Qualities of an ideal flamenco guitar,“buy quality,not names

[rubendiaz]

How to choose a good flamenco guitar (RCM all parts/15)

January 17 2010

I feel honoured to present for the first time in the history of the classical & flamenco guitar -in video format-,this series of lessons parts of a workshop at the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, in which the subject of the characteristics & qualities that a good flamenco guitar should have were explained in detail.

As I mentioned before, I am very glad to share this knowledge with you,and I want to thank all the people that help me in this adventure, as well as for the privilege given by the Royal Conservatory of Toronto of being the first teacher in the world that explained academically this topic -in video format- according to the tenets of the Paco De Lucia’s technique & style.



Here is the part 15

http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo180.html



And for those who would like to watch the whole workshop/documentary

Here are all the 15 parts.


Part 1
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo148.html

Part 2
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo149.html

Part 3
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo150.html

part 4
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo151.html

Part 5
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo152.html

part 6
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo153.html

Part 7
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo154.html

Part 8
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo155.html

Part 9
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo174.html

Part 10
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo175.html

Part 11
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo176.html

Part 12
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo177.html


Part 13
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo178.html

Part 14
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo179.html

Part 15
http://www.rdiaz.org/rdvideo180.html


To summarize some essential factors:

1) QUALITY OF SOUND (concepts of female & male, etc.)


a) “timbre” and tone of every string
b) Balance
(between trebles and basses etc.)
c) Quality & age of the soundboard or top, and wood.
d) Intonation & harmonics, sustain etc.
e) Projection & response.
f) Diverse bracing patterns and the “golpe” or taping
g) different kinds of bridges, thickness & symmetric, etc.

2) PLAYABILITY



a) Bridge measurements (even distance between holes, bridge proper height etc)
b) Action (millimetres between 6th and 12 fret, etc)
c) Tension of the guitar while playing.



3) BEAUTY

a) Kind of varnish (how it affects the sound etc)
b) Colors of wood & kinds of woods traditional and beyond.



Be creative and have fun!


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