|
Matic -> RE: ***Beginner's Summer Tangos Challenge Entries*** (Sep. 2 2009 12:29:00)
|
Arcturus
timing/compas 6
technique 6
aire 6
TOTAL:18
Your timing is not bad. But you're not very confident either. Sometimes it feels like you're a bit behind the beat, that you're trying to catch it. As Ricardo says, don't you follow the palmas, let palmas follow you (or something like that...). Study that interesting compas variation around 0:42 more, do it as El Rumbero does it, it's a nice lick you can often use (don't do it too often though because it's very effective...) to enrich your compas strumming. Try as many different variations, practice it with metronome, first very slow, KNOW the rhythm, always have fun playing with your best ticking friend... GROOVE! the metronome can be the grooviest percussion instrument! ;) And try to SING everything you play. If you can sing it, you can play it. I've been hearing those advice from many different top notch players all the time and I can also say from my experience - it's true!
Regarding the sound: As Jason points out, the rasgueos are the most important technique in flamenco. That's so true. Practice rasgueos hard. And a very important thing: dig into that guitar more!! Dynamics are very important...
You are doing really well, keep it up!
Betelgeuse
timing/compas 6
technique 5
aire 4
TOTAL: 15
Let the bass notes ring in the arpegio part... EVERY note is important! You have to brush your back teeth as well even though they don't stand out the same as the incisors... Give the notes the attention they deserve! :D Practice slow with a metronome. Practice slow with a metronome. Practice slow with a metronome.
As with, Arcturus, not a bad timing. Seems like you want to be confident and dig in but don't yet have the technique to express what you desire. It will come! Flamenco guitar isn't an easy instrument to play. I know, I'm in the same position as you.
I can hear you have a nice potential. Keep it up!
Cygnus
timing/compas 7
technique 7
aire 7
TOTAL: 21
Well, I'm running out of advice. First, read everything I wrote for your colleagues. ;)
Try to produce the same strong sound with arpegios as you can with your thumb! When you practice, exaggerate, really dig in, play as loud as possible (and accurate at the same time) ... know how to play loud and you will be better at playing soft. I was oleing at 1:14, yeah man, beat it!
Vary the compas patterns, learn those Ramzi plays, listen to the cante cds, play what they play. You are able to!!
Practice hard and you will be great!
Hyperion
timing/compas 7
technique 6
aire 6
TOTAL: 19
Hey. When I first listened to your attempt I thought, he's got a good rhythm considering he has no loop or metronome! But I hear you have it really silent (on headphones?)... Anyway, sometimes you are dragging a bit... nothing tragic.
It's obvious you can produce a nice tone if you want. Dig in more! Noone in Spain wants to hear the rasgueos like you played them at the end! ;) Flamenco guitars like it HARD! And so do Flamencos.
Learn that rasgueo pattern at 0:42 (everyone should!!), practice slow, ticktack, sing...
Groove!
You are a fine, capable player.
Phobos
timing/compas 7
technique 6
aire 7
TOTAL: 20
I like your arpegios! Very nice, good tones. I don't like the sound of your rasgueos. It may be a recording but I don't think so. It sounds like you're throwing your fingers at those strings as if they weren't yours (fingers I mean) ;) I like it that you play rasgueos seperating the fingers, trying to get them sound equally strong... all good but at the end it all comes to the sound. If the sound is bad even if you have the rhythm, something is missing.
I like your playing, keep practicing!
To all:
I was hoping to hear a brave attempt on filling that BIG hole in the middle but yes, I guess you all wanted to be faithful to Ramzi's original... I remember not liking that silence when Ramzi first posted his video... I think I even posted an example or two how I would fill it (check the original thread if you want an idea). But I'm not saying it's bad or wrong, maybe more personal taste...
There are a few spots in this tango that are a nice challenge. You shouldn't stop playint it now after you're over with the challenge. Try to perfect it! Still practice it slowly and pay attention to the details. I know, one of the main worries for this challenge was to come through the piece safely... Challenges are stressful and sometimes depressing but you can get great advice and you improve a lot. Anyway, what I was trying to say is that coming throuh the piece safely is a big task and all but you shouldn't forget the other aspets of music when running towards the light at the end of a tunnel. Pay attention to the DETAILS!! Man, noone did that funky rasgueo I mentioned a few times right! Now go and learn it! Another interesting part is that ligado around 1 minute. Practice that! And the thumb part after that can be a very efective passage. You should really play that part like you mean it!
In general, I was pleasantly surprised with your submissions. You are all doing great and I heard nothing that couldn't be improved. It's obvious you are working hard and that you love flamenco. I didn't comment much about the aire. Well, you all know when you hear something that has a real aire, soniquete to it. And THAT is the most important thing in flamenco, never forget this! Si tú no tienes soniquete pa qué te metes...
Congrats to all!
Matic
|
|
|
|
