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Mark2 -> RE: Online flamenco Cordoba course (Oct. 23 2024 14:25:04)
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There was material that consisted of four falsetas and some compas things por solea sent a month before the course. The falsetas were presented at two different levels and were designed to be played together. The course focused on playing an about eight minute solea for dance with cante. I learned the falsetas pretty quickly as they were not difficult, however playing them well took more time. I’m not someone who can play super difficult things but I’ve been playing for decades and have played in dance schools and with flamenco companies and groups in San Francisco. I have also with performed with professional non flamenco groups for most of my life. I considered the flamenco groups I’ve been with amateur, as I consider myself an amateur flamenco guitarist. With that said, there was a professional singer and dancer there every day. Over the four days the entire solea was taught. The level of the other students didn’t really matter, as it was about each person learning to play for the dance and cante to the best of their ability. If you are someone that can play for pros from Spain without rehearsal, the class wasn’t for you. For me, I felt my accompaniment skills returning after not doing that gig for about 20 years. It’s always been exciting for me to play for good dancers, and I’ve never played for a singer as good as the guy who was there. Both are established teachers. There were a few wrinkles in the cante that are not done by non Spanish singers, and the dancer’s skills and flexibility also exceeded what I’ve generally experienced.
If you’re hung up by being surrounded by folks not as experienced it’s not for you. In class I focused on Paco, the singer, and the dancer. Paco answered any questions regarding any topic, be it nail care, the nuances of playing for bulerias cante, the half compas thing, string tension, performance issues, etc. It was obvious he really enjoys teaching. So I guess it depends on what you’re after. I’ve got a library full of transcriptions and enough experience to figure out anything I have the ability to play, as well as stuff I don’t have the chops to perform so I felt this format was better for me. By the last day there were 20 guys who were making it through an eight minute dance por solea with falsetas. I’m sure there were several who couldn’t have done it alone, likely most, but the sound in the room was still cool. I could tell Paco was stoked. I suppose if I was the only guy there, I could have covered a lot more material in that time period. That would have meant hiring these guys privately. Doubt that’s an option with an artist the level of Paco. I spoke to the marketing guy for online flamenco, and they know they are getting some negative feedback, and are trying to improve. But these guys are all in trying to make this work, and imo they knocked it out of the park.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Stu
hey thats cool!
glad to hear it was so inspiring!
How was the level?
I always felt the course seemed to be marketed at novices.
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