paleto3 -> RE: connecting (Jul. 29 2012 6:04:28)
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I think everyone has to find their own answer to this question. I think I don't connect with many people because I refuse to play nice classical tunes and I refuse to play Gipsy Kings, Ottmar Liebert, Armik, Jesse Cook and the like. Some restaurants only want that. I tell them that's not what I do, which is best in the long run anyway. Let them hire people who want to play that. I create my own opportunities just from being myself and being professional. However, I do think I usually connect with a few people who would like what I play because they enjoy the styles I choose to play. You will only connect with those who are capable of connecting with what you choose to play. Others will not be on the same wavelength. If you play mellow music, those who like that will tell you so. The ones who are bored by it won't say anything. If you play intense, uptempo music, those who like will tell you so (often they are the most vocal). Those who don't won't say anything (those who like mellow are usually more apt to remain quiet). I only play Núñez, Vicente Amigo, Rafael Riqueni, Manolo Franco, Paco Peña and soon Viejín and Ramón Jiménez because it speaks to me and in that sense, I play from my own heart or soul to the degree possible when playing someone else's music. There is definitely a range of tempo because I play most of the song forms. I play Paco Peña's malagueña, but not Ernesto Lecuona's. When they ask, I tell them it was written by a Cuban, and that flamenco is Spanish and I do flamenco. I smile too and I say it respectfully. Some people want to hear those old tunes, and I can't blame them, they want you to bring back memories, which is a nice thing. However, that's not the kind of musician I choose to be. I think you have to accept that everyone will have their own opinion and will like what they are going to like almost despite what you do. Others will like what you play because they like you, which is a great thing. I have seen people drunk not from alcohol, but from having enjoyed the way the range of music I have played made them feel. I have also seen people who really don't get it at all. I don't care about the ones who don't get it, they usually aren't very sophisticated listeners and usually are musical idiots. My attitude is, I'm going to give what I am best at, some will like it and connect. Others won't and I can't nor do I want to control that. I will do what I am best at and be happy with that. I play pretty much only corporate, private and weddings and refuse to play restaurants because they refuse to pay a livable wage. I too am often background, but I am not going to try to turn flamenco into elevator music either. Although some of you will say I do play elevator music because I play Bolero a Marcos and soon I hope to have a transcription of Bolero del Amigo. I break out my laúd for some tunes too, which is a nice contrast to guitar - I figured out a really nice scale/melody to play over a nice alegrías we play. I have had people say they liked it a lot. Some 20 year olds probably think it's an anachronism, but it's really a nice, different sound. You can see me play it a little in the Bolero a Marcos video in the video upload section. I don't think flamenco was designed to give people peace, so if you are looking to play flamenco and give people peace, you might find yourself at odds. It is inherently tense, and I have always thought that it's because some of the more gypsy song forms like soleá and bulerías often reflect their marginalization. The loud environment can be a huge problem, but I agree you are right to focus on tone, not volume. Just have a monitor near you so you can hear yourself clearly and let them hear what they can if they don't want to shut up and listen :-) Some people are bored by peaceful music, some people love it. You will attract like minded people no matter what you play. When possible, I'll play a granaína and then a fast alegría or rumba or soleá por bulería or whatever so the dynamics are always changing. I always intersperse 4/4 song forms with 3/4 song forms to keep it fresh and interesting. I got to do a little concert a couple days ago with one dancer. It sucked for me because she didn't have to time to rehearse, and then her palmas patterns didn't match what I was playing very well, she was hesitating when I wanted her to clap very strong, then she hesitated while she danced and I wanted her to dance really strong (she was worried it would screw up the falsetas, but I just wanted us to sound strong)...I got to say a lot about flamenco and gave them a little education, which most of them really liked. Then I noticed an older guy falling asleep. I laughed my ass off. There was that one person who just didn't get it. That's his loss. Unfortunately, it was at a library that didn't have much of a budget. If we could have been a quartet with 2 dancers like in the videos I posted we would have knocked their socks off. I hope I can get the director to bring us back next year as a quartet with 2 dancers. Then we can really leave a strong impression. In any case, you will connect with some, but not with everyone. Just do what you are best at and put your heart into it and you will receive compliments from those ready to grasp what you have to offer.
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