Flamenco guitar lessons By Ruben Diaz

[rubendiaz]

Here is a lesson for beginners and is a nice rumba in 4/4 Moliendo Café everyone can try and have fun!

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo120.html

This are the chords!

Em, Em, Em, Em, Em, Em
Am, Am, Am, Am
Em, Em, F#7,F#7, B7,(B7)

Em, Em, Em, Em, Em, Em
Am, Am, Am, Am
Em, Em, C, B7, Em, (Em)

bridge

Am, D, G, G
Am, D, G, G
F#7, F#7, B7,(B7)

I know you will play great this song, try the melody and the rhythm!
Remember that to learn the basic strum here is the link
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo51.html


Enjoy!

Ruben Diaz
-----------------------

A B C of Flamenco Rumba
This is for ALL guitar players who like to learn the A B C of Flamenco Rumba, just need a nylon string guitar...enjoy it!

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo51.html

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo61.html

[rubendiaz]

The difference between classical and flamenco guitar, is mostly -we can say- about the measurements, for ex: from 1st to 6th strings, in classical guitars it is common 57mm or 58mm or 59mm at must, but because in flamenco you need to play rasgueos, alzapua(thumb)etc, (if you are really interested, you can read this in detail how it evolved historically etc, here: http://www.rdiaz.org/rdpacoart.html ) you will need (to perform properly all flamenco techniques) some 62mm between 1st and 6 strings.
The height of the bridge (namely, from the strings to the top of the guitar)in a flamenco guitar is around 4 or 5mm making a big difference compared to classical guitar.
The action of the flamenco guitar is completely different.
The bracing patterns are different too as you can see here:
http://www.andalusiang.com/enshdoblehoy ... foto7.html
even if the Smallman concept CAN also be used if flamenco as you can see here: http://www.andalusiang.com/enshdoblehoy ... foto5.html
The strings, which brand, or better brands, because Paco uses every string of a different brand and tension!... oh that’s another fascinating, mysterious, polemical and controversial issue, because of the variety of nuances and timbre’s, row materials, and tones etc, you need to express flamenco music on the Paco De Lucia’s conception, or line …anyway…
The bridge of flamenco guitar is extra flat like this one
http://www.andalusiang.com/enshdoblehoy ... oto17.html
As you can see Flamenco guitar and Classical guitar are of another nature all together...
And what to speak of the difference of the sound …the pick guard or golpeador, the male and female guitars etc...just to mention something about this issue, FEMALE guitar is certainly SUPERIOR in quality trebles, etc, as you can appreciate here: http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo38.html
This female guitar model is: http://www.andalusiang.com/enspecialclavijas.html
Nonetheless male guitar can be necessary for certain pieces or repertoire.(it can help scrutinizingly reading of the article Paco de Lucía—the only true innovator of contemporary flamenco guitar.)
However we could be discussing this for the length of a whole treatise …this is a very vast subject matter, and a very personal thing, in fact my preceptor Paco does not want me to explain publicly too much, in detail about his opinions and personal realizations on this subject matter... so this much is what he authorize me to teach for my conservatory classes, writing articles etc,.....don’t need to say that intimacy is intimate!..
certain subtleties are a secret…in other words you would have to become his personal disciple to learn all of this intricate topics under his direct guidance etc……
So coming back to earth……..
To grasp the general concept I suggest you to please read this this:
http://www.andalusiang.com/enrevolutionpacoag.html
and
http://www.andalusiang.com/encharacteristicsag.html
Here you can see for yourselves Paco De Lucia’s public opinion about this Andalusian Guitars, he gave with his own handwriting!
http://www.andalusiang.com/eninicioag.html
This piece is a good example on how a flamenco guitar should sound, according to my preceptor Dr. Paco De Lucia,(and for the ones that doesn’t know why I say Doctor see this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3N0BKCoD6s
So flamenco guitar according to Paco’s concept & line, sound of a flamenco guitar (male) should be like this:
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo1.html
this guitar is:
http://www.andalusiang.com/enspecialmb1948indian.html
and a flamenco guitar according to Pacos concept & line, sound of a flamenco guitar (female)should be like this:
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo24.html
this guitar is:
http://www.andalusiang.com/ensantoshern ... press.html
Generally for live performance (after Paco De Lucia’s Era, read this http://www.rdiaz.org/rdpacoart.html)
As I was saying this guitar (male)is very practical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzBA_qQpZqI
the guitar model is
http://www.andalusiang.com/enmarcelobar ... ewood.html
I say often the analogy of trying to use roller skates for going to the ice skating rink… that’s, really speaking, very similar to what happens when we try to play Flamenco on a Classical guitar.
Ruben Diaz
---------------------

Learn tips about strings
How do you like to use strings, symmetrical, or asymmetrical?

Do you know why for around 100 years almost everyone went the other way?(namely the 6th string in the 6th peg, and the 4th
string strung on the 4th peg)

Have you tried the 6th string in the 4th peg, and the 4th
string strung on the 6th peg?
check this…

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo93.html

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo94.html

[rubendiaz]

So… dear friends and colleagues:
We will continue having fun, with a marvellous composition of the great composer Paco De Lucia
this is how it sounds with other instruments in a rehearsal of my new sextet http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo102.html

and this is my version of the piece with only guitars
video lesson 1) http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo83.html
(here from min:2,29 to 4,12 the intro is explained but, you can skip that, is not necessary to play it,rather learn from min:4,13 to 5,23 where the melody is explained & play it!
for the intro if you want, play just the chords that are:
G,G,Em,Em,G,G,G7,G7,F,F,C,C,C,B7,B7.)

the main chord progression is:

4/4

Em,Em,Am,Am,D7,D7,G,G,C,C,B7,B7.

you can play a solo using just G major scale!
(if you are a beginner)

Be creative and have fun!, its just an experiment!

So, practice with the following link
video lesson 2)http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo84.html

You are invited to upload your own video to YouTube playing a solo with your guitar either electric or acoustic, accompanied by the sound track on
video lesson 2 which is this: http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo84.html

(try to do it in a week or so!...and send me the link, then we will comment over, for different creative approach’s etc, it will be fun!)




musicians on my sextet

Bill Mc Birnie Flute
Alex Dean Sax
Juan Pablo Dominguez Bass
Bhadra Dasi Cajon
Greg Gebert Guitar


I hope you enjoy this music !

your friend
Ruben Diaz.
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdfoto37.html

[rubendiaz]

This is a lesson for beginners and everyone -can and should-
try to play this piece, it doesn’t matter if you are classical guitar player, electric guitar player, acoustic steel string pick player, or nylon string player, this piece is for all!

Here is an example of how to apply the Paco de Lucia’s
technique to other musical styles, like this song by Paul Anka
that Elvis make so famous.

Although some times people attribute this kind of rumba arrangements to “Gipsy Kings” (1987),actually it was 18 years before them that Paco de Lucia innovated with the idea of playing Cuban, South American & popular songs of any country, into rumba flamenca on his 1969 LP entitled:
Paco de Lucia en Hispanoamérica.

“My Way” (E major)


Chords & melody lesson
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo122.html

and with this one, you can play over and have fun!
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo123.html


The chords are:

||: E (x6),D ,C#7,F#m (x2), F#m7maj (x2), F#m7,B7,E (x2),
Bm (x2),E7 (x2),Amaj7 (x2),Am (x2),G#m,C#7, F#m, B7,
Am (x2), E(x2) |

then the bridge chords are:


Bm(x2),E7(x2), Amaj7(x2), F#m (x4),B7 (x2), G#m (x2),
C#m (x2),Amaj7 (x2), B7 (x2),Am (x2),E (x2) ||

And of course...
you are invited to upload your own video to YouTube playing a solo or the lead melody as you prefer , with your guitar & along with the audio of my video lesson, that is: accompanied by the sound track using the following video:
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo123.html


(make this video in a week or so!...and send me the link, then we will comment over, for different creative approach’s etc,
I am sure you will love this experience!, it will be fun!
here is an example of how to do this kind of videos, certainly that’s with another song but, you can watch it, just to have an idea! http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo81.html )

and

( In case you need it!
The rumba strumming pattern you can learn from this lesson
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo51.html )



Ok my friends!
now…
Be creative and have fun!

Ruben Diaz.
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdfoto4.html

[rubendiaz]

Join the adventure!, and play ¨Entre Dos Aguas¨ part 1 (Flamenco /Jazz rumba) by Paco De Lucia.




Entre Dos Aguas ¨Between two waters¨ the most famous rumba by Paco De Lucia


Here are some phrases explained slow from the original recording by Paco.

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo75.html

Some examples of use of minor melodic scale etc
please check minute 8:07
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo66.html

Here is the soundtrack to practice our improvisation on

Em,D7,C7,B7.

and

D,Em

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo74.html


and the soundtrack to practice our improvisation over
the main chord progression of the song part 1 are:

Am,Am,Bm,Bm,Am,Am,B7,B7

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo71.html

again you can play your solo by using just G major scale!
(if you are a beginner) remember that the song is on Em.

Be creative and have fun!


This is the exelent video uploaded 2 days ago! for Rio Ancho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPBB9IBJnhw

And again
you are invited to upload your own video to YouTube playing a solo with your guitar, accompanied by the sound track on
video this lesson http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo71.html

(try to do it in a week or so!...and send me the link, then we will comment over, for different creative approach’s etc, it will be fun!)

Ruben Diaz.
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdfoto5.html

[rubendiaz]

Our sound on the guitar depends also to a great extent on the nail shape,
how we sand, which kind of sanding paper/procedure we use etc.
This is about the nails, some very useful tips, part of the Paco De Lucias technique workshop.
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo90.html


I hope this is useful to you!

your friend
Ruben Diaz

[rubendiaz]

Here is a lesson on a intro by Paco De Lucia
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo125.html

You can play this nice arpeggio on one guitar or play 2 guitars one plays the arpeggio and the other improvise some melody over…

the chord changes are:

E7,D#7b9,G#m,F#7,Bm,Em,A7,G#7,C#m,B7.

and repeats!



Enjoy!

your friend
Ruben Diaz
http://rdiaz.org/rdfoto5.html

[rubendiaz]

This is a very nice song also know as “Orfeo negro”or “Manha de Carnaval” by Luiz Bonfa, and it’s the track 4 of the 1997 Paco De Lucia / Al Di Meola / John Mclaughlin Guitar Trio CD

The chord changes & melody
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo126.html


The chord changes for this arrangement are:


| Am Am |Bm-5 E7 | Am Am/g| F E7 |
| Am Am |Dm G7 | C C | C#o C#o |
| Dm Dm | G7 G7 |C C | F F |
|Bm-5,Bm-5| E7 E7 | Am Am/g| F E7 |



| Am Am |Bm-5 E7 | Am Am/g| F E7 | |Em-5,Em-5| A7 A7 | Dm Dm | Dm Dm|
| Dm Dm |Bm-5 E7 | Am Am/g| F F |
| E7 E7 | E7 E7 | (E7 E7) ||


the arpeggio lesson (for beginners)
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo127.html


and the soundtrack to play and practice…
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo128.html




Be creative and have fun!


Ruben Diaz
some precious moments!
http://rdiaz.org/rdfoto16.html
http://rdiaz.org/rdfoto23.html
http://rdiaz.org/rdfoto37.html

[rubendiaz]

Here is a lesson about the “Rondeña” tuning

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo124.html



6th on D

3 th on F#

The rest of the strings are same as standard tuning.

……………….
Key is F#m

F#m / Im
E7 / bVII7
D7 / bVI7
C#7b9 / V7b9



Enjoy!

your friend



Ruben Diaz
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdfoto4.html

[rubendiaz]

Here is a lesson for those intermediate musicians and guitar players of any style, that are interested in expanding their harmony knowledge on the aesthetical colors of the Spanish music and in flamenco composition & arranging as well.

the degrees V/bVII, V/bVI, are explained ( positional playing chords, on the traditional & contemporary flamenco guitar standards etc.)

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo113.html


Flamenco Chords

This is the second part lesson about the typical chord progressions in the Spanish style like Im,bVII,bVI,V7b9.
in different keys, is also useful to get a insight on the kind of sound you want to compose and create a Spanish atmosphere…

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo110.html

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo111.html

http://rdiaz.org/rdvideo112.html






enjoy it!




Ruben Diaz
http://rdiaz.org/rdfoto5.html

[rubendiaz]

This is a lesson on how to play rhythm & chords for cante accompaniment, on Buleria (pure flamenco…)is with a piece on 12 beats by Paco De Lucia with the great andalusian singer Camaron De La Isla.

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo109.html


I used a very special guitar which is this model
http://www.andalusiang.com/enshdoblehoyo-cypress.html

and as you can see here it has sound portal
http://www.andalusiang.com/enshdoblehoy ... foto5.html

and some of the concepts of Smallman (the guitar that John Williams play) brought into flamenco sound.
http://www.andalusiang.com/enshdoblehoy ... foto4.html



I hope you like it!

Ruben Diaz
http://rdiaz.org/rdfoto37.html

[rubendiaz]

Here is a lesson for those guitar players (either acoustic or electric) of any style, that are interested in some harmony knowledge, here are some tips on how to find intervals by “shapes” with easy on the fretboard, this “positional” stuff is meant to complement the theoretical comprehension of intervals.

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo131.html


and for practical purposes here is a table that can be useful to remember:

2th = 1 tone
b2th = ½ tone

3th = 2 (tones)
b3th = 1 ½ (t)

4th = 2½ (t)
4+ or b5th = 3 (t)

5th = 3½ (t)
5+ or b6th = 4 (t)

6th = 4½ (t)

b7th = 5 (t)
7th (maj) = 5½ (t)


as you maybe know, we can say that (as far as which note is) the:

9th are = to 2th

11th are = to 4th

6th are = to 13th





enjoy it!




Ruben Diaz
http://rdiaz.org/rdfoto5.html

[rubendiaz]

Here I would like to share with you some videos of the group guitar lesson (advanced level) that I have every week at the Conservatory, in this lessons the students learn diverse aspects of rhythm and improvisation, with the aim of discovering their own voice on phrasing as well as making the other players sound good…
I learn this from Chick Corea, one day he explained this advice that, to play in groups nicely “try to play things that make the other players sound good…” some times while playing in groups, we tend to “play ourselves” and what Chick says is that actually the emphasis should be on “what should I play that enhance or embellish the other players” I am trying to learn that still…so besides talking about harmony or scale usages, we also practice these group dynamics, and I hope you will like it as well!

I) "Entre dos aguas" (Rumba) - Soloing & Variations

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo135.html


http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo136.html


II) "Chanela" (Rumba) - Variations

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo137.html



III) "Turquoise" (Jaleo) – Variations

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo138.html




Be creative and have fun!

Ruben Diaz
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdfoto5.html

[rubendiaz]

Here is a lesson on the intro of “Rio Ancho” called “Mediterranean Sundance” by Al Di Meola he played
this intro with Paco in their wonderful live record 1981:
“Friday night in San Francisco”

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo139.html

and I hope you enjoy learning & playing this on any guitar either with fingers or pick…


Be creative and have fun!

Ruben Diaz
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdfoto8.html

[rubendiaz]

Here is a lesson (part of the Paco De Lucias technique workshop at the Royal Conservatory of Toronto)
About how to play the golpe indice (tapping with index)which is a percussive technique that although is played mostly in flamenco music, its very useful for other guitar styles as well.
I hope you enjoy it!

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo95.html





Ruben Diaz
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdfoto16.html