I am in a Police Station.
Quite intimidating for someone like me, who was raised to say “Yes Sir!” to those in positions of authority.
By nature, I am curious. I spent my time looking around at everything. Handcuffs! I had only ever seen them on TV! How exciting.
For twenty long, agonising minutes I stood there. I smiled and waited patiently. I answered all the questions politely and honestly.
Finally I emerged from the station. Free to go.
I headed straight to the Post Office as fast as I could. I joined the line and waited.
Eventually, it was my turn.
“I need a registered envelope for the Passport Office,” I said placing the freshly signed Police Vetting Form on the counter.
Three months later I was on my first flight ever.
Where to?
Spain.
First morning I headed straight to the local tourist office. Remember, there was no internet back then.
Shock !!! Horror !!! No Internet !!!
Travel advice included survival tips such as always buy a local newspaper at the airport, roll it up and put it under your arm so you look like a native!
Maps were made out of paper and had to be folded!
Only drink bottled water never tap water!
And in my innocence I asked the lady at the tourist office to tell me where I could see A Flamingo Guitar Performance.
She looked so confused.
Then she nodded wisely. To my great embarrassment, on a sheet of paper she wrote the magic words “Flamenco.”
TOP TIP
– Be Alert –
Guitar Lessons Are Everywhere.
And They Are
When I came home I could not wait to try out what I had seen.
In fact this is something I try to do always. Whenever I see someone playing guitar, I watch them, enjoy the performance but most importantly, I try to pick up something that I can transfer to my own playing.
No matter what style they play or what context they are playing in, such as buskers, school performances, weddings, parties, on TV, family gatherings etc, or what level they are playing at there is ALWAYS something to be learned, if you pay enough attention.
I remember watching my nine year old niece at her school performance, using her little finger in a song where I always used my index finger. I can still remember the excitement I felt as I drove home. I couldn’t wait to try it out.
So, fast forward to this century. And to today. Following on from “So you Want To Sound Country” I present “Quick Lesson 33 – Flamenco”
The real secret is to play this style of music with gusto and passion. Batter the guitar strings with your fingers. Let the open strings ring out with joy.
This is just a flavour of some authentic sounding Flamenco sounding techniques that will instantly make your playing sound native. And it is easier than you think.
Remember this is not an in-depth study of Flamenco. It is just enough to spice up your playing by adding something different and exciting to your techniques arsenal. And, it is also meant to be something that you can have fun with for a few minutes before you get back to the serious business of Chords and Scales and Reading Music and cups of tea and walking the dog, and…and…and…
Next week we will add some more to these chords with your pinky finger playing a little melody.
In the meantime,
Enjoy!
Ole!
PS In case you missed it here is last week’s QL 32 featuring some beautiful chords in G
PPS Part 2 Next week. In the meantime, If you want the authentic experience check this out. Magic !!!