[grimm]

Hello All,

First post here other than my brief intro.

Well since this is the area of "no such thing as dumb questions" let me start by saying I’m completely new to Flamenco and Guitar. In my bio I noted I have my degree in music/ music education, however the only stringed instrument I’ve ever messed with a little was a semester of cello I had to take in college (and that was about 15 years ago).

Now, I’ve got a guitar (an Admira Paloma, I know I know it’s not a true flamenco guitar but I think it will suffice for initial learning purposes) and I also have the Gerhard-Martinez “Flamenco Guitar Method Vol. 1” with book, DVD, and CD. I’ve heard and read it’s a great series so I sat down to page one and immediately realized I need something far more basic. Outside of showing you the numbers and letters for fingers/ thumb and a sitting position it then throws you in the deep end. In reflection it’s probably best suited for someone to start with who has some working knowledge of the guitar.

So, at any rate now to my “No such thing as a dumb question” part. Just to get my feet wet I’m wondering if I should order a book that’s gotten excellent reviews for the rank beginner called “Solo Guitar Playing Vol. 1”, by Frederick Noad. Now, this is geared for a classical guitarist but from what I understand it really holds the beginner’s hand. Does this sound like a reasonable approach? I know it may be a step back from learning flamenco but I thought it could give me a foundation from which to build upon since I’ve found very little in the way of a book/CD/DVD for a true beginner to guitar and Flamenco that also gets great recommendations (and is in complete English).

Any thoughts? I certainly appreciate it.

[mwheeler]

Hi Grimm,

Noad's book basically teaches what I would refer to as the Segovia technique, which is a pretty good basis for learning the classical guitar, and by extension a portion of the flamenco technique. I had it at one point, but didn't go all the way through it.

If you lived in Canada, you would be able to buy the Royal Conservatory of Music's graded books for learning the classical guitar. But these just are books of graded repertoire, not instructional books per se.

This raises an interesting question: why isn't there a series of "graded" books for learning the flamenco guitar? There are beginner books, intermediate books, etc., but no actual graded series that I'm aware of. Maybe only classical music "deserves" to have grades?

In Arkansas, you're pretty close to Flamenco Connection in Falls Church, Va. -- you should check out their selection of flamenco guitar instructional materials. They are on the web at Welcome to Flamenco Connection. Authors of some widely-used instructional material are Juan Martin, Oscar Herrero, Dennis Koster, Aaron Gilmartin, Graf-Martinez... and on and on... you can find reviews of some of their books/CD's on the web.

[grimm]

Thanks mwheeler! I appreciate your input and the link.

This raises an interesting question: why isn't there a series of "graded" books for learning the flamenco guitar? There are beginner books, intermediate books, etc., but no actual graded series that I'm aware of. Maybe only classical music "deserves" to have grades?

I found this interesting as well. Perhaps a nice niche for an aspiring author/ writer of Flamenco books and music?

[Payul]

Flamenco is not a written music form.
It is tought by the teacher to the student without writing.
25 years ago there was not a single book available.
So to talk about "grades" in flamenco is a bit strainge. Besides, if you are good enough, you start to make your own falseta's, and develope an own stile, that is not done with classical music, there you play from a sheet what somebody else wrote down for you.

A good book, but still difficult and musically enough to challenge you, is toques flamenco from Paco Peña.

[subnoise]

Thanks mwheeler!

[pjballard]

25 years ago there was not a single book available.


Well, that's not exactly true, because in the mid-60's my older brother took flamenco lessons in Irving Texas and his teacher, a spaniard by birth, used a book entitled Flamenco Method. Red Graphics on White. Don't remember the author but I think it discussed Sabicas' and Montoya's techniques at length.

[Payul]

You,re right about that , I have some books now from the 60 - 70ties.

Let I refrace,....25 years ago it was very hard and in some parts of the world nearly impossible to find a flamenco book.... ( )