I am new here (no troll)

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>Intros >>

Page: [1]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

hando

Posts: 19
Joined: Aug. 8 2013

I am new here (no troll)

Hi - I am new here and to Flamenco. I started playing metal when I was in my teens, never got hooked. Picked up a classical (takamine hirade 83 concert arte) a couple years ago and started playing flamenco. I am hooked! Just as I started thinking I was getting good - I found this forum. I was reminded I have a LOT to learn.

I came here to ask for advice on my next step. I have gotten through the Juan Martin Books and have actually made it through the Paco Pena book (needs a lot of polishing). I am not sure what to work on next, and would like to be able to actually play, not just learn others songs. I am also considering getting a flamenco guitar soon - though the Hirade has been pretty great.

Thanks!

(edit - I don't spell great when typing)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 9 2013 14:24:15

machopicasso

Posts: 973
Joined: Nov. 27 2010

RE: I am new here (no troll) (in reply to hando)

Hi, hando. Welcome to the foro.

In response to your request for advice, here are a few suggestions:

1) To make sure you're on the right track and not cultivating bad habits, find a good flamenco guitar teacher. If none is available locally, you might want to consider skype lessons with Ricardo Marlow.

2) Playing in compas is as important as all of the cool right-hand techniques (assuming you're right-handed). So, in addition to learning the main palos (e.g. tangos, solea, solea por bulerias, bulerias, and alegrias), make sure you work on your sense of timing and rhythm.

3) In addition to lessons of some sort, here's a great instructional DVD oriented towards intermediate and advanced players: https://www.lasonanta.eu/en/flamenco-clases-de-guitarra-dvd-partituras/la-guitarra-flamenca-de-gerardo-nu-ez-dvd-book.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 10 2013 8:52:29

Erik van Goch

Posts: 1787
Joined: Jul. 17 2012
From: Netherlands

RE: I am new here (no troll) (in reply to machopicasso)

quote:

ORIGINAL: machopicasso

cultivating bad habits

What a wonderful phrase :-).

I know all about ...... after cultivating bad habits for years (wile playing all records of Paco Peña) i basically had to start all over again when i consulted my first teacher, both technically and music wise. It took me 3 years to accommodate again. To become a good player you must develop a good and trustable technique and you have to understand the underlaying musical structures (like the inner compas and how to shape a piece around it). A good teacher can indeed mean a world of difference. Unfortunately there are also lesser good teachers that cultivate and spread there own bad habits.

Welcome to the foro and good luck with your quest.... you'll find many like you here, and many good teachers.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 10 2013 13:27:18

hando

Posts: 19
Joined: Aug. 8 2013

RE: I am new here (no troll) (in reply to hando)

thanks guys. Yeah - I need to find a teacher. I am in the South Bay area of Los Angeles - if you know of anyone.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 10 2013 13:56:03

machopicasso

Posts: 973
Joined: Nov. 27 2010

RE: I am new here (no troll) (in reply to hando)

quote:

Yeah - I need to find a teacher. I am in the South Bay area of Los Angeles - if you know of anyone.

Look through the archives. If you don't see anything there, then post a comment. Given your location, I'd be surprised if you weren't able to find a teacher locally.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2013 7:32:57