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I own a Jose Ramirez R1 classical guitar which I have modified (fitted golpeadores and filed down the saddle to make the string action closer to the fretboard). I made these modifications in order to make it closer to being a flamenco guitar (however, I played a Yamaha CG171SF a couple of days ago and noticed how far off from an authentic flamenco guitar my modified classical one still is). I started out playing classical stuff on a Hohner HC 06 classical guitar (which I later modified as described above as well), and have been playing flamenco for 4 years so far on both these guitars that I own. My question is: Will playing flamenco on such a rigged classical guitar hold me back in terms of what I will be able to achieve (in terms of becoming a better flamenco guitarist) because of the sheer fact that some of the flamenco techniques (or pieces) can only be properly executed (or played) on a flamenco guitar? If my question was not very clear, let me give you an example: if I were to practice my picado (or any other technique) on this rigged classical guitar, would it ever become as good (maybe in terms of speed and cleanliness of performance) as if I had been practicing with an authentic flamenco guitar to start with? If for example Ricardo can play clean picado at 208 bpm on an authentic Conde flamenco guitar, and I give him a Conde classical guitar (equally good in terms of quality / standard) that has been rigged (as described above to become as close to a flamenco guitar as possible), will he be able to perform the same clean 208 bpm picado (considering that he gets accustomed to playing both guitars for equal periods of time etc.) on this latter guitar? I hope I made this question clear.
I usually play in the common cross-legged seated position. However, I have a strap that I sometimes use to play while standing up (and thus can move around freely while playing). I have noticed that playing while standing up forces me to change my technique and my hand / shoulder / arm positioning a bit to become more comfortable while playing in a standing up position. Thus, the second question is: Do you think that playing while standing up will affect my technique, hand-positioning, or any other aspect of my playing, possibly making me adapt wrong movements and / or techniques? Do you think that I should stick to playing while being seated because this is the position that is probably the most comfortable and allows for the most correct hand / arm / shoulder positions (both RH and LH) and thus the most correct technique?
Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ
RE: Flamenco on a Classical Guitar ... (in reply to rombsix)
If you want to play flamenco, the best way is to use a flamenco guitar and sit in a flamenco position!
ToddK manages to play flamenco with a pick as well as using all of the other fingers of his hand, including the little one. Django only had the use of two fingers on his left hand. Almost any obstacle (except laziness) can be overcome, but why make it harder on yourself?
RE: Flamenco on a Classical Guitar ... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)
Miguel,
What I was trying to say is that I do NOT own an authentic flamenco guitar at the moment (and it might be some 2 or 3 years before I actually get to buying one), so I am having to cope with this rigged classical one. So the question is: If I start playing this rigged classical guitar for now, and then move on to a real flamenco guitar, will I have developed wrong techniques that I will have to un-learn in order to be able to play a real flamenco guitar properly in the future (when I get one)? Is it clearer now?
And if I experiment with playing in a standing up position (just for fun - not always), might this affect my technique (of playing while in the correct cross-legged position)?
Posts: 169
Joined: Apr. 5 2005
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
RE: Flamenco on a Classical Guitar ... (in reply to rombsix)
Rombsix,
I followed the same path as you and used a classical for several years. I don't think it will hurt your technique but it may slow you process because you may find yourself working on something longer trying to get the right sound when, in fact, the guitar is simply not capable of it. For me it was rasqueados (getting the string rattle and percussive tone) and picado because a classical will not 'speak' as fast as a flamenco so the classical guitar speed is slower. Like you, once I fell head over heals for flamenco I got (or more precisely built) a flamenco and it made playing much more fun and satisfying.
Posts: 257
Joined: Apr. 20 2006
From: Sončno polje pri Večnosti
RE: Flamenco on a Classical Guitar ... (in reply to rombsix)
It really depends what kind of sound your guitar has. Some classical guitars are completely suitable for flamenco, others could give you nightmares. Besides, the better you get, less important your guitar becomes.
RE: Flamenco on a Classical Guitar ... (in reply to rombsix)
Hi Ramzi . This is my first comment in this foro I live the same situation right now , i practice flamenco techniques on my Yamaha c40 classical guitar . I am serious about learning and i have been playing guitar for about 9 years but my real start with flamenco was about 4 years ago , so my techniques are not bad . i lowered the bridge of my guitar to be able to make it as near as possible to flamenco guitar and that made some techniques easier to play . many guitarist say it is not about bridge , the whole flamenco guitar set up is different from classical one and that made me fantasize too much about trying to play flamenco guitar for the first time after years of practicing . the difference is big in sound i know that , but is it big in the difficulty ??? Thank you in advance http://www.foroflamenco.com/micons/m15.gif
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