[Payul]

Hi All,

I play flamenco guitar for more than 20 years now, and in the past, around the time I played for 7 years or so,I had times that I realised that the past two or three years nobody ever heared me.
(besides my family ofcourse), In that time I was thinking by myself:"what am I doing this for?" I realised that the only one I was doing this for, was myself. That made me promise to myself, that I wanted to play as good as possible within my possibilities. And play the best I can at the age of 65.

(I am 45 now, so still 20 year to practice...I will need it!)

This promise keeps me motivated since than, so my question:

What is keeping you going on?

[MarcChrys]

Well, like you, I mainly play for myself or my family/friends. Having come to flamenco guitar quite late (after years of playing other styles) it's no effort to 'keep going' - I'm 'kept going' by the satisfaction I get from improving my technique, the excitement at discovering 'new' music, the challenge of composing my own songs, and, most important of all, the therapeutic power of expressing my creativity and emotions through music. What would we do without it?

[Black Sheep]

Bono was once asked why he was creative. And his answer was... 'Because I have a God sized whole in me that demands to be filled'... And Lee Clow, an Advertising luminary from America was asked the same thing and his reply was simply... 'Because the alternative sucks.'

What keeps me going is the passion that lies somewhere between the two answers...

[Payul]

Well, we seem to walk all more or less the same path...

[Frontera]

I keep playing flamenco because it has been part of me for 38 years. 25 of the years I never had a guitar out of the case, but never lost the love for flamenco. After I retired due to nerve damage, I decided to play again. It was like starting over. I play now for myself, not even my family has interest or wants to hear it. I once played flamenco and classical guitar at an high intermediate level. Never made advanced. I did a lot of teaching and guitar repair and some building. I gave it all up except playing old school flamenco guitar and studying lyrics.

I don't know why I still play or practice, except I cannot stop. I was once told if you really get into flamenco it over takes you and controls you.

[Payul]

Hi frontera,

You are an afficionado for a long time! It goes back into the Don E. Pohren time. Where and how did you study in that time, I remember 20 years ago it was still very difficult to get a teacher or find some flamenco on paper!

Payul

[federico]

I'm a new member and until today after reading what everyone wrote about what keeps them going, I thought I was alone, especially living in California and not in Andalusia, where I would rather be. I'm 55 and have been playing since I was eleven. Have lived in Malaga many years and have family members there. I plan to retire in Andalusia if the dollar doesn't keep going down any further.

I never realized that there were other people like myself out there. So much so that in the past I have been defensive and antagonistic about others outside of Spain that played FLamenco. After reading all the comments, I think that I have received a slice of humble pie and I appreciate this very much. As all of you, I also worship Flamenco. In Spain it is said that one can only reach God through intensive prayer and intensive Flamenco. Some of you will understand this. Hundreds of years of history repeating themselves through six simple guitar strings. The joy, misery and suffering of all that has transpired in the past. It is the spirituality of Flamenco that has kept me going. I hope that makes sense. Thank you all very much!

[Payul]

Hi Frederico,

Welcome here on the foro, and sharing your thoughts here!
Nice website you have, very nice playing on it!
I noticed on your website you have a very old Duch backname. I am from The Nethetrlands, So maybe our great grandfathers played someday together!

[rodrigo9]

how do you now that you will live untill 65 years?!!!
besides i wish you a good luck because you know few people can continue
if they were in your place thank you for your advice to new guitarists and affecionados to keep going and to be patient

[Payul]

Originally Posted by rodrigo9

how do you now that you will live untill 65 years?!!!

I have red somewhere, ( cannot remember where) that if you still live in 2020, you have a live expertice of 130, so, with a bit of luck We all have time enough to learn a few palos. LOL