Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Full Version)

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rombsix -> Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 11 2011 23:38:42)

Hello y'all,

I DID conduct a search on the foro through the embedded search engine, as well as Google, to try and find out about this. However, I didn't come across an organized, clear list that highlights the differences between a typical flamenco blanca, and a typical classical guitar.

The reason I am asking this favor is because, as you know, I have recently joined this website , darsguitar.net , which aims at providing free online lessons about guitar (classical, flamenco, rock, fingerstyle-acoustic, etc.) to the Arab world, in Arabic, obviously. I am the person responsible for the flamenco lessons at the moment. I NEVER wanted to be the sole person in charge of the flamenco lessons because I am NOT good enough to have such a responsibility. I knew it would eventually bite me in the butt, and it appears it has - somewhat. I made a video to explain the differences between classical and flamenco guitars. I then received feedback from two respectable CLASSICAL guitarists (also teachers on that website) that my information in the video was not fully accurate.

Here's a link to my video:



And here's a link to the comments by one teacher:

http://www.saudimusicians.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18044

You'll need to understand / read Arabic though...

I'm going to provide a translation of what I was saying, and what the teacher commented, soon. I am a bit busy with exams until the end of this week, though...

Just to highlight the two main points that I got criticized on:

1- I point in my video to the top of the guitar, and say that the first main difference between guitar types is the wood. By pointing to the top, I didn't mean the wood of the top, per se, but rather the woods used in construction in general. The feedback I got was that basically the woods used to make TOPs of classical / flamenco guitars are the same: either cedar or spruce. Is that true? And that there are differences in the woods of the back and sides, which was not a huge point of criticism against my information.

2- I said that the volume of flamenco guitars is usually LOUDER. I was criticized saying that nowadays classical guitar construction is changing, and that some classical guitars are built with DOUBLE tops, and that they sound as loud, if not louder, than flamenco guitars. I received feedback that it was the SUSTAIN that differed (longer in classical guitars), but NOT the volume. I did mention the difference in sustain in my video, and that was well-received. However, when I said that flamencos are usually LOUDER, that was not well-received because of the double-top classical guitar argument.

I'll hopefully come up with a full translation soon. Would appreciate if you can give me a CLEAR list of all the differences you can think of between both guitar types, as well as comments on the two points I made above. Probably the luthiers and the seasoned pros (either guitarists, or flamenco-knowledge-wise) would be of most help here...

Cheers!




GuitarVlog -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 11 2011 23:54:07)

According to Richard Brune, who is one of the foremost authorities in the US, the difference between classical and flamenco guitars is primarily ...


... ANDRES SEGOVIA, who sought to drive a wedge between the two genres in order to exalt himself and establish the guitar as a classical instrument that is apart from the "noisy flamenco players".

You might want to read page 4 of this PDF. I thought it was rather interesting.
http://www.juliacrowe.com/2007pdf/brune.pdf

Having said that, it's now obvious that flamenco guitars do adhere to common design components (shallower body, lower action, lower bridge, reduced neck angle) perhaps because these contribute to tonal and playability qualities that have come to be associated with flamenco or with the best flamenco guitar designs. Still, Brune's article was quite interesting when he tried to find consistent structural differences.

Also worth reading: (Scroll down to Classic versus Flamenco)
http://www.cumpiano.com/Home/Newsletters/Issues/twentythree.htm

The difference is ... socio-economic.




Andy Culpepper -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 0:10:50)

note: my list refers to modern guitar making practice and standards as I see them


Flamenco:

-Usually lighter weight
-Often built with cypress instead of rosewood back and sides
-Sometimes built with friction pegs instead of machine tuners
-Has a golpeador
-Sound is punchy, percussive, dry, notes get out of the way quickly
-Strings must be low to the fingerboard and soundboard

Classical:

-Usually heavier
-Most often some type of rosewood or maple for the back and sides
-Sound is complex and full of harmonics
-Notes do not have as fast of an attack but "bloom" slightly more slowly and sustain longer
-Action high enough that no buzzing is produced
-Higher bridge setup

Both:

-Can be loud or not very loud
-Can have a spruce or cedar top
-Can have similar body dimensions




Gimar Yestra -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 1:39:28)



prett nice video wich shows the sound difference between flamenco and classical




Kevin James Shanahan -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 13:10:01)

Sticky tape yeah[:D] 7 min 50




Kevin James Shanahan -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 13:34:57)

Hey Romb , watched your vid , you are a good person , shame you didn't have an actual flamenco guitar . I so feel for you . I haven't the oppurtunity to play a flamenco guitar either . Look forward to the day . So nice to watch you speak , I really wish good things for you . [sm=Smiley Guitar.gif]




vuduchyld -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 15:14:20)

quote:

The difference is ... socio-economic.


Actually, I'd say there is a lot of truth to that. Yes...classical guitars are more likely made with rosewood and flamenco more likely with cypress or spruce...and that difference was brought on by differences in price/availability.

That's why some of the guitar snobbery on this forum REALLY cracks me up. The gypsy kids I ran into in Puebla de Cazalla last summer would be flabbergasted if you told them that they wouldn't be able to find a REAL flamenco guitar without spending $2500...and for that matter, they could make my $130 20 year old plywood classical guitar sound more flamenco than anything I (or most forumites) will EVER play.

Ultimately, flamenco is a folk art--comparable, probably, to bluegrass in parts of the US. It's an art from that la gente can participate in. And, yeah, the difference is socio-economic.

Anybody who needs to elevate flamenco to enjoy it or appreciate it...well, feel free to try to do that. Personally, I'll admire it and study and appreciate it right where it stands.




rombsix -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 16:07:22)

Thanks for the great input everyone! Kevin, thanks for you kind words! Do you know Arabic by the way?

Here is a translation of what I said in the video:

"The first difference is the wood. The type of wood differs between the two. A Flamenco guitar is made of woods that make it light, and make its volume louder, louder than a classical. There's something called response - that is faster / better in a flamenco guitar, but, sustain is longer in a classical guitar. Percussiveness is different b/w a flamenco and classical guitar because flamenco has special techniques like rajeos - thus, a flamenco guitar is constructed so such techniques sound better on it.

Second difference is that a flamenco guitar has tapping plates on it. In flamenco, we tap on the body to accent beats. If the tapping plate is not on the body, our nails might scratch or break the guitar's top.

Another difference is string action (elevation of strings from neck / body of guitar) - in a flamenco guitar, strings are closer to the neck making the player have better/eaiser control of notes, and play faster. Strings are more elevated in a classical guitar.

A traditional flamenco guitar usually doesn't have machines but peg tuners.

Last difference is that the body is shallower in a flamenco guitar than a classical guitar.

There are two types of flamencos: blanca and negra. Blanca is better for dance accompaniment because it has more volume and is more flamenco than being close to sounding like a classical guitar. With time, a negra flamenco evolved (mix between flamenco and classical) - it has types of wood used in flamencos and types of wood used in classicals."

Please feel free to comment.

Cheers!




BarkellWH -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 16:43:28)

quote:

That's why some of the guitar snobbery on this forum REALLY cracks me up. The gypsy kids I ran into in Puebla de Cazalla last summer would be flabbergasted if you told them that they wouldn't be able to find a REAL flamenco guitar without spending $2500...and for that matter, they could make my $130 20 year old plywood classical guitar sound more flamenco than anything I (or most forumites) will EVER play.


Your rant has nothing to do with the original question, which concerned: "The differences between a typical flamenco blanca and a typical classical guitar." There are real differences between a typical flamenca blanca and a typical classical: Type of wood, neck angle, height of action, bracing, etc. They definitely have different sounds. And I do not recall anyone on this forum demonstrating what you call "guitar snobbery" by suggesting to "gypsy kids" that they "wouldn't be able to find a REAL flamenco guitar without spending $2,500..."

It seems to me that you are displaying a bit of inverse snobbery yourself in your criticism of what you obviously have set up as a straw man.

Cheers,

Bill




estebanana -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 16:49:00)

quote:


Ultimately, flamenco is a folk art--comparable, probably, to bluegrass in parts of the US. It's an art from that la gente can participate in. And, yeah, the difference is socio-economic.


Flamenco is not a folk art, its a fully realized complex system of music with formal conventions that are unique in structure. It's also a form of literacy which holds the letras as a form of poetry. Calling flamenco a folk art is like calling Indian classical music some nice tunes.

The main difference between a classical guitar and flamenco guitar is that classical guitars sound crappy when you do a rasgueado on them.




rombsix -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 18:14:59)

quote:

The main difference between a classical guitar and flamenco guitar is that classical guitars sound crappy when you do a rasgueado on them.


[:D]




vuduchyld -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 20:38:47)

quote:

Your rant has nothing to do with the original question, which concerned: "The differences between a typical flamenco blanca and a typical classical guitar." There are real differences between a typical flamenca blanca and a typical classical: Type of wood, neck angle, height of action, bracing, etc. They definitely have different sounds. And I do not recall anyone on this forum demonstrating what you call "guitar snobbery" by suggesting to "gypsy kids" that they "wouldn't be able to find a REAL flamenco guitar without spending $2,500..."

It seems to me that you are displaying a bit of inverse snobbery yourself in your criticism of what you obviously have set up as a straw man.

Cheers,

Bill


Oh, I'm sorry, Bill. Next time I will make sure I get permission from you before I express an opinion that might be tangential to the original post. I forgot that message boards are for linear discussions...ones where everybody agrees, especially.




BarkellWH -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 21:00:37)

quote:

I forgot that message boards are for linear discussions...ones where everybody agrees, especially.


You keep setting up straw men! For one who appears to sarcastically mock what you perceive to be pressure for everyone to "agree" (see your quote above), you certainly have taken umbrage at my disagreement with your original post. So much for accepting disagreements and differences of opinion!

Cheers,

Bill




vuduchyld -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 21:05:11)

quote:

Flamenco is not a folk art, its a fully realized complex system of music with formal conventions that are unique in structure. It's also a form of literacy which holds the letras as a form of poetry. Calling flamenco a folk art is like calling Indian classical music some nice tunes.


HUGE DISCLAIMER: The response I'm about to give is tangential to the original post about the difference between flamenco and classical guitars. It's also possible that somebody may disagree with the post...and in fact reasonable people could potentially disagree about this and other subjective opinions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Perhaps we simply harbor different notions about what constitutes folk art.

Is flamenco fully realized? I don't know how to evaluate that. It might be. Certainly, it is incredibly complex. I totally agree that the letras are held as a form of poetry. There is also the convention of accompanying dance, as well, that adds to the complexity. However, that complexity, in an of itself, in my opinion, is not mutually exclusive with status as a folk art.

Some of the characteristics of folk art are that:
1) It is typically an expression unique to a particular culture and/or geographic area
2) likely to be developed by artists who have little formal or classical training
3) Early-stage development typically not influenced by academic circles

Many folk art forms do evolve to become incredibly complex...and even to be, eventually, studied by academia, become part of the larger culture, etc... I'd certainly put flamenco in that category.




Andy Culpepper -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 21:28:42)

quote:

The gypsy kids I ran into in Puebla de Cazalla last summer would be flabbergasted if you told them that they wouldn't be able to find a REAL flamenco guitar without spending $2500


I think any kid would be flabbergasted by that.. unfortunately it's basically true.
You can bet your ass any one of those kids who wants to have any kind of career in Flamenco will have a Conde in 10 years.

Good guitars are highly respected in Flamenco culture. It's an art that deserves something more than a throwaway $100 Valencia. There's no harm in starting on something like that because every kid in the world does. But believe me, those kids know what a good Flamenco guitar is.




vuduchyld -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 21:53:27)

quote:

You keep setting up straw men! For one who appears to sarcastically mock what you perceive to be pressure for everyone to "agree" (see your quote above), you certainly have taken umbrage at my disagreement with your original post. So much for accepting disagreements and differences of opinion!


Perhaps I did misread your initial disagreement. Honestly, you start off by saying that my post didn't address the real differences between a flamenco blanca and a typical classical...the very first example of which you gave as "type of wood". Seems a little unnecessarily combative, especially given that I specifically did mention types of wood. To be honest, I probably misread your combative tone, which, to me, seemed as though you were saying that my post was not topical, out-of-bounds, somehow not worthy of the forum. Please accept my apologies for my misreading of the intent of your post.

For what it's worth, I agree that the other differences you mention ARE very important and relevant. I'd also say, over pitchers of beer, that those differences (along with wood choices) between flamenco and classical guitars actually illustrate the development of flamenco as a folk art...but that's yet another subject.

As for the point about guitar snobbery, I would hope it is clear to all that I didn't suggest that anybody has or would aspire to have that specific conversation with the youth of Andalusia. The use of the word "if" in that sentence indicates the hypothetical/conditional nature of the sentence. Reasonable people could agree to disagree about whether or not this forum displays some level of guitar snobbery. It's pretty subjective. Perhaps we will never come to an agreement about it...and that's perfectly fine.




XXX -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 22:05:25)

quote:

ORIGINAL: vuduchyld
That's why some of the guitar snobbery on this forum REALLY cracks me up. The gypsy kids I ran into in Puebla de Cazalla last summer would be flabbergasted if you told them that they wouldn't be able to find a REAL flamenco guitar without spending $2500...and for that matter, they could make my $130 20 year old plywood classical guitar sound more flamenco than anything I (or most forumites) will EVER play.


Next time you go to the Puebla de Cazalla you bring me either the kid or his guitar. ;)




vuduchyld -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 22:07:15)

quote:

I think any kid would be flabbergasted by that.. unfortunately it's basically true.
You can bet your ass any one of those kids who wants to have any kind of career in Flamenco will have a Conde in 10 years.

Good guitars are highly respected in Flamenco culture. It's an art that deserves something more than a throwaway $100 Valencia. There's no harm in starting on something like that because every kid in the world does. But believe me, those kids know what a good Flamenco guitar is.


Excellent point about good guitars being highly respected in the culture. I was actually pretty surprised by how different it was to fly in Spain with a guitar--just the treatment from flight attendants and airport staff was amazing. (Fortunately, they only saw the case, not the guitar!) It wasn't some big ass piece of luggage that they had to DEAL with...it was a guitar...to be handled with great care.

Not sure I agree that every kid who WANTS to have a career in flamenco will end up with a Conde. There will be plenty who want what they will never have...be it a career in flamenco or a Conde. But there is a lot of non-career-path flamenco taking place in the local parks, pubs, town squares, etc... with non-Conde guitars. At least, that was my experience in smaller towns last summer. I didn't see a lot of throwaway $100 Valencias, either, though, so that is a very good point.




BarkellWH -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 22:21:55)

quote:

Please accept my apologies for my misreading of the intent of your post.


Thanks, Vuduchyld, but apologies are not necessary. We all have disagreements and differences of opinion, sometimes rather heated, but the end of the day should find all of us with a glass of sherry, beer, or wine in hand, watching the sun set in the West as we drink our sundowner, content in the knowledge that we all share the common bond of love for flamenco in all its manifestations.

Cheers,

Bill




estebanana -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 22:29:58)

quote:

Some of the characteristics of folk art are that:
1) It is typically an expression unique to a particular culture and/or geographic area
2) likely to be developed by artists who have little formal or classical training
3) Early-stage development typically not influenced by academic circles


I suppose I'll have to take your word for it it appears you're the flamencologo or ethnomusicologist, not me.

However what separates flamenco from folk music is that there is a body of performers who ply it as a trade, as singers, guitarists, dancers and they are professionals. Often trained in academies or privately through lessons. There have been professionals singers doing flamenco as a trade for a long, long time. Many of those professionals can sing styles and cantes that others cannot sing and they are well paid for the specialty. If a singer like Fernanda de Utrera is recognized as a great interpreter of solea and very few others can sing solea at her level, then she is elevated to a special position of expertise and professionalism. Uncle Joe down at the bar can't sing solea like Fernanda and never will. Why? Because she was a professional who interpreted a form of music that is systematized to recognize different levels of mastery. There is a great distinction in flamenco between a professional artist and an aficionado who is non professional.

Maireina, Fernanda and Bernarda, Paquera, Chocolate, Terremoto, et al were not folk singers. They were professionals who were every bit as schooled as any opera singer. And in other times in opera, the performers were often as not schooled in the same way flamenco singers are schooled, born into the trade, home schooled in music, or other wise tutored in non academic settings, the theatre or concert stage. Who would call an opera singer a folk singer?

I also think it's kind of sick to think that a gypsy kid would not want a great guitar, it's kind of like calling them stupid.




vuduchyld -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 12 2011 23:18:22)

quote:

Thanks, Vuduchyld, but apologies are not necessary. We all have disagreements and differences of opinion, sometimes rather heated, but the end of the day should find all of us with a glass of sherry, beer, or wine in hand, watching the sun set in the West as we drink our sundowner, content in the knowledge that we all share the common bond of love for flamenco in all its manifestations.

Cheers,

Bill


Agreed! It will be my pleasure to pick up the tab for the first round when we do it!




rombsix -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 16 2011 9:39:09)

New and improved video...





rombsix -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 9 2021 3:13:26)





Pali -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 9 2021 13:16:09)

It is a very interesting topic but a bit, let's say "misleading".

Let's see, for example, if I play three different guitars without you seeing them, would you be able to tell them apart? Could you tell me which one is for flamenco and which one is for classical?

I have seen Pepe Romero play classical with a white guitar made of cypresses with a German spruce top and play flamenco with a rosewood guitar and no one could tell which was one or the other ..... if you want to do the test ...




Escribano -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 9 2021 13:29:39)

quote:

Let's see, for example, if I play three different guitars without you seeing them, would you be able to tell them apart?


If one was a proper blanca with pegs, and a dry, short sustain I would be able to. If it was a bright, deep type of negra, then probably not




Piwin -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 9 2021 15:37:02)

quote:

if I play three different guitars without you seeing them, would you be able to tell them apart?


Should that be the metric? Or should it be "if I play three different guitars without seeing them, would I be able to tell them apart"?




Morante -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 9 2021 16:18:13)

quote:

Let's see, for example, if I play three different guitars without you seeing them, would you be able to tell them apart? Could you tell me which one is for flamenco and which one is for classical?


Depends who is playing. I have a classical playing friend who has a fairly poor Bernal and a phenomenal technique. He makes it sound like a Ramirez. When he was in the conservatorio, the best students had to play a concert. I lent him my Gerundino. the other students laughed: they all had rosewood classicals. My friend was the best of the day, the Gerundino, played as classical, wiped out all the other guitars.

Flamencos have a different setup in the sense of bridge, separation of the strings from the tapa harmonica and lower action: nowadays the basic interior construction is similar. Not many classical players would feel comfortable with a flamenco setup.




Pali -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 9 2021 16:32:38)

quote:

If one was a proper blanca with pegs, and a dry, short sustain I would be able to. If it was a bright, deep type of negra, then probably not


Uhm ... I don't really agree, it's always a personal opinion.




Pali -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 9 2021 16:34:17)

quote:

Should that be the metric? Or should it be "if I play three different guitars without seeing them, would I be able to tell them apart"?


Yes, I agree the question is not well formulated, it would be as you say.




Pali -> RE: Difference between classical and flamenco guitars (Apr. 9 2021 16:54:37)

quote:

Depends who is playing. I have a classical playing friend who has a fairly poor Bernal and a phenomenal technique. He makes it sound like a Ramirez. When he was in the conservatorio, the best students had to play a concert. I lent him my Gerundino. the other students laughed: they all had rosewood classicals. My friend was the best of the day, the Gerundino, played as classical, wiped out all the other guitars.

Flamencos have a different setup in the sense of bridge, separation of the strings from the tapa harmonica and lower action: nowadays the basic interior construction is similar. Not many classical players would feel comfortable with a flamenco setup.


I know that exam, I did it many years ago, playing in the auditorium for three music professors, I played works by Bach, Aguado, Mozart's magic flute, Andres Segobia's study without light ...

I totally agree, our way of playing is totally different, in short that is where the difference lies with the height of the strings.
The president of a flamenco group "peña" asked me to bring a couple of guitars to play after the show, when the "peñistas" group were left alone they began to play and sing.

I prepared a couple of guitars for them, none white, one made of American walnut and the other one made of rosewood, they were a little surprised, I lowered the "bones" high capo and put strings of hard tension and neither said anything, they just enjoyed playing ... I have a small recording ... The person who sings is a grandfather, president of the peña with more than 80 years ...

Look at the distance I'm recording, there is no microphone, no amplifier, natural sound ... my phone is normal and nothing special.....

That guitar is made of American walnut and it sounds flamenco, I'm going to upload some pictures for you.
I have it, I have not wanted to sell it.





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