Foreign teachers in Spain

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Phil

Posts: 382
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Rota, Spain

Foreign teachers in Spain

There’s a short thread on F-T (I still won’t post there) in which a couple of people are recommending that if anyone goes to Jerez for lessons to seek out Simon “El Rubio” or David “El Poeta”. I’m sure both of these guys are very good Flamenco guitarists, but the fact is that they are both British. Does it make sense to go all the to Jerez to study with a Brit? I’ve got mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I can learn something from anybody who knows more than I do (which makes just about everyone my potential teacher

). On the other hand, if I’m going to travel a long distance and spend a substantial amount of money to learn a form of music in it’s native environment, I would want to learn from a person who has been immersed in that music his entire life and, equally important, knows how to teach.

Now, I know that Michael Cho had a very positive experience in Sevilla with Tino Van der Smern (sp?), as did my friend, Richard Parker, with Simon “El Rubio” in Jerez. However, it just doesn’t seem natural to me. Am I being overly discriminative about this? I’d like to hear some of your opinions about this.

Thanks,
Phil

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 29 2003 9:51:18

gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

RE: Foreign teachers in Spain (in reply to Phil)

Hi phil!

I live in Holland, and about 12 years ago I studied by Ricardo Mendeville.
He teach together with Paco Pena at the rotterdam consercatory.
Tino van der Swan studied there and is graduated.
There are a few teachers from that calliber in Amsterdam.
They are very good flamenco guitarists, and teachers as well.
The big question is ; what do you want to learn?
A real good technical player? Than, I recoment them!
Become better in writing your own falsetas? Same thing.

But I think, if you want the flamenco getting in your heart and soul,
you better off with a spanish teacher and take lessons in Spain.

This is my oppinion at this moment, so chanceble for a better one anytime !

Greetings, Peter.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 29 2003 10:17:17

Jim Opfer

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 19 2003
From: Glasgow, Scotland.

RE: Foreign teachers in Spain (in reply to Phil)

Hi Phil,
For me language would be a basic problem that I'd have to try to overcome. I guess the good thing about one of these guys is that language would not be a barrier.
I would also think that they would be able and I'm sure willing, to give advice on who's who and where to go, they might even be prepared to show the student around a bit and who know what could happen, so for me this would be a safe bet and a good start in a foreign land.
Cheers
Jim.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 29 2003 15:13:29

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Foreign teachers in Spain (in reply to Phil)

Phil,
I had several teachers in Spain, one gitano, one andaluz, one dutch... Each has its advantages, of course. I was only there for a month, maybe not long enough to get a "spanish effect." I mean, I'm not sure what you can absorb from someone who's been immersed in the culture his whole life. You kind of have to... be immersed, right? In the six weeks I was in Spain (two before the workshop), I saw about 25 flamenco shows. One, in the Caves of Nerja, I snuck in and ended up hanging out backstage with Jose Menese and Enrique de Merchor. Not that they really talked to me!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 29 2003 15:25:13

Escribano

Posts: 6417
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Foreign teachers in Spain (in reply to Jim Opfer)

quote:

I guess the good thing about one of these guys is that language would not be a barrier.

Alberto (my teacher in Granada) didn't speak any English and I had 4 words in Spanish (wine, beer, coffee and tapas) but we got on fine. The guitar speaks for itself. We even went out and talked about flamenco, with my dictionary handy. Don't let it put you off.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 29 2003 21:40:08

Ron.M

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

RE: Foreign teachers in Spain (in reply to Jim Opfer)

Jim,
I don't think you would have any difficulty whatever in understanding a guitarist who spoke only Spanish and no English.
The gestures etc speak for themselves.
Anyway, have you thought about taking a basic Spanish course?
Spanish is one of the easiest European languages to learn.
Much easier than French or German, since the Spanish Academy revised the whole structure and grammar to get rid of most of the irregularities and regional spellings etc.

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 29 2003 22:20:09

Jim Opfer

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 19 2003
From: Glasgow, Scotland.

RE: Foreign teachers in Spain (in reply to Ron.M)

Ron,
When it comes to languages I'm a complete numpty! Some things I'm good at and some things I'm dreadful at! language falls into the latter.
At school, A+ (95%) for higher maths and 3 attempts to scrape through o'level arithmetic - figure that out!
No, I'm sure you're right about the guitar communicating, infact I know you are.
You posted earlier about what concert to go to? the one with the non Spanish flamencos or the one with Spanish flamencos? It's the same here, no guarantee the spanish guitar teacher will be the best!
Cheers
Jim.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2003 9:24:07

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: Foreign teachers in Spain (in reply to Escribano)

Hi Simon

I saw your old friend Manolo in Plaza Nueva yesterday. He has a new guitar. So I think he is taking his playing seriously again. He was complaining he had forgotton so much and that he had not appreciated how much he had learnt. Anyway I got serenaded much to the delight of the tourists sitting drinking coffee. Afterwards he worked the tables, very well considering he claims to have forgotton everything he ever learnt :)

Other good news Taller de Compás have been invited to play with Paco de Lucia's group, Tiño Geraldo, Benevete (spelling)and Jorge Prado at a flamenco festival in Almería. The kids are knocked out to be asked for especially :)

Kate

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2003 11:42:00

Escribano

Posts: 6417
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Foreign teachers in Spain (in reply to Kate)

Do give him my regards when you next see him, he was very encouraging and I rate him. Tell him how hard we all work to play at a fraction of his ability and what a gift he has been given. I may be back in the autumn.

Great news about Taller, congrats to you all and a big kiss for Puche

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2003 12:02:42

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Foreign teachers in Spain (in reply to Phil)

Great, Kate, that's wonderful! How's that thing in Granada with Paco shaping up?

And guys, you're all saying these Spanish teachers are so great, just remember Paco Pena isn't Spanish. Didn't he move to England 40 years ago??? :)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2003 17:34:48

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: Foreign teachers in Spain (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Hi Michael

Enjoyed your posts from Sevilla. Hope all is well for forthcoming wedding.
No news about Paco coming to Granada this year anyway. I think its still on the cards though.
Things hapen slowly here.

By the way Paco Peña is from Cordoba, he still has a house there as well as in my neighburhood in London. He is definitely Spanish, although he is not as well known here as in London. A friend of mine from Cordoba is close friends with his children.

Glad to hear you had a good time here
Kate

_____________________________

Emilio Maya Temple
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000CA6OBC
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/emiliomaya

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2003 18:07:54