Hi Everyone, I have played Rock Guitar since my teens (I am now 64) and after my last band folded 2 years ago I decided to try and learn Flamenco because it was totally different to what I had been doing, but at the same time had some of the aggression that I like in my music. I have been practicing regularly, apart from a short break due to illness. After a lifetime of playing with a pick I am finding the right hand particularly difficult but slow progress is being made. Even if I could find one in my area, I doubt if I could afford a teacher so I am relying on Juan Martin & Juan Serrano books at present.
I am looking forward to being part of the Forum and if there is anyone in my area (Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk) who would like to get together for practice, let me know.

Welcome to the forum. I know the UK has many interested and performing flamenco. The best advise is to find recording and videos of the important palos, Solea, Alegrias, Bulerias, and Siguiriyas that have a sound and feel that appeals to you and then listen to them repeatedly. Don't try to figure them out right away, just listen. This will train your mind for a later time. The Martin and Serrano books and CD's are the best for starting out. You will find that many of the falsetas they use are similar to the masters past and present. Since your left hand is basically in shape, concentrating just on the right will no doubt make it easier for you over beginning from scratch. Concentrate on using your thumb and play arpeggios using basic chords using your thumb entirely. This will help with a good rest stroke and teach your thumb speed and accuracy, You will notice it will develop a circular motion. Once the thumb is working smoothly, add one finger at a time to the arpeggios. Learn picato not just using imimim,etc., but mamamama also. Not that you will use mama for picato runs, but this will develop speed and accuracy for arpeggios, plucks, etc. Also help with the golpe. Rasqueados are a personal thing in my opinion and experimenting with different ones and finding ones that seem to come more natural for you is best. The old school sami is a good start and still used by most old school players. As you know Serrano has his own and you do not have to use it to play his material, just be sure whatever one you use covers the same amount of time. I use samip as a subtitute for his isami and it works nicely especially in the Bulerias. I am a great believer in one developing their own style of flamenco. Basic rule is always observe compas. Using a metronome is a good way to start, but be careful that it doesn't become a problem and distract from in time getting the emotion necessary for flamenco. As a rock player you probably know something about the old Delta blues. While flamenco is different in many ways it is the same in that it must evoke emotion. Flamenco is based on the verse and singer. Solo guitar has the challenge to evoke this same emotion. Teaching yourself is a longer process, but has worked for many including some of the masters. Having a teacher is a good thing if they really know flamenco. Unfortunately many teaching flamenco should not be and finding a good in person teacher can be difficult. With the internet learning has been made easier. You might contact Tomas Jimenez as he might be able to do online lessons with you and possibliy on occasion you might travel to his location. Not sure what the distance is between you, but worth checking out. Tomas is a great teacher and knowledgeable flamenco.

Yes, welcome to the group. It is difficult or impossible to find local flamenco instruction of any kind in much of the world, and even more difficult to find someone qualified to teach traditional flamenco. I agree with Sam's advice to contact Tomás Jiménez. I don't know how far he lives from you, but he teaches traditional flamenco guitar in the U.K.; and he and his wife Maria, who is a flamenco dance teacher, give flamenco performances throughout the U.K. This is the contact page at their website:

http://flamencotomas.co.uk/contact/

-Bob

Welcome. You might want to take a look at Montoya's DVDs as well. I find them good and you can catch a sample of his style and presentation method by looking for him on youtube.

byron wrote:Welcome. You might want to take a look at Montoya's DVDs as well. I find them good and you can catch a sample of his style and presentation method by looking for him on youtube.

Byron, thanks for mentioning Montoya. I assume you are referring to Jose Montoya. Yes, excellent and reminds me of the few lessons I had in the early 70's. His approach is outstanding in my opinion.

Hello again.
Thanks to SamC, Bob & byron for the tips and advice. There is plenty there to work on and follow up.

You really need a teacher. Apart from anything else, it will put you in contact with other flamencos in your area, and is much more fun than struggling on your own. I think Norwich has a fairly active flamenco scene and its not to far away from you.
Good luck and if you're in North Yorkshire anytime, you're welcome to visit me and my workshop.

Sam, yes, I meant Jose. His new video lessons are well crafted. The DVDs are a slightly older presentation style, but still very good and worth the money. They are very solid in the fundamentals of rhythm and compas as well as core techniques.

Hola y bienvenido
I agree with others. It is so important to have a live teacher when that is possible and of course you choose whoever suits you.
I hope you enjoy and I look forward to any contributions you feel you would like to make here.
Saludos cordiales

Tomás