Move to Spain

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.

Move to Spain

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>General >>

Page: [1]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

edgar884

Posts: 1975
Joined: Nov. 16 2005

Move to Spain

Whats the job situation like in Spain, thinking about taking some time off to find a real Flamenco teacher, in a Flamenco community.

Anybody from spain that I could talk to. Or any other great Flamenco communities.

Thanx fellas

_____________________________

May we find God through Flamenco instead of Angels and Demons

www.gabrieledgar.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 26 2006 4:25:01

Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to edgar884)

Sorry I can't help you on this but there are some, whom I can think of, who can. Simon the creater of this Foro moved to Spain just last year or was it 2 years ago? Kate moved there as well. Anders moved to Spain and he's doing excellent! All seem to be doing well and I'm sure they'll be more than glad to help you.

Good Luck,
Cheston

_____________________________

Try some Enrique Iglesias for some great cante.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 26 2006 6:43:47

flyeogh

Posts: 729
Joined: Oct. 13 2004

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to edgar884)

Gabriel it is tough. The economy is a disaster (at the worker level). I have observed my step daughter and her Spanish friends trying to find work for the summer, for a year out of UNI, and permanently.

I guess the first question is “For how long do you want to go?” and "Do you speak Spanish?" If I were you I would consider earning on say a contract job somewhere else, stashing the dosh, and then going. That way you can really live the flamenco life without worrying about job hunting or wasting hours in a boring job.

Of course you can always stay here in the UK (only 35 miles from London) for a while and give me lessons

– but equally I don’t pay much.

_____________________________

nigel (el raton de Watford - now Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 26 2006 6:50:00

edgar884

Posts: 1975
Joined: Nov. 16 2005

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to edgar884)

Your funny ha ha yeh lessons from me thats funny. serious thanx bud.

I'm thinking like at least 3 months.

**** I better start saving, I'm gonna need like 3 grand probably.

Thanx Flyeogh, Yeh I'll ask those guys whats up.

Just started my spanish cd lessons, I know a little jo tango bassion por la musica flamenca.
I don't think I spelled that right but you get the idea.

_____________________________

May we find God through Flamenco instead of Angels and Demons

www.gabrieledgar.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 26 2006 6:57:53

flyeogh

Posts: 729
Joined: Oct. 13 2004

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to edgar884)

Gabriel you make me laugh. This foro is not full of people who can play along to PdL

Your a fine guitarist and as someone who picked a guitar up for the first time 2 years ago I can assure you that you could teach me a lot (if you had five years to spare

). As for 3000 (I assume dollars) you will have no probs (assuming you can find a cheap airfare**). I know guys in Madrid with families who earn less than 1200 Es / month.

** Recently a friend went from Spain to the US and it was cheaper to go Spain - London - USA: (I've done London Granada for 20Es) So perhaps I will get that lesson

_____________________________

nigel (el raton de Watford - now Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 26 2006 8:15:55

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to edgar884)

Sounds a great idea Gabriel.
I agree with Nigel....better to save up as much dough as you can and then go, so you can concentrate on guitar instead of worrying about jobs and money etc.
Personally I like the sound of El Carbonero's school in Jerez...he seems a no-nonsense guy and his rates are very reasonable....some famous players have come through his school, like Diego Amaya (El Capullo's guitarist) and Diego del Morao.
He seems to focus on a solid understanding of the rhythm and fundamental techniques rather than technical wizardry...he leaves that up to yourself to sort out.
One thing I would say though is learn basic conversational Spanish first.
Three or four months of concentrated work should be enough I reckon..
Things will be a total pain and a hassle if you don't speak the lingo.

Good luck!

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 26 2006 10:54:13

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to edgar884)

Edgar,
here in Phoenix, we actually have several Spanish stations on cable. My favorite practice is to find an American movie that they have overdubbed and just watch it. Of course a lot of it (most) is going to fly over your head, and it's kind of exhausting, but it's funny to hear Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte speak Spanish (I just watched 48 hrs, er Cuarenta Ocho Horas!). It helps if you know the movie's plot, because that context can enable you to make connections. As opposed to those inane gameshows where it's hard to tell exactly what they are doing!

_____________________________

Connect with me on Facebook, all the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/migueldemariaZ

Arizona Wedding Music Guitar

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 26 2006 14:56:55

Exitao

Posts: 907
Joined: Mar. 13 2006
From: Vancouver, Canada

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to edgar884)

Some DVDs have Spanish soundtracks and subtitles. You can try that too.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 26 2006 18:52:49

edgar884

Posts: 1975
Joined: Nov. 16 2005

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to edgar884)

What a bunch of great advice, I really apreciate it, yeh this forum is the ****.

Miguel great idea man, I'm studying a little spanish right now, but thats a good Idea to watch a movie I know of in spanish.

Exitao, yeh I'll do that too, thanx.

Hey Fleogh, just to let you know, I picked up Flamenco guitar seriously yeh about 2 years ago, but I 've been playing since I was 13 years old. Wouldn't want anyone to think that I've been playing for 2 years wewhhhhh ha.

Thanx fellas.

_____________________________

May we find God through Flamenco instead of Angels and Demons

www.gabrieledgar.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 26 2006 20:01:20

flyeogh

Posts: 729
Joined: Oct. 13 2004

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to edgar884)

quote:

I've been playing for 2 years wewhhhhh ha.

I meant that I had only pick ... not you. If it was true for you then you truely would be the next PdL. Perhaps you are - who knows

But seriously keep my lesson in mind - I'm serious. You could teach me that Jimmy Page stuff

_____________________________

nigel (el raton de Watford - now Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 26 2006 20:07:29

TGerman

Posts: 138
Joined: Nov. 27 2005

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to edgar884)

Edgar,

I was in Spain last year for some time and I plan on going back again sometime this year.
While I do agree that you need *some* money to get by, I don't think you need a fortune, you can do things cheaply. The first thing I did was I found a room to rent online (which is extremely common there and not expensive) at www.loquo.com, it cost me $150 per month and even if you wanted to rent an apartment for yourself I have seen them starting at $450 fully furnished. You also save money by going grocery shopping rather than eating out all the time, though that is not really expensive. Also, GET TO KNOW THE METRO, RENFE and TRAMVIA systems!!!! These will be your best friends when it comes to getting around, you DON'T want to take a taxi, ever!! It's ridiculous, you get ripped off everytime you get in a car.

Ok, the language try to learn a bit, I knew 2 words before I went there and it made some things quite difficult but I managed through the international language of miming (it's amazing how far that really gets you). To make matters worse I lived with 2 Argentinians and, at separate times, a Roumanian, a German, a French and a Dane and all had different accents than those of the native. Remember, ellos hablan con un ceceo (pronounced THeTH-E-O), they speak with a lisp so it may take you a while to understand where here, in the states, we are more used to the Latin American or Mexican accent. www.studyspanish.com

If you wnat to work I suggest finding something to do real estate, there are a lot of companies set up to show and sell property to people from England looking to invest.

Another thing that I suggest, which I didn't do but I will when I go back, is get travelers insurance, it's very cheap and it can cover medical treatments, lost/stolen luggage etc...

So my point is: just go! Things have a way of working out.

Let me know when you're thinking of going maybe we'll meet up!

Suerte,
Todd

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 27 2006 0:57:54

fevictor

Posts: 377
Joined: Nov. 22 2005
From: Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to edgar884)

So for all of you that have spent time there, how did you work around the visa situation_? You are allowed only three months, i imagine? Do you have to go to Morrocco every three months to renew your visa, or do they just not care that much?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 27 2006 2:17:09

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to TGerman)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TGerman

If you wnat to work I suggest finding something to do real estate, there are a lot of companies set up to show and sell property to people from England looking to invest.

This sort of job down in Andalucia only pays commission. Shame the Granada link on that webpage did not work, it appears to only have the Barcelona site up and running

Kate.

_____________________________

Emilio Maya Temple
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000CA6OBC
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/emiliomaya

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 27 2006 8:41:45

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to Skai)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Skai
Sorry I can't help you on this but there are some, whom I can think of, who can. Simon the creater of this Foro moved to Spain just last year or was it 2 years ago? Kate moved there as well. Anders moved to Spain and he's doing excellent! All seem to be doing well and I'm sure they'll be more than glad to help you.

There is definitely a big difference between coming for a few months and doing a permanent move like we did. We were well prepared as we made the move after spending a year here while I studied Spanish, so I was prety fluent to begin with. We were helped a lot by the fact that Harold had plenty of work recording and doing live sound, he worked with rock bands and jazz as well as flamenco, his first job was mixing and mastering for Enrique Morente which opened a lot of doors and he went on to record Estrella Morentes first two albums. One of his first jobs was doing the sound for a TV music show broadcast live every night, this at a time when his Spanish was non existent ( cerveza por favor was about the measure of it ). On the other hand aside from some translation work despite speaking Spanish I have had no work at all which is why I got involved with the Gypsy Association working with the kids and started promoting flamenco, none of which pays. We live by the skin of our teeth. Luck plays a big part and the people you connect with. The situation for both Anders and Harold is that they have a talent and a vocation and work for themselves. Simon also has his computer skills and came prepared, knowing he would have to create his own work. I would not say it has been easy. There are times of no work and we never know when the next job is coming.

While at language school I told my teacher my dream was to live in Granada and he said " You are either rich or you have some talent that no-one here has". Luckily for us Harold had that specialised skill and connected with people who needed him at the right time and place when they needed him.

Kate

_____________________________

Emilio Maya Temple
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000CA6OBC
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/emiliomaya

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 27 2006 9:46:02

John O.

Posts: 1723
Joined: Dec. 16 2005
From: Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to Kate)

quote:

" You are either rich or you have some talent that no-one here has".

Ouch, that hurts to hear

I thought my perfect German and English could get me something over there when my Spanish is good enough - it has a ways to go though.

I'm a technician in industrial filtration, a relatively small field with few knowledgable people. Good to hear it's at least possible, though!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 27 2006 10:03:37

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: Move to Spain (in reply to John O.)

quote:

ORIGINAL: John O.
Ouch, that hurts to hear

Yep it did me at the time. We still managed it though

Later I met my old teacher walking down the street and he asked if I had come back for a holiday. I gave him a big grin, he wasn't half surprised when he heard Harold was working with Enrique Morente.

Kate

_____________________________

Emilio Maya Temple
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000CA6OBC
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/emiliomaya

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 27 2006 10:29:59