Erik van Goch -> RE: Learning flamenco... What style(s) to start with? (Sep. 11 2012 19:04:22)
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As a student (and with my students) the main aim always was: To develop a solid technique in small responsible steps To develop a severe knowledge of the music in small responsible steps To find a good balance between investing in the future (presuming one wants to become a master) and enjoying the here and now. Especially for a beginner the amount of useful material (material they can handle, that helps them to understand/develop, that is future proof and preferably enjoyable) is limited. To benefit the accent of your focus has to be awareness. One moment that awareness focus on technique (doing technical exercises) on other moments it focus on musical structure (like compas), rhythm and/or expression. Soleares is an excellent place to start because it can offer/integrate all these aspects on various levels of playing (from level zero to level De Lucia). But like i said, focus should be to find yourself material that fits your level and needs, that help you grow and if possible is enjoyable as well. As a teacher i vary the Soleares with small parts from other styles that is in (technical) reach like Tangos, Farruca, Sevillanas, Bulerias etc. I select (or simplify) material up to the level/needs of the student. As a student of Paco Pena i started with lots of technique (thump) studies myself and we sticked to Soleares quite a long time. After apr. 6 mounds we made a slow start with exploring Seguiriyas, Tientos/tangos, Bulerias. Over a 5 year period of full time study we added apr. 3 or 4 new styles a year. We always started with learning the basic compas variations on the main (2) chords in very vey small steps. Then we gradually added some falsetas (the melodies) also in very very small steps which means building up from very simple via more complex to very complex. A responsible (and in my case academical) development was always considered the prior goal. Wile maintaining/upscaling our soleares, seguiriyas, tientos/tangos and bulerias we gradually explored and integrated alegrias, fandangos, the free forms of fandangos (malageña, granainas, tarantas and later mineras and rondeña), guajiras, colombianas, verdiales, sevillanas, Solea por bulerias, serranas, peteneras, caña/polo and others. In my case we covered most styles for both solo/singing/dance (were possible). Most time was spend to technique and interpretation using both special exercises and real music (focusing in detail on parts (of parts) of falsetas as well on how to construct/perform a piece the correct way, again starting with combining 2 or 3 compas variations/falsetas and gradually building up a complete piece). A good teacher can help you to prevent developing bad habits (but might have some them self). For a good technique/interpretation study the masters like Paco de Lucia, Vicente and Paco Peña. good luck.
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