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Howdy Flamencos, Tomorrow I am going to Algeciras for 2 weeks to study again with my teacher, the wonderful Salvador Andrades. This time though I also will be doing private classes with his son Jose Manuel Leon(he of Sirimusa, Gerarado's Nueva Escuela and Carmen Linares fame). Every time I take classes with Salvador I get a whole new perspective on my playing, both positives and negatives. He is a fantastic teacher, steeped in an endless knowledge of Flamenco from the traditional pre-Paco material to the ultra modern. He's definitely of the Paco de Lucia school of playing, an excellent player, composer and teacher, with a great knowledge of music theory which makes it very easy for him to communicate some of his more 'raro' sounding music. This will be my first time with Jose Manuel Leon though so I'm extremely excited about the prospect. I've been listening to him since he was on Gerardo's CD and his album Sirimusa is one of my favourite albums of any genre. I will post some news when I'm there if I have time/access or if not, when i get back to rainy Ireland. 'tis going to be fun! For anyone who doesn't know Jose Manuel, check out this super-traditional Bulerias, the title track of his Sirimusa Album.
Posts: 14825
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Going to study with Jose Manuel ... (in reply to JohnWalshGuitar)
quote:
ORIGINAL: JohnWalshGuitar
Hey Thanks Elie, I fear that luck will be needed. The level of these guy's playing is scary!
Well, it was a long time ago, 9 or 10 years, but I had personal experience studying with Jose. I was gonna remain quiet but honestly feel I should say something about it. Back when Nueva escuela was coming out Gerardo brought him to Sanlucar to teach repetition. Back then Repetition class was only $50 for the week, and a new thing thanks to the fantastic player Fernando de La Rua of brazil who was fantastic at learning and teaching Gerardo's stuff and helped us all the year before. Anyway, first class Jose told us he did not learn any of Gerardos stuff, asked ME if I got anything to show the class! We the students were a little mad. But the next day the same thing and he said He did not like Gerardo's stuff, he prefered Cañizares. A fellow classmate was pretty vocal and upset he said "look man, we all paid for this and don't want to complain to Gerardo so show some Canizares, or your OWN stuff, or SOMTHING!!!". He then played for us some Paco modern falseta at full speed and refused to slow it down. After all we only got him to show us a unique rumba strum and an alzapua of his own that was also very cool but very unique and modern. Disappointed, I think we all just stopped going to the repeat class for the rest of the week.
Sometime later Jose came to DC to back up Gerardo with Carmen Linares. Gerardo and I were jamming on some of his tunes at the dinner table, and mutal friend told me sitting next to jose and two young ladies that the girls asked Jose if he also played Gerardo's stuff, he said "of course up and down no problem...in fact this guy Ricardo here is MY Student from Sanlucar"
Anyway, this was a LOOOOONG time ago, and I assume he as matured as a player and if he is offering lessons he takes teaching much more seriously then back then. I always like his unique composing style and tasty accompaniment on recent recordings, and live he did a fantasic job with Rafael Utrera just a few years back. I would keep in mind my story but give him a chance and let us know how it goes! good luck man.
RE: Going to study with Jose Manuel ... (in reply to Ricardo)
Hey Ricardo, Thank you for the info That's interesting and surprising. I've been talking to him a few times in the last couple of months and he came across as a very humble guy and generous with his arrangement of my classes. His father is an absolutely lovely man and a good friend so I'd be surprised if Jose is any different with me. Will check back in in the next week or so to let ye know how the whole thing is going. Thanks for taking the time to relay your experience. I will bear it in mind. P.S How cool that you were jamming with Gerardo like that in DC! Sounds like an amazing thing to do!
RE: Going to study with Jose Manuel ... (in reply to JohnWalshGuitar)
Interesting Ricardo.
I took lessons from him about 4-5 years ago and it was totally awesome. SO AWEEESOOOMEE AAAAH!!! =D Best workshop ever, right after Daniel Mendez aka Dani de Moron.
I wouldnt like to learn entire falsetas anymore during lessons anyways. Its a waste of time in all cases since we have digicams nowadays. They should teach basics and important to know thingys in their compositions but just should play slowly through this stuff to record 1 time. eso es. Not more needed...1 note 2 note showing...1st note again...and 2nd again...aaannnd 1st again..here u see. First note.."pling"..oh ah its there the 1st note......and the idiot right next to me didnt get the first for the 10th time...Waste of t i m e. Just play through it slowly and let the ppl record and work it out later. alone. I think every pro player could be a good teacher, following my instructions.
RE: Going to study with Jose Manuel ... (in reply to Doitsujin)
Sorry for the delay in updating this but have been very busy since I got back from Algeciras.
What an amazing 2 weeks!! Between Salvador and Jose Manuel, I got to cover an amazing range of things.
First things first: Jose Manuel is an absolute monster player and composer! He is a rhythm machine and his technique is just sickening!!! His new material is stunning. I had the pleasure of hearing a new Seguiryas which he is writing; an really beautiful and atmospheric piece in a range of tonal(and modal) colours. This is one to watch when his new album is made. Technique, composition etc aside, I found him to be an incredibly nice guy, very modest and patient with a great way of breaking down things in the classes. We covered a lot of techniques, many of which I have not seen from anyone else before(particularly super funky way of playing rasqueado), some ideas from his compositions, some very useful exercises and cante accompaniment por bulerias, tientos and solea. He's a very very funny guy and his humour comes out a lot in his playing and in the classes. Got to hang out with him a good bit too which was great. Definitely an unforgettable experience for me.
I had a private class every day with his father Salvador who I have studied with before. He is also an excellent player, very modern and very well versed in music-nerd-talk which suits me down to the ground. He explains things in very concise and exact manner and his knowledge of flamenco is extreme! We covered loads of stuff too por bulerias, tanguillos, tangos, accompaniment for cantes libres, technique etc. I also went to his school most evenings where i got to play for the dancers there. Great fun!
Aside from all that(and if i didn't hate typing I could rant all day) there was the sun, beach, food, wine etc... Got to see a lot of Algecireños that I hadnt seen in a few years and met a lot of great new people. I will return very soon. As soon as possible at least. Now back to reality and the perpetual rain of Ireland..........
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