Calling Paco Delucia a guitar player seems fitting, or maybe trivializing, depending on your perspective. Let’s just say he can really play. Flamenco music is its own peculiar animal. Andres Segovia called it folk music. That seems demeaning, but probably wasn’t intended to be. Unlike classical music it’s essentially improvised; performers use devices like capo’s in order to facilitate key changes. That’s common in blues, country, bluegrass or American style folk music, but not music that is so closely associated with classical music, although that’s probably inaccurate. They share similar Spanish roots and draw on one another for inspiration, as well as some common techniques, but that’s about it.
Flamenco’s use of unique, light gauge strings made from a combination of composite materials facilitates rapid passages and gives the guitar a lively aggressive attack. Flamenco guitars are likewise made from different materials than classical guitars; cedar and maple are commonly used instead of the more traditional Rosewood and Spruce. The effect is a brighter, less resonate sounding guitar with a more rapid tonal decay—qualities that generally aren’t considered desirable for acoustic guitars. This combination, however, allows individual notes to be played with greater speed and rhythmic drive.
Having said all of that, Paco can really play, his style is like Andalusian-folk music meets heavy metal-jazz and classical and is exciting, imaginative and pushes the boundaries of the tradition—something that he’s been doing for the past forty years.
Mark
Flamenco’s use of unique, light gauge strings made from a combination of composite materials facilitates rapid passages and gives the guitar a lively aggressive attack. Flamenco guitars are likewise made from different materials than classical guitars; cedar and maple are commonly used instead of the more traditional Rosewood and Spruce. The effect is a brighter, less resonate sounding guitar with a more rapid tonal decay—qualities that generally aren’t considered desirable for acoustic guitars. This combination, however, allows individual notes to be played with greater speed and rhythmic drive.
Having said all of that, Paco can really play, his style is like Andalusian-folk music meets heavy metal-jazz and classical and is exciting, imaginative and pushes the boundaries of the tradition—something that he’s been doing for the past forty years.
Mark