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Posts: 103
Joined: Mar. 15 2005
From: Toronto, Canada
RE: how to contact juan martin? (in reply to tluczek)
It is interesting how the majority of people dislike successful people! I may not be a big fan of JM and I'm certainly no fan of Ottmar, but hey, they have made it big and they are successful and I admire that. It is unfair to say they are successful because people are ignorant and don't understand flamenco. People are people and they choose what they like or dislike and they don't have to follow the opinions of some flamenco experts to decide what they should like. I am sure these musicians are successful because of some quality they bring to the table, be it their personal charisma or "attractiveness" of their music. I did see JM in a small venue in Toronto and thought his concert was very entertaining and he himself came across as a charismatic and nice person. If anyone here thinks he/she has those qualities, then go ahead and be successful. There is nothing wrong with that. I think it is best if people set aside their envy and be happy for those who WANT to be successful. Why do we have to always compare people and belittle their accomplishments?
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What we are today comes from out thoughts of yesterday and our present thoughts build our life tomorrow: our life is the creation of our mind. -Buddha
Posts: 2008
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco
RE: how to contact juan martin? (in reply to Ramin)
Excellent post Ramin. Those guitarists have appeal to the public. I read a story about when ottmar's first record was about to be released. the single was played for a roomful of radio programmers and after they burst into applause. For those of you who were into flamenco at that time, you will remember the gypsy kings had just broken, and ottmar came along with his sound soon after-it was the right time, and the fact that he didn't have serious flamenco chops probably sealed his success.
It's understandable that guitarists with more skill resent the commercial success of seemingly lessor players, but that ignores the things other than playing ability that are required for that success. Many flamenco players don't care about that kind of acceptance, but for those that do, it's clear that chops are not at the top of the list of ingredients required.
Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ
RE: how to contact juan martin? (in reply to Ramin)
Mark is right, chops is at the bottom of the list. This is taken by an insult from many guitarists, good and bad alike--it offends their sensibilities about how the world should work. But success is adapting to reality, not being angry about how reality works.
In fact, I'm just starting to realize how bad most guitarists are at business. The paradigm your average gigging guitarist uses is completely irrational. For example, I used to refer gigs to certain friends of mine, but I stopped because I never got any referrals back. This season, I found a whole new crop of guitarists, to whom I've referred a good 5-6 gigs already. So far, I've gotten 0 referrals back. The rational person would do his best to repay a favor like this. It stands to reason that if you make it worthwhile for a person to do business with, than they'll continue it. But nada.
There is also a dirty word out there--the "self promoter". Apparently the guitarist is supposed to sit at home and cut hair until his genius spontaneously reveals itself to the world. If he has business cards, tries to beat the streets and get business, he is a "self-promoter"--a low form of scum. The people who have the gigs and are making the money have a divine right to keep them, regardless of how good they are, how their customer service is, etc.
RE: how to contact juan martin? (in reply to Ramin)
Yes, I'm afraid so. Missed an opportunity to hear him play in Madrid and will now always regret it. Karenanne
PS And so the great Juan thread goes on..and on and on. Can we please talk about something else? I will even talk about string types and other anorak subjects ( ) if you want! My life is frankly rubbish at the moment and I need this forum to escape from mountains of paperwork.
RE: how to contact juan martin? (in reply to Ramin)
Lol as a new comer to the forum i didn't know that this simple question (see 1st post) will trigger such a thread. I should have analyzed the forum carefully before I write such thread !!!! Sorry!
RE: how to contact juan martin? (in reply to sabo)
o.k are we all done? can i wrap this up with the photo yet? hang on we only need three more posts after this and this monster thread has hit 100 replies!!
Posts: 1156
Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON
RE: how to contact juan martin? (in reply to Escribano)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Tomás Jiménez
I came here to Uk in August 2004 to try to live here permanently and send my children to school here. I went to an estate agent to find out the price of houses. The tall slim young English man asked me for my phone number so that he could contact me with houses in my price range. I gave him my card. He said " Tomás Jiménez-- you Spanish?" I said yes. He said Oh" you don't seem very Spanish" "No, indeed ", I laughed. Well I love it here and I've been coming here on and off a lot" He gave me his card. "Rubén Martinez" , I said--- " You spanish?" "Yes" he laughed a lot.
We had a nice conversation about what our host country expects us to be and how even we seem to learn to go along with that expectation as we live here. The truth we concluded was that most Spanish people are not some funny little waiter called Manuel from the TV series Faulty Towers ( which I love!). We are now in the 21st century Europeans, tall ( not me) good looking, inelligent, professional and we speak English rather well.
So Ron I want to say to you thank you very much because in the context of this thread you have kindly indicated a better and more relaistic view of us Spanish. Thank you.
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) if you want! My life is frankly rubbish at the moment and I need this forum to escape from mountains of paperwork.
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