Recommendation Flamenco Study Books?

[ssante]

When I was studying Flamenco Guitar in the 80's my teacher would use the Mariano Cordoba series 1-3. I still have this series today. However, as Flamenco has gained popularity in the USA I know there must be some really fine Flamenco Technique books available with fully transcribed compositions both in Notation and Tab.

Can anyone recommend the best of the best in this regard?

Todd, I did listen to your Flamenco Playing on Utube and was very impressed and would love to know what books you recommend or study techniques.

Thanks, everyone.

[Dave Tate]

I swear by the Dennis Koster ones.

[ssante]

What is the difference between the Juan Martin "Arte" Series and "Solo" Series?

[ssante]

Seems folks are really split on these. Additional insight would be helpful. Since I have not played flamenco in many years I consider myself basically beginning again and I have an opportunity to unlearn old habits and develop improved techniques.

Thoughts?

[Great Googly Moogly]

What about Juan Serrano's stuff? Like King of the Flamenco Guitar might be a good one? I actually don't know how his method compares to others but I like it myself.

[ssante]

What about Juan Serrano's stuff? Like King of the Flamenco Guitar might be a good one? I actually don't know how his method compares to others but I like it myself.

Besides the Mariano Cordoba series I do own Juan Serrano's book: Flamenco - Basic Technique. Some books just don't seems to convey nuances very well or are vague and lack additional insight. I do not own the book: King of Flamenco Guitar.

For instance I find the Pumping Nylon Book to be very nice and useful.

[jtucker]

I really liked Juan Martin's "El Arte" series. One of the main things that make me prefer his books over Koster's is Martin's rhythm is way more stable on the included CD. It makes it much easier to get some of the nuances that way. However, Koster does have some real musical gems in his books that aren't really written down elsewhere. I would say Martin's El Arte to start with, then Koster's books to browse through after that.

I've heard people complain Juan Martin's other books, but I've been very happy with the El Arte series.

[Andy0815]

I use the Gerhard Graf Martinez books+CD+ DVD and am very pleased with its content.
Found an internet site which looks quite promising: Does anybody know if its a good program?
http://www.flamenco-lessons.com/

[at_leo_87]

i use the graf-martinez books as well. make sure you get the one with the dvd. i got mine on ebay for really cheap but check overstock.com as well.

jason from flamenco-lessons.com is a really knowledgeble, friendly guy. im not a member of that site but i've heard really great things about it. once i finish going through all the books i've bought, i will be joining his site.

another website definitely worth checking out is http://www.flamenco-teacher.com/

[Todd]

There are plenty of great flamenco methods out there. Thankfully, there are few that you'd want to absolutely avoid.

All the suggestions here are great and any would work.

Oscar Herrero step by step
Graf-Martinez
Jason Mcguire's Flamencolessons.com
Dennis Koster Keys to flamenco.
The Encuentro video series are great, but are more advanced.
If i had to pick one, i'd go for Gerardo Nunez's Encuentro video.
It covers everything. But it's fast paced. Comes with a book though, so....
TK

[ssante]

I truly appreciate all the wonderful advice.

[Sandra]

Stephanie,

If you don't have a real-life teacher leading you down the path, then I'd say don't limit yourself to one method, regardless of any advice that "this one is the best."

You can pick up a lot of different nuances from different sources. :)

[ssante]

Stephanie,

If you don't have a real-life teacher leading you down the path, then I'd say don't limit yourself to one method, regardless of any advice that "this one is the best."

You can pick up a lot of different nuances from different sources. :)


Its does seems there are quite a few great method books at this point. Just in looking over my Juan Serrano and Mariano Cordoba method books I see they differ on Rasgueado Technique. Juan emphasizes: isami and Mariano emphasizes: sami. After viewing Jason McGuire I see in his beginning (freebie) video he emphasizes: samip.

So it seems there are quite a number of different Rasgueado Techniques. I can see that each method is going to have similarities as well as unique approaches particular to that artist as well as diversifying the compositional material. I also am thinking a book dedicated to the various forms of Rasgueado is essential since its such a key element in expression.

In the late 70's I studied for 2 years at the Conservatory of Guitar and Voice in Salt Lake City with Lamar Eskelson. Lamar introduced me to the music of Sabicas, Escudero, Serrano, Montoya, LaPlata and many other great players. I introduced him to PDL music. Lamar was a great player and teacher who was great friends with Carlos Montoya who when he came to Salt Lake to give a concert would stay at Lamar's house and they would play together. I remember one occasion when Carlos Montoya came to town that Lamar asked me if I would like to come over for Dinner and meet Carlos Montoya and then play with them after Dinner. I "unfortunately" turned the offer down as I felt to insecure to attempt to accompany Carlos Montoya being such a novice Flamenco player at the time. I have always regretted that decision. The foibles of youth!

[Great Googly Moogly]

I also am thinking a book dedicated to the various forms of Rasgueado is essential since its such a key element in expression.
Here's a link to the very thing you mentioned here. The guy who wrote this book is a prior student of Juan's and used Juan's connections and endorsement for publishing it. His name is Ioannis Anastassakis.

http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?ProductID=98405


Just in looking over my Juan Serrano and Mariano Cordoba method books I see they differ on Rasgueado Technique. Juan emphasizes: isami and Mariano emphasizes: sami. After viewing Jason McGuire I see in his beginning (freebie) video he emphasizes: samip.

So it seems there are quite a number of different Rasgueado Techniques. Juan's rasgueado is actually rather unique and I think some flamencos might it even find it to be unusual. There's a funny story behind what led him to develop his own rasgueado technique. But me being so new to it, it's the only rasgueado I know, thus far.

[ssante]

Here's a link to the very thing you mentioned here. The guy who wrote this book is a prior student of Juan's and used Juan's connections and endorsement for publishing it. His name of Ioannis Anastassakis.

http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?ProductID=98405

Juan's rasgueado is actually rather unique and I think some flamencos might it even find it to be unusual. There's a funny story behind what led him to develop his own rasgueado technique. But me being so new to it, it's the only rasgueado I know, thus far.

Thanks so much for this link and info on the rasgueado techniques.

I did not know that Juan's rasgueado was rather unique. I suspect other players have their own unique differences. I learned Mariano's Cordoba's technique and have used it for so long that it will take awhile to incorporate other styles.

[dennis]

I have not posted in a while, but there is a four book manuel granados book series that mel bay distributes that is excellent as far as setting up a basic compas, golpes and modality. Without a doubt it is (in my opinion) the most useful for the music, for technique, Todd had mentioned the Gerando Nunez Ecuentros, which is the BEST one of that series. That particular DVD/book is a real gem of knowledge. I borrowed this from a good friend and I was floored.

[Jubilee Valence]

CLICK THIS!!! RIGHT NOW!!!! (http://www.stephaniesante.com/contact.html)

ssante, I for one (and most probably eveyone here...) would be blessed on top of blessed on top of blessed to be able to experience some of your sharing regarding the awesome times that you lived through the supervision and impression of this great unique Maestro!!!

What a great gift that you yourself have!!

Thanks so much for that!!

JV

[ssante]

CLICK THIS!!! RIGHT NOW!!!! (http://www.stephaniesante.com/contact.html)

ssante, I for one (and most probably eveyone here...) would be blessed on top of blessed on top of blessed to be able to experience some of your sharing regarding the awesome times that you lived through the supervision and impression of this great unique Maestro!!!

What a great gift that you yourself have!!

Thanks so much for that!!

JV

Jubilee,

I would be happy to post more pictures of Lamar Eskelson and some stories. Some of his surviving family members have recently sent me a few photos from many years ago. I am so honored that they were kind enough to send them to me to remember Lamar. I will post soon. Thanks so much for asking as I would love to share some of my remembrances of Lamar.

[ssante]

Many fine suggestions and it took quite abit of work to determine what might be best for my learning. I decided to begin with:

Graf-Martinez: Vols 1 & 2 with cds/dvds
The Art of Rasgueado

I am also working through Juan Serrano's book of compositions as well.

In time I plan to followup with:

Oscar Herrero step by step
Dennis Koster Keys to flamenco.
Gerardo Nunez's Encuentro video

So far I am impressed with the Graf-Martinez presentation and clarity of the camera angles and detailed description. I can easily see why this series is popular.

[Great Googly Moogly]

I am also working through Juan Serrano's book of compositions as well.Is that the book entitled "Concert Selections"?

[ssante]

Is that the book entitled "Concert Selections"?

I should have qualified further (my apologies). The compositions are the songs that are in Juans books titled: Flamenco Guitar Basic Techniques.

[Great Googly Moogly]

The compositions are the songs that are in Juans books titled: Flamenco Guitar Basic Techniques.Yeah, there's a Bulerias in that one that is really cool, I thought. Not to mention many of the others.

[schramm_guitars]

Juan is a good friend of mine. Can't wait for him to move back to Fresno!

Some other great books are Oscar Herrero's "21 Estudios Para Guitarra Flamenca" and "24 Estudios Para Guitarra Flamenca"

Juan Lorenzo's "200 Ejercicios Para Guitarra Flamenca" is excellent as well.

The above three books are loaded with great exercises to build a fundamental and solid flamenco guitar technique.

[ssante]

Juan is a good friend of mine. Can't wait for him to move back to Fresno!

Some other great books are Oscar Herrero's "21 Estudios Para Guitarra Flamenca" and "24 Estudios Para Guitarra Flamenca"

Juan Lorenzo's "200 Ejercicios Para Guitarra Flamenca" is excellent as well.

The above three books are loaded with great exercises to build a fundamental and solid flamenco guitar technique.

Wonderful suggestions. Thank you so much.

[Great Googly Moogly]

Juan is a good friend of mine. Can't wait for him to move back to Fresno!He was just there. Hopefully, you didn't miss him. He arrived back in FL on Monday.

[ssante]

CLICK THIS!!! RIGHT NOW!!!! (http://www.stephaniesante.com/contact.html)

ssante, I for one (and most probably eveyone here...) would be blessed on top of blessed on top of blessed to be able to experience some of your sharing regarding the awesome times that you lived through the supervision and impression of this great unique Maestro!!!

What a great gift that you yourself have!!

Thanks so much for that!!

JV

I had the privilege of studying with Lamar Eskelson in the late 70's in Salt Lake City at The Conservatory of Guitar and Voice. At that time I had never heard Flamenco Music and frankly not a great deal of Classical Guitar. Lamar introduced me to: Sabicas (his favorite Flamencos at the time), Mario Escudero, Juan Serrano, Manolo Sanlucar, Manitas DePlata, Carlos Montoya, The Romeros, Segovia, Liona Boyd, and others. I started out studying Classical Music but one day Lamar sat me down and said he had someone he wanted me to hear. He pulled out an LP titled (yep they had records back then) Flamenco Puro by Sabicas. I was totally captivated by the energy and emotive beauty. From that point on we switched my curriculum to Flamenco study where I spent the next 2 years studying Flamenco under his guidance.

I have been very fortunate to have been in touch with one of Lamar's grandchildren who has been kind enough to send me some cherished pictures of Lamar. Attached is a picture from the early 1950's. This picture was taken at Radio KUTA in SLC. The show was on every Sunday at 2:00-2:30 PM and was called: "The golden voice of Lamar and the piano stylings of Irene." Lamar was a member of the Salt Lake Opera Company at the time.

I remember many times staying quite late and Lamar's wonderful wife Velma would bring us soda, tea and snacks and Lamar and I would discuss many different music related topics late unto the night. I remember Lamar had an extensive guitar collection (I would say off hand 20-30 different classical or flamenco guitars). One of his favorites was a Manuel Velázquez Classical Guitar.

On one such occasion Lamar said he had a big surprise for me. I half expected him to show me another fine classical guitar, discuss a performer coming into town for a show or dive into Sabicas technique. He then told me to turn around and close my eye's and he would let me know when he was ready and I could open them.

To my surprise he had placed a big Ten Gallon White Hat on his head with a large Feather and was holding a Gretch White Falcon electric guitar. I couldn't believe me eyes! He then began singing a most beautiful Country and Western song that he had written for his (then) teenage son. It was such a wonderful moment I will never forget and the song truly touched my heart as the love he held for his son was so powerful and expressive.

I am also attaching a 2nd picture of Lamar as he appeared when I studied under his guidance in the late 70's. At the time Lamar would have been in his late 50's.

[Y-2-H]

By the way I wouldn’t try to Aaron Gilmatrin book if I were you. I didn’t like it one bit. It only mention some minor techniques but doesn’t really develop your skills yknow.

[ssante]

By the way I wouldn’t try to Aaron Gilmatrin book if I were you. I didn’t like it one bit. It only mention some minor techniques but doesn’t really develop your skills yknow.

Actually now that I am in formal study with Flamencos I have little time for anything else these days. Though on occasion I continue to review Graf/Martinez material as it makes sense and is in alignment with my studies.

[Y-2-H]

Actually now that I am in formal study with Flamencos I have little time for anything else these days. Though on occasion I continue to review Graf/Martinez material as it makes sense and is in alignment with my studies.

Actually Steph I wasn’t talking to you in specific.

I think Martínez’ stuff are very good and you could be very advanced and still revising them!

[ssante]

Actually Steph I wasn’t talking to you in specific.

I think Martínez’ stuff are very good and you could be very advanced and still revising them!

Yes I undestand. I have been impressed with the Graf/Martinez material and consider it very valuable.

[david-guitar]

I think rasgueado technique is the hardest thing to convey in a book. I have studied with Mariano Cordoba and was able to learn his rasgueado technique first hand. When I look at his books now I don't know if I would have been able to effectively learn it on my own. I have looked at a few other books and felt the same way. Videos are a better tool for learning resgueados but having a teacher really does make a big difference.

[ssante]

I think rasgueado technique is the hardest thing to convey in a book. I have studied with Mariano Cordoba and was able to learn his rasgueado technique first hand. When I look at his books now I don't know if I would have been able to effectively learn it on my own. I have looked at a few other books and felt the same way. Videos are a better tool for learning resgueados but having a teacher really does make a big difference.

I totally agree. A great teacher really helps in sooo many ways.