Re: Classical guitar for flamenco

Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 19:56:37 -0800
Newsgroups: alt.music.flamenco
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Hi Joe,
I'm a beginner at flamenco guitar myself, so take what I say in that
context:
In terms of learning, I doubt that there is a big difference between using a
classical guitar and a flamenco guitar. I say this because several teachers
(who also sell both classical and flamenco guitars) showed me several
classical guitars as well as flamenco guitars as possible purchases when I
told them I wanted to learn how to play flamenco guitar. In one case, I
think it was because the seller thought I might find the flamenco guitar too
specialized, and would get more use out of a classical guitar over time. In
the other case, it may have been because the student model classical guitars
(in that seller's shop) were significantly less expensive than the flamenco
guitars.
As far as I can tell the fingerboards are exactly the same and, although
there are "flamenco" string sets, the strings can be the same too. The
obvious differences are the depth of the body (which may be a factor when
you try to hold the guitar in the traditional flamenco style) and the tone
(I would describe a classical guitar as being more mellow and having more
sustain, whereas a flamenco guitar is more percussive, or "punchy") which is
due in part to the differences in size, woods, and construction (the
flamenco guitars have different internal bracing than the classical
guitars). Flamenco guitars get even more "punch" (not a technical/musical
term, I know - but I think it's descriptive) when they put the "cejilla"
(capo) on the second fret (sometimes higher) - but you can do that with a
classical guitar as well.
Of course classical guitars don't come with the "golpeador" (tapping plate).
You can buy these at some guitar shops and install them yourself (but it
will probably become a permanent part of your guitar, and will decrease the
value of your classical guitar). I wouldn't recommend tapping the
soundboard of a nice classical guitar without these installed, however. The
traditional flamenco guitar has solid cypress sides and back. There is also
something called a "guitarra negra" or "flamenco negra" guitar that has dark
wood (eg. palo santo) sides and back, which give it a bigger tone and more
carrying power, but may not be so bright or intense (funky ?) as a
traditional flamenco guitar. Flamenco guitars are typically set up with
lower action - again, you can do this on a classical guitar as well.
As for myself, I finally bought a Lucida Artista Picado Flamenco guitar
(about $500 with tax and a decent case), and I'm very happy with it - it's
all solid wood, including cypress sides and back (like much more expensive
flamenco guitars). I think it is capable of delivering the flamenco sound
(even if I'm not).
There is at least one website, I think it's called "flamenco teacher", or
something like that (sorry, I lost the link when my hard drive crashed).
But, I followed some recommendations and bought Juan Martin's "El Arte
Flamenco Del La Guitarra" Volumes I & II books with CD (about $25 each), and
I'm very happy with that too (he also has a 3 video set out that others have
recommended, but I haven't seen it myself). Juan is an excellent player who
can also teach!
As far as scales are concerned, here's what Appendix B of Volume I says:
"There is a special kind of scale in Flamenco which is of even more
fundamental importance than either major or minor scales, since it is the
basis for most of Soleares, Seguiriyas, Fandagos, Tangos, Bulerias and
related toques. This has close similarities to the scale known to classical
musicians as the Phyrgian mode."
More important than scales, however, are the fingering techniques (and in
the case of rhythm - the strumming techniques) and the "compas" (the
flamenco rhythm). Volume I does an excellent job of explaining these and in
providing excersises to practice them (although seeing it all on video, or
having a competent flamenco player/teacher show you, might be even better).
In any case, I would recommend you buy Volume I (it's only $25, and Juan's
playing on the CD - which covers all the material in both volumes - is worth
that alone). If you already have classical guitar you can start with that
and see how it goes (just don't tap the soundboard too hard).
I hope this helps - good luck!
Bob
"Joe Nathan" <email-address-deleted> wrote in message
news:5sQba.195$email-address-deleted...
> Does anyone know if it makes a big difference using a classical guitar for
> flamenco music?
>
> Also, I'd really like to learn flamenco guitar, but I don't know which
> scales to practice. Any websites that could help??
>
> Thanks!
>
> Joe
>
>