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The only way to learn accompaniment for singers is to work with an ACTUAL singer. This book looks interesting for getting an idea of what you are suposed to do, but the truth is it can't prepare you for an improvising live cantaor. Have a careful look at our cante accomp thread... I know it's a long topic, but free with advices and examples and different takes on a single example.... where as most method book things on this topic (Herrero, Merengue de cordoba etc) will just give you ONE take on a single letra or form and YOU are expected to do exact same thing. Reality is not like that. also feel free to add to this and get feedback if you are up for it.
On the one hand, any place is a decent place to start. But Ricardo is right, it's way more complicated than any single book can cover.
Although Ricardo is much more experienced than I am, I can say from what experience I do have that every singer is different and there are tons of variants within every song form.
Another way to begin without buying a book is to find some songs on CDs you have that you like and learn the chords by hearing the changes in response to the changes in pitch the singer does. Getting used to those changes, and when they happen, is key. You will start to hear the chord before you play it once you have done it enough times.
Having Transcribe! is worth every penny of the $40 it will cost you to buy the software. You can loop it, control the tempo and even change the pitch.
First, figure out where the capo is set by knowing whether the guitarist is playing por medio or por arriba (the vast majority of cases will be por arriba for soleá, por medio for siguiriya and so on). Then, find the compás in a single verse and start learning on which beats the chord changes. Once you figure out one verse, the next ones will get easier and easier.
Stick with one song form for a while until you get used to it.
A fantastic way to start is with the CDs by Diego Clavel, for example start with his Soleá CDs, a 2 CD set of all soleá variants. Most every one is played por arriba, and all you have to find is the fret where the capo is and it will be pretty easy. It comes with the lyrics/letras and the playing is quite traditional, so you're getting useful knowledge you can apply immediately if you have the opportunity to play for a live singer.
You will mostly play, Emaj/flat9, Fmajor, Gmajor, Cmajor, Aminor, an odd B7, and only one or two other chords. You just have to learn when to switch. To learn when to switch is key. You'll learn from what you hear on a CD, but a live singer will have both major and minor differences in when they switch. This is where a lot of the artistry is in accompaniment.
By doing this, you'll know the names of the variants, which is very important and buys you credit with a singer.
Clavel recorded CDs also of siguiriya, cantes de las minas, another of malagueña, one of fandangos which is hard to find now, and a new one of sevillanas, which is also probably worth the $$.
The only way to learn accompaniment for singers is to work with an ACTUAL singer. This book looks interesting for getting an idea of what you are suposed to do, but the truth is it can't prepare you for an improvising live cantaor. Have a careful look at our cante accomp thread... I know it's a long topic, but free with advices and examples and different takes on a single example.... where as most method book things on this topic (Herrero, Merengue de cordoba etc) will just give you ONE take on a single letra or form and YOU are expected to do exact same thing. Reality is not like that. also feel free to add to this and get feedback if you are up for it.
Wow, I listened to the accompaniment section, and I think I will just stick to learning more solo palos for now! I am not even up to the level you guys are at in playing that stuff! I wouldn't even know what chord progressions to come up to play along with the singer.
I am not even up to the level you guys are at in playing that stuff! I wouldn't even know what chord progressions to come up to play along with the singer.
the thing about flamenco is that you can play pretty much any palo with any key you want, same chord progressions, its all just transposed chords. no magic! its just falsetas are different and are made for certain keys, but you can always transpose those too to whatever key you want
i also agree with Ricardo but i think theres no harm with trying to use all the help one has available to him...books, albums, dvds, out accompanyament thread...theres less of a distance by having a general idea of whats done and what chords are used...etc
also agree with Ricardo but i think theres no harm with trying to use all the help one has available to him...books, albums, dvds, out accompanyament thread...theres less of a distance by having a general idea of whats done and what chords are used...etc
Well, I totally understand where Ricardo and everyone is comming from! However, I was thinking as you stated that a little help learning won't harm me either
I was thinking as you stated that a little help learning won't harm me either
no not at all, i mean it dosent hurt to know what chords are used in each palo and what kind of typical remates etc..singers are not the most patient of the bunch ...mess up 3 times in a row ...they roll their eyes and give up on you...so the better prepared you can be the better for you..
And Ricardo is right...it all comes together only when you are actually with a singer cause nothing really prepares you 100%...but puts you in a better position
no not at all, i mean it dosent hurt to know what chords are used in each palo and what kind of typical remates etc..singers are not the most patient of the bunch ...mess up 3 times in a row ...they roll their eyes and give up on you...so the better prepared you can be the better for you..
Hi Florian,
Exactly and that is why I hoping this book will help somewhat!
quote:
And Ricardo is right...it all comes together only when you are actually with a singer cause nothing really prepares you 100%...but puts you in a better position
I totally agree! As a matter of fact I am not sure I will ever get to that level of playing with a singer!
What is cool about this book after you learn to play with the singer then there is track minus the guitar, and well, at least it would be somewhat cool to at least play along and have fun!
I listened to the cante section of the forum yesterday and was totally inspired by you, Ricardo, and Jason's playing!
I also what to mention that there are so many great players on this forum and each and everyone of you inspires me to play as well!
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