New Classical/FLamenco Guitar Buyer

[Olly]

Hi All,

I'm new to the Guitar world, so I was hoping that sum ppl may be able to help me out a little...

I am 16 and enjoy sports such as Judo and other Martial Arts, but I have always wanted to play the guitar as I feel it is a good way to relax and chill out.
My m8 has bin playing the electric guitar for 7 years now, and he is pretty good, but I was thinking more of accoustic style. I only want this as a hobby and do not want to spend my whole life's savings into it (therefore is it possible to teach urdelf how to play the guitar?)
I am addicted to the Gipsy Kings, and as I have lived is Spain for 10 years. I really want to go back to the old Spanish ways. Where can I get a Spanish Guitar for a decent price and yet still sounds good? Any names/makes worth mentioning, since I have not the faintest idea about any of this, lol.
All replies would be well appreciated...

Thx a lot

[Jim Purviance]

There are a number of good quality guitars around - check with GSI and other stores in your area. What I suggest, though, is to find a Junior college in your area and see if they offer any guitar classes. The ones I know of almost all teach classical guitar and it's very cheap compared to private lessons. Like under $100 for 14 to 16 lessons. At the school I go to in California it was 30 bucks! You can't beat that for lessons. By taking lessons, you will learn the proper way to hold the guitar, where your hands go – stuff like that. The school I go to offers night classes, 1 day a week so as not to interfere with homework or other things going on in your life. You might also meet some people in there to play with and are interested in the same thing. Check out the schools in your area and try to talk with the instructor. If you find a guitar you like show it to him/her and ask for their opinion. If the place you bought it from has any kind of reputation, if your teacher thinks you could do better, then take it back and exchange it for something else.

[Olly]

Thx a lot Jim,

but there's one problem here; I dont live in the US :arrow: I live in Britain, England :(

So are there any GSI stored here or not? :?:

Oh well, thx a lot for the info any, u've bin really helpfull

Btw, do u know of any web sites that can help begginers how to start playin the guitar?

[deb]

http://www.flamenco-teacher.com/index.jsp
http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/Reference.html

[Olly]

Thx a lot deb, but I'm thinking of more on the line of Classical Guitar, and not flamenco, any help on sites?

[keith]

hey olly--cool to see someone into the old spanish ways as well as spanish guitar music (be it classical or flamenco). from what i hear england has always been a big on spanish music. probably the best bet to find an instrument or lessons is to go on the web. there are some good guitar stores there and i suspect there are as many classical teachers per capita there as here in the u.s.--maybe more.

it is interesting that you are addicted to the gypsy kings yet want to learn classical. are you thinking of learning classical first then flamenco? if it is flamenco you want to learn, then learn flamenco and embellish your repetoire with classical pieces.

[Olly]

Thx for the post Keith, nice to have ppl who like helping others... :D

I wasnt sure wot type of guitar the Gipsy Kings played, but I presumed that Flamenco is harder to play than classical (Am I wrong in thinking this?)

I just would really enjoy playing sum musical instrument which i can get a lot of enjoyment from...

So wot do u guys reckon is better (or easier for a begginer); Classical or Flamenco? I definitely wanna learn Spanish guiter tho, it is so much deeper than normal accoustic.

I used to have a friend in Spain, and he cud play a bit of spanish guitar, but I never got to see him play properly.

Anyway, I'm working at the mo, and I am saving up my moeny to but a guitar, so are there any worth buying from this site for begginers, or is my best bet just going down to the local music store and picking up a cheap second hand one?

Thx a lot for ur replies guys...

Olly

[adrian]

Hello Olly,

Glad to hear your excited about learning the classical guitar. If you're interested in starting out on your own first, I'd recommend Scott Tennant's book:

Basic Classical Guitar Method, Book 1 (with CD) (http://www.guitarsalon.com/store.php?template_id=gsi_site_a.tpl&item_number=BOBASTE-03074&render_it=SPEC&searched=YES&spot=img_1&product_cat=BO&search_string=tennant&render_type=FREE_SEARCH&order_by=item_number)

Good luck,
Adrián, GSI

[keith]

boy what a can of worms could be opened on this one. i am principally a flamenco player with a small classical repetoire so i can only give you my take.

but first, you need to ask yourself what you like and want to achieve. you may want to try a little of both and see what clicks inside you. you would be amazed at the possibility of both worlds living within you--think of how being able to play both will capture that essence within you--very much like different martial arts forms--i guess.

both disciplines have their own difficulties. for me, some aspects of classical music i find to be difficult. but, my technique is flamenco--and there are big differences between the two. the classical folks may say some aspects of flamenco are difficult due to the techniques, rhythms, etc. that are flamenco. it is just like anything in life--the thing you do the most you become better at.

there are really good videos, books on both subjects. but, i would seriously recommend a teacher--not so much that the teacher is going to teach you anything different, rather, the teacher can help you learn good technique and is there in person to correct any bad little habits you may be developing--you would be amazed how easy it is to learn bad habits.

as to buying a guitar--get the very best you can afford and let your ears be the judge. remember, artists playing on a c.d. are using top of the line guitars and many folks cannot afford those guitars. however, listen to many artists and find your sound--then look for a guitar with that sound. you will probably not approximate the sound, but will be moving towards that direction. once you become good, i am sure you will contemplate that second job to feed your habit.

good luck--glad to see you following this path.

[Olly]

Man, thx a lot for all the replies guys, i really do appreciate it!

But now i am really confused with which style i wanna play - classical or flamenco?????

Cud any of u guys plz show me examples of who play which - Classical or Flamenco?

I really like the Gipsy Kings and ppl like Ottmar Leibert, so is this classical or flamenco or a bit of both?

Also, can i buy a classical guitar and then play flamenco and vice versa or will i need to buy the guitar to suit the style?

Btw, thx a lot for all the posts guys, and if u cud provide me with any more help i wud be very humbled...

Thx...

[Jon Carter]

A quote by Segovia;

"classical & flamenco guitar are like two sides of the same mountain, but they never meet" - something like that anyway.

I'd like to add to his quote by saying;

"a true mountaineer (guitarist) would never be satisfied exploring just one route to the top of the mountain. Each path will throw up new challenges, that must be overcome to reach the peak. When you have conquered each path to the top of the same mountain, you will be more experienced, more skillful, with more technical knowledge and a deeper understanding of the nature of the mountain, than if you had just chosen one path. And contrary to what Segovia says. The two sides of the mountain do meet - at the top."

We are spirits clad in veils;
Man by man was never seen;
All our deep communing fails
To remove the shadowy screen.

Christopher Pearse Cranch. (1813–1892)

[keith]

olly--ottmar's music is frequently considered nuevo flamenco and the gipsy kings' music is frequently considered to be rumba music. they are not classical musicians in the way say john williams or sharon isben are. nor are they flamencos as are paco and sabicas.

if you want to play gipsy king music, you will need to learn basic flamenco technique with a specialization in rumba. i would recommend buying a cordoba 75F if you can afford that much, or a cordoba 30F if you are totally broke. guitarsalon sells them--note, i do not work for guitarsalon nor do i own one but have played them and they will suit you fine. it will give a flamenco sound and you can also play some classical on it (especially spanish). and of course, cordoba's are advertized as the guitar of the gipsy kings--so the vibes (not the instrument)of the gipsy kings will be with you.

in closing--stop worrying about the labels and learn what you need to learn to satisfy the person inside you who is demanding to be released via music. learn a gipsy king song and learn a classical piece. who knows, maybe you will want to go down both paths.

[Olly]

Wow thanks a lot for the help guys, and thanks for the boost of confidence Keith.

Hey, Jon, ur philosophy has made me realise wot it is all about - thanks for that...

I will start off with Flamenco I think, as i feel there is more passion and emphasis in this music, and then we'll just see how things go from there.

A great thanks to all u who have taken part in this discussion. Ur comments are well appreciated, since I had no idea where to start.

Now i just got to save up for a cordoba 75F (if i can afford it - going to have a look how much they cost on this site now!)

Thx all,

Olly