Chus Alonso:Potaje

Latin-Flamenco Rhythm Workshop

Class Description

Instrumentalists will improve their rhythmic skills and develop musicianship through Flamenco, Afro-American and Latin music. Emphasis given to the study of “compás,” the Flamenco rhythmic flow, and “clave,” the key rhythmic concept in the Cuban polyrhythmic ensemble. Students required to play “palmas” (hand clapping) and percussion in addition to their instrument.

Ages: Older teens, adults

Instrument(s): All

Style(s) of music studied: Cuban charanga, Flamenco, Afro-American and Latin music.

Prerequisites: For intermediate students. Admission with instructor’s consent.

Class size: 10-15 students

Location(s), Day(s) and Time(s):
Community Music Center
Mission District Branch,
Wednesdays, 6-8pm

Instructor(s): Chus Alonso

Tuition:
Fall/Winter/Spring Quarter (12 wks.) $270
Summer Quarter (8 wks.) $180
See Financial Aid (Catalog, pg. 3)

Goals
The objective of the Latin-Flamenco Rhythm Workshop is to develop musicianship through the study of flamenco and Latin-American music. The study of these musical genres can be a great complement to Western Classical music education, as well as jazz music education. The Afro-Latin tradition has clear guidelines on the study of polyrhythmic structures. The Cuban concept of "clave" and the Flamenco concept of "compás," are invaluable learning tools for the rhythmic development of any musician. The study of flamenco melody, which includes the flamenco phrygian mode and the use of intervals smaller than a half step, offers balance to the classical and jazz education, which mostly focus on major and minor modes. The Spanish composer Manuel de Falla reminded us that by restricting the focus of study to these major and minor modes, Western music has built a border that divides us from the whole Eastern world and many other cultures. In that respect, flamenco is a West-East connecting bridge.

.....Students can enrolled in this class either because he or she is directly interested in learning about the specific musical genres we work on, or simply interested in the elements, concepts and methods that we use. For instance, a violin student might attend this class because he or she likes Cuban music and wants to be able to play in a "charanga", when another violin student might attend this class to complement his or her classical education with a rhythmic workout and the opportunity to explore improvisation.

.....The Latin-Flamenco Rhythm Workshop is also a contemporary project. Not only do we learn from tradition and play traditional styles respectfully, but we also create new music applying traditional concepts and forms. We should keep in mind that traditional flamenco is performed in small ensembles, most often, just voice, guitar, and palmas. So when we play flamenco in this ensemble we are actually taking flamenco out of it original context, and putting it into different one.

Emphasis on Rhythmic Development
Everybody in the workshop is expected to play percussion at certain times. In the musics we study rhythm is first. It is important to know how the percussion ensemble is organized, and how the different parts fit together. It is important to learn to think rhythmically like a percussionist, even though we may be playing a melodic instrument.

Improvisation
Improvisation has an important place in this program. We treat improvisation in a similar way that jazz music treats improvisation. Jazz musicians are welcome, they generally find that although the harmonic structures are simpler than in jazz, the rhythmic complexity gives them a big challenge.

Arrangements and Compositions
The specific arrangements and compositions we play are conceived as learning tools, and are designed to illustrate concepts and to represent the musical genres we study.

Terminology
The terminology we use originates in commonly used vocabulary by flamenco and Latin musicians. A lot of the terms are in Spanish. An effort should be made to learn the right pronunciation of Spanish words. A familiarity with Spanish is recommended, but not necessary. On the other hand, a Spanish speaker that does not understand much English could survive in this class. We also use common terminology of the classical and jazz world.

Latin-Flamenco Rhythm Workshop Link
http://www.sfcmc.org/site/index.php?id=417

			Latin-Flamenco Rhythm Workshop
	Latin-Flamenco Rhythm Workshop Class Description Instrumentalists will improve their rhythmic skills and develop musicianship through Flamenco, Afro-American and Latin music. Emphasis given to the study of “compás,” the Flamenco rhythmic flow, and “clave,” the key rhythmic concept in the Cuban polyrhythmic ensemble. Students required to play “palmas” (hand clapping) and percussion in addition to their instrument. Ages: Older teens, adults Instrument(s): All Style(s) of music studied: Cuban charanga, Flamenco, Afro-American and Latin music. Prerequisites: For intermediate students. Admission with instructor’s consent. Class size: 10-15 students Location(s), Day(s) and Time(s): Community Music Center Mission District Branch, Wednesdays, 6-8pm Instructor(s): Chus Alonso Tuition: Fall/Winter/Spring Quarter (12 wks.) $270 Summer Quarter (8 wks.) $180 See Financial Aid (Catalog, pg. 3) Goals The objective of the Latin-Flamenco Rhythm Workshop is to develop musicianship through the study of flamenco and Latin-American music. The study of these musical genres can be a great complement to Western Classical music education, as well as jazz music education. The Afro-Latin tradition has clear guidelines on the study of polyrhythmic structures. The Cuban concept of "clave" and the Flamenco concept of "compás," are invaluable learning tools for the rhythmic development of any musician. The study of flamenco melody, which includes the flamenco phrygian mode and the use of intervals smaller than a half step, offers balance to the classical and jazz education, which mostly focus on major and minor modes. The Spanish composer Manuel de Falla reminded us that by restricting the focus of study to these major and minor modes, Western music has built a border that divides us from the whole Eastern world and many other cultures. In that respect, flamenco is a West-East connecting bridge. .....Students can enrolled in this class either because he or she is directly interested in learning about the specific musical genres we work on, or simply interested in the elements, concepts and methods that we use. For instance, a violin student might attend this class because he or she likes Cuban music and wants to be able to play in a "charanga", when another violin student might attend this class to complement his or her classical education with a rhythmic workout and the opportunity to explore improvisation. .....The Latin-Flamenco Rhythm Workshop is also a contemporary project. Not only do we learn from tradition and play traditional styles respectfully, but we also create new music applying traditional concepts and forms. We should keep in mind that traditional flamenco is performed in small ensembles, most often, just voice, guitar, and palmas. So when we play flamenco in this ensemble we are actually taking flamenco out of it original context, and putting it into different one. Emphasis on Rhythmic Development Everybody in the workshop is expected to play percussion at certain times. In the musics we study rhythm is first. It is important to know how the percussion ensemble is organized, and how the different parts fit together. It is important to learn to think rhythmically like a percussionist, even though we may be playing a melodic instrument. Improvisation Improvisation has an important place in this program. We treat improvisation in a similar way that jazz music treats improvisation. Jazz musicians are welcome, they generally find that although the harmonic structures are simpler than in jazz, the rhythmic complexity gives them a big challenge. Arrangements and Compositions The specific arrangements and compositions we play are conceived as learning tools, and are designed to illustrate concepts and to represent the musical genres we study. Terminology The terminology we use originates in commonly used vocabulary by flamenco and Latin musicians. A lot of the terms are in Spanish. An effort should be made to learn the right pronunciation of Spanish words. A familiarity with Spanish is recommended, but not necessary. On the other hand, a Spanish speaker that does not understand much English could survive in this class. We also use common terminology of the classical and jazz world. Latin-Flamenco Rhythm Workshop Link http://www.sfcmc.org/site/index.php?id=417
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