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Posts: 1821
Joined: Jul. 26 2009
From: The land down under
Ramon Jimenez
I thought i would post this one as i haven't found many close up videos of Ramon Jimenez playing something. So for those who haven't watched this one, enjoy!
If you prefer to skip the interview, The playing starts at 8:40
I felt like i got a lot out of this video by watching the way his right hand works.
is guitar sounds way better than the guitar's top looks
I noticed that as well, he says it was made by Jose Romero from Madrid. I have never tried one of his guitars but i like the sound of this one. Interesting composition as well.
I had lessons with Ramon for about 6 months back in 1982 when he was still a kid. His right hand technique was from the El Entri school. According to Ramon Entri was his uncle. Here is a snapshot of him playing bulerias more aggression (young age) but very compact right hand....if anything more mellow these days. I can put some more up but I am not sure if I should ask him first as he might be embarrassed.
Here is a snapshot of him playing bulerias more aggression (young age) but very compact right hand....if anything more mellow these days.
They seemed to have developed that, which I would call over playing. It might be due to working with baile a lot where we feel the sound is inadequate for the noise going on. I used to play too hard as well, and also have mellowed deliberately because it is just not as elegant. When learning technique it is important to "mete la Mano", but people like Melchor and Cepero had beautiful dynamics which is just...better.
I was just chatting with Ramon the other day. We were talking about guitarists these days, and he was saying how none of them play like the guys from his generation. He was talking about how his sound is real macho—like, he really digs in, plays with a lot of strength. And honestly, I get what he’s saying. The guy spent years on the road, playing with the best dancers and all that—so it’s just part of his style. I remember back when I’d visit his house for lessons, he was tough on me, telling me I was playing "sin huevos"—no guts, haha. So I started playing for baile a lot more, did about 6 months in Juana Amayas studio, worked on my power and sound, and it really helped. But now many moons since those times I’m trying to find that sweet spot between strength and finesse. Balancing the two is tricky, but it’s worth it.