Paleto -> RE: Classical guitarists and flamenco (Sep. 2 2007 6:58:15)
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Florian, Your response interests me because your experience of weddings is very different from mine. I receive emails from my website, where I know the bride or groom has specifically searched for flamenco, and although their concept may include Gipsy Kings or Ottmar Liebert, I tell them that I don't play those artist's music, but that what I do play is really, really nice. I also get referred by a few hotels and wedding coordinators and other vendors who I also refer, so when they call or email, it's usually because the bride and or groom are requesting flamenco. The weddings I tend to get booked for, are generally not as you describe, they are mostly fairly well organized, especially if there's a coordinator. If I do the ceremony, I play some guajira (the Paco Peña one, with a few minor modifications and the Riqueni one) although I slow it down a lot. I use an introduction I created or improvise from Cambió la luz del alba (by El Pele and Vicente Amigo), sometimes I use material from Núñez's Queda la sal (especially the intro), and I play Riqueni's main theme from Y enamorarse (from his Mi Tiempo cd) for the recessional. Then, for the cocktail reception I play what I want, usually the Manolo Franco colombiana, a bit slower than he plays it, with touches I have learned from Vicente Amigo's playing, to give it warmth, then I'll play tangos, rumba, granaína, bulerías, all very warm sounding, then I like to play Caños de la meca or Calima, it sounds really nice after sunset, as the moon and stars are coming out - people comment a lot on how much they like it, I play it less intensely than he does, again, with a bit of Vicente's feel in it. I guess I have been fortunate to have gotten relaxed brides, who seem to be the ones who end up hiring me. I don't get pretentious, uptight ones who want to regulate everything, they mostly let me take the drivers seat, but might request things from my repertoire for the processional and recessional, otherwise they just say, you know what to do....I guess the more uptight ones want traditional classical music for the ceremony and maybe jazz and their own favorites or a mix to please the crowd. Sometimes they offer to feed me, and more often than not, the food is good. That's probably an effect of the tough competition here, lots of caterers or hotels, many are good, some are excellent. In my opinion, Vicente's and some of Riqueni's ideas/style fit best into weddings, they have such a unique stamp, and especially Vicente's music has a warmth that I don't see in anyone else. Núñez is awesome, but I add some of the feel from Vicente when I play Núñez and somehow it sounds warmer, and I can tell people really like it. I cover the spectrum in terms of intensity, playing a rumba at about 170bpm, then maybe some alegrías at 150bpm, then granaína, then a bulería about 212bpm, then go to tangos at 166bpm, then maybe a fandango without looped compás (I use a loop/rhythm station with sampled flamenco rhythm for most but not all stuff I play, mostly from Sólo Compás cds), then maybe some sevillanas (the Núñez ones), and I just keep going through all my repertoire, even soleá and taranta. Once the cocktail hour is underway, you can play most anything, especially for open minded people, who I think are in general attracted to flamenco. It seems to me to be key to play in a little bit warmer style, I don't think playing Felipe Maya or Morón style would go over as well for a wedding atmosphere, there's really something about playing VA, Núñez, Riqueni, Ramón Jiménez, and some other music I have selected that gives the right wedding feel. I fit more easily in the cocktail hour/reception/dinner parts, but I like being at the ceremonies, it's nice to see people committing themselves, and to see how proud the families are. Usually, people really like hearing something other than the over-done, cliché classical stuff. I am not saying that music is not good, i am the first to admit a love of Bach, but it is so typical that there are lots of brides and grooms looking for something different. I try to make every wedding better than the last in terms of my playing, and I think what I do adds warmth that people respond to, those that are conscious of how great music can make you feel good. Anyway, this has been my experience so far of doing weddings. -Anthony
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