Some thoughts about playing guitar

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Thomas Whiteley

Posts: 786
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: San Francisco Bay Area

Some thoughts about playing guitar

For many years I have thought that the following is true:

1. Left hand technique determines speed. Think left hand fingering for chords and all other techniques related to the left hand.

2. Right hand defines style (blues, jazz, classical, flamenco, etc.)

These definitions are not 100% correct as there is some degree of overlap between the two hands. After all they do have to cooperate.

One important difference between classical and flamenco guitar is right hand patterns. For classical guitar there is typically only one right hand pattern appropriate for any given piece of music.

Flamenco allows many patterns of right hand technique and is dependent upon proper compas and feeling while demanding nothing more. That is if a technique works then it is “correct”. There in lies the difficulty of flamenco guitar. How do you emulate that which is proper? You know when you are successful if you know how to listen.

The above sounds very simple and in fact it is not that difficult. You just have to know what you are doing and be accepted by those that know what flamenco is about.

What I have stated is somewhat correct for those who have knowledge of flamenco. However for the masses none of the above is of much importance. Being able to impress an audience with speed, loud playing and glitz is more important than anyone cares to imagine.

I seriously doubt that 90 % of the people that hear or listen to flamenco understand it. How is that for a subjective thought sports fans? Having had a good Catholic education we must first define the word “understand”!

_____________________________

Tom
http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/flamenco.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 5 2005 6:28:03

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Some thoughts about playing guitar (in reply to Thomas Whiteley)

I have always said the only people ( mibe except in spain ) that truly hear and apreciate a guitar piece are other guitarists because they know what is takes and whats easy and whats not.

I think every flamenco guitarist in the back of theyr head is trying to impres the other guitarists and not the general public.

i dont know if its a good thing or a bad thing

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 5 2005 10:40:05

Miguel de Maria

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

RE: Some thoughts about playing guitar (in reply to Thomas Whiteley)

The attitude of trying to impress people is understandable, although immature. This instrument, no matter what genre, requires immense devotion in order to succeed as a solo instrument. That goes even for falsetas, I think (as opposed to a solo guitar concert). Many of the techniques, such as picado, rasgueados, tremolos take a lot of time to master. It is understandable we want to show off. I think you get to a point, where you stop playing techniques in order to show off and start using them as tools when they are called for. I think you start thinking ore about effect; that is, the effect of great music and how to make it. Phrasing and rhythm become more important at this point. I think the 2nd stage is the superior stage, as "music" beats display in the end. But certainly there is a place for showing off and it's a natural thing to want to do.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 5 2005 19:45:57

Ron.M

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

RE: Some thoughts about playing guitar (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Mike,
I think that it's two different things.
As Florian say guitarists only really turn on other guitarists.
A really good Concert, IMO, must comprise of good solid music, with a bit of highlights here and there.
And of course, a technically dazzling number to wow the audience.
I love it all personally!
I think all the High Flyers in Flamenco have served their time enough walking on to International theatre stages to judge the right mix for themselves.
But to them, personally...?
I reckon it's all the same. I really feel that once you've reached a certain point of technical and artistic maturity...you really go for the music and ideas first, for that is what your life is all about.
Everybody hates their own playing...and I bet that includes Paco and Vincente as well!
Why?
Because you know how it works, you do it every day, you live with it and it's easy.

It's really only Amateurs who want to "out-flamenco" each other IMO.

cheers

Ron

_____________________________

A good guitar might be a good guitar
But it takes a woman to break your heart

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 5 2005 20:38:06