- First Performances
Learning to perform in public is a whole new skill. I found that just because I can play something in the quiet of my home, it's a different matter in a noisy bar in front of loads of other people. Especially other guitarists because they know when you've made a mistake! Here is my 'learning to perform' diary:
1 year: Sevillanas with Jenny at the Peña Juerga.
Playing with someone else at your side is definitely a good first move! I had a bit of a stumble in number 2, but we got through it and smiled. By the fourth one we had got into our stride and did it at a decent pace, so we even dared to put it up on youtube!
18 months: Tientos/Tangos
I had learnt this at a summer course 3 weeks before, and it was my first attempt at arranging material, from the course, from my teacher and some stuff from the internet! But I kept it very simple and left out all the clever falsetas. My main worry was that I would have a complete mind blank, and forget how the music went and where to put my fingers. In fact, it was a bit fluffy but I did make it from beginning to end without memory lapses!
19 months: Solea
Now I started to get more ambitious with arranging stuff - maybe a bit too ambitious. I put in a deceptively tricky falseta near the beginning, my fingers lost the plot, I tried twice and gave up and went on to the next bit. Just about kept compas going and got through to the end. I was pretty upset, and thought, that will teach me - need to keep it simple!
20 months: Minera
This was the first piece I learnt at the Oxford class that I go to, run by Rafael. I wondered what had hit me at the time, because none of the chords or finger shapes are recognisable to a beginner. But I got to really love the melodies and harmony, so battled on and managed to get through it at the showcase for the new venue for the Arts Centre for High Wycombe. About half way through I thought, I should have tried something easier. But every time I play it people say how much they love it - it is such a beautiful piece.
21 months: 9-day Rumba
After playing at the Arts Centre I got the chance to play at an acoustic night in a local bar. I decided I didn't want to frighten a non-flamenco audience too much and that I should include a Rumba. I had never learnt any Rumba before and had 9 days to pull it together. At a last minute lesson I learnt what material I could, re-arranged it with some stuff from the internet and there it was - my 9-day Rumba! - More stories...
