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BrianH

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.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2016 12:49:00

Piwin

Posts: 3565
Joined: Feb. 9 2016

RE: Greetings (in reply to BrianH)

Welcome to the foro!

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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."

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2016 16:44:46

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Greetings (in reply to BrianH)

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!

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\m/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2016 17:18:18

BrianH

Posts: 4
Joined: Mar. 21 2016
From: Ontario Canada

RE: Greetings and strings (in reply to Leñador)

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!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2016 19:22:43

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: Greetings and strings (in reply to BrianH)

You might need to widen the nut slots, the saddle won't be tuning right, the truss rod will probably need adjustment... and it's not worth the mess.

Even a cheap classical will be better than a hacked steel string.

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"Ya no me conoce el sol, porque yo duermo de dia"

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2016 19:37:34

BrianH

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.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2016 21:35:51

Piwin

Posts: 3565
Joined: Feb. 9 2016

RE: Greetings and strings (in reply to BrianH)

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.

_____________________________

"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."

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2016 22:12:01

DavidRG

Posts: 41
Joined: Dec. 12 2015

RE: Greetings (in reply to BrianH)

Can I make a suggesion?
(Nudge)
;)
http://m.ebay.es/itm/Guitarra-flamenca-de-abeto-y-cedro-REBAJADA-/152013072705?nav=SEARCH

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Best regards.
DavidRG
www.eltablaoflamenco.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2016 22:26:42

Escribano

Posts: 6417
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Greetings and strings (in reply to Piwin)

quote:

If, however, you wish to really learn flamenco and all of its different subgenres, a flamenco guitar is a must.

and lessons, of course

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Foro Flamenco founder and Admin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2016 22:50:29

BrianH

Posts: 4
Joined: Mar. 21 2016
From: Ontario Canada

RE: Greetings (in reply to BrianH)

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.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 22 2016 14:29:53

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Greetings (in reply to BrianH)

If they don't seem great Skype lessons are a great alternative. Ricardo Marlow gives them and he's a beast.

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\m/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 22 2016 15:19:54

Escribano

Posts: 6417
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Greetings (in reply to BrianH)

A teacher should be knowledgable of decent student guitars in the area, too. They might also have a spare for first lessons.

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Foro Flamenco founder and Admin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 22 2016 15:34:12