How to freely play virtuosic material? (Full Version)

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metalhead -> How to freely play virtuosic material? (Sep. 29 2026 13:59:18)

Now that a lot of what I play is by Vicente/Nunez and the likes, there's a tiny thought that occurs while playing in the back of my mind that says that "I am pretending to be the mighty guys, which I'm obviously not".

Have you any of you ever experienced this?

That gets on my nerves, and I play worse as a result. Any advice how to freely play their music without the added pressure?



Ricardo -> RE: How to freely play virtuosic material? (Sep. 30 2026 11:39:42)

You have to embrace the fact that when PDL played Montoya, niño Ricardo, sabicas, Escudero and Esteban de Sanlucar covers in his early career, he also fell short of the mark of the maestros. It is recognizable to all the fans of the older guys. One could say the changes in SOME cases were improvements, but in others it was too different from the original to be considered "correct". Well guess what....in BOTH cases that is where the true artist "paco de Lucia" revealed himself.

As Steve vai once said, we sometimes have to "lose ourselves in the identity of another artist we are copying" to understand who WE truly are. It is the mistakes and things that make us our own unique artist. So as you continue to try to improve or do it closer and closer to "correct" you find your own voice, and as you do you should accept that.



Stu -> RE: How to freely play virtuosic material? (Sep. 30 2026 13:18:26)

quote:

Have you any of you ever experienced this?


I've experienced a lot of things, some kind of variation on this is one of those things.

I've also experienced frustration, doubts, anger, pain! hopelessness as well as joy, excitement, achievement etc.

quote:

Any advice how to freely play their music without the added pressure?


What pressure? from youself? or from the flamenco gods? or are you playing concerts? so audience pressure?

The added pressure of playing something composed by a great maestro??

I feel like maybe you're taking yourself/flamenco too seriously?
This is your music to play and study and enjoy as much as it is mine or anyones.

Of course I sometimes (for a fleeting moment) put myself in the maestros shoes and wish I could play like them etc or have their way of life? ...(tecnically brilliant flamenco guitarist living in jerez and doing gigs and touring with my band)...sure.

maybe just remind yourself... youre nothing, uselss and will never be fit to wipe gerardos shoes??[:D]
"true freedom comes when we realise we are utterly and mercilessly ****ed"

The worst feeling I've ever had is thinking you're doing well and playing great and then meeting a player a 3rd of your age whos 10 times better.
Or watching a maestro, up close in person, play their famous piece.(that youve been trying to learn) and walking away going "oh god I'll never be able to play that like that!"

mentally destroys you for a few days but ultimately leaves you humble and realistic and happy with that.



metalhead -> RE: How to freely play virtuosic material? (Sep. 30 2026 13:59:52)

I can see what you're trying to get at, but reinforcing the very same hierarchy and calling yourself incapable of wiping somebody's shoes doesn't exactly sound like the way to go. Whatever works for you, I guess.



metalhead -> RE: How to freely play virtuosic material? (Sep. 30 2026 14:04:14)

I think this is a much more useful perspective. Thanks Ricardo. The only minor problem is that when I try to change their material, it just sounds wrong to me.

Their compositions feel so pristine perfect that even a minor deviation tends to remove the greatness of the piece.



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