Flamenco Guitar?

Question

Is it easy to learn that style?

I think it sounds really cool and Id like to learn.

Answer 1

Unless you have an innate naturalness to it then it'll be easy.  Most everything in life takes hard work.  If you want to do it do it--just try not to be in a hurry about it.

Answer 2

Unless you are very musically gifted flamenco guitar is very difficult to learn.  There are many different techniques to learn, none of them easy.  

In addition, most flamenco palos (types of music) have very strict rhythmic structures that have to be learned.  In flamenco this is called "compas."  Many flamenco palos have a 12-beat compas, with accents falling on specific beats.  

Another problem is that it can be difficult to find an actual flamenco teacher.  By that I mean a teacher who plays authentic flamenco music, not just music that has a "Spanish sound."  

That said, just because flamenco is difficult doesn't mean that you shouldn't try.  I have been studying flamenco guitar for ten years.  At this point I would describe myself as a mediocre intermediate student.  But so what?  I have a passion for the music, and I never got into it with the idea of making a living at it.  I enjoy playing, and people seem to enjoy listening to me, even though I am not worthy to dust the guitar case of a truly good player.

If you're interested, I say go for it!  Here are a couple of references for beginners:

The Flamenco Connection web site is the place to go for all things flamenco.  You can see the link below.  

Also, Yamaha has a great flamenco guitar for a beginner for only $350, but it plays as well as many other guitars costing twice that.  You'll outgrow it in a couple of years, but it's a great starter guitar.

The last link is a video by one of my teacher's students.  Unlike me, he actually has some talent for the instrument!  He's playing a Shelton-Farretta flamenco guitar.  John Shelton and Susan Farretta make fantasic and affordable guitars that practically play themselves.

I have to respectfully disagree with the previous comment that you should learn to play guitar first before starting flamenco.  The problem is that flamenco techniques are very different from classical guitar techniques.  For people who come to flamenco from classical guitar it can be difficult for them to "unlearn" the classical techniques, and some of them never really "sound flamenco" like they should.  Some do successfully make the transition, but some don't.  Your experience may differ, but it's something you should keep in mind.  Best wishes.

Answer 3

It's not an easy style to learn and you need to know how to actually play the guitar before you start on Flamenco, because that style requires finger picking to the extreme, so you need to know more than a few chords you can strum.

Also, you need a guitar with a very low action.  Flamenco guitars are specially constructed with a low, flat action and almost no sustaining.

Answer 4

its a tough style to learn.its mainly finger picking.

check out some examples on youtube,type in flamenco guitar instructional.theres a few guys on there that are amazing.

good luck

Answer 5

It's not easy at all. However It isn't impossible to learn Flamenco either.

Even if you don't have access to a good Flamenco teacher. (Note : There are lots of "Flamingo" teachers that will not help you at all to learn Flamenco! I think a good classical teacher can be much better than a tutor  that only knows some Rumba rhythms that sound Spanish!)

Yes it would be ideal that you take lessons from a real Flamenco teacher but they are actually rare.

But you can still learn to play flamenco and enjoy it if you have the love and enthusiasm and the patience! There are lots of good sources to teach flamenco. lots of videos and books available.

You just have to be a harsh teacher and strict critic of yourself!

Good luck!