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Jon Boyes -> How fast is fast enough? (Jul. 14 2004 9:57:25)
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Ok here's something *slightly* more tangible and probably less controversial than bulerias compas [;)]
IMO, many flamenco techniques require a certain speed in order to 'work'. That is to say, if you do them too slow, it will sound like you are practicing (which is fine if you are of course). But what are the necessary speeds you need to achieve in order to play reasonably competently?
Tremolo is a good example. Play it too slow, and the illusion of a continuous melody line is lost.
Now classical guitarists would say that you need to get the classical PAMI tremolo up to 140+ bpm (one cycle of PAMI per beat) in order for it to be functional. There have been several threads on this on various CG groups, and most people would agree that Tarrega's tremolo study RDLA is best played at around this speed - the various editions of the score confirm this.
What about the conventional five note flamenco tremolo then? Where's the 'pass mark'? Following the math of the CG trem, 140 beats X 4 notes per beat gives us 560 notes per minute. Now if we want to play the same number of notes with our flamenco tremolo , then divide by five (PIAMI) to give 112.
With me so far? What I am saying is set you metronome to 112 and play PIAMI along to it - what do you reckon? Fast enough to work?
Now Mike's favourite subject, fast picado [;)]
Interestingly there is a kind of consensus from other styles on the subject of fast, single line, scale-based passages. In both classical guitar and in the world of rock/metal (shredding), people talk of a speed of around 160bpm. In other words, if you can play extended scale passages in sixteenths at this speed, then you would be able to comfortably handle just about anything in the CG repertoire that has fast runs, and if you are a rock fan, this is easily fast enough to impress your friends with your shredding [:D] What do you guys reckon, then, is 160 is a reasonable 'pass mark' for fast picado?
Alzapua is another good one which I think has to be plays at a certain speed to get that distinctive alzapua sound, anything less is just common or garden pulgar lines. But thats enough from me for now, maybe someone else can suggest at what speed alzapua becomes reasonably functional.
Anyhow, interested in your thoughts on the above.
Jon
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