Paleto -> RE: Different between classical and Flamenco music (Sep. 1 2007 18:09:24)
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Hi Raimundo, This is a good question for us to address, I am looking forward to reading the responses of other guitarists here. My own thoughts are the following: 1) Classical guitarists first study technique studies and etudes, then progress to graded pieces of music, gradually becoming more and more demanding of technique and musicianship. Classical guitarists first typically study M. Giuliani, D. Aguado, F. Sor, F. Tárrega, E. Sagreras, E. Pujol, M. Carcassi, L. Brouwer, H. Villalobos, A. Carlevaro, C. Barbosa-Lima and others, usually focusing on arpeggio, free and rest strokes, left hand stretching and dexterity exercises, scales, tremolo and importantly tone. They develop a nuanced sense for the many colors or tones the guitar is capable of when played efficiently, allowing the guitarist to create somewhat subtle colors or shades of tone. 2) Flamenco guitarists tend to follow a similar pattern of training, but study technique differently. Emphasis is more on rasgueado, alzapúa, thumb and various finger combinations, usually less variety of arpeggios, scales, song forms, and importantly rhythm. The goal traditionally was to learn to accompany a flamenco singer and dancers, although now it has become common to train to be a soloist too I think. 3) Classical guitarists develop a much softer touch in most every technique, also developing excellent reading skills as well as a detailed understanding of the aesthetic and appropriate interpretation for music of each period - Early, Baroque, Classical, then finally contemporary or modern music. 4) Flamenco guitarists focus on learning the various rhythmic variations and chord changes needed for flamenco song forms, learn to embellish a singers melody or create nice chord (harmonic) changes to dramatize a singers verse. There are many things to learn about each song form, and flamenco guitarists spend a lot of time learning how to create the right feel or texture for each song form. 5) One of the major differences is emphasis. While classical relies (this only being general, there are exceptions, and many of them at that) melody and harmony mostly, flamenco relies more on rhythm. In flamenco, rhythm is usually far more important than executing a nice melody. In classical, you can get by not playing the rhythm as well, but playing the melody or harmony well. Flamenco guitarists are typically able to improvise within a song form, taking certain flashes of technique and contrasting it with another, or learning different chord progressions to solo over or within. Classical guitarists (and this is only a generalization) don't spend much of their time learning to improvise. There are always exceptions though. This is just for a general characterization. 6) Flamenco guitarists break a lot of "rules" classical guitarists abide by. Most classical guitarists do not use the thumb on the G, B or high E strings, flamenco guitarists use the thumb extensively on those strings. Flamenco guitarists use the thumb in alzapúa, creating powerful remates toward the end of phrases in ways classical guitarists likely didn't think possible. In other words, flamenco guitarists make far more extensive use of the thumb, which is the most powerful finger of them all and when played well sounds amazing. 7) A more subjective point from my experience, is that classical guitarists have a very refined sense of what is musical, and the result is a very refined art. Flamenco is more directly aimed at and coming from strong emotions, and while there are more delicate moments in flamenco, it is far more intense by and large. Flamenco, as I experience it, comes across as a little rougher around the edges, but also more directly, which is what appeals to many people who enjoy it. Gotta go, I'll check in later. -Anthony
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