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...i was invited by the flamenco dance teacher to attend some basics dance lessons. lol this is very new for me. up to now i've gone to accompany with the guitar some lessons of the intermediate level. She says i would improve my sense of rythm. What do you guys think of it? is it a waste of time? in the sense i could spend more time on the guitar? or do you find it useful? anyone has got a similar experience?
Posts: 4530
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)
RE: Is it only a waste of time? (in reply to Franchiquito)
I think you should do it and it will definately help you to improve your sence of rythm.
Thats what i heard from almost every GOOD flamenco guitarist.
I wish someone would offer me to practice with dancers or that i could accompany Cante although i am not so much into Cante and Baile and am a guitar purist. But i am sure that it would help me to open up my horizons and that i will make some huge steps forward.
I bet Ricardo, Flo and others who also play with dancers, will also recommand you to do it.
BTW, i think it will be fun to play with dancers and not always alone!
Posts: 4530
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)
RE: Is it only a waste of time? (in reply to Franchiquito)
OOps lol...i think i fully misunderstood your post! My English is like my guitar playing, full of mistakes lol Do you mean that if you should dance yourself?
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Is it only a waste of time? (in reply to Franchiquito)
Not totally necessary. If you want to do it that is good, but would not say it will help your playing at all. Metronome fixes rhythm. Accompanying dancers develops your understanding of flamenco rhythm rudiments. But doing steps? In away, you ARE studying the dance just by accompanying the class. But if you WANT to do it, it will certainly help with your communication with dancers when accompanying.
But there are dancers that don't have great rhythm. And just taking a class does not necessarily help someones rhythm. Using a metronome helps. In Spain, the teacher does palmas like a metronome to teach the class, not all students understand the point but learn naturally that way.
For learning cante accompaniment I think again, it will help to communicate with the singer better if you practice singing yourself. But you dont' have to be a singer to or know how to sing EXACTLY what a singer sings in order to accompany perfectly. So it is really up to you if you WANT to do it. Don't just because you think you need to.
RE: Is it only a waste of time? (in reply to Franchiquito)
Thanks Ricardo, I had such a suspect! But as for not Spanish people, is difficult to have a full immersion in flamenco, this could be a way to see flamenco from another point of view. I'm 32 years old now, i'm sure it's too late to learn dance, and principally i'm interested in guitar. Anyway i think i'll attend the first few lessons, and then i'll give up.
RE: Is it only a waste of time? (in reply to Franchiquito)
Im not sure how you get your daily exercise..... But flamenco dancing is great cardio exercise having to do what your dancers expect you to play for has got to help you understand the relationship
Ive started pounding my feet about a year ago ...its not easy
ORIGINAL: c having to do what your dancers expect you to play for has got to help you understand the relationship
Yes I think c is absolutely right.
quote:
Ive started pounding my feet about a year ago ...its not easy
Im 52 ...so if I can still learn ...so can you
Good for you c! We have hardly any male dancers around, so they are always welcome.
I remember once working with a guitarist who was giving me a line about 'you dancers have the easy bit, we do all the hard work, you just swirl around in big dresses'. So I said OK let's swap for a bit. He didn't take me up on it (and just as well as my guitar playing is not up to it!), but he didn't try that line again anyway.
I think an understanding of what it's like for each other must improve the working relationship. Why not give it a try? Nothing to lose!
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