Learning Compas - Resources

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Filip

Posts: 406
Joined: Apr. 23 2006
From: Paris

Learning Compas - Resources

Well, I have a great will to learn compas but a big problem are resources! I know I have to start from the basic forms and easy pieces, but I don't have them! I don't have nether the songs nor the partituras! So, I need all your help, if anyone can give me something to start with!!! Thanks

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2007 15:00:23

Georg

Posts: 405
Joined: Feb. 5 2006
From: Germany

RE: Learning Compas - Resources (in reply to Filip)

Download Thomas's handbooks.

http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/flamenco.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2007 15:45:08

Raimundo

Posts: 58
Joined: Aug. 18 2007
From: Australia

RE: Learning Compas - Resources (in reply to Filip)

hi Filip
It's grate to will to learn compas, (i was in same your position doesn't know any thing about compas) I search a lot in internet until i find this web site:

http://www.graf-martinez.com/

in this web site you will find lot of information about compas and flamenco also you can buy the study kit and start learning. Every things explained in good way

hope it will help you

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2007 15:50:03

Paleto

Posts: 243
Joined: Jul. 29 2003
From: San Diego, CA

RE: Learning Compas - Resources (in reply to Filip)

Filip,

It's great the you express the desire to work on compás, it is so, so important.

You should think about how you learn best, visually, auditorily, tapping your foot, whatever modes you feel help are fine. In fact, if you can learn using all th eavailable ways, that's probably the best.

You need to spend a little money on the things that have been brought to market, but there are also good free ones to use too:

1) Check out the resource GuxDiBux mentions
2) Consider the Graf-Martinez Metronome
3) Consider the new Metrónomo Flamenco Óscar HerreroMetrónomo Flamenco Óscar Herrero
4) Buy several of the Solo Compas, Escuela de Flamenco, or Ritmo Flamenco Rhythm cds, especially the basics, Soleá, Alegrías, Tangos, Fandangos, Seguiriya, and Bulerías, others are helpful too, but I'd say those are the basic ones you want to have. Learn what is played and be able to count the compás all the way through them, without your guitar to distract you.
5) Download Flamenco Master from here on the Foro and learn to use it and play against it.

As for partituras, if you are beginning, buy the Merengue de Córdoba book by Encuentro Here
or
Traité de guitarre flamenca by Oscar Herrero and Claude Worms Volume 1 Here

Oscar Herrero's 21 and 24 Estudios para guitarra flamenca are also good starters
With pencil and ruler in hand, on every falseta or partitura, write in the compas so you know where the beat is and which beat number you're on. You'll need to read the introductory information so you know whether to start on 12 or 1 and then mark in the rest of the beats, writing the beat number (1 - 12) in every measure.

Here

The Gerahard Graf-Martinez Method Here is also excellent.

These would be good starters.

-Anthony

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2007 23:07:03

Ricardo

Posts: 14841
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Learning Compas - Resources (in reply to Filip)

I think you can work with what you have, so long as you take it in manageable bite sized chunks. No need for a fancy metronome, just something to help you keep the beat so you can learn to feel the spaces between....tick tick tick. Work through one compas at a time a simple rasqueado pattern or simple passage of a falseta, and repeat over and over and over. Don't tackle any more notes until you have ONE compas super solid and natural.

Ricardo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 31 2007 6:52:57

NormanKliman

Posts: 1143
Joined: Sep. 1 2007

RE: Learning Compas - Resources (in reply to Filip)

Hi Filip,

Well, I'd say that you're going to have to get some recordings of flamenco if you want to have a more solid sense of compás. How can you learn to play flamenco if you don't spend years listening to it?

I'd recommend spending a lot of time listening to recordings and following the compás in your head as you listen, especially for soleá and siguiriyas. You'll quickly realize if you lose your place, although not everything on recordings is in compás! When you get a little better at following the compás, try to follow the compás as you play: "counting" and playing at the same time. You don't have to actually count with numbers, but, for example, if you finish one idea on beat 6 in bulerías, you've got to be aware that there are two more "short" beats before you get to beat 12. Again, you don't have to count with actual numbers. Personally, I tend to think more in terms of long and short spaces. I said what I said about soleá and siguiriya because the interpretation and perception of their rhythms are more straightforward, IMO. Bulerías can be felt in several different ways, one of them being a steady ternary rhythm (12-2-4, 6-8-10), and that might be a less desirable context for learning to follow compás. Having said that, some of Paco de Lucías more recent bulerías (La Tumbona, Piñonate) are really interesting in that regard.

Hope this helps.

Norman

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 1 2007 15:09:21