I am deepocean 33 and about to start learning the Spanish Guitar. I have always been a fan of the Gypsy Kings and other Spanish guitar bands and I have always wanted to start learning the Spanish. This year I took the decision to allocate some time and funds to practice the guitar. Looking forward to learn a lot from this forum.
Your introduction reminds me to myself. In 1993 I decided to learn Spanish in order to learn flamenco guitar. Then I won some DM in the lottery and went to Málaga to study with Gabriél Cabrera and got my first handmade flamenca.
The search function in this forum has helped me a lot in figuring out how flamenco works for the guitar.
But there is no substitute for personal contact. I live in Amsterdam as well, so feel free to drop me a line by PM. It is always nice to meet foro members, especially if they live close by.
Regarding your parallel post on choosing guitars, I have no real advice on the guitar hunt (besides that a second hand purchase via a pro like Edsart seems a good idea). But any guitar lover should always stop by Palm Guitars when in Amsterdam. The store in the center of town is an Alladin's cave of strange collectors items (not too many flamenco guitars, though):
Best of luck in finding your way in flamenco,
Gilles
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Aside from Gipsy Kings, which other Spanish guitar bands?
If you're in Freiburg you could drop in at Mundo Flamenco, a lot of actual flamenco going on there; Gipsy Kings and "guitar bands" are a bit outside the flamenco spectrum.
Thanks a lot for the kind introductory messages. I will definitely contact the locals around me and meet with them once I have started my classes, after I have received my guitar that is :-)
Bernd: amazing adventure that must have been! I can only dream about that at this point in time. My guitar / musical goals are very modest for the next 12 months. Although I do have plans to visit Southern Spain (not sure about the city yet) to learn Spanish and perhaps I can combine these with guitar classes.
Gils: pretty weird and authentic store, I will definitely visit it [:D] once I am back in Amsterdam
pjn: I was already at Mundo Flamenco and met Johannes, a sincere and knowledgeable guy. I liked the vibe of his "shop", I heard the Camps Primiera and Sanchis Lopez 2F guitars at his place. From what I have read so far on the forum I now like to try out a Valeriano Bernal Prodigy.
Regarding your question to Flamenco music: I like Gypsy Kings music and I always considered them Spanish / Moorish music, didn't know they were actually French. I am not really well versed in the musical / flamenco world. Let me list a few musical videos which I like and then you tell if I am at right spot or not.
Anyone knows the name of the first song btw?
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Erik van Goch -> RE: Hello from Amsterdam & Freiburg (Apr. 3 2014 14:27:02)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ruphus
On a side note: Gipsy Kings are French.
Ruphus
Actually their grandparents were spanish refugees who fled Spain during the civil war in order to settle in france. Others like Sabicas and Carmen Amaya decided to settle in America.
Despite of been raised with Spanish language and all I would think them to consider themselves French. That´s at least how it often is with second generation emigrants. ( - Maybe with the exception of Asian migrants, who in general seem to be having a hard time with accepting customs of new places.)
After your comment I googled for the GK stand on this, but did not find any statements. What I found instead is that two of the GK are sons of Manitas de Plata, which I didn´t know.
Erik van Goch -> RE: Hello from Amsterdam & Freiburg (Apr. 3 2014 16:04:23)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ruphus
After your comment I googled for the GK stand on this, but did not find any statements. What I found instead is that two of the GK are sons of Manitas de Plata, which I didn´t know.
Ruphus
Aside from his solo career Manitas was well known from his collaboration with singer Jose Reyes who happens to be the father of 2 other members of the Gypsy Kings. After Jose and Manitas departed Jose Reyes and his sons became known as (Jose y) los Reyes. After Jose died his sons joined hands with the sons of (uncle) Manitas and Los Reyes eventually became Gypsy Kings because their constant traveling around the world to give concerts made them feel like wandering gypsies.
In the 70ties Los Reyes entered the hit charges with this song
Erik van Goch -> RE: Hello from Amsterdam & Freiburg (Apr. 3 2014 17:50:27)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ruphus
Despite of been raised with Spanish language and all I would think them to consider themselves French. That´s at least how it often is with second generation emigrants. ( - Maybe with the exception of Asian migrants, who in general seem to be having a hard time with accepting customs of new places.)
Ruphus
I have no idea how they see themselves. I can be wrong but as far as i know after moving to France their grandparents became part of a local (isolated) gypsy based community.
