Paleto -> RE: Classical guitarists and flamenco (Sep. 2 2007 7:19:49)
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Reflecting upon what drove me to write about this topic, I remember a recent wedding I played. It was the first that I worked with a wedding coordinator, whom I knew of but hadn't worked with yet. And she said she referred a guitarist she liked when clients asked for flamenco. I knew of this guitarist, and knew he was a classical guitarist. In the moment, I said I had never met him, and that most of the people who play flamenco here knew each other, hinting that he wasn't really a flamenco player. I bit my lip and let it pass, but checked out his website and heard what was a clear imitation of, but nothing near flamenco. He listed lots of pop tunes, very typical stuff, but also listed flamenco. I find it very difficult to let people continue in ignorance, but for the sake of good relations, I don't force my view. I do sometimes explain differences I think are important, but I do respectfully, as if I am a friend explaining something I think is meaningful. I guess one other aspect of this is that by "playing what the people want" the artist is letting an uninformed public decide what music is good, even what flamenco is, rather than allowing the artist to inform the public and give them something most of us think is of higher value and quality. So for me, I refuse to play pseudoflamenco, which doesn't stick to the flamenco song forms, ignores the compás of alegrias, solea bulerias or whatever. I see it as keeping some integrity, and being respectful of what defines flamenco. And I see faking it as kind of artistically degrading. -Anthony
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