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There seems to be about one hundred variations on the basic phrase(s) of bulerias which are most often played between falsetas with chords A,Bb and C. And instead of trying to figure out every variation and strumming pattern by ear, I wonder if some of you could post vids or tabs (from the web or your own) of some common variations. If you dont know what Im talking about then you can hear one variation of the basic phrase on Paco's Cepa Andaluza at 0:19 minutes. Thanks!
RE: Bulerias basic phrase variations (in reply to tele)
Your question is one of the best and most important that I have seen on this foro in a while.
Falsetas are easy to learn with tabs or even by ear using a software to slow down the falseta, but the rhythmic strumming between falsetas is where everyone should start I think and this is much much more difficult and annoying to learn without a good teacher.
I don't want to say that the only way is with a teacher, but I am hoping someone here will post some clips to help you and me! I asked a similar question ages ago on the foro and nothing came of it!
What we ultimately need is for Oscar Herrero to make a video just on Bulerias the way he did for Soleares and Alegrias. I was only able to learn Bulerias through a teacher, so again this is your best bet! I am sure there are some people here who would be willing to share this knowledge for free however...
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"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." Santos Hernandez
RE: Bulerias basic phrase variations (in reply to tele)
Instead of video, a diagram would be nice too.
I think it would be easier to listen to bulerias and "expect" the chord changes to be at some place if you already knew what those places usually are. Some sort of lyrics with chords in a metric fashion so that we can identify visually where the changes happen (at what beat).
I usually get lost for a while when the guitarist holds a chord for too long. I have to wait for a remate or a full cycle to get back in.
RE: Bulerias basic phrase variations (in reply to tele)
I only play a limited amount of variations myself (should learn a couple more) based on the variations Paco de Lucia applied in the late 70ties. If you check some of the videos you will notice Paco played only a limited amount of variations himself in that period of time which came back over and over again.
In most variations you return to A on 10, but in the last compas before a new falseta begins it can be very nice/wise to return to A on beat 6 (in stead of 10).... the resulting moment of "silence" invites the falseta (in the same way you hold back to allow an entrance for a singer) and it also gives you more time to prepare yourself (and the audience) for the falseta.
In the encuentro dvd of Moraito you can find some nice variations as well. He has the good habit to start every falseta with a compas variation... like Paco he often ends the last compas-variation on 6 to give an open invitation to the next falseta
Personally i like to precede Paco's falsetas with Paco's variations and Moraito's falsetas with Moratito's variation :-).
I can't find his encuentro variations on youtube (i recommend you to find yourself the dvd). Paco Peña made many excellent bulerias recordings as well but once again you won't find them on youtube... with the exception of this recording. Unfortunately that whole series suffered sound-recording problems, corrupting the original sounds. Note Paco Peña also resolves on 6 in the last compas most of the time before playing the next falseta.
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Joined: Nov. 8 2010
From: London (living in the Bay Area)
RE: Bulerias basic phrase variations (in reply to Erik van Goch)
I love that alzapúa arpeggio of Paco Peña’s falseta that goes to F. He recorded it in Bulerías cortas (on the Art of the Flamenco Guitar album, also included as a bonus on the Eclipse version of Fabulous Flamenco!), and that is transcribed in Vol. 3 of the Gendai Guitar collections.
It's in your interest to check lots of sources, but Jerez is at the core of this kind of playing: Morao, Parrilla, Cepero... Your index finger does nearly everything, and your thumb stays on the sixth string.
RE: Bulerias basic phrase variations (in reply to guitarbuddha)
thanks norman for taking the time to create the site. I just don't understand what are those "pull off lines" before individual notes? Does it mean let it ring?