Juan Martin's flamenco methods

[Stoney]

New to forum.

Many people knock Juan Martin because he is virtually unknown in Spain and they therefore don't consider him the real deal.

I've used his method a lot. I really hate the breed of guitarists that you find on the internet who play a complete piece directly out of a Juan Martin book as if it were classical music. These folks obviously didn't really get the point of Flamenco at all.

Show me ONE example of Juan Maritn that is out of compas. The transcriptions COULD be off but I doubt very much that his playing is ever out of compas.

I still consider myself a beginner even after 7 years and I can still get something from the Juan Martin lessons. I recommend highly.

Stoney

[Alatriste]

I think his instructional material is a very good supplement to live instruction.

[omnidrone]

Greetings from the great southwest.

After a 3 yr hiatus I'm Finally getting back into playing. I forgot how much I missed it!! When I first learned to play I learned from the JM "white book". I must've learned at least 80% of the material from Vols. 1 & 2. I always practice with a metronome and back then I used to use the "Solo Compas" cd's. Remember those? This was before flamenco metronomes were so readily available ont the internet (Thank heavens). Everything always seemed to check out just fine. Can't go wrong with JM. Now that I'm getting back into playing I'm using Dennis Koster's "Keys to Flamenco" which I really like. Anyone one else out there using/have used his book.

[Payul]

Hi omnidrone,

Welcome here on the falsetaforum!
I sure remember this cd's! it was for me pre-internet time...
was a bit late with buying a computer.
Never used the Dennis Koster books, but seen them in the past, they looked good!

Payul

[veet]

Originally Posted by Stoney

New to forum.

Show me ONE example of Juan Maritn that is out of compas. The transcriptions COULD be off but I doubt very much that his playing is ever out of compas.

Stoney

He's not out of compas, but he plays it very safe and basic, never flips to medio compas or has much fun with it the way Moron players do, for example. He's good for beginners: the best thing he offers is his command of the English language, which none of the truly great players have, alas.

I worked with his stuff at first, but got bored. What he lacks IMO is "aire," feeling (or as they say in Andalucia, "el filin.") Compare a Tomatito or Geraldo Nunez, or Moraito bulerias and you'll see what I mean. Someone on the forum complained that Graf-Martinez is stiff, I find JM the same. Also Koster.

V

[Alatriste]

HeyVeet! Threadjack!
Location: LA - Koreatown

St. Gregory's Catholic school alum here. 9th & Norton. Lived over at 772 S. St Andrews Place decades ago. Now in Houston.

[Michael1917]

The instructional books (with CDs and DVDs) that have been most recommend by professional players and teachers I know are the 2-volume books by Graf-Martinez. They cover a lot and start right off with easy exercise that help establish the beat and get a person into understanding and then playing in compas. The early exercises also work at stretching and strengthening the fingers, in subtle ways, which I have found very helpful. I think if you follow Graf-Martinez, you can't go wrong in getting all the basics down solid and from there being able to play just about whatever you want.

Juan Martin's book is fun and has some very recognizable palos, but the material is not explained as well, I think, or provide the basic technique exercises that are really helpful. I'm not here to knock Juan MArtin, I've just found that Graf-Martinez is recommended by the folks who are serious players and teachers and it is encompassing, and a challenge and technically fruitful. I'm fortunate enough to have a real flamenco teacher where I live but I supplement that with Graf Martinez material, and I also like Jose Tanaka's Web site, which has online lessons and tons of video instruction that are well done.

[veet]

Originally Posted by Alatriste

HeyVeet! Threadjack!
Location: LA - Koreatown

St. Gregory's Catholic school alum here. 9th & Norton. Lived over at 772 S. St Andrews Place decades ago. Now in Houston.

Small world!

[Randal]

New to forum.

I've found the JM method extremely useful. IMO, his materials are excellent beginner instruction.

[Ten Thumbs]

Juan Martin got me started on the road to Flamenco. Then picked up on the Graf Martinez books. I agree that GM is much more technical. But this helped me develop what I feel is better rasgueo and golpe skills. I think that using both books enriches my grasp of Flamenco. And that any other inputs, such as from the Falseta site, teachers, You-Tubes, live performances all help me grow.

I enjoyed the You-Tube of the young girl Nirish, playing Bulerias. Watching her play reminded me to keep my right hand light and relaxed. Doing so instantly improves my playing.