What is keeping you going on?

[Michael1917]

Sometimes, when I get frustrated and feel like I can't master certain techniques or get the palo down---something happens. I switch to a new palo or something easier that I like and the excitement and joy all come back. And then, a few days later, I dive back in to working on what I was trying to get down. I have a long way to go, but it is worth the effort. Things I can play well today, I could not play at all one year ago. things come slowly, but they do come. I am an old man but it is a lot of fun and the sound is what makes it all worthwhile.

[armauro3000]

1.technique challenge
2.lovely harmony and melodies
3.muscled and sweet music at the same time

these are the magnets sticking me to the flamenco.

However, I am not a good learner: when I get a new technique I start to create my own musics inspired to it. This is not flamenco, of course! Nice for my soul, bad for my training.

sic!

[flamencodiva]

Well, I have been a Bellydancer since 1976 and started Flamenco around 2000. I have done Middle Eastern-Spanish fusion and a little Flamenco dancing. The thing that keeps me going is the love for the dance and I want to perform Sevillanas with Castanets before I die. Being over 50 and not practicing like I should, I don't know if that is possible.

Please visit me for flamenco skirts and dance wear. flamencodiva.com

[blinde001]

When I was 14...(63 now) my guitar instructor, a Luis Rosas, from Mexico stopped me and put on a Sabicas LP. It was like being trapped in a room and then someone opening the door to a huge, beautiful world. I did not realize so much music could come from 1 man with a guitar. From then on my head was turned. To me it comes down not only to a love of the music and its structure, but is also about respect. If you love Flamenco, you will listen, and play, and work. It is also about respect for your instrument and its maker. I was lucky
enough recently to acquire a traditional peghead Flamenca Blanca made by
Jeff Sigurdson from B.C. Canada. By continuing to learn and practice and listen, I show respect to the tremendous effort, craftmanship and artistry he
breathed into the instrument I play.

[martymarvin]

What keeps me going? Well, to dance one day again you see I am unable to walk due to some side effects to medication to my knee. I'm under alot of pain and swelling in this area however I have hopes in one day I will be able to dance once again. O' I may not be ever to perform again. But just to be able get up to dance, Yes! my goal is to do just that and not just any kind of dancing for there is so many but my goal is to Flamenco! Yes! So I go to therapy to straighten my legs. Recovery will be long before I can dance Flamenco. But that's my personal goal to one day be strong enough to dance Flamenco. Thanks for letting me share.....

[Paul Rovira]

YOUTUBE!!! that's what keeps me going. In fact, that's what got me stared a year and a half ago. I've been a musician all my life, starting with the drums when I was two and a half. Some unfortunate events took place in my life which kept me from realizing my full potential but finding flamenco has been like finding the missing piece of my life's puzzle! I have NO support network besides my little children so youtube videos and Adam Del Monte's lessons online have been my only source. I grasp the feel and the rhythms and am a very active listener. I wish I knew some people that played or sang of something! (I'm in long island ny) sorry to ramble but I'm used to nobody caring so I've nothing to lose!

Paul

[La Micha]

Hello,

I'm 21. I started dancing when I was 17...and I feel like I haven't gotten anywhere. But what is keeping me going on this beautiful journey is the way I feel everytime I listen to the cante, the music- everytime I listen to really good musicians and singers, I get butterflies in my belly, my hands and fit start to itch, and my heart starts to race. Seeing others dance with such passion and 'duende' really inspires me not to give up.

Also what keeps me going is the fact that I've been wanting to be a professional bailaora for such a long time, that backing down would make me feel like a failure...and losing the greatest love of my life would break my heart (I'm being overly melodramatic but it's truly the way I feel).

And I think that the support I get from my friends really helps me as well...and my dad. He really wants me to succeed in this, just as much as I do. I'm so grateful to have such wonderful and supportive friends and family.

But sometimes (recently it's been most of the time) I feel like maybe I'm making a mistake. My mother and I have huge fights because of Flamenco. She really doesn't see a future in this beautiful way of life. but I think I can make it. But I don't have a job so, I haven't been able to afford any classes, and all the classes are in the city....I, unfortunately, live in the suburbs- commuting to and from classes makes my mum and dad worry because the classes are at night.

But I'm going to keep fighting the battles with my mum, I'm going to face my fears and I'm going to be a Flamenco dancer!

Love always,
La Micha

[Jenny Carolina]

How couldn't I, it would be like telling me not to breathe, Flamenco has always being and is always part of me, Flamenco comes from the heart, and Flamenco is just a natural part for me of being alive.
New come ups like "Mammy Blue" by Jose Merce just make me love it all over again. Just like "Aguadulce" in Almeria ( where I am from ) by Tomatito. MUcho arte!

[Payul]

@ La Micha

I admire your spirit!

The only tip I can give you is this:

If things do not work out the way they should,
then they should go the way they work out.

Welcome to the forum!

Payul