jonc -> RE: How long did it take for you to become good? (May 14 2009 6:17:11)
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I've been playing less than three years with extended breaks during winters and restricted practice time in the summers, but I feel good about where I am with he instrument. The actual flamenco aspect is lacking, and hopefully always will feel that way. What I mean to say is that, since I'm approaching a tradition from the outside, I'm especially wary of declaring my own inclusiveness in the culture. I have no dancers or singers to accompany, or cajon players or really anyone else at all. When I play, I like to be outside on a nice day, in public, playing the songs that I love. Sometimes I play them as rigidly in compas as I'm able, other times I take my own time and see what happens without the structure. People seem to say a lot that when I'm playing they want to drift off to sleep! For myself, I want to be an accomplished _flamenco_ player, but right now, for others, in this beautiful season in New England, I only want to help people to relax and enjoy these songs that I love. Tomorrow night I have a paying gig -- mood music for a banquet setting. This is my first one, and I feel no pressure or stress about it. Perhaps if there were going to be a bunch of flamencos there waiting to criticize my compas or whatnot I'd be nervous, but for my audience I'd say that I'm good, and for myself, knowing that I dedicate so many hours a day to refining my ability to express what I feel on this wonderful instrument, I'm okay!
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