'Understanding Flamenco', book-CD by Faustino Núñez. Special Feature

'Understanding Flamenco', a key
to open the doors of jondo music

S.C.O., December 2003

Neither magic nor mysteries. Flamenco is a structured music whose mechanisms may be learned. But before learning it, it has to be understood, which is where the didactic book-CD by musicologist Faustino Núñez comes in. With an explicit title, 'Understanding Flamenco' is a tool - presented in Spanish, English and German - seeking to open this music's doors to all those who feel interest in flamenco, whether it be through mere curiosity or with the aim of dancing, singing or playing. Far from being a method to keep time, the work is a guide to the performance of flamenco music and how the music of each of its styles is adjusted. It combines the record's explanations with the book's graphic aid, intended both for those who read sheet music and those who do not. The author himself, who has just published the book 'Camaron, vida y obra' together with José Manuel Gamboa, provides the keys to make the most of this indispensable didactic work.

Faustino Núñez (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

What is the aim of your book-CD?

To bring flamenco, from a musical viewpoint, nearer to all those who think they want to learn what flamenco music is like. Flamenco is an unapproachable and impenetrable type of music, accessible to a chosen few. Like all kinds of music, flamenco also has musical metrics, what we call rhythm, and the guitar has harmonic schemes which are identifiable and therefore explicable. I think it's necessary to speak about music in relation to flamenco for many who don't know where to begin.

What crowd does it target?

All those wanting to understand flamenco, as the title says. Neither this nor any other book-CD is going to teach them how to keep time, but how flamenco music works is explained here; for example, how the accents in the metrics of the soleá, seguiriya and tangos are adjusted, with exercises that appear recorded on the CD. Moreover, it has a concise method for flamenco guitar harmony. For a conservatory pupil it's more than recommendable. Though any enthusiast can understand flamenco music better with this record. There's always been more literature than musicology in flamencology. Inexplicable, as flamenco is above all music.

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How should the book-CD be used?

The book, in Spanish, English, and German, begins with a page explaining its use, what it means and how to apply everything appearing in it. It isn't hard to use, although you have to bear in mind that the book is a guide to follow the CD's explanations graphically. Some sheet music has also been included for those who know how to read music.

What distinguishes it from other didactic titles?

The fundamental difference is that the explanations are narrated on the record; it's not about talking about rhythm, but learning to measure it and understand how the music of the different styles is adjusted. Flamenco chords also appear, those which aren't found in the "fifty thousand chords for guitar" encyclopedias that can be bought all over the world.

My intention is no other than to bring flamenco music a little nearer to the more and more numerous enthusiasts, musicians or not, who admire, respect and want to learn how to play, sing or dance flamenco. It's not a record for flamenco musicians; they well know everything that's told here, or they do it without knowing how, since they feel it and it reaches them. It's for anyone and everyone who reach flamenco, from other kinds of music, whether it be classical or folk, ethnic or rap, for them to better understand some of the secrets and tricks of flamenco and some day also be able to play, sing and dance through bulerías, tangos, alegrías... Why not? Who says flamenco can't be learned? In my opinion, the best thing is to understand it first. That's why I've written this book; for those who want to understand flamenco music better.

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