentice with!

Were you at the last show at The Mercury Lounge?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 15:11:30

itoprover

Posts: 343
Joined: Jan. 3 2006

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to jaggedsphere)

No I was not there, was it any good? Paco De Lucia is playing next Wednesday in Confederation Park btw

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 15:18:44

jaggedsphere

Posts: 146
Joined: Feb. 6 2010
From: Ottawa/Toronto

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to itoprover)

Yeah, I had a great time. It was hard to compare that to the Paco Pena show from the NAC a few months ago! The dancers were amazing!
Very much excited to see Paco de Lucia next week! Have had a bronze pass since they could be purchased. But I am considering getting the 75 dollar platinum seating for this show. I have friends who have these and want to get the best view possible.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 15:27:49

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to Adam)

quote:

don't capitalize "flamenco" any more than you would capitalize "rock" or "classical" or "sci fi."

u r right b cool jst uz txtspeak in lower case & dont punctu8 cheers ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 16:02:33

Adam

Posts: 1156
Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to El Kiko)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rico_Kiko

I like Flamenco with a capital F , it makes it look important and so it should be ..even though the Oxford English dictionary may not agree.
But if enough people write it like that for 1 hundred years it has to be automatically entered into the dictionary with a capital...or so I was told .........

Starting today.........

No, capitalizing it makes it look like some monolithic creature with no diversity or disagreements, with a single definition and ruled by some bureaucratic body in an ugly building somewhere far from Andalucía. But perhaps most importantly, capitalizing it just looks plain Cheesy.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 16:31:24

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to jaggedsphere)

Another pro tip...

To be really Flamenco, then when you go for a haircut you ONLY get some off the top and the front.

The rest you grow in the honour of Duende. (dwEndy)

This is a must if you want to be truly jondo.. (h-ON-do)

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 17:41:04

Adam

Posts: 1156
Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to Ron.M)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ron.M

To be really Flamenco, then when you go for a haircut you ONLY get some off the top and the front.

The rest you grow in the honour of Duende. (dwEndy)

Ron, what have I told you about capitalization?

Do we need to start Ramparts' Grammar Hour again?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 17:53:03

daverod

Posts: 10
Joined: Feb. 19 2008

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to Adam)

ramparts: If you don't mind, could you specify where and when you went to a juerga in CT?? I've been trying to find some flamenco in CT for quite some time now, to no avail....

thanks!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 17:55:40

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to Adam)

quote:

Do we need to start Ramparts' Grammar Hour again?

I'm sure Estebanana would tune in...and probably others (including myself) after the last argument about this proved so popular..

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 18:24:19

Adam

Posts: 1156
Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to daverod)

quote:

ORIGINAL: daverod

ramparts: If you don't mind, could you specify where and when you went to a juerga in CT?? I've been trying to find some flamenco in CT for quite some time now, to no avail....

thanks!

PM to you.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 18:24:25

itoprover

Posts: 343
Joined: Jan. 3 2006

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to jaggedsphere)

quote:

ORIGINAL: jaggedsphere

Yeah, I had a great time. It was hard to compare that to the Paco Pena show from the NAC a few months ago! The dancers were amazing!
Very much excited to see Paco de Lucia next week! Have had a bronze pass since they could be purchased. But I am considering getting the 75 dollar platinum seating for this show. I have friends who have these and want to get the best view possible.

Cool, who was playing guitar, do you know? I ll be in platinum section there too.

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 18:27:19

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to Adam)

quote:

PM to you.

CORRECTION

pm 2 u

cheers

ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 18:27:19

Adam

Posts: 1156
Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to Ron.M)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ron.M

quote:

PM to you.

CORRECTION

pm 2 u

cheers

ron

I haven't gotten it yet. Is the grammar alright? You don't want to upset me!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 18:29:39

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to Adam)

quote:

Is the grammar alright?

Well...you did miss out "dude"....

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 18:32:16

jaggedsphere

Posts: 146
Joined: Feb. 6 2010
From: Ottawa/Toronto

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to itoprover)

quote:

Cool, who was playing guitar, do you know? I ll be in platinum section there too.

Roger Boudrealt was on guitar.

Erk. looks like the platinums are sold out. Oh dang. At least I still have my bronze pass and a good set of binoculars so I can watch his fingers. lol

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 18:55:21

El Kiko

Posts: 2697
Joined: Jun. 7 2010
From: The South Ireland

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to jaggedsphere)

Maybe your right ramparts , but I stiLl reserve to pUt cApitals whereveR I want .
it is still better Than deciphering the messy hieroglyphics that are used in SMS text speak ,,,

and using numBers As letters .....

C U L8tr M8

P.s

Shouldn't ramparts as a name have a capital letter or are you using it as a type of defensive wall?

_____________________________

Don't trust Atoms.....they make up everything.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 21 2011 21:08:31

Adam

Posts: 1156
Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON

RE: Flamenco advice for a newcommer. (in reply to El Kiko)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rico_Kiko

Maybe your right ramparts , but I stiLl reserve to pUt cApitals whereveR I want .
it is still better Than deciphering the messy hieroglyphics that are used in SMS text speak ,,, and using numBers As letters .....

C U L8tr M8

P.s

Shouldn't ramparts as a name have a capital letter or are you using it as a type of defensive wall?