Q&A with Paco Pena

On behalf of Falseta.com and its members I would like to thank Paco Pena and UCLA Live for making this possible. If you are in the Southern California area don’t miss out on Paco Pena’s concert at UCLA!

Tickets are on sale now!!!
UCLA Live at Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood.
Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m.
$28-$54. ($15 UCLA Students.)
Call (310) 825-2101
Visit http://www.uclalive.org/event.asp?Event_ID=680

If you are subscribed to our newsletter you know that I recently had an opportunity to ask your questions to Paco Pena. If you are not subscribed to our newsletter I strongly urge you to join us so you don’t miss out on great opportunities like this one.

I asked subscribers to our newsletter, if you had just one question you could ask Paco Pena, what would that question be?

So without further delay here are the responses to your questions from Paco Pena himself.

Question: What strings do you use on you Gerundino? – Peter van Dortmondt

Paco Pena: I’m happy to say that D’Addario strings work brilliantly on my guitar and I have been using them for many years.

Question: Senor Pena, pertenece usted a alguna de las familias de estirpe del Flamenco? O se crio usted en algun barrio donde el Flamenco fuera lo normal, o como fue que le nacio a usted el amor por el flamenco. Y quien fue la primera persona que le enseno los primeros toques? – Jenny Carol Wangensteen

Paco Pena: Me temo que no pertenezco a ninguna familia famosa del flamenco, pero sí tuve la suerte de que mi extensa familia eran todos aficionados, y mi hermano Antonio me enseñó los primeros acordes. Después de eso la vida me ha ido alumbrando en la riqueza de los toques flamencos y del flamenco en general.

Question: Have you ever felt like quitting and why? What kept you going? – Maria Marquez

Paco Pena: There are indeed difficult moments when you are responsible for a number of people and a number of shows. However, it’s a nice life..

Question: At what age did you start playing and what was your practice regime in hours per day? – Rob Amos

Paco Pena: I started when I was six and I liked it, so I practiced all I wanted and all I could.

Question: In the flamenco instrumental genre; which is your favorite piece/style and why? – Raul

Paco Pena: There are so many things one can say with the different styles that it is very difficult to choose. I think the Soleá is the most representative of the myriad emotions and avenues of expression in the flamenco world, so if I had to choose, that’s the one.

Question: What specific drills/practice would you recommend for flamenco guitarists to always keep working on? – Michael

Paco Pena: There are many exercises and scale systems available for practice. They all hold the potential for having benefit. Whatever you practice, practice slowly so that your head is doing the work, not just your hands.

Question: I would like to know who had the greatest influence on your music. Who did you admire the most or try to learn from more than any other. – Cindy Solis

Paco Pena: It was Niño Ricardo and Sabicas when I was growing up.

Question: In your opinion should a student learn Pueblo style flamenco forms first before moving on to the more modern styles and approaches? – Briggs

Paco Pena: Tradition is very wise and it has decanted many good qualities of the flamenco essence. Modern approaches offer equally good possibilities for extending your knowledge. Whatever you do, you have to keep in direct contact with tradition.

Question: Would you ever considered publishing any more books like “Toques Flamencos,” or sheet music for some of his original compositions, or even a method. – Robert Brajnikoff

Paco Pena: I designed a flamenco method many years ago, but for reasons of my every-day work, I still haven’t published it. But I’m hoping I will be able to bring it out soon.

Question: Do you believe that Flamenco falsetas will be some day be ‘improvised’ on top of a particular ‘toque’, such as bulerías, Solea, etc. Similar to what happens in a 12-bar blues or Jazz pattern? Do you improvise when you play? – Sergio Ruiz

Paco Pena: That already happens and it has always been part of the nature of flamenco performances. However flamenco improvisation doesn’t follow the same system as the improvisation in Jazz or blues, in my experience. If you are involved in blues or jazz playing and understand the systems, I see nothing wrong with you experimenting on the ideas you suggest. However, you must beware that both blues and flamenco are two very serious musical cultures and you have to give them due respect, whatever you do.

Tickets are on sale now. Reserve yours before they all sell out!!!
UCLA Live at Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood.
Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m.
$28-$54. ($15 UCLA Students.)
Call (310) 825-2101
Visit http://www.uclalive.org/event.asp?Event_ID=680

Related posts:

1. Paco Pena at UCLA Royce Hall
2. Review of Paco Pena “A Compas” at UCLA
3. Paco Pena Requiem for the Earth
4. Francisco Sanchez Paco de Lucia DVD
5. Flamenco Dance & Guitar Classes with Paco y Yolanda Arroyo