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Plenty of people, musos included, look down their noses at Internet forums as if they are nerdy places for people with no friends who don't have a life.
Thats fine by me.. apart from the fact that I now work in a duo with someone I met from this forum, I have just negotiated the gig of my life (in terms of fee) with someone I met through a rock guitar forum a few years back. The guy emailed me out of the blue and asked if I wanted to play at a big trade show in London for two days. Apart from the big fee, they'll be putting me up in a flash hotel, all expenses paid etc.
So there you go, it pays to hang out in places like this
Posts: 103
Joined: Mar. 15 2005
From: Toronto, Canada
RE: Why forums like this are REALLY ... (in reply to Jon Boyes)
Jon,
I myself am not a big fan of internet forums. I think the people in general are being driven to isolation by all these chat/friendship/forum sites or by the "misuse" of new technologies (e.g., cell phones, email, etc.).
This being said, I do agree with you that there are "useful" forum such as this one that contain a wealth of information and experience for beginners like myself and provide exposure for vetrans like yourself. I think in the end it the true value of anything depends very much on how we use or misuse it.
Ramin
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What we are today comes from out thoughts of yesterday and our present thoughts build our life tomorrow: our life is the creation of our mind. -Buddha
Posts: 15242
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Why forums like this are REALLY ... (in reply to Jon Boyes)
I personally spend more time than I should on this board and others, but I have met a lot of great people and learned a lot of stuff, and enjoy listening and talking to people I can't meet face to face.
I have met and played with Todd, breifly with Patrick, and others from other boards, because of these boards. I have communicated and traded things with friends here privately (Ron, Tom Nunez, Florian, etc). For that reason alone it makes it worth it. Also, if it weren't for Conrad's transcriptions, I probably would not have learned some of that music, because of my own laziness. At least these are excuses I give my wife who is yelling at me to get off the computer right NOW!
Posts: 6440
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy
RE: Why forums like this are REALLY ... (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
I personally spend more time than I should on this board
You should try my seat Forums are the next big thing on the Web - a group of well-qualified and committed people that can become friends and build a community. I will be crashing with Fergusito in Jerez next week, for example. Flamenco is a lifestyle, after all
But, in every community, it's down to its citizens.
RE: Why forums like this are REALLY ... (in reply to Jon Boyes)
I spend way too much time on the forums.
It takes up alot of my time. But i do my best to not let it eat in to my practice/study time.
I have learned so much the last few years on these forums, its unbelievable.
And similar to Jon, ive also landed some pretty sweet gigs. I hang out at SoundsOnLine.com and recently got hired to do some nylon string tracks for a Cannes film festival trailer in Barcelona. That came from posting my guitar clips and soundtracks on that forum.
RE: Why forums like this are REALLY ... (in reply to Jon Boyes)
That's cool man! I just listen to dreaming in chinese, I'm no expert in midi but the articulations were amazingly accurate. I'm saving money to get the symphony o. library, so damn expensive
Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ
RE: Why forums like this are REALLY ... (in reply to Jon Boyes)
This may be offtopic, but I was watching the Olympics, and the skating dancing pairs had a bit of flamenco in it. The American couple did their final routine to a montage of flamenco....a solea intro, bulerias, etc.! I don't think they really knew the compas though...she was clapping her hands at weird times.
Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía
RE: Why forums like this are REALLY ... (in reply to Jon Boyes)
Just to add my 2 centimos. I organised the whole Taller de Compás tour of the US and Canada because I connected with the festival organisers on a world music forum and got everyone enthusiastic about the project and the music.
Well done Todd for the Cannes film. And Simon you are so jetset
Also I'm looking forward to meeting the forum members at Jerez Festival next week.
RE: Why forums like this are REALLY ... (in reply to Jon Boyes)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Jon Boyes
Plenty of people, musos included, look down their noses at Internet forums as if they are nerdy places for people with no friends who don't have a life.
Well, those same people had ought to live in my corner of the world, "Flyover," New Mexico, USA and see who they can find to have a discussion of flamenco with. So, far the only being I have found that has any interest in flamenco at all is my cat, Ernie. Strange too, because only 150 miles away there are two very active flamenco communities.
RE: Why forums like this are REALLY ... (in reply to Jon Boyes)
Sometimes I spend to much time on this forum and I think maybe I'm missing out on good practice. But honestly I have learned more about Flamenco from the advice and oppinions on this site than I could with 100 hours of master classes. If you can let down your gaurd and take the critisism lightly but seriously you can really perfect your art of flamenco.
Off the subject a little. I've taken the different oppinions on Alzapua from Duende, Ricardo, Calvin Hazen and Chuscales and I'm realizing that with hard work you can become a flamenco guitar player. I've been doing this for 1 year seriously and I can't believe how far I've come. ( I'M JUST POINTING OUT THAT WHEN YOU LISTEN TO PEOPLE INSTEAD OF GETTING OFFENDED YOU CAN GROW) A major part of this, aside from practicing my ass off, is the advice and honest oppinions from all the great people on this forum.
So yes were all Flamenco forum nerds, but we are getting really good at what we do and were helping each other to become better musicians. Honey are you going to get of that damn computer. I hear that all the time, but with out guitar I would go crazy and she knows it.
I enjoy getting recognition for my playing, and helping others. We all check our posts hoping to get noticed, but sometimes we really do just enjoy helping each other or we wouldn't be here. I know because the people that just post to show off or get a rise out of someone never last or post as guests.
I'm addicted and hope that years down the road someone will say hey, I remember that guy he was a classical player that stuck with it and has become a great flamenco player.
So anyway hats off to all the members and thank you.
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May we find God through Flamenco instead of Angels and Demons