Entries by Rafael Cañizares

The Alpha finger on the Flamenco Guitar

The comparative finger term “Alpha” in flamenco guitar refers, metaphorically, to the hierarchy that is established in the animal world when a group of members live together in the same habitat: for the common good, the herd is led by the male and the “Alpha” female. In this comparison, I recognize that something surreal, the […]

Nails: existential ordeal of the flamenco guitarist

Nail care dates back to antiquity, and it is not difficult to find literary testimonies from all ages that prove it. In class society, well-groomed nails were an unequivocal sign of belonging to the nobility, since no one escaped that whoever had a hand without calluses and perfect nails obviously did not earn a living […]

Crying he asked me (fandangos de Huelva)

Camarón with Paco de Lucía: «Detrás del tuyo se va» It was the year 1969 when the album by Camarón de la Isla and Paco de Lucía titled “Detrás del tuyo se va” appeared. It included songs such as: “That a brave bull dies” (tientos), “Al verte las flores lloran” (bulerías), “Detrás del tuyo se […]

Aromas de la Caleta / melodic falseta (transcription)

In my daily chores as a guitar teacher, I find myself in need of providing my students with content that inspires and motivates them to continue evolving in their day to day, each one at their own pace and personal path as musicians.   Designing a study programme that brings together the essence of the […]

De cal y canto

Camarón with Paco de Lucía It seems like yesterday the first time I heard them sing this Letra por Tientos. Their contributions to the world of flamenco are immeasurable. These two geniuses, Camarón de la Isla and Paco de Lucía, and the flamenco they created – if it weren’t for them it would only exist […]