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Hi, All- Newest member here- I just discovered this forum in searching out Flamenco information this past weekend, and joined to at least stick my fingers out! I've been a steel string fingerstyle player for about 30 years, somewhat sloppy in technique... who has always loved flamenco. I bought a book/CD when in Spain many years ago, but was unsuccessful and undisciplined in my attempts to teach myself. Running my pinky on my left hand through a tablesaw about 5 years ago kind of ended me playing... I fractured one bone, chipped another- and the resultant nerve damage caused me pain in the fingertip- especially if trying to bend a string with my pinky. I pick the guitar up every now and then, but really haven't been playing. I discovered this weekend that there is a lot of basic flamenco techniques on YouTube- and on DVD's- and this gave me cause to consider attempting to learn some of the basics once again. Seeing some of the basics on video makes me think it's do-able. I'm not ever going to be a "player"... but at least might enjoy some basic techniques that might turn into a tune or two. At 63 years of age, I've got no more fantasies left in that aspect! The discovery of the Yamaha CG171SF also has given me cause to think that perhaps a proper flamenco guitar could provide some inspiration as well. Anyway, just wanted to say "hi". and not be a stranger. This is a wonderful site!
Mate, Django Reinhardt, the king of manouche gipsy jazz, had only TWO fingers (index and middle) that were functional on his left hand. That didn't stop him from achieving world fame. I'm not saying you're going to become Paco de Lucia, but I'm just saying that with will and determination (and DISCIPLINE), you can start enjoying flamenco (and guitar in general) in about 6 months to a year. Age is mostly a concept unless you have debilitating illnesses or disabilities, and that rubbish they say about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks is BULL-crap. Do you watch the Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel?
Please take this comment positively because it was meant to psych you up and get you going with flamenco and guitar in general.
Rombsix is right, i think determination, disipline is all. I Also have troubles with my hands( cut 2 tendons on my left, lost part of my right ringfinger and tendons problems there too as å consequence.) Dont stop believing because of some trivial things like age and lost extremities
I'm very sorry to hear about the injury to your finger.
I'd also say that if flamenco guitar doesn't work out, there's still flamenco music to be played. For me at least, the palos are one of the cool dimensions of flamenco, and you could pursue those via learning to play the cajon (especially if your hand injury proves too obstructive to playing flamenco guitar). Just a thought. Good luck.
Thanks for all your replies- and encouragement! Machopicasso- you made me go to the dictionary... well, Wiki! (And started my learning!) Hmmm... what a cooincidence- I grew up in PALO Alto, California! And spent some time studying the construction of the cajon as well. Learning how to set up the strings on one to act as a snare seems to be the toughest part of building one. And have read some very good definitions of Flamenco- the rigidity of the discipline- and learned that everything that looks or sounds Flamenco- isn't necessairly Flamenco! Also seems there's a bit of the culture here in Jacksonville, FL- which I was very surprised to learn. Thanks again for all your inputs and encouragement. Off to study some more! Wes
Why not?....you should be thinking of learning, being the best and then saying ,"In your face , flamenco players" and wearing your cap backward , playing flamenco whilst on a skateboard,and generally being flamenco all over the place ......
It's never too late to enjoy learning flamenco (or anything else, for that matter). After getting my first guitar at the age of 17 and learning three-chord folk songs, I attended university, spent four years in the U.S. Air Force and a career in the U.S. diplomatic service (Department of State), retired, and at the age of 62 had not advanced beyond three-chord folk music. I had always loved flamenco, though, and decided to take lessons from Paco de malaga in Washington, DC. I am now 68 and have been taking lessons from Paco for six years. I have loved every minute of it, and half the enjoyment has been the knowledge Paco has imparted to me. It makes learning the guitar all the more enjoyable to have a background in the history and development of flamenco. For instance, in my case, before my lessons with Paco, I never knew that the heart of flamenco is neither the guitar nor the dance. Rather, the heart of flamenco is the singing ("cante").
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Bill
_____________________________
And the end of the fight is a tombstone white, With the name of the late deceased, And the epitaph drear, "A fool lies here, Who tried to hustle the East."
Thanks for the support and encouragement, all!! Sheesh, Bill- I figgered I'd be an old fart compared to everyone here- Hahaha! Stephen- some nice guitars you build there!! Wish I were wealthy! *s* Wes
EB- I was wondering about the thumb thing only! But, I thought, even just with the thumb, I could learn some of the basics of the rhythm's! All you are absolutely correct, of course... I just need to get me a suitable beginners instrument and DO IT! Wes
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