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So it seems to me that there is an excess of flamenco guitar teaching methods available to buy at just about every turn. But which one to invest in is the question? Subjective I know but....
So , we are in a really fortunate position ...we've got a 'pool ' of real knowledge at our disposal on here so let's get the players who know best to pass their opinions about which and why is a good bet., assuming they know of course! Let's perhaps be a little sensible as to who should contribute an opinion...we've got some pro players who can really add value and who I guess are fairly obvious choices ,so you guys in the know, ram it up us and give us all the benefit of your opinions. I have nothing to gain from this other than being the sole owner of a company with total distribution rights for the top 50 flamenco guitar teaching methods available worldwide....NOT!!! I think this could be a real help....don't think I'm talking b.o.l.l.o.c.k.s. but .... If there is a legal reason why this ain't a good idea then close the thread immediately the powers that be!!!!!!!!! Best
I am no pro but I think most agree that you can't go wrong with the Encuentro series. They vary in levels quite a bit but they are a gold mine. Rito y Geographia is also amazing too.
Other more didactic material will probably cause more debate.
Nothing like being face to face with someone though.
What about skype-lessons from Ricardo or other great players from the foro? You'll learn a lot more from teachers than from books. You'll read a lot of crap in those books. Just wrong things.. even in this foro Sorry guys, I talk crap either, so don't trust me I mean, you won't make anything wrong if you take lessons from Ricardo, Todd etc..
A good answer and a fair answer Lenador, I was just after something a little more specific that's all. The options are endless as are the questions and answers and I thought it could be a help for those new to it to have an opinion from respected members regarding teaching methods which are available to buy thats all. I don't know if this is an old question ...haven't researched it...don't know if older members would consider it a lazy 'non looker' question either...again ,lack of research on my part. Don't know if the sort of contributor i was considering would want to comment or would have an opinion too .Just a thought on a 'specific' issue or quandary which had popped up which I felt may be a good line of question. Just to expand on this , I don't just mean books....the DVD thing is a real wash of options too. Sometimes the choice is jut too big....can't see the wood from the trees you know? Anyway.... Best
So it seems to me that there is an excess of flamenco guitar teaching methods available to buy at just about every turn. But which one to invest in is the question? Subjective I know but....
there's already a lot of discussion of this in the archive here. Pick any one of the methods available, and bung the author or title into the search box and browse the past threads. Most of them have been discussed, some in depth
As mentioned Encuentro is not a method really, just video demos of the specific players, a good source. Expensive but good. Also, Rito y geografia as mentioned, not a learning method, but you WILL learn more about flamenco from that than any other source.
other than those mentioned i like the Granados books... the Mehdi Moghahedi videos are good basic, grass roots material thats easy to apply if your doing classes...without a word being spoken or written... the paco serrano handbook/dvd The Manolo Franco dvd's are more advanced but have great cante accomp and falseta's
in practical terms the encuentro Merengue de cordoba is a goldmine...
and the salado and galvan videos aimed for dancers are also a great learning experience
not really sure on actual methods...think were left with graf and juan mainly...but do checkout the granados books.. think gerhard will publish a 3 volume didactic set towards the end of the year...
angie's list works for roofers and dentists so why not something along the lines of angie's list in a beginner's section--or it can be called a recommendation section?
Rhythm is the biggest part of my lesson, and i just can't get that across if i can't play along with the student.
I work around that issue by using a metronome and have the student play to their own metronome. STill not the same as playing together but at least you can show how the student should be relating to the time, and you get the feedback from them trying to do the same with their metronome.
About some folks complaining they can't afford lessons...unfortunately, you are not gonna learn without making some sacrifices. Perhaps just a few one on one lessons will be a good investment so you CAN work on your own more efficiently. THe best tools once you are capable to work on your own are metronome and something to slow down recordings so you can pick things up by ear or make your own transcriptions. I don't like method books because they often give wrong impressions of what it means to advance in flamenco. As a reference for how techniques are done, videos can be good assuming the player is actually good....again rare with methods. Slowing down video can help, but ultimately very very few individuals can really get the authentic thing to happen without the feedback from a maestro.
I think hes trad. ,,, honestly I don't really want to learn to play with dancers, singers whatever. I like playing solo,, whether is blues county whatever. So Im not sure if trad. flamenco is really what Im after. I love the sound of the guitar ,,the compass and falsettas, but the whole enchilada , is so far removed from my experience. Where I live. its more Mexican/S. am. influence. thanks Steve
I you mean Skype,, I don't have internet connection at home. only at work.
I did go back a few pages in my GGF book. The first thing I learned was way over my head,,, and came out with NO feel. I must get the compass right,, as has been said over and over. I realize I cant "jump ahead" in this music.
I think hes trad. ,,, honestly I don't really want to learn to play with dancers, singers whatever. I like playing solo,, whether is blues county whatever.
It's an understandable and normal sentiment of many new comers to the style. Unfortunately the whole thing about solo playing, good flamenco guitar soloists not mediocre ones, is they have that background that helped shape their sound feel expression, everything really that you probably like about it....it comes from the accompaniment training. No way around it sorry amigo.
you know what , that makes sense to me now! Ihave to relate it to blues/rock which I more understand, if you didn't have the feel, you couldn't play solo and sound like anything but a robot. I read somewhere how you played metal when younger, I think it was you,, JP,, Maiden , and being from where I am a lot of shuffle blues. was what I did. I was unfortunately one of the many who played rhythm just to get to the lead part, the improv was the fun part. you just turned a light on. Im always in a hurry to run,when I cant walk properly yet.
to me,,, flamenco rhythms accomp. are worlds harder than anything Ive tried before. thank you
I don't know what I don't even know. my point is I don't plan to play with dancers,, its just for my own fun, and maybe playing with a guitar playing friend or two
I definitely think a beginners section would be a good idea e.g.
1. Recommended guitars and suppliers 3. Important accessories 4. Recommended training materials 5. Recommended teachers
Let me know.
I think Simon's idea is great. A Beginners Section where videos of basic compas and simple falsetas can be uploaded by members who'd like to help the beginners understand the concepts.
However, I think contents of this section should be vetted and approved by a reliable member just in case someone is trying to teach something that they really don't know well enough themselves!
I don't know what I don't even know. my point is I don't plan to play with dancers,, its just for my own fun, and maybe playing with a guitar playing friend or two
I'm sorry; no offence meant Likewise, a lot of us didn't know that Flamenco is an 'all singing all dancing' art when we started learning to play the guitar. Yes, we were hooked by the guitar playing and later on discovered cante and baile; which you really can't avoid, it's all part and parcel of the whole package. Cante & baile are where a lot of fun is.
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