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I've gotten all my stuff from flamenco-world. I've heard their site is not secure (?)...dunno, I'm not a computer guy, but they've always done fine by me.
Thanks for sticking with us through the pedagogical squabbles, it just comes with the territory!
Posts: 907
Joined: Mar. 13 2006
From: Vancouver, Canada
RE: Couple of beginner questions... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)
Do you think that maybe someone more altruistic and less lazy than I could compile the links into the Resources forum? Maybe we could make a big sticky thread?
RE: Couple of beginner questions... (in reply to jb)
Ok... so I checked out a few of the sample tracks on the solo compas cds at flamencoworld.com and I am a bit confused...
There are some with just clapping and rythmic beats blended into loops... obviously a more pronounced compas that I could follow and play along with. Then there are others with singing, guitar, etc...
What is best to start with? What do you think of this one here
RE: Couple of beginner questions... (in reply to jb)
quote:
ORIGINAL: jb While this thread is still alive though, I would like to hear some suggestions of what I should be listening to, so that I can "train" my ear properly.
That is a GREAT idea. Forget modern solo guitar albums for now. You need to start to get a feel for the differenty palos (styles) of flamenco - what they sound like, how they differ. The more you listen to, the better.
The 'Understanding Flamenco' book + CD has some really nice examples on it of the main flamenco styles - the guitar is stripped down to basic compas (rhythm) so you can really hear what it sounds like. Forget the book, unless you are coming from a reasonably strong music theory background and want to understand compas from a theoretical perspective. The CD is worth the money though, IMO, its a great little reference.
Solo compas CDs are great practice tools and again you get the guitar stripped down to the basics but you get a whole CD of one style (usually) which can be tedious to listen to.
Listen to some cante + guitar as well to really hear the flamenco guitar in its proper context. Again, I would stay away from the more modern stuff as things tend to be fairly funky.
Try anything with Camaron + PDL or Tomatito accompanying and you will have one of the best singers ever with one of the finest guitarists. I'm sure the others will give some good exmples too.
RE: Couple of beginner questions... (in reply to jb)
quote:
ORIGINAL: jb What is best to start with? What do you think of this one here
Looks good to me. You have three of the main styles covered there.
Solo compas CDs are practice tools for dancers, singers and guitarists. So you get like a track with just the singer, or just the guitar, or just the palmas, or whatever. It won't be much fun right now listening to a ten minute loop of someone doing palmas , but later on when you get into this you will find it fun to put on a palmas loop and play along.
RE: Couple of beginner questions... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)
Fosforito antology vol 1,2,3 guitar by PDL in his teens i think. Very "basic" guitar even if it is paco playing. Thoes cds covers so many palos it´s a good buy.
Try to buy some solo guitar as well. but OLD style, Niño Ricardo, Sabicas. Paco peñas recording of the 70s are realy good as well.
Henrik
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This is hard stuff! Don't give up... And don't make it a race. Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.
RE: Couple of beginner questions... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)
If you check out one of my previous posts in this thread, you will find a link to the compas CD you mentioned and an additional one (also with various palos).
The shop is El Flamenco Vive and they are cheaper there than at Flamenco world.
RE: Couple of beginner questions... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)
Yes, not being concerned about compas before learning other fundamentals is absolute heresy and far to radical, I realize that now. However, I have been summoned before Torquemada to answer for my statement. Well, there goes the nails. Also, I see people wearing hooded robes stacking wood in the Plaza. I wonder what that's about?
Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ
RE: Couple of beginner questions... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)
Gecko, wrong country, around here we find evidence that you practice witchcraft, make a big pile of kindling, and...you know the rest!
Seriously, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and we all put it out there, didn't we? I'm sure people will consider Grisha's advice different from mine, different from Todd's different from someone who is just starting out...
RE: Couple of beginner questions... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)
quote:
Listen to some cante + guitar as well to really hear the flamenco guitar in its proper context. Again, I would stay away from the more modern stuff as things tend to be fairly funky.
Try anything with Camaron + PDL or Tomatito accompanying and you will have one of the best singers ever with one of the finest guitarists. I'm sure the others will give some good exmples too.
Thanks for the suggestion Jon... some links to a couple of specifics would be killer if you have some time.
RE: Couple of beginner questions... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)
quote:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Oscar Herrero.
Me too. I thought his material was boring at first, but after learning some of the techniques a little better things just started to 'click'.
Adam del Monte, who lives in your area (i think), has some excellent online lessons. I have only taken the Alegrias lesson, but I have been told the beginner package he offers is excellent as well. Here's an excerpt:
quote:
Flamenco lessons by Adam del Monte added. These include a 2 hour long Beginner Package that covers basic guitar techniques; right hand and left hand techniques, scales, theories and more. You will also find falsetas in Solea, Alegria and Tangos for beginners in this package, . Additional falsetas in Solea for beginner and intermediate students as well as falsetas in Tangos and Alegria are also available.
Ricardo, a member of this forum, and an ecellent guitarist has a few lessons on the flamenco-teacher website. His rumba lesson was the first online lesson I took, and I highly recommend it.
As far as compas being fundamental to a beginner is obviously debatable. My approach was to learn a few strumming techniques first, then compas second. This was because I started with rumba, and was more clueless about the strumming technique as opposed to the rhythm itself. Although compas are fundamental to 'playing' a rumba, I felt it was more important to learn the strumming techniqe first, then to apply it to compas. I don't think there is necessarily a 'right' or a 'wrong' way here, but you have to find what is compatible with your learning style.
I have found that the more flamenco I listen to, the better I'm getting the handle on compas.
anyway, just my .02, which has an exchange rate here of about .000000000000000000000000000000002.
Printable Version
, but later on when you get into this you will find it fun to put on a palmas loop and play along. 
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