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Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ
RE: Alegrias accent on 6 or 7? (in reply to Guest)
Andy, this may be naive, but it was my understanding that the basic beat was 3 6 8 10 2, but that it's more generall expressed 3 7 8 10 12 nowadays. The six might come out as a golpe.
RE: Alegrias accent on 6 or 7? (in reply to Guest)
Hi Andy, I don't feel that there are any hard fast rules here. There seems to be a merge going on between Alegrias and Buleria, a lot of the change in pronounced beats is comming from modern dance accompanyment. Dancers today are pulling on contra beats and the guitarists are playing Compas against the contra with their own licks. I find that I now have a tendency to emphasise beat 4 in the 12 cycle, I don't know where this comes from at least I haven't heard it and copy, it just seems natural to do this. I think you have to explore and find your own way. Cheers Jim.
RE: Alegrias accent on 6 or 7? (in reply to Guest)
If you are accompaning the cante, the accents are (usually) 3, 7, 8, 10, 12. Chord changes are mostly on 3 and 10. Sometimes it is appropriate to play in contratiempo i.e. on the "ands" in the second half of the compas.
Posts: 134
Joined: Jul. 12 2003
From: Livermore, CA USA
RE: Hey Eddie (was Alegrias accent o... (in reply to Guest)
Andy,
As Sean has also mentioned, I usually use the 7,8 accentuation for accompanying cante, it seems to drive it better, unless the structure of the cante letra is asking for 'standard' 6 accent. Some of the time the choice to go with either comes from the cantoar who gives 'that look' or says 'something' doesn't feel right But most of the time you can tell from the cantoar's facial and body reactions if you're hitting the right marks. And then sometimes accompanying cante can be like probing your way around room blindfolded
I'll usually drive the 6, 8, 10 accent on intros and chording compas, as well as on llamadas and desplantes, but again if the footwork pattern asks for it. Sometimes it doesn't. Takes a lot of close listening and observation.
Wish I could have been there again with you guys, I really did have a fun time working out the palos last time.
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But most of the time you can tell from the cantoar's facial and body reactions if you're hitting the right marks. And then sometimes accompanying cante can be like probing your way around room blindfolded 
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