Issue 13 - October 1st, 2012

I would like to invite you to be part of this Weekly Magazine by raising questions and giving me suggestions thorugh e-mail so this magazine can become a good material for all flamenco lovers, researchers and musicians. Enjoy it!

A.- Comments, Questions and Answers:

I feel that I am stuck in one speed and can’t go faster. I want to know why is this happening?; how can I overcome this problem?; How can I develop speed on picado?

B.- Videos of the Week:

1) Andalusian Cadence in 12 Beats Compás

C.- Video Recommendation of the Week:

1) A Master Class with Pianist Kenny Werner

2) Bonus Videos: Casual Performances with Chato de Málaga

A.- Comments, Questions and Answers:

QUESTION 1 I feel that I am stuck in one speed and can’t go faster. I want to know why is this happening?; how can I overcome this problem?; How can I develop speed on picado?

ANSWER

Speed in picado doesn’t develop overnight but day by day. There are many reasons why you may be stuck in picado.

* First of all we have to make sure that you are not doing any of the 10 things to avoid and which -most of the time- are the root of the problem. I explain them in the following videos:

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo502.html

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo503.html

* It can also be because of the amount of time and regularity in which you practice your scales. For example: If you play one time a day all the 6 major fingerings at 78 bpm, just that should bring you to the next level soon, namely 87 bpm. In case that is not happening and in order to detect any possible hindrance related to those 10 "donts" I mentioned earlier, I have to check personally how you are working and verify the way you are practicing the scales.

* I haven’t seen you in a while… and that’s is important, because I am not sure that you are following the study program properly. I can assure you the results you want provided you follow the proper prescription I give you. I have seen people with just some superficial knowledge try to reach higher levels of speed without supervision and fail endlessly due to one reason only: If your daily practice has flaws, then you will only reinforce the mistakes that check you from going further and growing.

The SOLUTION IS SIMPLE: I will see you on Skype and diagnose right away what’s happening with that picado speed issue, and I will also indicate you how you can put into practice day by day the two things I mentioned in the following video:

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo504.html

B.- Videos of the Week:

1) Andalusian Cadence in 12 Beats Compás

C.- Video Recommendation of the Week:

1) A Master Class with Pianist Kenny Werner

2) Bonus Videos: Casual Performances with Chato de Málaga

The concepts explained in the following video of Maestro Kenny Werner will help you to overcome obstacles in your practice, no matter which instrument or style you play:

Casual performance at Peña Juan Breva with the great singer Chato de Málaga 1

 Soleá

Casual performance at Peña Juan Breva with the great singer Chato de Málaga 2

 Bulería