Ramon Amira -> RE: What happened to the "traditional" flamenco hold? (Dec. 24 2011 22:25:48)
|
quote:
Hi. Paco expresses his view in one of the most recent documentaries on him. I forget which one. He says that there were a limited number of chords used when that position was popular, probably none past the third position. It was therefore easier to hold the guitar up in that position. However, Paco's falsetas (AND OTHERS) became increasingly complex with a greater use of the fretboard and many more chords as well as florid left-hand techniques. It is impossible to play many modern falsetas in that position and Paco adjusted. Many followed suit and here we are. Paco might have said that, but that doesn't make it true. Many guitarists of the past, Nino Ricardo for one, Pepe Martinez, Mario Escudero for most of his career, Serranito in his earlier career, and others, played in the traditional position, and they were hardly restricting themselves to "no chords past the third position." As for "complex falsetas" being "impossible" in that position, Nino Ricardos's falsetas were plenty complex, and all over the fingerboard, and I think it's safe to say that were he alive he would easily play any modern falseta in the traditional position. The same for the others cited above, all of whom played complex falsetas, and were fully able to play any modern day falseta. And obviously the same could be said for Sabicas, who earlier in his career used the traditional position. I don't think anyone would want to argue that Sabicas would have not been able play any falseta, however complex, in the traditional position. There are also more modern day guitarists - Rafael Cortes comes to mind - still using the traditional position and playing complex falsetas. So the idea that modern falsetas are impossible to play in the tradtional position doesn't seem tenable. Ramon
|
|
|
|