Here I attempt to play a simple Alegrias from mostly Juan Martin with some changes. The cejilla is at 3rd fret on both guitars. Can you identify which guitar is the negra and which is the blanca? When I am playing them they sound very different, but on the recordings, I don't hear as much difference. A lot of this may come from my hearing disorder, so I am seeking your opinion. Also feel free to comment on the playing. It is not so good and any constructive criticism is always welcome. I am having a lot of trouble with my thumb and index finger going numb while playing.

Here is guitar 1
STE-004.mp3

Here is guitar 2
STE-003.mp3

ole!
i think guitar number 2 is a blanca, the other a negra.
very nice alegrias. i especially enjoyed the silencios

Hola Sam,

Ok first I totally love that Alegrías!

I was teaching one of my students the other day and he is working on an alegría for the Paco Peña book and we agreed that if you can play that piece properly then it is a concert piece and not just a piece for students.

It is similar in some ways to the one you have played, in some falsetas and in feeling. Incidentally I like your picado very much because it is meaningful and the sound is good and you hear the tone and phrasing of the falseta.

I could listen to music like that all the time. I love virtuosity too but for me music can contain virtuosity but is not defined as virtuosity. I hope that make sense!!!?


I will say I reckon guitar 1 is negra and 2 is rubia. Now I bet we all have it wrong?!

Saludos



Tomás

at_leo_87 wrote:ole!
i think guitar number 2 is a blanca, the other a negra.
very nice alegrias. i especially enjoyed the silencios

I will hold off revealing ID of the guitars until we get some more opinions. Thanks so much for the kind comments. I am never sure if I get the timing right on the silencios and sometimes follow to quick with the golpe (beat 6). I think this is such a beautiful piece that it is easy to overlook mistakes. I made several. My main goal is to get the compas perfected and start working on the Serrano piece again. What was it about the difference in sound that made you arrive at your choices?

TomasJimenez wrote:Hola Sam,

Ok first I totally love that Alegrías!

I was teaching one of my students the other day and he is working on an alegría for the Paco Peña book and we agreed that if you can play that piece properly then it is a concert piece and not just a piece for students.

It is similar in some ways to the one you have played, in some falsetas and in feeling. Incidentally I like your picado very much because it is meaningful and the sound is good and you hear the tone and phrasing of the falseta.

I could listen to music like that all the time. I love virtuosity too but for me music can contain virtuosity but is not defined as virtuosity. I hope that make sense!!!?


I will say I reckon guitar 1 is negra and 2 is rubia. Now I bet we all have it wrong?!

Saludos



Tomás

Thanks Tomas and as always your are much to kind to overlook several mistakes. I usually play the arpeggios much smoother, but something about the recorder going makes my hands stiffen. I have heard the Paco Pena piece played and yes it has much the same melody. What book is it in? I would enjoy taking a look at it for ideas. Yes I understand about sometimes seemingly simple pieces with beautiful melodies, if played flawlessly, can become virtuoso pieces. I think in our high technique modern world of flamenco and Juan Martin bashing, we overlook some valuable traditional melodies that are the heart and soul of flamenco guitar. We hear many great players use the same melodies, Pena, Serrano, Escudero, Cepero, even Diego del Gastor and Sabicas. One thing I like about Phillip John Lee is he uses some of these identifiable traditional melodies in his virtuoso pieces. What was it about the sound of the different guitars that made you arrive at your choices?

Manos Lentas wrote:What was it about the difference in sound that made you arrive at your choices?

well, both guitars sound muy flamenco. and they do sound similar as you have already mentioned. but the more i listen, the less sure i am. during the first listening session, guitar number 1 sound more bolder with a fatter tone. the other guitar sounded more sharp and metallic. but as i listen again, it seems to be the opposite of what i first thought.

i'll have a listen again with headphones on. for now, i'll stick to my answer.

Sorry for delay Sam but just got back from a weeks diving in Tenerife - just great

OK I go first one blanca and second negra. But I couldn't put into words why.

My recording will be a few weeks yet but it will be here.

cheers, Nigel

Nigel has it right. The first is the 2004 Andres Dominguez spruce and cypress and the second is my 1976 redwood and Brazilian Jacaranda rosewood. The negra does has more of a "metallic" tone or growl to the basses. Both have sweet trebles and the Dominguez has more of a looseness in tone on the trebles. They both had well worn LaBella 820B strings. Amazing how they can sound so different when playing, but record similar except for the negra bass growl.

Thanks to all of you for your replies and Nigel I am looking forward to your recording. If I remember from your recording of yesteryear, you had good compas, something I still struggle with at times. I practiced so much yesterday that my right hand is so tight today I can hardly move my fingers....

That was very good, I enjoyed listening.


Alan