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Scroll down and read the response from newmillguitar. I'd like to know your thoughts. I'm not a classical guitarist. I only know maybe 3 or 4 classical pieces. I can't really give an honest and accurate opinon since flamenco is what I play.
On the second read , that guy 'just knows it all' so i think hes a lost case i mean yes flamenco was what he is describing in the 60's even some of the 70's.
I think that the only thing this guy has ever heard is Juan Serano, and those Bad Compilation cd's you buy in the comercial cd stores called things like " The Best of Spain" or ' Gypsy Flamenco" , his idea of flamenco cante is " Po rom POM POM and Volare ".
Classical music was in its time folkmusic too. Paco Pena did some things with John Williams, And John Williams could keep up with Paco quite good. And I have a very nice dvd from the grandmaster Paco de Lucia Playing the concierto de Aranjuez.
Quite simply, the pro-classical "composer-of-note" as he describes himself, says that classical is harder than flamenco--because classical is SCIENCE. Ah... so let us artists all get together and agree with him, let us agree that Science is harder than Art. Tom, Ron, Paleto (all scientists? ) do you agree? :)
Yes he did, but does not at this point. He has a quite a bit to say about the Paracho subject on the Acoustic Guitar Classical Corner forum. Interesting stuff.
In my estimation, flamenco is far more difficult than classical, classical guitar is like playing a type writer, Its all technique and nothing else, there is no room, because of the technical aspects to put any personal interpretation on most of the Repertoire and most classical guitarists don't compose, where most flamenco guitarists do, my tupence worth. Dave
IMHO - I agree, even the simplest solea i.e. of the cante jondo, is incredibly difficult to get right as a novice. Even after many, many years of playing other styles of guitar.
A simple "classical" piece is easier. It is not because of the chords or arpeggio, but rhythm, and golpe (a bit).
This is not about going from one style to another, it is about which is harder to learn, therefore to play, isn't it?
I have no respect for any Classical musicians, Classical music is elitist, and populated by Public School types, and most of the Classical Guitar repertoire is boring, I went to a Classical concert at the Royal Northern in Manchester, and the audiance was full of nobs, If you didn't have the right acent, they wouldn't even talk to you, It may sound steriotypical but its true. Dave
But i have to say the girl that plays viola with us is OK very very nice and nothing like this guy, so they are not all bad. HEY WHILE WE AT IT LETS BEAT UP ALL THE DRUMMERS TOO !! or am I just getting carried away now ? :)
Thanks for the link Zurdo, but I must say after reading most of the posts that its even handed, that composer who posted has some good points, flamenco doesn’t have the musical freedom other forms of music has, because of the compass, but as R Riqueni said, the beauty of flamenco, is that its is based on three chords, and there is beauty in simplicity, the skill is trying to create variety in that restrictive environment Dave
Well, having played classical guitar and having had Rey de la Torre and Segovia as teachers, I must say that I like classical guitar. However, my personnal feeling is that flamenco is much more difficult when you consider playing for dancers, cante and solo guitar.
To be honest to compare classical and flamenco guitar is not fair. We are talking about two different topics and each has its place. From the sound of some of the people addressing this thread (and others like it) you are no different than the people on the classical guitar forum putting down anyone else for the style they play. It also sound anal to hear such talk. Why lower yourself to the level of those who are negative?
By the way I am speaking in the third person and not accusing you Mike, of anything.
Tom, my point was more a critique of the poster's logic than a judgement for either side. He stressed that CG is a science and therefore is harder, while I don't consider that a compelling argument. Science is not harder than art (or vice versa). This, to me, is like saying that it's easier to be a man than a woman... (or vice versa).
Plus, Tom, it's hard to lower yourself to anything when you're as low as me...as low as a snake's belly!
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