Sacred Silence

[Frontera]

In another thread I was discussing with Payul the sometimes silent counts or notes not played in flamenco guitar. Sometimes these silent notes are what makes the phrasing. In the beginning one may choose to use a golpe to fill these times, however sometimes the best effect comes from the silence. Sound of silence, if you will.

Here is a poor example of what I am saying. I did this Solea clip a while back to check a falseta that came to mind for compas. I like to establish the rhythm first with something simple, then play the falseta, then finish with something simple. Record it then play it back and check compas.

This 12 count Solea falseta that came to mind is silent on the 4 and 7. Sort of lame sounding but gave me practice in timing silent notes. Using a metronome for practice is a good idea, but IMO when you record, don't use one and test your timing.

[falseta]

Awesome! Great example... Silence in all aspect of life is often overlooked but can have the greatest impact of all...

Paco de Lucia does this in several of his bulerias... he will be in the middle of an intense falseta, stop to let a count go by and then finish the falseta in a flurry of notes...

[Payul]

Very nice!

funny how your head keeps counting without music!
Nice sounding guitar do you have, good separated tone, If you want to tell, who is the builder?

Payul

[Frontera]

The builder is Andres Dominguez of Sevilla 2004 and it is a cypress and spruce. I bought it new. The tone reminds me of a Reyes for its sweetness and if provoked can bark like a Gerundino. Thanks for the compliments on the simple playing.

[Payul]

Ah.. Andres Dominguez!

I visited his Taller in 2005, a frend of mine has a very old one, with cedar top, plays and sound beautiful.

There is no symple playing...

[Black Sheep]

I love the term 'Sacred Silence'. The thing I am finding difficult is that sometimes that silences can be quiet syncopated. I find I have to keep my hand moving to measure the beat and be ready to carry on.

The recording is great.

[Frontera]

Thanks B Sheep and yes sometimes the silences have to be counted in ways such as with our feet or arms and sometimes players move their mouths to count. Once it is in your head it comes so automatic you wonder why it was ever a problem. When my hands get better, I will play the rest of what I had put together for this Solea practice. The second falseta ends on 10 with 11 and 12 silent, then I go into three falsetas of arpeggios.

[Bob Weisenberg]

This is going to come out of total left field, but when I read the words "Sacred Silence" in Black Sheep's latest reply, I couldn't resist.

I just wrote a poem about "Sacred Silence" for The Yoga Journal Online Community. (When I'm not playing guitar I'm a Yoga writer and blogger.) Here it is:

A Yoga Poem

Silence is the Roar of the Universe.

Emptiness is the Fullness of the Grand Canyon.

Nothingness is Always Abundance.

Boredom is Always an Invitation to Amazement.

Silence is the Roar of the Universe.

(See my website The Wonder of Being Alive--Yoga Philosophy Demystified)

[Frontera]

Hey Bob that is a great cante.

[Frontera]

Bob, You really have out done yourself on this one ... fantastic!


Aaayyy aaayyy

El silencio es el rugido del universo.

El vacío es la plenitud de la barranca magnífica.

La nada es siempre abundancia.

El aburrimiento es siempre una invitación al asombro.

El silencio es el rugido del universo.