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gj Michelob -> RE: Please welcome new members! (Sep. 5 2012 16:33:05)
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quote:
One quality, amongst many others, that has come through in Ron's tributes, was his encouragement and warm welcomes to people starting out or returning to flamenco.
Is it alright if I stay on the Foro?
Losing Ron has brought me back to these fond memories. And I feel I am once again, asking the same question I asked when I first introduced myself to the Foro: could I join although I do not really played Flamenco, but only some scarce derivative. As I feared then, I do now, that I would offend the purists on the blog.
On that wonderful beginning, Ron and Florian greeted me warmly and I proudly accepted their kind invitation to stay. Since then, as many may remember, I passionately shared my views and music with a group of people (you) who, overtime, have become as close and familiar as old classmates are.
I often think of many of you, of your advice, compliments and even scolding reproaches.
I still follow your exploits, occasionally listening to the music you post here or on facebook. Surprisingly, the only flamenco music I still listen to (those rare days when I feel particularly cool, over a glass of Sherry and smoking a camel without filter) is Ricardo’s Madera Sonora. He was one of the very first Flamencos I ever heard (while blogging on a classical guitar forum) and he ignited my passion.
But I have been on a steady break from Nylon strings, since resigning from the Foro. So after obsessing over Flamenco guitars for about six years, and investing more than any monetary return I could hope for, but much less than the pleasure and joy they unfailingly gave me, I sold my last of the many proud possessions, my Conde Hermanos. I kept, however, the “German Vasquez Rubio” particularly because Ricardo, after listening to one of my recordings, asked what guitar I was playing as it sounded to him like a “very expensive instrument” –and if Ricardo says it, you keep the instrument for life! So I followed a sound advice, and I stored that guitar in the attic; one day, when the time is right, I am sure, I will re-discover how wonderful it is to play it.
I suppose flirting with Flamenco for me was only part of a learning curve which was leading elsewhere. And since then, I have returned to my original love, my own music. I like to call it “Country” music, but it is not really that; it encompasses Bluegrass and Celtic, Baroque and Spanish, and only God knows if there should ever be a label for “my own blend” voiced quietly by one finger-picking guitar and a raucous basso voice. Yet, I cannot wait to share it with you all, probably in what will be the “totally way off topic” section, which Simon will oblige for the occasional lost soul, such as me.
I often say that I compose the music I would love to listen to but I cannot find. And that futile, frustrating search excites an unstoppable process of stitching together notes and then phrases, embroidering a melody with subtle nuances that I sometimes believe I alone can hear. Yet, I love it; I could not live without it, really. I know that all of you who enjoy composing a tune, can somehow relate to this sentiment and know how sweet and dear your own music will always be.
Hence, I am using all (the little, that is) I have learned about classical and flamenco technique to fingerpick a pretty, parlor acoustic guitar, ‘0’-SP by a boutique maker, Huss and Dalton.
I turned fifty this year and am resolved to record and publish a few songs, as it was once my dream. I would like to share them with you, and more importantly the excitement that it will stir (in me). So, now more than a few years ago, is it alright if I stay on the Foro, even though I no longer play any Falmenco, only because I enjoy your music and company?
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