[falseta]

One way or another Flamenco has found you. Mastering Flamenco guitar is no easy task. But what does it take to Master Flamenco guitar?

Unlike Rock, Jazz or Blues guitar, Flamenco HAS an extra layer of complexity all of its own.

Here are my thoughts:
Flamenco guitar can only be mastered by total surrender. Ego must be put away during practice. Focus must be on the process of long term success. Only by accepting Flamenco guitar as a life long process of learning can mastery be achieved.

Whether you are a hobbyist or performing professional tell us what you think it takes to Master Flamenco guitar by replying to this thread.

Look forward to reading your posts!

[at_leo_87]

i never thought of it like that before, but i can see how letting go of your ego is super important.

nothing can get in the way of learning more than thinking that you already know it all. on a different level, thinking that it's " good enough" or as good as you can get it because you can't do better is just as self-destructive.

whether it's an ego full of pride or an ego with low esteem, both can be extremely detrimental.

[Payul]

You both hit it on the nail
very nice point about the ego..
Also I think you must really love to practice....most people want to be something, not to become something.
It really takes a life time, also the more you learn, the more you see what you can improve.
It is a pretty lonely road....you must learn to handle that too.

Man, I get depressive! LOL

Payul

[kbschindler]

I enjoy the thought of never mastering flamenco because I don't believe it's possible. It's a life long journey so just enjoy the ride and always know that you can keep progressing.

[at_leo_87]

Originally Posted by Payul

You both hit it on the nail
very nice point about the ego..
Also I think you must really love to practice....most people want to be something, not to become something.
It really takes a life time, also the more you learn, the more you see what you can improve.
It is a pretty lonely road....you must learn to handle that too.

Man, I get depressive! LOL

Payul

right on!
since it's a lonely road, it's good to have a support system. such as this forum!

[David and Anne]

I agree with all these thoughts.The idea of flamenco as a life-long journey is appealing! I've always regarded it as so. Like many (I suspect), I started by hearing some solo flamenco guitar and seeing several performances in London (Juan Martín, Paco Peña, Paco de Lucia, even Manitas de Plata(!) (Actually, first in SF as a student at Berkeley -- but that's another story). But I soon wanted the whole thing: the cuadro. Now, although a guitar solo or two within a performance is nice, I revel in the whole flamenco 'experience'. Went to a show recently in Guildford, a small town near where I live (SW of London) to see 'Jaleo' from Seville. The audience undoubtedly had everyone within miles who had some interest in flamenco (including Anne and me and two of our dance class pals), but also a lot of people who probably thought flamenco would be interesting / or had seen some tourist show in Spain / or who basically just go to most of the 'provincial' music shows presented in this 'Electric Theatre' in Guildford.
Jaleo STARTED with two singers wailing an unaccompanied Martinete -- it was electrifying (no pun intended) and, we and our pals thought, very brave. No doubt many in the audience were expecting flying skirts, gorgeous lady dancers and fantastically fast and complex flamenco rhythms. (They got all of that in the course of the evening, including a fantastic male dancer and a lovely solo Colombiana on the guitar.) But that opening Martinete sung by two lonely singers sitting centre stage was some flamenco at its absolute best. And the audience -- whatever they were expecting -- loved it.

So I don't think flamenco guitar is a lonely journey at all. Its the whoe thing: the people, the song, the dance, the palmas, the guitar, and the food, wine and peña that we want!
All the best, David and Anne

[Alatriste]

The other benefit is that playing Flamenco over-prepares you for almost any other style of guitar playing, except possibly Classical. It is always easy to move down to another style.