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Posts: 15824
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
Compas, rhythm, tempo...again....
Just would like to share this video that seems off topic at first, but I think is very important for understanding compas of flamenco. This is AL DIMEOLA again, explaining the importance of keeping a steady tempo despite complex rhythms that happen. Some of his comments might seem offensive, and he comes of as cocky, but I wish I had some teachers early on when I was learning that were as hardcore about it as this guy. There is no sugar coating about the importance of this, and how common it is to lose the sense of time. With professional musicians this can be a touchy subject I think, so thanks to Al for just comming out and talking about it.
RE: Compas, rhythm, tempo...again.... (in reply to Ricardo)
Apologies to any FT subscribers for the same reply, but anyhow, consistency and all that.....
Interesting, I thought this was going to be a clip from his tuition video which I saw years ago but I haven't seen this.
I had no problem tapping my foot in time with his whilst he did the off beat/syncopated stuff - I can see where you are coming from and why this is relevant. I was playing Fandangos DeH last night at the dance class (first time for me with this palo)- same thing - tapping the foot on the heavy three and 'forgetting about it', but its there as the reference to work with/against.
His claims about geography being a factor whether you can do this are I think HIGHLY suspect - where's the evidence? And interestingly Jorge Strunz, who plays very similar lines to Al as you know (but about 30bpm faster and cleaner - no palm muting), does exactly what Al advises against in terms of picking technique.
But I digress :-) 'tis a useful lesson on timing and rhythm.
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