My problem with playing music has always been that I could never record the music that I used to play. There are a few reasons for it. The first reason is that I was never happy with the quality of the recording. It really puts me off to listen to the recorded music and find out that it's nothing compared to how it actually sounds when I play live. The second reason was probably psychological as I practice each piece hundreds of times until I'm happy with my performance and then I make mistakes everytime I try to record. It is usually a minor mistake, some times as much as a buzz from one of the strings, but I always wanted it to be perfect, and knowing that I could play each piece perfectly at other times make me always un happy with the recorded performance. This started growing more and more in my mind preventing me from even trying to record.
I have recently started thinking that I can play better than many people with videos on Youtube and I have studied the theory of music along with the techniques required for the guitar and no one even knows that I play. I don't really play for other people but rather for myself, so I am recording for my own records. There may come a day (and it will come) when I'm not able to play anymore. These videos will be my memories then.
To satisfy my self I have pruchased some professional gear to assist me recording my music, so I don't think that I will have any excuse not to play and record music from now on.
Tamer 11/04/2013
Thursday 11 April 2013
Saturday 30 March 2013
Music I play VI - The first falseta
I have recorded this one this morning and spent the afternoon doing a bit of editing on it. It looks and sounds decent now.
Soleares is one of the most fundamental types of music in Flamenco. It is described the flamenco website: Studio flamenco as,"Soleares is often referred to as the mother of all flamenco forms because so many other important forms are derived from it. It may be more accurate to think of soleares as the most flamenco of flamenco forms. All the elements of soleares, including its 12-count compás with an irregular beat structure, its Andalusian cadence, and its melodic and melissmatic gestures are unique to flamenco.
Soleares first evolved in the late 18th Century from a dance form called Jaleo. As it evolved through the 19th Century, it took on a more solemn, cante jondo character, probably due to its inclusion in the Cafés Cantantes as a featured song and flamenco dance. Various forms of soleares developed associated with different cities and individuals. At the beginning of the 20th Century new forms were derived from soleares, including bulerías and soleá por bulerías.
A common belief is that the word soleares is derived from the Spanish word soledad, or sorrow. Sorrowful, unrequited love is a main theme of the letras, along with other bittersweet lamentations."
Now enjoy this little piece from Juan Martin's Flamenco method book - El Arte flamenco de la Guitarra.
Soleares is one of the most fundamental types of music in Flamenco. It is described the flamenco website: Studio flamenco as,"Soleares is often referred to as the mother of all flamenco forms because so many other important forms are derived from it. It may be more accurate to think of soleares as the most flamenco of flamenco forms. All the elements of soleares, including its 12-count compás with an irregular beat structure, its Andalusian cadence, and its melodic and melissmatic gestures are unique to flamenco.
Soleares first evolved in the late 18th Century from a dance form called Jaleo. As it evolved through the 19th Century, it took on a more solemn, cante jondo character, probably due to its inclusion in the Cafés Cantantes as a featured song and flamenco dance. Various forms of soleares developed associated with different cities and individuals. At the beginning of the 20th Century new forms were derived from soleares, including bulerías and soleá por bulerías.
A common belief is that the word soleares is derived from the Spanish word soledad, or sorrow. Sorrowful, unrequited love is a main theme of the letras, along with other bittersweet lamentations."
Tuesday 2 February 2010
Why did I start this blog?
Simply because it represents my life. Unfinished business, places that I never visited, dreams that I never worked hard enough to make them come true, postponed plans, and the lack of will power to finish what I started. (refer to "about me").
Sunday 26 July 2009
When the going gets tough, the tough get going
The going is getting really tough for me, but I'm not tough enough to get going. It's all coming after me, I used to touch dirt and turn it into gold, but now I touch gold and turn it to dust. I have to take an extremely imporatant decision, a decision that will make me regret for the rest of my life if it's not right, and I don't want to make this decision in this state of continuous bad fortune.
The tough can't get going anymore....I'm getting tired.
The tough can't get going anymore....I'm getting tired.
Monday 16 March 2009
Take Five
Another one of my favourites. First time to listen to it on the guitar, thought about sharing it and give myself a break from my music.
Sunday 15 March 2009
Music I play V - Alegrías en Mi (Alborozo)
Alegrías are joyful toques (Alegría means joy or gaiety), light and carefree in spirit. They can express great intensity of feeling, tinged at times with melancholy, but the mood is mostly optimistic and high-spirited.
Alegrías belong to the larger family of toques (guitar playing) called Cantiñas. They originated from the sea-port of Cádiz and probably came into being by the flamenco adaptation of the lively Jotas sung by sailors from Aragon. The melodies of the Jotas were put to the compas of soleares and used for festive dances. Unlike Soleares and Seguiriyas, which are in the Phrygian mode, Alegrías are in the major key, a difference which contributes to their happier and more tuneful aire.
Metronome setting for this Alegría is Allegro
♩= 160
Alegrías belong to the larger family of toques (guitar playing) called Cantiñas. They originated from the sea-port of Cádiz and probably came into being by the flamenco adaptation of the lively Jotas sung by sailors from Aragon. The melodies of the Jotas were put to the compas of soleares and used for festive dances. Unlike Soleares and Seguiriyas, which are in the Phrygian mode, Alegrías are in the major key, a difference which contributes to their happier and more tuneful aire.
Metronome setting for this Alegría is Allegro
♩= 160
Sunday 14 December 2008
Asturias Leyenda - Isaac Albeniz
I used to play this one. Took me a year to master the whole piece. This video is only one third of it, but it gives another perspective to the already extremely beautiful masterpiece.
I'm practicing again to play it....hopefully next year
Asturias with flamenco
Uploaded by quillscribe
And here's the original played by the legend Andres Segovia himself
I'm practicing again to play it....hopefully next year
Asturias with flamenco
Uploaded by quillscribe
And here's the original played by the legend Andres Segovia himself
Music I play IV - Verdiales
Verdiales are a Flamenco music style, and song form belonging to Canté Chico (Light hearted and less serious music form).
Originating in Los Verdiales, an olive-growing area in the province of Málaga, where a kind of olive known as verdial is grown. It is a fandango that could be fitted within the category of the malagueñas sometimes known as Fandangos de Málaga.
With Moorish origins, it is a cante that can be danced to, and it clearly maintains its own folk roots.
The Compás of this Verdiales is 3/4.
Metronome setting is Allegro.
♩= 168
Originating in Los Verdiales, an olive-growing area in the province of Málaga, where a kind of olive known as verdial is grown. It is a fandango that could be fitted within the category of the malagueñas sometimes known as Fandangos de Málaga.
With Moorish origins, it is a cante that can be danced to, and it clearly maintains its own folk roots.
The Compás of this Verdiales is 3/4.
Metronome setting is Allegro.
♩= 168
Saturday 29 November 2008
Flamenco glossary
Just in case someone is reading the blog and is interested in knowing the meanings of words included, you can find a glossary of the most common words used in Flamenco here.
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