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#1
02-19-2009, 07:35 PM
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Hello everybody!
In view of the notice and clsoier of the introduction thread I decided to just start another thread to introduce myself.
My ID is the Spanish form of my given name, Stanley. I live on the coast of Southern Georgia in the USA. I am 52 years of age and decided to pursue a lifelong dream to learn to play Flamenco guitar music. My father had heard the music played on the streets Cadiz as a navy sailor and always talked of how he loved it and would like to learn it. The result was that I formed a desire to learn it whcih only grew after I heard it played through the years. Well, after raising a family I decided a few years ago that it was time to learn. I am no stranger to musical instruments having played several brass instruments in my highschool band and earned several awards for my skill wiht them. So I know what is involved in learning how to play an instrument and the patience needed to succeed. That was several years ago and after getting a classical guitar and learning some of the basics I've finally bought instructional materials for Famenco specifically, the Graf-Matinez method among them. So I am something of a beginner with the view that I have the rest of my life to practice and play for the pure joy of it. I have no illusions as to a professional career, though I wouldn't mind becoming good enough to supplement my social security when I hit retirement age. As it turns out, The local music shops tell me that I am the only one in my part of the coast they know of with an interest in Flamenco, much less playing flamenco guitar music. The closest professional from which I could get lessons I know of is about 150 miles away, so I am in the position of having to be self-taught. Since it is reported that Sabicas was self-taught, I guess I am in good company, though I doubt I will every be within his league.  Still, there is no harm in trying!! I stumbled across this forum and decided to give it a try. Estanislao 
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#2
02-19-2009, 09:55 PM
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Hey welcome... Your story is a little familiar... I'm 51 and began to learn 7 months ago... I'm surprised that there is no one around there who can turn to for lessons. I phoned a local dance studio in my home city and asked where Flamenco dancing was taught. They gave me 3 schools and they all gave me a few names of who to contact. Often the guitar shops and purist teachers don't know much beyond their own sphere. The dance schools might be a good place to start or nationality based social clubs.... But you've probably tried them already...
Anyway hola...
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#3
02-19-2009, 11:54 PM
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Welcome to the forum Estanislao!
Thanks for starting a new thread. The old thread was getting rather long so I changed things up in order to be able to meet everyone individually. Georgia is a beautiful State, I was there many years ago and hope to have the opportunity to go again. Especially to stop by "The Varsity" (The Varsity :: What'll ya have!) to have an Orange Drink and a Hot Dog! I am sure you will enjoy the forum and I look forward to reading your posts!
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#4
02-20-2009, 02:50 AM
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Welcome Estanislao
Welcome here on the foro!,
Well, you are not entirely alone! you have us now to support you......don't know if that is anny help....LOL. Internet is a real treasure box, you will find anything you want to know, and maybe, with some flamenco luggage in your backpack, you can go to a place for a holliday where they have a workshop or something. Maybe in the states or even in Spain! 
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#5
02-20-2009, 01:56 PM
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Quote:
If you ever head down this way let me know and I'll give you my number and address. I haven't tried the dance schools yet though I know the owner of onelocal school and already know that school doesn't teach Falmenco. I do have some corespondence with Sal Bonavita in Australia. He is Hersoveela on youtube. He suggested checking with the other schools once I have enough of the basics to be of use to them and offering my services if they have, or want to start classes. That is part of the route he took to gain experience and he recommends it highly. To that possible end I included videos of guitarist doing accompinaments in my collection when I can find ones with good audio. Right now that is mostly accompaning cantores, but I am on the look out good dancing ones as well. That is one thing which impressed me about Gaf-Martinez when I perused his material, he emphasizes becoming proficient in accompaniment in the different forms before going for the solo stuff. Nice to see another fellow of similar experience Balck Sheep. I started at about 50 years of age. As I mentioned I didn't start right away with Flamenco. I figured getting some of the generic basics of guitar was the best way given my resources, which aren't much with me on a form of disability. None of the local bookstores have anything on Flaemnco. If I wanted to learn the blues, rock and roll, country, or even bluegrass, I can find all the stuff I want. But Flamenco? Not a thing! So I started with a book which introduced basic guitar, including some country, blues, rock, and classical. It was helpful. First I had to use an accoustical guitar I found for a reasoanble price at a pawn shop. Then about sisx months later I found a classical guitar, a Blueridge BR-C, the only classical guitar I've seen in the pawnshops around here yet. I know it isn't much, but it was within my means. Last month I bought an Olinda OC-100 off the internet for about a hundred dollars below the list price. It is a surprisingly nice guitar for a Chinese made affair. It is solid wood throughout and has a high grade spruce top. My only issue with the guitar will probably disappear when I change the strings to a better grade set. Gracias por su bienvenido Payul, y todos. Aprecio mucho. Bye the way, my favorite is Manitas de Plata. Not only does he have the technical skill of folks like Paco de Lucia, Paco Cepero, and even Sabicas, but he has a passion that the others just can't seem to let shine in theirs. I know from the post over in the thread on favorites the he dosen't even seem to come to mind to folks around here, but I like him.
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#6
02-21-2009, 03:08 AM
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Ha Manitas!
Besides playing flamenco solo in a restaurant, I play also as a trio with two frend Rumba's in the Camarque stile (Manitas, Gipsy kings, Los Reyes, Baliardo) We had a lot of fun visiting Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, and playing on the streets during the Gipsy festival at 24 and 25 may when more than 10.000 Gipsies visit the little plase in the south of France. Even met Manitas!
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#7
02-21-2009, 12:34 PM
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I bet that was fun!
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#8
02-23-2009, 05:02 PM
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Learning by yourself
I would not try to learn on my own at your age if i were you. I am also your age so I can say that. Trust me that somewhere out there, there is a FLamenco Guitarist out there closer than 150 miles or so. We are everywhere in the World.
Get a teacher, because I think that the videos and books will just confuse you. I have played and taught many years that is whay I say this Good Luck! PS: I do not believe that Sabicas learned everything by himself, even though he stated that. But suppose he did. He learned in Spain and that is a different ball game. Don't try this at home :-)
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#9
03-01-2009, 06:45 AM
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Hello everybody
I'm Frederik from Belgium,
I started learning to play flamenco guitar for about 10 years ago, and have made even a trip to a summer class given by Gerardo Nuņez in Sanlucar in Spain. I'm still very fond of this way of living, though I've started to explore jazz, gipsy swing as well. And on the classical level I've started to play both guitar and piano. While being a student I played very often several hours a day, but since I started working my spare time has decreased considerably, nevertheless still trying to improve my techiques. I'm looking forward to meet people with the same passion.
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