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.

Here's yet another book that should be in every serious classical and flamenco guitarist's library; this time, Ioannis Anastassakis (The Art of Rasguedo) eliminatesthe guesswork on how to practice and perform the tremolo technique. The book addresses over 70 different approaches and methods to practice the tremolo with unprecedented advice from some of the greatest classical and flamenco guitaristsincluding: Andres Segovia, John Williams, Sharon Isbin, Christopher Parkening, Pepe Romero, Scott Tennant, David Russell, Narciso Yepes, Stanley Yates, Stepan Rak, Juan Serrano, Manolo Sanlucar, Manolo Franco, Jose AntonioRodriguez, Paco Serrano, and many more

Recognized internationally for his interpretation and fluid, yet powerful flamenco and classic guitar technique, Adam del Monte reveals his practice methods and routine for achieving greater speed in executing picado or rest-stroke scales. From a reasoned right-hand nail filing system to the proper mindset while practicing, Adam lays out an effective plan for increasing speed while retaining accuracy. Endorsed by none other than Angel Romero, this book goes a long way in erasing the seeming boundaries between flamenco and classic guitar playing styles. When rest-stroke speed is no longer an issue, a bit of authentic flamenco fire may blend into your classical technique. The book ends with three concert-level flamenco selections demonstrating the breath of Adam’s musicality and the importance of developing faster picado scales.

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.

(Guitar). Most classical guitar folios feature compositions by the lesser-known "guitar" composers. This collection, however, exclusively features music by the world's most renowned composers. The works of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederick Handel represent the culmination of the Baroque era. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart stands at the summit of the Classical era. Ludwig van Beethoven straddles the Classical and Romantic eras, and Johannes Brahms is the giant of the Romantic era. For educational purposes, the pieces have been organized in order of difficulty within each composer's section. In addition, complete performances of all pieces can be heard on the accompanying CD. Enjoy! Includes: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring * The Harmonious Blacksmith * Ode to Joy * Lullaby * and more.

Sardinian flamenco guitar virtuoso, Dario Piga, delivers 18 intermediate to advanced exercises in this progressively arranged book addressing: arpegio, pulgar, picado, rasgueo, alzapua, and trémolo techniques. Dario himself studied in Spain with several prominent guitarists and singers, so is fluent with the authentic rhythms and techniques essential to effective flamenco guitar soloing and song and dance accompaniment. The pulgar (thumb) exercises in this volume will be of particular interest to flamenco aficionados as they explore various rhythms and chord inversions throughout the fretboard. Following his studies in Spain, Dario added jazz harmony to his lexicon of musical resources and frequently participates in the Time in Jazz festival in Sardinia. His affinity for jazz is also reflected in the appealing modern harmonies that occur in these studies. Two stunning Piga flamenco guitar solos provide a magnificent ending to this collection, written in standard notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio.