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Hello. I have seen a few non Spanish people live in Spain while playing flamenco. A few names I can think of are Amir Haddad, Tino van Sman, Kai Narezo, etc.
Realistically, do I have any chance of going to Spain and settling there as a flamenco guitarist?
Posts: 4855
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)
RE: How do non-spaniards live in Spain (in reply to metalhead)
quote:
ORIGINAL: metalhead
Realistically
No.
Why not creating your own market in your area, with much less competition and "create" the demand for flamenco by hard work, instead of going somewhere where even the pros nowadays have a hard time to make a living.
I would only go to spain if I had lots of money saved and enough free time to just play flamenco for fun.
Posts: 2075
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco
RE: How do non-spaniards live in Spain (in reply to metalhead)
If you have skills that can earn you a living then sure. If you’re hoping to make a living as a flamenco guitar player then you’d have to compete with the folks already doing that. As you pointed out there are a few non Spanish born folks doing it. Unfortunately outside of Spain it’s almost impossible to immerse yourself otherwise. I live in an area with what is considered a healthy flamenco scene and it doesn’t remotely compare to being in Spain in any way. The other thing to consider is culture. Personally, as a retired person I have the ability to move there. But I have children, grandchildren, a wife, a home, and lifelong friends that I’d be walking away from. I’d imagine I could convince the wife to come but that would be a battle I’m not even sure would be worth winning. Also, I really like where I live. If you are young and single now would be the time to see if it makes sense. By all means travel there and see if you even like it.
I know a few people involved in flamenco who live there but make their living doing other things. A couple of guitarist friends have apartments there but don’t work professionally there, and don’t live there full time as far as I know.
Those might be more realistic goals. If your knowledge and ability reaches a level where you can make a living in flamenco then ole tu! I think it’s probably harder today than 30 years ago. David Serva told me he made the move gradually over a number of years.
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