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Posts: 2879
Joined: Jan. 30 2007
From: London (the South of it), England
What should I play??
So, in a few weeks time I've been invited to provide some background music at a friends bbq/garden party/hog roast. Most of the guests are friends of mine and most know I play flamenco and the host is probably expecting me to play some flamenco, but.... after reading the recent thread about playing to non aficionados I had resigned to just play a few acoustic jams and not ask to much of the guests. As the date draws nearer I am starting to think that I must play some flamenco which then poses the question? What peices/palos could/should I play? I'm pretty certain I'll play a few rumbas and farruca maybe, but can anyone suggest any specific peices that they think may go down well with a non aficionado audience?
This morning I was listening to Paco's Hispanoamerica album and thought some of these songs may go down well. As far as I can tell the songs on that album are not of any particular palos but rather more traditional spanish dances/songs etc. Is that correct? I'd love to find the tab for some of these songs? does anyone have any of them??
The most annoying thing I found is the background noise. If you are playing in a garden, with good weather, people, even friends may not be listening to you. The guitar sound is too weak compared to people's voice, i.e. if you don't have an amp!
Thats exactly what I said to my friend! He has a cajon and said he wants to play and I said we'd need to get amped up or at least the guitar would, but he is a sound engineer and seems to think it will be fine. we will see.
This morning I was listening to Paco's Hispanoamerica album and thought some of these songs may go down well. As far as I can tell the songs on that album are not of any particular palos but rather more traditional spanish dances/songs etc. Is that correct? I'd love to find the tab for some of these songs? does anyone have any of them??
Is that the album with Ramon de Algeciras? thats a controversial one... its NOT really Flamenco at all, but rather Latin American style music. You're right that its popular though... my parents like it, and they don't even appreciate Flamenco or guitar-based music. So go ahead and play it, if you can, but just be aware of what you're doing.
I don't think most people at the BBQ will care exactly what you play... as long as its entertaining, authentic sounding, and fairly easy to listen to. remember, no-one is gonna wanna think too much about musical structure at the same time as they're munching on a chicken wing.
Jb
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¡Si esto no está en compas, esto no es el Flamenco!
Is that the album with Ramon de Algeciras? thats a controversial one... its NOT really Flamenco at all, but rather Latin American style music. You're right that its popular though... my parents like it, and they don't even appreciate Flamenco or guitar-based music. So go ahead and play it, if you can, but just be aware of what you're doing.
Yeah thats the one, I did a search on the foro and found a small thread about it before where you spoke about your parents liking it. I guess it is very accessible, perhaps I will play a couple of them if I can find some tab or do a rough transcription in time.
quote:
No Taranta and no Rondena
Oh damn! I'm very much into Rondena at the moment and I'd love to play them Moraitos "Alameda Vieja" which I've been studying. You're right though I'd already decided that Taranta and Rondena may not be that apt.
Is that the album with Ramon de Algeciras? thats a controversial one... its NOT really Flamenco at all, but rather Latin American style music.
The first time I saw PdL (in 1980) he did an interview/chat sometime before the show, in which someone asked him about his playing "non-flamenco" music, e.g. Entre Dos Aguas.
He was clearly fed up with the whole business of definitions, and replied: "I'm a flamenco, so whatever I play is flamenco".
The first time I saw PdL (in 1980) he did an interview/chat sometime before the show, in which someone asked him about his playing "non-flamenco" music, e.g. Entre Dos Aguas.
He was clearly fed up with the whole business of definitions, and replied: "I'm a flamenco, so whatever I play is flamenco".
Well, its true. But I can't help but think that Paco is quite an arrogant man for saying this. Besides... is "Friday Night In San Francisco" really Flamenco?
Jb
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¡Si esto no está en compas, esto no es el Flamenco!
I really have no idea what you already play, but picking new things is not the best idea.
I suggest that you take your favorite things that you already play and get as solid as you can on them between now and then. Then you will be playing the things you are most comfortable with, which is always the best idea. It doesn't matter which palos you decide to play, what matters is that what you play you can play well, under pressure and comfortably. People will respond best to music they sense comes from sincerity. Just play what you like and the rest will work itself out.
Even if its simpler than you want, playing music that comes from the heart will always be well received.
If you want to pick something new, choose something that you realistically learn between now and then and become comfortable and solid with it.
The friday night in San Francisco is one of the funniest things ever. Three middle aged men with their co@@s out stroking them and by the look on Macglauchlans face he is the only one who is turned on.
That about sums it up.
My tip is to follow the mood of the party, strum compas and save your energy by only playing simple falsetas. If you play a melody that they know that draws them in then after play them something you know well and which is more flamenco and they will listen. Then you should take a break and enjoy it.
Another thing which is inestimably worthwhile at a party is a serviceable three chord trick ( the ability to accompany a singer in any style by ear with the minimum of chord changes ) that way if someone wants to sing they can and they will appreciate your presence more than all of the flash in the world.
I am sure that if you don't expect too much of them then you will enjoy yourself.
D.
PS I've just read Paleto's advice which is very good.
RE: What should I play?? (in reply to guitarbuddha)
quote:
The friday night in San Francisco is one of the funniest things ever. Three middle aged men with their co@@s out stroking them and by the look on Macglauchlans face he is the only one who is turned on.
That about sums it up.
Haha! Ouch! Better make sure Ricardo doesn't hear you... although he would probably agree with some of it...
Jb
_____________________________
¡Si esto no está en compas, esto no es el Flamenco!
I would be happy if i could play 0,0001 % of Friday Night. Besides it is what brought me to flamenco, or to be more precise, Paco. I found him the most interesting from the 3 and it motivated me to find out more from this hardcore player. Besides, i didnt play with picks and Paco was the only one playing with fingers.
but can anyone suggest any specific peices that they think may go down well with a non aficionado audience?
Stu, I don't know how well you play, but... Probably the best all-time piece is "La Malagueña". It's a great piece, half free-time building up to a big rhythmic end.
Everybody knows it and thinks it's muy Español and Flamenco... (which it IS!)
Great versions around you can listen to including Sabicas and Paco.
The good thing about it is that you don't have to stick to the script, so you can relax a bit and play around. Just make sure you nail the Verdiales rhythmic part at the end. If the finger work is a bit hard then just stick to chords and plenty good rasgueado in rhythm and finish in a big "OLÉ" flourish!!
It works!
cheers,
Ron
PS..This is PdL doing it live in his early twenties at a Spanish Society meeting in London and it was the first time I ever SAW him play...needless to say, I was quite impressed..
Well, Koella.. It's easier to play the mp3. On the guitar..then there are some difficulties..
Seriously though, I've (in the past) worked on a few of the passages from it. Not too bad... (I managed to get the tremolo almost note perfect once) Paco's general structure is nice IMO and about 70% or more of it is quite playable.
The big stretches on the "F" shape at the beginning are really hard.
And the picado...?
No Comment..
Still, Sabicas does a really great version and much more playable.
But Paco is still the Boss...
The only person I can think of that would do Paco's interpretation justice... is GRISHA!!!
cheers,
Ron
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A good guitar might be a good guitar But it takes a woman to break your heart
Stu, You've got loads of good advice here, plenty to go on, but I'll add a few minor observations from having played a few garden party type gigs (although it was other types of music, the principles still apply):
- Don't expect anyone to be listening.
- If you're not amplified, don't expect anyone to hear you. (In which case it will just be an unusual practice session).
- Don't play anything that really requires the audience to be paying attention - as David says above, keep it simple and don't tire yourself needlessly, but be on your toes in case you do gather a little crowd. Then you can throw in some more interesting bits.
- In terms of specific pieces (beyond Ron's classic suggestion) unfortunately most people only respond favourably to things they already know, stuff they recognize, which makes it difficult. Your idea of rumbas is probably a sensible choice as it's a type of rhythm that will be familiar to most people.
- Crowds at parties usually sooner or later divide into various groups, and who knows, later on there might be a quieter group somewhere that would enjoy your rondeña, so you can keep it up your sleeve for them.
Have fun, but don't be surprised if you feel like this:
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When I have to play in such occasion I come with a nice girl with darks eyes, red lips and long legs and believe me that is much more interesting for the audience..Anyway do not play alone, play with your friend, have fun and share your pleasure with the audience..Tangos, rumbas, bulerias, 5 minutes no more...
Hey Fellas, thanks for all the advice. sorry if i miss anyone out, working so have to rush.
quote:
I suggest that you take your favorite things that you already play and get as solid as you can on them between now and then. Then you will be playing the things you are most comfortable with, which is always the best idea.
I will be sticking to what I know! Learning something new in such a short time isn't gonna happen I was foolish to think it would.
quote:
I don't know how well you play, but... Probably the best all-time piece is "La Malagueña". It's a great piece, half free-time building up to a big rhythmic end.
You are right Ron, this piece is ideal and Koella you were wrong I learnt it last night in under an hour
Seriously though, with a bit of work I could manage some of it perhaps at a slightly slower tempo, but as I said I think I will stick to what I know.
quote:
My tip is to follow the mood of the party
Yeah good idea, I will def see how the vibe is then play accordingly.
quote:
Have fun, but don't be surprised if you feel like this:
Ha ha ha hilarious!!
quote:
Anyway do not play alone, play with your friend, have fun and share your pleasure with the audience..Tangos, rumbas, bulerias, 5 minutes no more...
My friend is coming round tonight with his cajon and we are gonna see what we can rustle up. I wont be playing alone anyways, You'll all be there in spirit and good advice!
Hi! I've browsed round the internet for La Malaguena and come up with about 83(!) different tabs .. is there a 'definitive' version that I should look for or does someone maybe have the tab?
Hey guys So what is the name of the Paco's piece under discussion. I know it's Malaguena but is there a specific name for it, ...so I can find the score????.
Cool, thanks I've actually been on that site before, most of the tabs are a mess there. The fingering is just ridiculous. But it's better than nothing and one can always modify as needed. Paco's version sounds very nice, real Malaguena. I have Juan Martin's book and there is one there that has couple of Falsetas Paco is playing, but it's really simplified.
And by the way, don't I get a pint of Hibernian linctus or something for getting the name of the luthier over on your "100 Years ago today" thread?
Yeah Steve, At the time I actually looked up the maker you quoted and was amazed to see practically identical guitars! Before, I'd just thought it was the inaccuracy of painters of the time, suffering from malnutrition, or the effects of opium or large quantities of anís... (or most probably all three)... Really made me think about the History of the Guitar. I tried to give you 2 points, but there was no "rate this post" thing there..
(Hey where are you from Steve? For some reason I've got it into my head that you're French?)
cheers,
Ron
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A good guitar might be a good guitar But it takes a woman to break your heart
Thanks Ron, glad you didn't miss it after all. (Now that Stu's got all the suggestions he needs, we can carry on Off Topic as long as we like, right?)
quote:
For some reason I've got it into my head that you're French?
Zut alors! Must be all the wine and cheese that I consume! I'm not - although in terms of Scottish history I suppose it would have been considered a Good Thing. In fact I'm a native of Zummerzet, but was forced into exile in my yoof by the migration of my family, and subsequently got stuck in Toronto. So far...
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