Hello from Ireland

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Hello from Ireland

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Irish

Posts: 8
Joined: May 12 2017

Hello from Ireland

Hi all,
I have about 25 years behind me playing steel string acoustics. Haven't really been doing any playing (or practice) last few years.

However, around christmas time 2016, I discovered Tomatitos Legendary Bulerias on youtube. Since then I have been seduced down the rabbit hole that is flamenco.

So I started, as you do, to try and play some of the pieces. I realised almost immediately that this was not going to be a pick up and play kind of music.

I played on a 1/2 size cheap nylon string and found it too small so decided to look for a full size nylon string. I almost got lost while looking for a flamenco guitar, and almost lost my wallet too. Tell me I'm not crazy, decent Flamenco guitars are really expensive right??. I decided eventually to go with a cheap option and bought the thomann.de 1f flamenco guitar. 159€ means I can learn without buyers regret, maybe spend a few years learning the ins and outs of flamenco, and then, maybe be in a position to know what I am looking for in a flamenco guitar.

Anyway, that's where I am now, looking up tabs, buying books, listening to as many flamenco musicians and singers on youtube and practicing the basic techniques. Nowhere near playing a full or part of a tune but think I am on the right track so far.

It is challenging but I am hoping to find help here in the foroflamenco if and when I need it!!

So far I am blown away by Tomatito and Diego del Gastor. They each have something really unique the way they play their music, and they have the biggest affect on me at the moment.

Thanks for having me.

J

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 16 2017 13:01:57

Piwin

Posts: 3562
Joined: Feb. 9 2016

RE: Hello from Ireland (in reply to Irish)

Welcome!

quote:

Anyway, that's where I am now, looking up tabs, buying books, listening to as many flamenco musicians and singers on youtube and practicing the basic techniques

If you're really just starting, especially if you have a background in another style of music, don't underestimate how useful a few classes can be. The name John Walsh comes to mind since he's a member here, a hell of a guitar player and I think around your neck of the woods (at least in the same country I think). Don't know if he teaches but probably wouldn't hurt to look him up.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 16 2017 13:56:07

Morante

Posts: 2181
Joined: Nov. 21 2010

RE: Hello from Ireland (in reply to Irish)

Where are you. You are not the only flamenco aficionado in Ireland.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 16 2017 15:22:51

Erik van Goch

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

RE: Hello from Ireland (in reply to Irish)

Welcome to the foro. A few lessons from someone like John Walsh would indeed be recommended (i played the guitar for 14 years, including 4 years specializing in "flamenco", before i started to take lessons from a prof and basically had to start from scratch again).

Not so sure a good flamenco guitar is more expensive as a good steel string. I used to play Irish tunes on a 12 string and i'm very lucky to own a 12 string Bozo which in 1984 was about 750,- euro. But they are very hard to get now (and more expensive as back then) and most other 12 strings i encountered were crap. The one i really want (a 12 string resonance guitar by Bert Kwakkel) is way out of my league finance wise (the only one in existence is played by Erik Visser/Flairck, you might have met him in Ireland). I own more then 1 good flamenco guitar but generally play on a cheap Ibanez from the early 70ties that plays equally well handwise.

_____________________________

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 16 2017 16:07:23

Irish

Posts: 8
Joined: May 12 2017

RE: Hello from Ireland (in reply to Irish)

Thanks all for the responses. I have contacted John Walsh via his website, and will hopefully sort something out. I agree that some instruction would be invaluable. Isn't that how all the greats learned after all?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 17 2017 7:33:10