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xirdneH_imiJ -> RE: Accompanying dance classes - how do you start? (Sep. 18 2023 10:41:33)
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Not sure if it's a typical story, but when I started, we had regular flamenco gatherings in my home town and got to know a few people before I actually asked one of the friendlier dancers if I could go and sit in her classes. I accompanied her (and several others) for the next decade. Dancers are usually happy to offer you the opportunity as there aren't many guitarists around willing (or able) to do that. All you need is the basics, know the compás and change chords at the right time, be able to keep tempo. Typically in certain classes they'll only teach the same palo for months and months which can get tiresome for any guitarist, but it gives you an opportunity to experiment and try variations on basically anything.
Most dancers will be used to teaching from recorded material so you might have to learn a piece or two, but they should tell you that in advance. They will usually teach the "usual" palos: at beginners' classes you will often see sevillanas, tangos, rumbas, alegrías; at intermediates' soleares (and soleá por bulerías), more alegrías, seguiriya, and with advanced dancers whatever they feel like - the most complicated things I'd done were tarantos, cañas (basically soleá), some advanced seguiriyas.
Playing guitar is the lesser challenge when accompanying dance, it's reading the dancer's movements and anticipating the next moves (and consequently what you're going to play) which is the difficult, but also the most fun bit. Eventually if you spend enough time doing it, you should be able to accompany anyone anywhere without much rehearsing. Be sure you speak the "lingo" (such as letras, remates, escobillas etc) and use falsetas that you're comfortable with. It's fine to experiment in classes but whenever they take you to a performance, choose one you will be able to play even with shaky hands. Overplaying and playing difficult and unsuitable falsetas is a big fault with many players these days.
Can't think of anything else now, but go for it and it should do wonders for your social life as well in the long run :) If you have any questions feel free to ask, even in private.
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