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.

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

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

Music I play II - Tientos

Tangos are a basic form of flamenco rhythm, probably originating from Cadiz and Sevilla. Tientos are the most solemn and profound Cante (song) and Toque (playing style) of the group and they are distinguished from the faster styles of Tangos by their characteristic Compas (metre) and by their serious themes. The word Tiento literally means a 'touch'.

This Tiento uses the flamenco scale (similar to the Phrygian mode) in the por medio position based on the key of A and a meter of 4/4.

speed of this Tiento is Andante-moderato

♩= 104

Music I play I - Primera solea

The first piece in this series is called : "Primera Soleá"

Soleá, (or soleares to use the plural form) is one of the most basic forms or "palos" of Flamenco music, the exact historical origins of soleares are uncertain and controversial. Probably the most important center of its development was the Triana district of Sevilla in the early nineteenth century. The word 'Soleá' is probably a corruption of soledad which means solitude or loneliness.

Soleá is one of the flamenco palos with the highest number of traditional songs, and it is particularly appreciated by knowledgeable artists and audiences. It is very demanding for singers, as they have to strive to be creative and, at the same time, respectful of the tradition, and they have to succeed in finding a good balance between melody and rhythm, both extremely difficult. It demands great vocal faculties, and the singer should achieve a balance between passion and restraint.

This Soleá is really simple and slow, but it's the basic rhythm for all traditional soleares and even other forms of Flamenco music like the Bulerías.

The Soleá uses the flamenco scale (similar to the Phrygian mode) and a meter of 3/4 although the soleares measure is usually built up from 6 and 12 beat phrases.

speed of this solea is Andante (best speed for this solea is ranging from 88-104)

♩= 88

Composer: Traditional

Notation: Juan Martin

Guitar used: Almansa 403 Abeto.

(If you don't like my playing, just enjoy the intro)

Music I play

I have decided to start a new series which I will call, "music I play". I finally found something I love and can be added to the blog. I have been playing the guitar for 15 years now, but haven't touched one in almost 5 years. I always had a guitar with me at all times, but never played it though. I always had my fingernails carefully shaped and maintained, ready to go at any time. But still I never played for ages.
My friends all think that I can play a couple of songs and know a couple of guitar tricks, nothing more. The reason for it was that I never played any popular music and I thought that flamenco especially wont be interesting for them. But from now on I will play for my self, I will be my own audience and my own judge on music I play.
I don't know how long will it take me to start getting something out of my guitar and my old stiff fingers, but I will start practicing as hard as I can and hopefully I will be able to record something decent and upload to the blog.
Just bear with me, it's been a very long time since I last played.

Viva el arte.
T.