So many people claim to be self taught guitarists. But in reality, few successful guitarists are self taught: everyone has a teacher, thıough Abel Carlevaro is a possible exception. Some people have formal lessons and others, less formal lessons.
Many elite guitarists had formal lessons:
- Tomatito? Pedro Blanco (from Málaga Musical), amongst others.
- Vicente Amigo? Manolo Sánlucar, amongst others.
- Deigo del Gastor? Pepe Naranjo, amongst others…
If you are living in flamenco circles you will know that while there is an element of competition between guitarists, there is also a good deal of camaraderie. These are informal lessons and most often take the form of falseta swapping but also extends to analysis of fingering and help with technique. A guitarist that does not swap and share in this fashion will soon be known as ‘antipático’ and ‘pesetero’.
Having a teacher or living amongst this swap and share culture both inspires and puts pressure on you to be able to play your stuff properly because people will listen to it and take it apart. If you do not live in this culture, then you need to find a teacher. None in your area? Use the internet and nowhere better to go than Juan Ardila’s guitar2000.
There are many advantages of studying online as opposed to self study:
- It will help you to get rid of bad habits and/or prevent them in the first place. Bad habits take a huge amount of perseverance, analysis and time to correct. I know.
- You will not learn your music thoroughly because:
- you will not have a target to aim for in front of you
- you will try to learn things that are too difficult
- you will not compare what you do with a falseta and what someone else can do with it.
- You will not learn the musical language behind the music
- You will not be able to ask someone who has walked the path you are on now when you have doubts.
- You will not get the little, though valuable commentaries that add you your understanding of what you are aiming towards.
- You can watch as many video lessons as you like and you can watch them as many times as you like.
You can see how the the guitar2000 classes work by following these links:
Do not believe those web pages that tell you that you will learn to play the guitar in a mere weeks. Both flamenco and classical guitar require dedication, time and consistency. To become a very proficient guitarist, lifestyle choices have to be made - even if you are Paco de Lucía.
If you focus only on what you want to become as a player, you will miss this beautiful and fascinating journey where you learn to focus all of your mental and physical energy on this wonderful instrument you are playing. If you miss the journey, you will certainly miss your destination.
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