[Glamenco]

I'm a new member on this site so, first of all, I'd like to say hello to everyone.
So hello all!

Well, I have been playing flamenco for some years now, and I have enjoyed it very much so far.

I have learned almost everything I know from Juan Martin's flamenco methods. But not long ago, I read quite alot of stuff on the web saying Juan Martin's method has bad compas and easily makes you bad habits which will be hard to break.
I really like Flamenco and I think it would be a massive shame if I'd be learning it the wrong way right now.

So I was wondering, has any of you got some (negative?) experience using with Juan Martin's methods regarding bad habits or bad compas?

Thanks in advance!

Glamenco

[Payul]

Hi Glamenco, welcome to the falseta forum!

There is a lot of bad talking about Juan Martin, but the man lead a lot of people to flamenco, and we cannot start with Gerardo Nunez right?

if you practice now and than with a metronome, or tap your feet with the music, you know a Solea is in 12 etc, not much can go wrong.
Listen to your own music, is the best to do.

maybe it is a good time to go to somebody with another level, Paco Peña "Toques flamenco"for instance, old, but good.
Or the Encuentro serie, Paco Serrano is a challange, but playable, also Merenque de Cordoba, nice too, bit old stile maybe a bit easier....

Anyway, good to have you onboard!
Saludos,
Payul

[Glamenco]

Thanks for the advice and the welcome Payul.

I'll see if I can get my hands on a copy of one of the methods you suggested.
About the metronome, do you mean a normal metronome or one of those fancy flamenco compas metronomes?

[Payul]

Hi Glamenco,

You can use a normal metronome too, or tapping your feet, also Mark, a forum member here was so very kind to make one and upload it for us to use.
here is the link to the post.
My Simple and Free Flamenco Metronome Software

[Frontera]

Those who say things like Juan Martin teaches off or bad compas don't understand traditional flamenco. Juan Martin teaches traditional flamenco and the way he has it written down and demonstrates it is as accurate of compas as anyone else that teaches from books, CD's, and DVD's. My only personal dislike of Martin is his voice, appearance, and mannerisms. I think part of the JM bashing comes because he was overrated by his promoters. The best way to learn flamenco guitar is in person from a teacher that is rooted in traditional flamenco and doesn't try to teach music theory, but demonstrates, then has you play what they did until you get the compas in your head. A student needs to do lots of listening especially to traditional flamenco. If you haven't grown up with flamenco, the compas can only be learned by listening a lot and playing a little and a live teacher helps speed up the process. Good flamenco teachers, especially those from gypsy flamenco families are hard to find and usually expensive but certainly the best way to go.

If you can play the JM practice material along with his recording, then you are on the right track and have the basics to move ahead. Juan Serrano has out lots of good material. One criticism I have of Graf Martinez is his serious mechanical way of teaching. For me he is void of the emotion necessary for flamenco.

The problem with any books, DVD's, etc., is that the teacher cannot see what you are doing and immediately stop and correct problems.

[Glamenco]

I see, thanks again!
That metronome is really handy, thanks alot.

Thanks for your opinion on this, Frontera. I can play the material along with his recording quite well by now, so I hope I am indeed on the right track.

I made a little film of me playing the 1st bulerias from JM's book.
Yes, I know it's a little fast, but please tell me how you think I'm doing, it would be highly appreciated.

Me, playing the 1st bulerias.

[Payul]

WOW! Great man!

I can hear your compas is ok in your head, you have the right feel.
If you tap with it you hear some " floating" in the compas.
That goes away with practice. ( maybe it is allready better without the pressure of the camera)
Well, well done, a joy to listen to!

Are you a very long guy? I see you bent a bit to the left and put your elbow high.

[Chiste de Gales]

His books need more clarity. I've done fine with them after having a teacher
correct my misunderstandings.

The worst one- most people learn JM's first Sevillanas the wrong way.

What is very helpful is to get a Solo Compas CD (or find online-PM me)
and practice to it. You'll hear various tracks of the same palo, but
each track will have one fewer instrument than the previous
track. You may want to skip the ones with singers and dancers and
listen to the tracks with guitar and palmas so you can hear how
they go together. After you get familiar with that, use the tracks
that have only palmas so you can provide the guitar playing.

[Chiste de Gales]

Originally Posted by Glamenco

I see, thanks again!
That metronome is really handy, thanks alot.

Thanks for your opinion on this, Frontera. I can play the material along with his recording quite well by now, so I hope I am indeed on the right track.

I made a little film of me playing the 1st bulerias from JM's book.
Yes, I know it's a little fast, but please tell me how you think I'm doing, it would be highly appreciated.

Me, playing the 1st bulerias.

Great start! I recommend some REALLY slow metronome practice. Focus on the right hand rasgueados. Imagine a snare drum going POP-POP-POP-POP. Imitate that with your fingers.

[Frontera]

The alzapua came off nicely and is usually the hard part of learning this bulerias. All in all you did a great job. You can now focus on dynamics and accents that will give it more dimension. Here is a 12 year old girl that plays Bulerias from the JM books. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODnBK...eature=related