Since the 19th century beginnings of the flamenco guitar style in Spain, the flamenco/classical guitar relationship has always existed; this 3-book method series—begun by Juan Serrano and Corey Whitehead and extended by Whitehead’s collaboration with Richard Marlow—is simply the first to point out and dive deep into what has always been a single cross-cultural relationship. In addition to the unique classical/flamenco repertoire included in this book, the flamenco history presented here is essential. It makes the origins of dozens of rhythmic flamenco song and dance forms crystal clear. Why, for example, does the Spanish word, palo (stick), continually pop up in flamenco literature? This book reveals that, even before the guitar was used in flamenco song and dance accompaniment, the actual stick from a butter churn was used to mark time. Most guitarists are familiar with the CAGED guitar chord system, i.e., the use of the five basic first-position key/chord patterns to explore the mid and upper regions of the fretboard with or without a capo. Volume 2 includes a comprehensive introduction to fretboard harmony and explores the CAGED system thoroughly with standard notation and chord grids. Whitehead goes so far as to develop an entire scale system based on the CAGED concept. Imagine what that system might do for your intuitive fretboard knowledge and sightreading ability. While unfamiliar with rasgueado (strumming) or alzapúa (“raise the thumb”) techniques, classical guitarists already have a head start in their approach to flamenco; good guitar technique is simply good technique in either style. Through its reasoned, progressive blending of history and flamenco/classical repertoire, this series removes the perceived barriers in thinking about and playing the two styles, revealing that they are truly one tradition as the series title clearly states. To encourage better sightreading, The Flamenco/Classical Guitar Tradition series is written in standard notation only; each book includes extensive online audio tracks for authenticity and ease of learning.

This beginning guitar method is written for aspiring classical or flamenco guitarists who want to learn how to read music up to the intermediate level. Music from the Spanish tradition such as Romanza, Pica-Pica, El Vito, Café de las Chinitas, Perfidía, La Virgen de la Macarena and flamenco music of Juan Serrano provides a technical and musical foundation that improves facility in playing scales, arpeggios, tremelo, and rasgueado.Tablature is not included as the one of the primary aims of this book is to improve note reading and the comprehension of the fundamental elements of music. Performances of all musical examples are available online that includes one performance at tempo for each of the more than 230 musical examples. Short repertoire pieces from Gaspar Sanz, Dionisio Aguado, Fernando Sor, Mauro Guiliani, Ferdinand Carulli, and Mateo Carcassi are included at the end of the book and are repertoire studies that will prepare guitarists for further study in classical and/or flamenco guitar.

This book expands the repertoire and bridges the gap between Volumes 1 and 2 of the introductory-intermediate guitar method, The Flamenco/Classical Guitar Tradition. Originally conceived by pioneering Mel Bay flamenco guitar author Juan Serrano and his former student, Corey Whitehead—the series is perhaps the first method to introduce the concept that flamenco and classic guitar techniques share common ground that should be familiar to all nylon-string guitarists. For decades, there has been a perceived division between the two styles as classical players usually have no idea of how rasgueado patterns, alzapúa and trémolo techniques or a Bulerias compás are performed. These techniques, common to flamenco players for over a century, have heretofore been complete mysteries to classical guitarists. It’s past time to end that division. Now, with the added expertise and virtuosity of Ricardo Marlow, The Flamenco/Classical Guitar Tradition finally brings the two schools of guitar together in one authoritative comprehensive approach. Written in standard notation to facilitate sight reading, this book includes progressive foundational classic guitar studies, short flamenco palos (regional song and dance forms) and more than 60 online audio tracks to help bring your flamenco/classical playing to a professional level.

The acclaimed first volume of this exciting series gave extensive insights into basic techniques of flamenco guitar playing and the two important rhythmic forms (palos) of Solea and Alegrias. This second volume continues on with an exploration of further essential rhythmic palos. The first of these is the Bulerias. Juan Martin brings his many years of experience as an internationally renowned flamenco soloist and accompanist for singers and dancers to unravelling its mysteries, explaining and demonstrating very clearly the different elements of its rhythmic structure and the various ways it may be accented and counted. He uses traditional and more modern examples of the different kinds of rhythm and melodic passages (falsetas) to provide an invaluable understanding of this wonderful palo. The second rhythmic form is devoted to the popular flamenco Rumba, then Tangos, Tientos and that most profound of all the palos, the deeply moving Seguiriyas. Juan's solo playing is complemented by demonstrations of the guitar's role in accompanying the flamenco dance (baile) and song (cante) with the help of outstanding dancers Raquel de Luna and Miguel Infante and singers Amparo Heredia (La Repompilla) and Carlos Brias. The music for solo guitar is transcribed in standard notation and tablature (cifra) and the online video contain nearly three hours of explanation and demonstrations. The series is complemented by two other best-selling Juan Martin volumes published by Mel Bay. These provide progressively graded solo material to extend the repertoire, from beginner to concert level. Includes access to online video.

The legendary flamenco guitarist and best-selling Mel Bay Publications author, Juan Serrano, is well-known for his sound recordings, transcriptions of his music, and technical methods for flamenco guitar. Now the music that formed his technical repertory and was the musical foundation given to him by his father, Antonio el del Lunar, (guitarist for all the flamenco singers of his time including Pastora Pavon-Nina de los Peines) is at your fingertips in this book that contains completely unreleased flamenco puro that is the foundation of one of the world'sleading guitarists. These falsetas or variations on flamenco forms (toques) are graded so they are valuable for beginners, intermediate, advanced, andprofessional flamenco guitarists--or for classical guitarists that want to learn flamenco. This book is a repertoire book that is a valuable supplement to other Juan Serrano books on Mel Bay, such as Flamenco Guitar: Basic Techniques, or The Flamenco/Classical Tradition: A Technical Guitar Method and Introduction to music. Includes standard notation and guitar tablature. This repertoire allows students to solidify right-hand arpeggios, rasgueados, and picados; and left-hand techniques such as ligados and apagados, while learning valuable repertoire thatcan be used by the concert artist.

Classic and flamenco guitarists alike will benefit from these etudes as they bridge the gap between traditional mechanical studies and engaging practice and concert material. Although relatively short in duration, a few of these etudes could be combined in a medley to form an effective suite or set. In addition, fourteen of the twenty etudes are provided with chord accompaniment for harmonic analysis, improvisation, or performance with a teacher or second guitarist. The companion online audio for this book has been masterfully recorded by the author using a flamenco guitar to authentically render the typical picado, double-arpeggio, arpeggio-legato, and horquilla techniques as well as the quintuplet flamenco tremolo. Traditional classical elements like octave, interval and arpeggio studies are also thoroughly explored, with one piece in dropped-D tuning—all with a flamenco flavor. In addition to accomplishing its mission of offering a fresh regimen of appealing practice etudes, the truly unique feature of this book is that everything from basic technique to exotic harmony and modal scales has been aflamencado or “flamenco-ized”. Towards that end, a comprehensive glossary of mostly flamenco terminology is provided along with standard notation and tablature for each piece. As a bonus for those new to the flamenco genre, or for the serious aficionado or audiophile, a generous “Recommended Listening” list is included. Practice-related quotations from prominent guitarists in various styles complete this exceptional collection. Includes access to online audio.

This book and accompanying video provide a thorough introduction to flamenco guitar. What are the essential elements and techniques of flamenco guitar playing? How does one capture the real essence of authentic flamenco guitar? These are questions that Juan Martin, celebrated virtuoso flamenco guitarist and teacher, addresses in this first book of a projected three-volume series. The method is designed for the complete beginner and requires no prior knowledge of the guitar or flamenco music. It also provides invaluable insight and material for more advanced players who want to capture the essential sounds, rhythms and emotional power of true flamenco. The series begins with in-depth demonstrations of how the basic building blocks of flamenco guitar technique are used in actual flamenco music. The material then progresses to a detailed exploration of the individual rhythmic forms - the palos. In this book, the fundamental palos of Solea and Alegrias are presented to emphasize the basic rhythms and provide examples of falsetas - the melodic passages. Martin then shows how to apply these when collaborating with a dancer and singer. The music is transcribed in standard notation and tablature (cifra), and the online video contain over 3.5 combined hours of explanation and demonstrations. Provides a detailed introduction to basic techniques, using examples of authentic flamenco to show these techniques in action. Then progresses to demonstrations of the Solea and Alegrias, including music for the soloist and the guitar accompanying the dancing and singing. Includes access to online video.