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Hello, I might be a bit out of my depth here, reading through older posts has been a bit daunting but I'll go ahaed anyway. I'm a complete newcomer to flamenco. My guitar playing is very rudimentary and I don't hope to ever play myself but I am becoming fascinated by the styles of flamenco. Given that there is so much out there I wonder if people would mind posting a top 5 or so recordings that are essential, bearing in mind my current ignorance. Thanks,Paul
Hello and welcome and dont be daunted we are a mixed bunch, some players and some not, all at various levels, and we're from all over the world.
I would suggest Paco de Lucia, of course, and Camerón, but also seek out older recordings to see where they came from. Simon recommended the Rough Guide to Flamenco a while back and it looks like it is a good buy with a bit of everything on there. I've got a lovely compilation called 100 years of cante ( EMI) which I love and was a good intro. Some one just posted that Jose Merce was a good intro to cante.
I'm sure more suggestions will follow. Check out the free downloads on my website for dome lovely guitar by Emilio Maya and great percussion from Taller de Compás.
Hi Murphydog, I'd say that if you don't play much guitar at the moment then that is definitely an asset! Too many folk come into this music with an attitude of somehow integrating it into their own guitar experience and come up against many unhappy awakenings and frustrations. The main thing you need to learn Flamenco, is an ability to play a few chords...just ordinary chords like E, A, D (and the minors) C, G etc . Barred F shapes all the way up the neck is a bonus.
Listen to guitarists like Sabicas and Paco Peña who will inspire you, but also give you some nice playable stuff that you can play around with.
Worst thing to do is to search for Tabs of Vincente Amigo/Chicuelo/Paco de Lucia and try to work your way through them like a piece of Classical music. You'll learn nothing IMO.
Thanks for the replies, I've already been scared to death by Amigo etc.!! As regards singers, who should I be listening to? There is so much to hear a few suggestions would be welcome. Thanks,Paul
Tomás Pavón is regarded by many as the greatest singer of all and present day singers sing a lot of his cante. He recorded only with Niño Ricardo and Melchor de Marchena, so you have relatively simple guitar accompaniment, which keeps rhythm: keeping time is of paramount importance, though some elasticity is needed to accompany singers.
Listen to Manuel Soto "El Sordera" a great and underrated singer from Jerez as well as Terremoto. Here you will hear the guitar style of Jerez.
If you never plan to come to Spain, then learn falsetas which please you. If you want to see flamenco de verdad you will have to visit Andalucía, where you will be expected to accompany cante, every time you open a guitar case. Then, rhythm and a rudimentary knowledge of song forms will be much more useful.
Okay, I have just offloaded a ton of virtual cash on a stack of Cante cds from deflamenco.com since it has been a good day on the book stall. Just have to sit back and wait for them to arrive now I take it that Estella Morente and Tomatito at the Barbican in July is a must see for those of us in the UK? One more question, if i am thinking tentatively of trying out some flamenco playing would I get away with a standard classical guitar to begin with? At the moment all my guitars are steel strung but I don't need much excuse to go out and get another one! Cheers,Paul
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I take it that Estella Morente and Tomatito at the Barbican in July is a must see for those of us in the UK? One more question, if i am thinking tentatively of trying out some flamenco playing would I get away with a standard classical guitar to begin with? At the moment all my guitars are steel strung but I don't need much excuse to go out and get another one! Cheers,Paul
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