Hi!

I am a relative novice when it comes to flamenco. I have played guitar in other styles, without much dedication, for years but it was not until I began studying flamenco that I have felt a real, burning, inexorable passion for playing. I first became interested in flamenco when I heard some recordings of the great Lenny Breau, who was a predominantly jazz guitarist, but could play flamenco with a great degree of alacrity as well. I read that his recordings were based largely around pieces performed by Sabicas. As soon as I got my hands on Flamenco Puro, I was converted. That was about 2 or 3 years ago. Ever since, I have been increasing my knowledge of flamenco and been drawn mostly to the old masters, particularly Diego del Gastor and his nephews Juan and Paco. My favourites are Diego, of course, and Nino Ricardo, Sabicas, Ramon Montoya, and Melchor de Marchena. I do enjoy listening to Paco Pena and Pepe Habichuela as well. I took lessons for about a year with an instructor here, but time constraints of university and work led to my stopping them. Now I practice with recordings, books, and a flamenco metronome. Once I am finished school I intend to pack up my belongings, move to Seville, get a good teacher and live, learn, and work!

Welcome to the forum. I learned to play flamenco such as I do without an instructor, because good flamenco instructors are rare to non-existent around here, but there is no doubt about the benefits of good instruction. It will be a great opportunity if you are able to go to Spain and find one.

-Bob

Thank you! Do you have any particular practice tips posted? They would be much appreciated.

Actually, I do have some practice-tips that I have intended to post for some time. I will start a separate practice-tip thread and ask others to contribute things they have found helpful.

See: http://www.oldschoolflamenco.com/flamenco-f6/flamenco-practice-tips-t519.html

-Bob

Thanks! Some good advice