Finish up on my above post:

I had learned several flameco pieces from written music. The notes were "under my fingers" so to speak. Then, when I played them for Antonio, he said, "No. Do it like this!" And he demonstrated how the rhythm should go.

Light bulb!! The next time through, I had them right.

The written music showed me what notes to play. Antonio showed me how to play them. Then, once I knew that, I was able to learn more flamenco pieces from written music and play them the way they should be played.

Written music is an extremely valuble tool. But it won't do it all for you.

Don Firth