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Well, I could post a fantasia of mine. But I would not call it a Minera, although I use the language of flamenco it is not. It is a personal toque. I have already leaned what happens when I try to write something and call it flamenco. I get scolded.
I actually wrote a Taranta when I was just beginning to learn Flamenco about 4 years ago. I was so happy with it, I thought it sounded great and because Taranta is a free form, I though ok that means I can have fun with it. So I traveled to Spain in 06 and played it for Manolo (I do have video of that but on tape) and he spent the next 30 mins of that lesson using me as an example to the whole medio class of how not compose in flamenco. It was one of the best lessons in my life and has profoundly affected me to this day to be careful when writing. In addition, when translating Manolo's book his section on composition has taught me to examine why it is I wish to compose, what is my motivation (know thy self)? Personally, for me I do not feel I have the capacity to compose yet – fantasias yes, true flamenco no.
Which is why I gave Minera examples of people better than I (of which there are MANY!).
I will try and post my fantasia soon (sometime next week).
Regards.
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His amazing technique is one that never loses touch with the spiritual improvisation and direct communication style of flamenco and which does not make virtuosity a goal in itself, but communicates deep sublime emotional qualities. - Manolo Sanlucar
WOOOHOOO!!! Man, you're way too generous :-) Between the alegrias harmony lesson, the por medio one and this thread there's already SOO much to explore and take in, and then WHAM! access to the TREASURE DOME! I'll do my best to use this opportunity well and hopefully address some embarrassing holes in my playing and knowledge.
MrMagenta - nice stuff! And great recording sound.
Do you mind my asking a tech question: how did you record this, both in terms of audio and video?
ToddK was just explaining to me that you can orient your recordings around the sound quality, using whatever gear you like, and then video it by what easy and cheap means you like. Then take the files (the audio and video) and merge and sync them in a video editing program.
And what mics, mic pre's and software are you using??
(Sorry for the tech barrage. I'm really unhappy with the recording sound I'm getting and want to improve it). Thx
Stephen Faulk's guitar looks and sounds great BTW. That is one amazing guitar. I'm jealous......
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i was just thinking that same thing
I'm really digging my Stephen Faulk 7 string. In fact, I like it so much, I commissioned a 6 string negra from him last Spring. I'm bouncing off the walls with anticipation! I'll share some audio or video when I get it.
It's funny that the audio turned out decent because I just recorded this without setting anything up. You see two microphones in the video but their direct sound is turned off, I had them dialed down on my behringer mixer but I didn't turn down the effects loop which had some long tailed reverb effect on it. The sound is captured by my camcorder microphone which is a Sony DV camera. The reverb comes from speakers left of the view. So it's the sound captured on the tape, no separate track :-)
I have a freshly unpacked TubeMP preamp which I haven't used much yet, but here the mikes simply go into a cheap behringer mixer, which is a bit noisy... so I can't really recommend that one.
on software and procedure The video is unedited, I transferred it to a computer through firewire with a free capture software called winDV and uploaded it straight to youtube. Next video I will try to have the image correct.. not squashed. :-D
ok it's 2am ...kids asleep in the next room but thought i'd document my days work on the minera...so the playing is subdued..shhh! still working on the post..feel i will be for many months
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Alzapua or some other flashy thing like a ligado run or something...... BAM hit that Ab Minera chord
ive gone off track a bit with this project, but i think its a good thing. im going to get a bit more confident with harmony for a while, and use these guidelines to make some excersizes, then come back to it
wow Al, there is a lot going on there that was cool
Brian, that was miraculous! Impossible to beat that... also nice playing, love your tone man! Post more often please :)
Ok this is my somewhat noobish attempt. I have alot more ideas but i was unable to really "form" a consistent piece out of them. Also in this video you see im not always sure where to go next its NOT improvisation, i actually know WHERE to go, but i dont always remember in that very moment HOW i decided to play it, and then i make mistakes... anyway it is what it is, i thought there were at least some nice chords in it (beginning chords are mine for example) (please ignore the playing i apologize for it but i really had not the time to go in detail of all techniques and now im a bit "burned out" on it)
Thanks Ron! I thought its ok to upload it, since this thread is more about compositioning (rather than playing) and maybe it could contribute something to it in that regards. Thx again!
Deniz - wow man!! Your minera is beautiful so far. Love the intro! Very Vincente inspired - always a good thing in my book.
IMO, it sounds composed - but in the best way possible. It's got what it needs without unnecessary repetition (as mine did). It sounds great. Can't wait to hear more.
I think it's good to remember that Jason's initial instructions didn't specify that the end result needed to be improvised or composed. (I only improvised mine as a means of doing it fast as possible to win the "prize"!!). And I think if you compose it along the lines he suggested, odds are, it'll sound better in the end. Personally, I think it's almost impossible that it wouldn't sound better than something improvised. So keep going!
AlVal said something in a recent post that echoes something I heard someone say once:
Improvising is (or should be) composing sped up, and composing is improvising slowed down.
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its NOT improvisation, i actually know WHERE to go, but i dont always remember in that very moment HOW i decided to play it, and then i make mistakes... anyway it is what it is, i thought there were at least some nice chords in it (beginning chords are mine for example) (please ignore the playing 
i apologize for it but i really had not the time to go in detail of all techniques and now im a bit "burned out" on it) 
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