FAQ

About the Courses

Q. Can I enrol on a course after it has started?	A. Depends on which course and how many lessons you have missed.
Q. Can I enrol straight away on the 1st year course?	A. If you fulfil the criteria laid out in the course description, then it should be possible. Places will first be offered to students who have successfully completed the foundation course.
Q. Is it possible to repeat a year?	A. This should only be necessary if you fall behind. In this case you will be given new material to study at the same level.
Q. Can I change my guitar course?	A. You can switch courses if you can catch up with the new material. Charges adjust to remaining lessons.
Q. Starting as an absolute beginner, how long will it take to reach the Foundation Course level?	A. You may need to put in a few extra hours of practice, but it ought to take less than a year.
Q. How long does it take to learn to play flamenco guitar?	A. With good clear instruction, you can be playing basic flamenco within 6 months. If you use your study time wisely, it should be possible to reach quite a high level within about five years.
Q. Why should I take flamenco guitar lessons?	A. A good teacher will guide you in the right direction. Structured lessons provide clarity, motivation and can significantly accelerate your progress.
Q. Why is your method different from other teachers's methods?	A. It is not! The flamenco methodology comes directly from Paco Peña.
Q. Why does the foundation course start with soleares and bulerías?	A. These styles are fundamental when developing a feel for compás and make use of all the techniques used in flamenco.

Practice & Progress

Q. What is meant by practice time?	A. Practice time includes your lesson and extra practice.
Q. How can I best divide my practice time?	A. It is best to practice daily or at least try to be consistent.
Q. What if there are more advanced players in the class than me?	A. Focus on your own development and the materials you have been asked to study.

Equipment & Technique

Q. Will learning flamenco affect my current guitar technique?	A. Learning flamenco can enrich your current technique. You'll be introduced to new ways of playing that can enhance your control, improve your sound, and open up new possibilities.
Q. Can I use a steel‐string guitar for the lessons?	A. A steel‐string guitar isn't suitable for these courses. You'll need a flamenco guitar, or at least a classical guitar, to play comfortably and develop the right technique
Q. Do I need a golpe (protection plate) on my guitar?	A. Yes — For the Flamenco Foundation Course and beyond, you'll need a golpeador (protection plate). It protects your guitar when you tap the soundboard.
Q. Do I need to grow my fingernails?	A. The nails of your right hand are needed for the technique. The nails of your left hand should be kept as short as possible.

Language & Music Reading

Q. Do I need to learn Spanish?	A. If you're serious about learning to play flamenco, learning some Spanish can broaden your perspective and enhance your understanding of the music and its culture.
Q. Is it necessary to learn to read music?	A. No, it is not necessary to learn to read music, but you may wish to do so later.

Enrollment & Payments

Q. How can I guarantee myself a place on a course?	A. You will not be fully enroled on a course until receipt of your first payment.
Q. What happens if I decide to leave the course?	A. You may quit at any time. You will not be expected to make any further payments.
Q. What if a lesson gets cancelled?	A. In the unlikely event that a lesson gets cancelled (for example due to internet outage), the price of that lesson will either be fully reimbursed or deducted from your next payment.

Course Participation

Q. What if I can't attend every lesson?	A. If you can't make it to every class, you will still receive all the course materials from the lessons that you couldn't attend.
Q. What is an advisory audition?	A. This involves a free 15 minute zoom call to test your microphone and assess your playing level.