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i dont know a single word in spanish but dream about travelling to big city in spain to see what shops with flamenco guitars are like . also would love to visit some places where luthiers build flamenco guitars. has anybody ever tried to hire spanish guy who speaks english so that this person can help when i need to talk to shop assistant or luthier about buying guitar ?
As to your question, if you cannot find anyone, the Google Translate app will do in a pinch. You don't have to type; just say things into it, and it can speak out the same, translated into Spanish. And vice versa. So, however awkwardly, you can carry a conversation. Though I am not sure how it will do with Andalusian elisions.
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to rafapak)
hey, rafapak, I have no idea which thread or post you mentioned your location in (there have been a lot recently...), but are you anywhere near John Walsh? https://johnwalshguitar.ie/ I think his teacher in Spain has (or had) some kind of sponsorship with Valeriano Bernal guitars.... also he gives lessons....
Posts: 6447
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to rafapak)
I took my lessons in Granada, with Emilio Maya. I didn’t speak a word of Spanish then. I learned quick enough. My guitar was a student Bernal and it’s been fine.
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to mark indigo)
quote:
hey, rafapak, I have no idea which thread or post you mentioned your location in (there have been a lot recently...), but are you anywhere near John Walsh? https://johnwalshguitar.ie/ I think his teacher in Spain has (or had) some kind of sponsorship with Valeriano Bernal guitars.... also he gives lessons....
I think Raf said he was in Ireland, and I suggested John Walsh a couple of times too. Raf says he doesn't want lessons until he knows how to play a bit.
Valeriano Bernal retired a while ago, his son Rafael is still making guitars under the Bernal name now though.
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to mark indigo)
quote:
hey, rafapak, I have no idea which thread or post you mentioned your location in (there have been a lot recently...), but are you anywhere near John Walsh? https://johnwalshguitar.ie/ I think his teacher in Spain has (or had) some kind of sponsorship with Valeriano Bernal guitars.... also he gives lessons....
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to silddx)
quote:
I think Raf said he was in Ireland, and I suggested John Walsh a couple of times too. Raf says he doesn't want lessons until he knows how to play a bit.
Valeriano Bernal retired a while ago, his son Rafael is still making guitars under the Bernal name now though.
I know he thinks he should learn something before having lessons, and none of us have so far managed to convince him that the first few lessons will be time and money wasted having all the wrong things and bad habits corrected...
Valeriano passed away in 2018, but I don't know if the sponsorship arrangement carried over to Rafa or not.
Either way I thought John might be able to advise Rafapak on guitars, either with acquiring a Bernal, or maybe one of his students upgrading and selling a beginner guitar or something... I dunno, thought it was worth mentioning.
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to mark indigo)
quote:
I know he thinks he should learn something before having lessons, and none of us have so far managed to convince him that the first few lessons will be time and money wasted having all the wrong things and bad habits corrected...
Valeriano passed away in 2018, but I don't know if the sponsorship arrangement carried over to Rafa or not.
Either way I thought John might be able to advise Rafapak on guitars, either with acquiring a Bernal, or maybe one of his students upgrading and selling a beginner guitar or something... I dunno, thought it was worth mentioning.
I completely agree. Not sure Raf is really bothered about taking advice unless it chimes with his own ideas. Doesn't seem to matter who that advice comes from.
Posts: 2879
Joined: Jan. 30 2007
From: London (the South of it), England
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to silddx)
quote:
what are tapas ?
To be fair. Rafa did open with.... 'I don't know one word in Spanish'
I can't believe there's no where in Ireland to get a cheap flamenco guitar. Harry? John Walsh? What are you guys saying?
Buying a flight to London to go to duke street to buy a guitar is some adventure. I guess its probably a cheap flight? Or I dunno, maybe you're richer than an astronaut, in which case who are we you tell you how to spend your money? But if that's the case go to Spain. You want to have an adventure. Don't come here. It's grey and rainy. Go to Spain with Google translate. Gorge on tapas particularly Salmorejo (Google it) and go for it!
Wants to learn rhythmn patterns without a guitar before learning any actual notes. Wants to learn something before having lessons. But also wants to travel by plane to another country to buy an expensive guitar... Wants to ask a million questions but never really takes anyone's advice... And rarely says please or thank you.
Starting to wear thin.
Good luck with your duke street visit. Juan is a nice fella if he's still going. Make sure you come back here and post us some pictures of your new guitar. We deserve it! 😄
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to Stu)
quote:
Buying a flight to London to go to duke street
I don't think he will have much luck in Duke street to be honest, the student guitars they have a largely uninspiring. There was a quite nice Camps Negra Primera A but it was £2.5k. Otherwise it's Camps and the usual Alhambra.
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to mark indigo)
quote:
hey, rafapak, I have no idea which thread or post you mentioned your location in (there have been a lot recently...), but are you anywhere near John Walsh? https://johnwalshguitar.ie/ I think his teacher in Spain has (or had) some kind of sponsorship with Valeriano Bernal guitars.... also he gives lessons....
I already contacted Mr Walsh in relation to lessons
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to rafapak)
quote:
ORIGINAL: rafapak
quote:
A friend went to Algodonales yesterday to buy a guitar for his son. Returned with a fine instrument which cost 700 euros.
i am located in ireland but plan to go to spain to get guitar. at the moment i am too scared to go cause i don't know a word of spanish
If you fly to Madrid and book a Train down to Cadiz, everybody in service/hotels speaks English. Once you get to Cadiz, Morante can help you get a guitar. He speaks Irish.
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to Ricardo)
Ihave a friend who once bought a cheap guitar from Valeriano: 25,000 ptas. Everybody tried to buy it from him, offering much more money, but it was a one off wonder and he refused to sell it.
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
f you fly to Madrid and book a Train down to Cadiz, everybody in service/hotels speaks English. Once you get to Cadiz, Morante can help you get a guitar. He speaks Irish.
i will go for malaga first cause i have direct flight there. cadiz is more complicated to get there. anyway i sent message to morante. maybe he will reply ? i dont know
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to rafapak)
Cádiz is a jewel of a place with enormous history. It’s worth visiting for that reason alone. It ain’t cheap, though.
The other direction from Malaga and a relatively easy drive is La Herradura, a small fishing village that’s also a jewel of a place. It’s the home of Stephen Hill, who is a very accomplished guitar maker. He’s British, but don’t hold that against him, he’s taught a lot of Spanish makers how to make guitars. He’s also taught a lot of members of the Foro, including Stephen Eden, Stu (who’s been helping you a lot), me, and I’m sure quite few others. He’s the real deal and he speaks English. He might have something on hand for sale, it could be worth contacting him and asking.
Due north of La Herradura, less than an hour’s drive, is Granada, home to a god-awful slew of guitar makers. It’s almost impossible to walk down the street without tripping over one. But these are makers, many will not have anything on hand and none will come cheap. And the stores will see you for what you are and you’ll find no bargains, but you will find a lot of guitars. It’s worth going to Granada at least once in your life. You really owe it to yourself to see the place, if you’ve never been. But go for the trip, really I think buying a guitar there should be secondary. I guess I’ve made my feelings about that matter pretty clear on the other thread, so I won’t start, lol.
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to RobF)
thanks for reply. Do you know how people travel from Malaga to Granada ? Are there any buses from Malaga to Granada ? Probably flying to Malaga from my location is not difficult since there are direct flights. And I believe there are also hotels available in Malaga where I can stay for a couple of days. Travelling to Granada from Malaga might be more complicated. Do you think people in Malaga hotels have knowledge how to get to Granada from Malaga ? It true I have never been to Spain before not to mention Granada , Malaga etc. I want to see those places for the first time in my life.
Posts: 2879
Joined: Jan. 30 2007
From: London (the South of it), England
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to rafapak)
Are there hotels in Malaga? 😧 How do people travel between cities in Spain? Would hotel staff know about how to travel between cities?
Bro are you ok? I don't wanna be unkind because maybe there is something going on that's not visible with text on a page. But this forum seems to be turning into a therapy/personal advice group for you. It wouldn't be so bad if the questions were interesting.. But some of this seems like stuff a 52 year old should know... (unless of course there's something else going on. In which case sorry for coming off harsh)
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to rafapak)
quote:
I ask questions because i have never been to malaga before so how would I know anything about public transport in malaga area ?
The first time I went to Spain, I knew nothing and did not speak Spanish. But there are phrase books, dictionaries, town plans. I have also survived in Greece and in France in the same way. If you carry a dictionary or phrase book and respect the locals you will survive.
RE: hiring translator-anybody tried ? (in reply to rafapak)
quote:
I ask questions because i have never been to malaga before so how would I know anything about public transport in malaga area ?
There is, of course, the World Wide Web. And Google. I mean, you know, you could find all of this out yourself with a little effort. There are so many travel guide websites out there.
The trick is finding the less commercial guides who know their way around.
HR
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I prefer my flamenco guitar spicy, doesn't have to be fast, should have some meat on the bones, can be raw or well done, as long as it doesn't sound like it's turning green on an elevator floor.
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