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From my admittedly limited experience, it seems that there are two types of flamenco learning materials on the market. There are the guided learnings and studies, such as the offerings by Merengue de Cordoba, Gerhard Graf Martinez, and others. Then there are actual transcriptions, such as those by Faucher and others.
I'm looking to find a couple of books of actual transcriptions, rather than method studies.
As a beginner, I'm particularly interested in the early flamenco masters. I suspect it is not uncommon with beginners...until our ear is more accustomed to flamenco, some of the newer, more complex, more infused flamenco is just too much to digest. Gotta start with baby food before pizza can taste good, I'm guessing.
I mean, I really enjoy Paco, Moraito, Tomatito, etc... as well, but Sabicas, Ramon Montoya, and Nino Ricardo speak quite loudly to me.
If I really like Montoya, Sabicas, and Nino Ricardo, what transcription books do I need in my library? I have Faucher's Sabicas book, Rey Del Flamenco, and while it's a bit over my head, I've really enjoyed trying to stretch in that way.
Any good book recs?? Who are some of the other recognized masters of flamenco puro? (I guess I'm also looking for a history lesson!)
Oh, and sadly, they have to be tab, not musical notation. I'd really love the Ramon Montoya book, if only it were available in tab. :(
Posts: 1943
Joined: Dec. 2 2006
From: Budapest, now in Southampton
RE: Looking for learning material...... (in reply to vuduchyld)
Faucher also has the "El Genio de Nino Ricardo" book, i really recommend it...although he's not an early master, Moraíto's book is a must have also, it's very playable stuff... i can't give you a history lesson, but if you do a search, you'll find many topics about the more traditional players of flamenco...
also, try flamencoweb - Claude Worms frequently uploads free tabs of very traditional falsetas...
if you can afford it, probably the best for you would be to buy individual tabs from Faucher, he has plenty of Sabicas and some other traditional masters...
RE: Looking for learning material...... (in reply to xirdneH_imiJ)
Thanks to Jimi Hendrix...from Voodoo Chile!
I'm guessing we might have a little pre-flamenco guitar background in common!
I really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. I was thinking about that Nino Ricardo book already, so I'll probably move forward with it.
My teacher has the Moraito book and DVD. I'm sure he will share! We've worked on small parts of those pieces.
I didn't know Claude Works had a site, so thanks for that! Also I had forgotten that Faucher sells individual tabs. Seems like a worthy investment in education to me!
Posts: 1240
Joined: Nov. 6 2008
From: Sydney, Australia
RE: Looking for learning material...... (in reply to vuduchyld)
hey mate.. you're totally opposite from me.. i love the modern stuff and just so so on the traditional stuff.. I really dun like traditional bulerias etc.. but like the traditional solea, alegrias tho..
maybe don't just look for what to play.. get some books/videos that tell you how to play it. First lesson with my teacher, he told me that flamenco is a very technical style of guitar, without the proper techniques, you can't play the music properly.
I would say get Gerardo's la guitarra flamenco video, it has ALOT of technique in there.. it's pretty much awesomeness distilled into a DVD.
I think there are alot of tabs available on 4shared.com
RE: Looking for learning material...... (in reply to vuduchyld)
Yeah, if you want to try some rocking stuff that is fun and not too hard, than go for encuentro #moraito or Moraito from Alain Faucher. Or try the bulerias of Paco Cepero (also Alain Faucher book).
Posts: 667
Joined: Aug. 20 2008
From: DFW Area, Texas
RE: Looking for learning material...... (in reply to Doitsujin)
I do not want to Hijack the tread, but can you list the Encuentro series based on it difficulty (least to most). I have been reluctant to order without knowing what to expect, I am in the early intermidiate stage. Thanks,
RE: Looking for learning material...... (in reply to vuduchyld)
I have the paco pena book. I think most of his stuff in this book are for beginners. If you're at the intermediate stage, you'll find most of his material too easy.
RE: Looking for learning material...... (in reply to vuduchyld)
The pieces from the book seem to all be on youtube, check out the level for yourself. I would not call it beginner and if you like the stuff, definitely more than a good exercise for different techniques.
RE: Looking for learning material...... (in reply to xirdneH_imiJ)
quote:
Faucher also has the "El Genio de Nino Ricardo" book, i really recommend it...although he's not an early master, Moraíto's book is a must have also, it's very playable stuff...
So how would these compare to the Paco Pena book stated above, same level? more difficult?
RE: Looking for learning material...... (in reply to VietFlamenco)
quote:
I have the paco pena book. I think most of his stuff in this book are for beginners. If you're at the intermediate stage, you'll find most of his material too easy.
I am definitely a beginner.
Pretty sure I can play most of what I've heard from the book, but some of will be a challenge for me...plus, it will be good just to have the repertoire and vocabulary, I think. Will probably take a look at some of the songs, anyway.
My take is that the Sabicas material is more difficult than the Paco Pena. Not sure where the Nino Ricardo fits in, but I'll give you some opinions on that in a few weeks!