Joan M. (1978) was born in Catalonia (Barcelona). From a young age he had a passion for music as an innate feeling , and at the same time he was curious to learn other kinds of expression. In 1994 it was not easy to find a good way to study guitar in the classical format because music lessons were privatized in Spain, but he already started to play with a strong passion for the instrument. He started to investigate and learned to play as a growing "guitarrista" in a musical agora where he discovered the principal elements of the Suzuki method as a natural way to discover this instrument.
In 1995 he composed music and played in different bands- mixing with modern guitar classes in CEME school. He shared his experience with other musicians, which increased his passion for the guitar. In these years he gained experience in funky, rock, jazz, modern, folk, and metal...but when you are curious, life can lead you to new roads you never expected. At this point in his career he traveled to Andalucia and came back with a new concept of guitar.
In the winter of 2000 he had the opportunity to meet Eduard Orriols "Palmito". This maestro helped him to find his way as a guitarrista- he developed a pedagogic perspective in classical and flamenco techniques.
In 1995 he composed music and played in different bands- mixing with modern guitar classes in CEME school. He shared his experience with other musicians, which increased his passion for the guitar. In these years he gained experience in funky, rock, jazz, modern, folk, and metal...but when you are curious, life can lead you to new roads you never expected. At this point in his career he traveled to Andalucia and came back with a new concept of guitar.
In the winter of 2000 he had the opportunity to meet Eduard Orriols "Palmito". This maestro helped him to find his way as a guitarrista- he developed a pedagogic perspective in classical and flamenco techniques.
Joan learned by studying Bach, Dowland, Weiss, Granados, Tárrega, Sor, Barrios and others. This helped him internalize a new expression with the guitar and discover other poetry between the fingers. He also focussed on old flamenco composers such as: Montoya, Sabicas, Diego del Gastor or Manolo Franco.
But it was in 2001 when he decided to study the art of string instrument construction (luthier) next to the teacher Martí Romero. At this point he discovered all of the big secrets about the instrument- touching with his hands the real soul of the guitar. At the same time he became curious about other string instruments such as epinette or barroque and romantic guitar in his studio in Barcelona.
He came back to Andalucia (Sant Lucar de Berrameda 2005-2007) to take classes with the professor Gerardo Nunez next to Tino Van Der Sman, both excellent flamenco guitarristas.
He traveled to Madrid and Zaragoza to take classes with Viejin to perfect the skills of his right hand, taking more conscience about flamenco technique :Rasgado, alzapúa,bano...
Taking all these different experiences he started to teach different guitar students in his luthier studio and this was also the moment to study music pedagogy at the Institut Jongeras (Barcelona) in seminars. This helped him to develop a different vision about teaching music.
Joan has worked next to Frederic Sesé in two different shows for children. Together with an ensemble, he played in front of hundreds of children at schools and theaters, touring around Spain. One show is named "Music and Poetry" and the other "Mediterranean Music"- both were very interesting pedagogic music projects. It was a challenging project to play instruments such as Sitar, mandolina, bouzuky, mandola, Arab laud and Saz all in the same performance. This built on his experience with other forms of music such as Hasapiko and Tarantella.
At the same time he worked as a guitar teacher in Diputació School with classes of children aged 9 to12 years.
But it was in 2001 when he decided to study the art of string instrument construction (luthier) next to the teacher Martí Romero. At this point he discovered all of the big secrets about the instrument- touching with his hands the real soul of the guitar. At the same time he became curious about other string instruments such as epinette or barroque and romantic guitar in his studio in Barcelona.
He came back to Andalucia (Sant Lucar de Berrameda 2005-2007) to take classes with the professor Gerardo Nunez next to Tino Van Der Sman, both excellent flamenco guitarristas.
He traveled to Madrid and Zaragoza to take classes with Viejin to perfect the skills of his right hand, taking more conscience about flamenco technique :Rasgado, alzapúa,bano...
Taking all these different experiences he started to teach different guitar students in his luthier studio and this was also the moment to study music pedagogy at the Institut Jongeras (Barcelona) in seminars. This helped him to develop a different vision about teaching music.
Joan has worked next to Frederic Sesé in two different shows for children. Together with an ensemble, he played in front of hundreds of children at schools and theaters, touring around Spain. One show is named "Music and Poetry" and the other "Mediterranean Music"- both were very interesting pedagogic music projects. It was a challenging project to play instruments such as Sitar, mandolina, bouzuky, mandola, Arab laud and Saz all in the same performance. This built on his experience with other forms of music such as Hasapiko and Tarantella.
At the same time he worked as a guitar teacher in Diputació School with classes of children aged 9 to12 years.
 -------------------------Sitar Dream by Kiku-------------------------------- |
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Joan studied pieces for vihuela from L.Milan,L de Narváez, Mudarra as well as Gaspar Sanz, Santiago de Murcia or Francisco Guerau. He perfected his flamenco right hand technic with Eduard Orriols: Rasgado, alzapúa, banos etc.. taking the old "maestros" as Manuel Cano, Sabicas, Diego del Gastor,Nino Ricardo or Carlos Montoya as a reference without forgetting the excelent combination of modern flamenco as Paco de Lucia, Tomatito, Gerardo Núnez, and Vicente Amigo.
The influence of Andres Segovia in the attitude and feeling of Joan Mena's perception of the guitar world is important to acknowledge.
La Guitarra es una montana con dos vertientes
Una es la flamenca:otra,la clásica
Ambas igualmente admirables
- Andrés Segovia-
Joan worked together with a dance professor in a social project as a guitarrista flamenco teaching different "Palos" (bulerias,tangos,rumba,tarantos...) to parents and children in a reintegration project for a gypsy community.
Also he composed, recorded and played guitar in different musical projects as well as in theatrical productions.
Currently, Joan Mena is living in Den Haag (NL) teaching new students from all over the world.
The influence of Andres Segovia in the attitude and feeling of Joan Mena's perception of the guitar world is important to acknowledge.
La Guitarra es una montana con dos vertientes
Una es la flamenca:otra,la clásica
Ambas igualmente admirables
- Andrés Segovia-
Joan worked together with a dance professor in a social project as a guitarrista flamenco teaching different "Palos" (bulerias,tangos,rumba,tarantos...) to parents and children in a reintegration project for a gypsy community.
Also he composed, recorded and played guitar in different musical projects as well as in theatrical productions.
Currently, Joan Mena is living in Den Haag (NL) teaching new students from all over the world.
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