The first musical training that Paco de Lucía received was that of a percussionist, setting the rhythm on the table by following the compás of his father. From then on Paco just had to walk.

His artistic career is characterised by a tireless torrent of innovation, marked by a relationship of love and challenges with his guitar. Paco himself confessed that he had a conflictive bond with his instrument: a love for the music that he could get out of it, and the torment that his high standards provoked in him. This duality made him live in a constant circle of creation and seclusion, where each rest period was as crucial as his intense activity on the stage or in the studio.

He lived between the veneration of traditional flamenco and the urge to update it, afraid that it would turn into a museum piece. So, he took on the role of the defender and protector of flamenco, a responsibility that tormented him, but also fuelled his creation. He was aware that as well as preserving its essence he had to promote its transformation, ensuring its relevance in a constantly changing world.

The classic style guitar accompaniment for flamenco singing and dancing of the 70s, which is when Paco de Lucía and the outstanding flamenco guitarists of their generation such as Víctor Monge, “Serranito”, and Manolo Sanlúcar, took on a new dimension; that of the concert, creating a new sound for contemporary flamenco, mapping out a route that would be followed by other flamenco guitarists like Vicente Amigo, Juan Manuel Cañizares or Tomatito and young guitar players from Algeciras who paid tribute to the Maestro with the album Algeciras después de Paco.

He learned to play with the guitar of his father. The first that he used were white cypress flamenco guitars that he would soon replace with the mixed rosewood guitars, of a wider sound. Between his hands and resting on his crossed legs guitars hand made by the guitar makers Hermanos Conde, such as the FC28, Vicente Carrillo or José Ramírez would vibrate; with them he composed and performed tracks that can be enjoyed in this room.