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Posts: 4
Joined: Mar. 21 2016
From: Ontario Canada
Greetings
A retired Canadian with extra time who has a developing interest in Flamenco after watching performances in the south of France (have not been to Spain yet). I am using a steel string acoustic to learn some of the challenging but wonderful sounding techniques. If my satisfaction level remains above my frustration level then I will search for a flamenco guitar.
"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."
Welcome! At the very least I'd get some ball end nylon strings or something. Your going to thrash your nails to pieces practicing on a steel string acoustic. You can get a cheap starter flamenco for around $400 too. Enjoy the foro!
I had not considered using ball end nylon strings until getting a flamenco guitar. The nails on my right hand are noticeably thinner. Good suggestion. Thanks!
Posts: 4
Joined: Mar. 21 2016
From: Ontario Canada
RE: Greetings and strings (in reply to Sr. Martins)
Hmmm. Those are issues that would not have been apparent to me but definitely make sense. I think these useful posts have helped convince me to buy a more appropriate instrument. Gracias.
Personally I think that is the better option, if of course you have the possibility of getting a classical or flamenco guitar. Mainly because I suspect starting out on a steel-string would make you less satisfied and more frustrated with flamenco, so less likely to want to move forward by purchasing a more adequate instrument. I suppose it all depends on what you want to achieve. If you merely want to pick up some flamenco techniques and adapt them to steel-string so as to give a sort of flamenco flavor to your playing, that has been done before and is indeed possible. If, however, you wish to really learn flamenco and all of its different subgenres, a flamenco guitar is a must. Just my own two cents.
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"Anything you do can be fixed. What you cannot fix is the perfection of a blank page. What you cannot fix is that pristine, unsullied whiteness of a screen or a page with nothing on it—because there’s nothing there to fix."
This group is surprisingly welcoming and encouraging. The most recent suggestion regarding lessons has inspired me to e-mail a local music school for details about their Flamenco instructor and program. Much appreciated.
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