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Hey there groovers and shakers. I'm starting up a menko style band and i'm keen on Drums, Guitar & Bass. I don't know what else i should use. I was thinking it would be instrumental, with a flute or something taking over the melody part (mimicing the Cante) I thought about soprano sax, percusion, violin....is there any instruments that are out of the ordinary that people have heard that sound cool for flamenco stuff??? Thanks for any help. Larone
RE: What instruments for a band?? (in reply to larone)
Here's an example i should have put at the top. My favourite band and the one that got me into flamenco is CURANDERO and the main two players are Miguel Espinoza (flamenco guitar) Tye Buroe (tabla) and then they get other guys to join in on the occasional tune, Bela Fleck (banjo) Kai Echkhart (electric bass) This band is fantastic and the blend of instruments is great, i've heard both their albums at least 2oo times each and will keep listening till the day i die. You should definately get both albums (#1 Aras, #2 Flamenco passion) You won't regret it!! LARONE
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: What instruments for a band?? (in reply to larone)
I like a lot of "fusions", and this group is very tight. I don't hear really any flamenco guitar influence, though the guitar is the main instrument...actually there was a rasgueado in there somewhere. I think to do a so called "flamenco" fusion, you need to have some good background in flamenco first. Like Strunz and Farah for example...
If you like this Curandero group's style, check out Egberto Gismonte. I see a lot more in common with his guitar style of plucking strings with "perpetual motion" rhythm. And the bends and harmonics, and even Egberto has some pieces that are Indian style jams with tabla drums...check it out.
In anycase, I think you are in the wrong forum to ask about making a "flamenco-ish fusion band". The only instruments I need are palmas in my "flamenco band".
RE: What instruments for a band?? (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
The only instruments I need are palmas in my "flamenco band".
Ricardo, So true...although this is the point I was making with Aloysius, is that to the listener, palmas have tone and aire too...and can't be dismissed simply into a purely time-keeping role. As you know Ricardo, I've never really been a multi-instrument Flamenco group kinda freak. But I must admit I was impressed by Gerardo's bass player. I don't know if Gerardo keeps him under control or what.... (Gerardo does come across to me as someone you wouldn't really argue with readily, I don't know if that's true or not...but that's just my impression ) Anyway...the Bass fitted right in there. I don't know if that would be true for all Flamenco. But it was so on the night and afterwards, on listening to more Nuñez's stuff I have on CD a little closer. See...we're never too old to learn.. So the opinions I have today may not be the ones I have a year from now...
cheers
Ron
PS...(Ricardo).."...actually there was a rasgueado in there somewhere..." !!
RE: What instruments for a band?? (in reply to larone)
larone, Being serious here...have you seen the video "Flamenco Women"?
An English guy, Mike Figgis is the director of the film and he's also a keen Jazz trumpet player (not professionally, but just for fun). I would never have thought that trumpet and guitar and Flamenco could have combined so well together without sounding like a Mariachi Band. But it did...and exceptionally well... However, it was just a short part at the beginning... I don't know so much if it would have worked so well on every number. I think you've just got to be guided by your sense of taste here... Alto sax may add an added dimension to a particular piece... But as a full time contributor to every track and palo? I'm afraid....Naah! IMO
RE: What instruments for a band?? (in reply to Ricardo)
I'm just curious which curandero album you've listened to?? because i have 2 and he's definately a flamenco guitarist. He plays a solea and seguriyas. I guess he uses all his his technique to write his own stuff which defiantely sways away from flamenco but i still find him to be in the flamenco category IMO. SEE YA LARONE
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: What instruments for a band?? (in reply to larone)
quote:
I'm just curious which curandero album you've listened to?? because i have 2 and he's definately a flamenco guitarist. He plays a solea and seguriyas.
I went to their page and got the free download of a track from ARAS, the one with guitar and tablas, and the banjo creeps into the background. It was a long tune...but flamenco-ish, it wasn't IMO. Have you heard Egberto Gismonte?
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