Stoney -> Flamenco Guitar - The Classical Approach vs. The Blues Approach (Feb. 3 2010 8:03:16)
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Here are a few thoughts I've had about the process of learning Flamenco guitar. Although this is mostly geared towards beginner and mid level players who still have their noses glued to those instruction books and DVDs, it would be nice to get an opinion or two from some of the upper level players. Just to clarify, my playing has a stench that I can hardly stand, but I truly believe that after having made EVERY possible mistake that can be made along the way, I am slowly getting better and learning from those mistakes. Hopefully, somebody won't go through the same thing due to this post. (of course I can just rant on for hours so ignore me if this isn't to your taste) My impressions - The Classical Approach Youtube is full of guys playing pieces from the JM books and VHS tapes, Toques Flamencos by Paco Pena, the Juan Serrano books plus a pile of guys doing horrific note for note renditions of Paco de Lucia pieces. (just search for Herencia Latina to see what I mean) There is some merit, particularly in the beginning in being able to "cover" a piece but NEVER forget that this is Flamenco, it's not classical music and therefore the objective is to improvise. The Blues Approach OK, so it's not like the Blues where you create a solo out of thin air just because you have the Minor Pentatonic scale nailed. You need a repetoire of Falsetas to disect, adapt, mess with, mix and match, take apart and put back together. You aren't going to get there by copying and repeating the same 6 falsetas in the same order with the same chunks of compas stuck in between. Hopefully you will then get so adept at mixing and matching that some real golden moments will just happen by accident. Practicing scales, modes and arpegios along the way can't hurt at all. Technical warm up exercises aren't bad either. Finally and metiphorically, would you go to art school for 10 years just so you could do perfect oil painting copies of the masters? So why put in the time just so you can play like your guitar heroe? Play your own stuff whenever possible. End of RANT Stoney
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