ABOUT
flamencoMAPS
From Practice to Art
FIND YOUR WAY, ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
What is “flamencoMAPS“?
It is a method, a system, — almost a philosophy!
Why is it called, “flamencoMAPS,” and not “flamenco school,” or “flamenco online academy?”
It could be the acronym of “My Advanced Practice System,” but the choice of the name was made long before realizing that!
It’s because the travel metaphor is very useful. It helps us understand how we build a flamenco moment: we plot an itinerary, then we go on a trip.
And what do all of our trips have in common? Ourselves! We are at the center of our journey and we have to travel the territory we have chosen by ourselves. It is much more exciting to follow our own itinerary rather than a packaged tour — right?
The same goes for flamenco: it is up to us to be the real creators of our art, and not to be satisfied with copying, repeating, or imitating without understanding.
Why is flamencoMAPS different?
We can spend years learning choreographies, steps, letras, or falsetas by heart and still miss the fundamentals of how it REALLY works. FlamencoMAPS it is the perfect complement for any flamenco lessons you already take, whether it be dance, singing, guitar, palmas or percussion because it is not enough to accumulate knowledge and learn by heart.
Instead, the true spirit of flamenco asks us to share, communicate and improvise.
Throughout the learning process with flamencoMAPS, we broaden our vision, include everything we already know into a cohesive whole, and connect the dots. We deepen our knowledge by multiplying our points of view, and then focus on what is connecting all the elements together:
- traditional structures
- a common traditional repertoire
- an elaborate language
- and last but not least, musical and choreographic codes.
Without learning these separate aspects, and how they work together, it becomes a real challenge to obtain a clear, COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE of how Flamenco works.
How can flamencoMAPS benefit you?
To comprehend flamenco from this holistic point of view is to enter a musical universe based on understanding, communication and expression. There are so many advantages to this:
- We understand everything that is happening.
- We become actors and no longer followers.
- We become free from the stress of being dependent on memory – no more fears of “memory lapse”
- Our brain, ears, and body are available for artistic expression.
- We let ourselves go according to the dynamics, we let ourselves get inspired by others, and by the moment
- We can sing, play, dance with any other flamenco people on Earth – as long they can speak the traditional Flamenco language.
- We participate in the creative game – and have fun!
- We develop our tastes, our sensitivity, and our personality.
- We can improvise – each performance will be new, fresh, sincere, and true.
- We can more deeply appreciate the artistry of others.
- … and millions of other exciting things!
flamencoMAPS helps …
Flamenco dancers
who aspire to take their place at the center of the stage — learn how to listen to, and signal to the musicians.
Flamenco guitarists
who understand that being a flamenco guitarist is about being a good soloist as well as a trusted accompanist.
Flamenco singers
eager to know the cante "pa baile" and "p'alante" in depth, and to develop their own signature style.
Percussionists
who want to decipher the mysterious rules of the flamenco compás.
Musicians
from any musical background who want to understand the foundations of flamenco music.
Flamenco lovers, aficionada/os
who always want to know more and to appreciate flamenco to the fullest.
…to find their way!
Who is behind flamencoMAPS?
I am Guillermo Guillén, an eclectic professional flamenco guitarist born in France, and trained in Spain. I have been touring and teaching around the world for over 20 years.
Since I am myself a flamenco guitarist, you may think that I only enjoy, know and teach guitar, but no, WAIT! I have always loved to teach, that’s why I have been developing flamencoMAPS year after year. It is a global approach, providing efficient educational tools for the flamenco student. Ultimately, it is a very different way of teaching flamenco based on learning the language needed in order to be able to communicate using the codes specific to this art.
Because I had to learn flamenco myself (and I will continue to learn all my life), I know what it means to be lost in this musical ocean. I know what it means to spend hours, months, years practicing, to spend all your holidays and money in learning flamenco, and still feel that something is missing — that you don’t have access to the fullest understanding, or to the deepest part.
“There are those who know, but do not know how to teach, and those who teach without knowing anything. Guillermo has a huge, authentic base of knowledge to support his attentive listening. He is an educational talent who never admits defeat! He has been able to share information with me that I have not found in any book. If you want to get started, you’ve come across the right person.”
