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How to clap (palmas) ?
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rombsix
Posts: 7815
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon
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RE: How to clap (palmas) ? (in reply to Ex)
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Hey Ex, I can give you two pieces of advice: First: Have one person start clapping normally (and slowly), then start (yourself) clapping, but make the initial / starting position a "closed" one rather than an "open" one. When you want to clap (like for example, after PdL finishes playing La Barrosa live on stage!!), you usually start off the "clapping cycle" by having your hands apart (initial / "open" position), then you begin to move them towards each other. Your brain immediately thinks of the cycle as starting with the "apart / open" position and ending at the "together / closed" postion. Thus it will feel natural to perform such a clapping cycle. For "contra-clapping" to work, I find it helpful to think of the cycle as though it starts at the "closed / together" position (for you), and at the "open / apart" position for your friend (or vice versa; it does not matter). Hence, make your friend start clapping slowly, then start your clapping cycle with a "closed / together" position when he has his hands in the "open / apart" position. Make sure to start off slowly and keep going for a long time. Then start to speed up gradually. I am right-handed, so I have another way of helping myself with this clapping style. I tend to move my right hand more than my left one to a degree that my left one nearly remains stationary (not fully though). I try to imagine as though there is a wall of air to the right of my right hand, so as I move my right hand to the left, it strikes my left hand - and as I move my right hand to the right, it strikes this "imaginary wall." I don't know if that will help you, but you can try. Second: Practice very slowly. Don't think you'll be able to pull it off in a couple of days. It needs time, just like any guitar technique. That's all I have for now. Let me know if this was of any help. Ramzi
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Ramzi http://www.youtube.com/rombsix
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date Dec. 3 2006 16:37:45
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Ricardo
Posts: 14822
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
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RE: How to clap (palmas) ? (in reply to Ex)
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Get a metronome, and learn how to clap on the beat first. There are folks that have rhythm naturally and others who need to work on it. There is no special "trick", but one must be able to "feel" the rhythm in order to do it. Learn to keep a beat. Then learn to play the "up beat", then learn how to subdivide the beat further. If you can divide a beat into 4 equal parts, then you are on your way. 1,2,3,4. The metronome click is only on "1". That is the beat. Do it slow at first, accenting "1". Then clap 3 only. Use your foot on "1", always. Then try clapping 3,4 only, keep the foot on 1. Then try clappng 2,4, but keep the foot on 1. That feeling is the key. Just increase the speed until you can't keep the beat any longer. That is your max. The speed of bulerias would be like 100-140 bpm, the click is only on 1, but you clap 2,4. If you get another clapper, they could do 1,3 to help, but you both lock in on "1". You should also be able to do 6 per beat. 1,2,3,4,5,6. Foot or click on 1 only. Clap 2,4,6. Those are countra's. This would be slower tempo of course, than the 4's above. In all cases, the idea of the claps is not to get "in between", but to be felt in relation to the beat, and sound perfectly even relative to each other.
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Date Dec. 9 2006 6:15:37
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Ricardo
Posts: 14822
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
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RE: How to clap (palmas) ? (in reply to sonikete)
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quote:
There is a lot going on in the accents that a metronome-like compas wouldnt have. Like dragging or rushing? If you can't clap to a metronome, how are you going to clap with good palmeros without making them annoyed with your "popcorn" sound? Perhaps over time you would "get it", but how much time? Of course, the idea is again to jump in and be part of a juerga, but "when" can someone call themselves a "palmero"? Just like the flamenco guitarist question. I have met people who knew nothing about flamenco and were not musicians, but had rhythm and could easily do palmas. That rare breed, sure, they don't need any metronome help. But the rest need a reference. You can learn palmas with other people, but I have seen a difference in what people think is "good palmas" versus what I think. Metronome sort of ends the arguement, if you get my meaning, and can be done at home without any dirty looks. Learning with others can be the hard way, for all involved. In Spain, or a flamenco environment specifically, young people grow up with it. It is like training with a metronome. And for the record, my friend snuck a peak inside Paco de Lucia's guitar case, and saw a metronome in there. So not essential for all, but useful even for those that DON'T need it. So nothing wrong with emphasizing the importance with words like "essential". Ricardo
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Date Dec. 19 2006 18:04:31
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Ricardo
Posts: 14822
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
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RE: How to clap (palmas) ? (in reply to sonikete)
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quote:
But it probably is different levels, first learn to clap in time with a metronome, then with others then finally make music out of it. Yeah that is all I am saying man. And just to clearify, "metronome practice" does not mean one must play robotic with no dynamic. It is just a steady tempo reference. You learn to control dynamics by keeping the rhythm steady, the metronome helps. Accenting, or getting louder, does not mean faster. Most people make that mistake. Also, I think of "swing" as the fun you have controlling the spaces between the beats, not the beat itself. If I am the on time "tiempo" clapper, I don't adjust to the "contra" if he is a little late, or swinging. I have the responsibility to keep that beat steady. Both roles can be learned with a metronome. But before we revist old issues, I will stop there. Ricardo
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date Dec. 19 2006 19:20:44
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