Pumping Nylon great video but.......

[Jonny Hotnuts]

I just got Scotts DVD and must say that it is very well done. Loads of useful stuff and something that every classical guitar player should own.

But I must say that while feel most everything on the video is correct I dont think he should say to practice the trem on the e, and that playing it p-i-m-a is the same as p-a-m-i. Sure playing it p-i-m-a would be a good warm up and exercise it is not a practical useful form to play a consistent tremolo in a tune. It is very much different and in my opinion not bad but not the way a beginner should approach tremolo.
And learning on the high e is a short cut that will cause over stroke problems if played on any other string. I find it odd that Scott who seems to have a good grasp on playing and teaching would condone this.

I am thinking of mailing Scott to see what he would say on the subject.

[vcs700s]

I also own this DVD. I also thought it was very well done. Scott is an incredible teacher and a great player. I think any classical player, no matter what level they are on, could learn something from this DVD. I highly recommend it.

[J]

My friends and I once had a talk with Scott on his fingernail philosophy. We we're all like, "Hey, what's wrong with the way I file my nails?!?!" Pumping nylon is one of the best technique resources out there. I use it myself when I teach.

[WillBee]

one thing that sometimes plagues people first learning trem is a tendency to group a-m-i together, and p separately, leading to an uneven sound. (daa-da-da-da) by playing other patterns, you can develop independent control over each finger --- even if you would never perform a piece that way

i should say, tremelo seems to be one thing that there is no consistancy among the pedagogs how to teach. some people say start slow and even (tennent) some say only play fast (hii) and some advise grouping some fingers together in "block" strokes (yates)

[Libre]

Great video and book, to be sure.
But be very careful. It really is Pumping Nylon. You would not Pump Iron with total abandon for hours - you'd wreck your body. I think some of the exercises are as strenuous to the small muscles and connective tissue of the hands and forarms as any bench presses or squats are to the big muscles.
Also, I think his fingernail shapes are for the birds. I tried to re-shape my nails like he said and pictures in the book. THen I had to wait a week to play again.
I prefer half-moon shape nails over the square-ish nail he recommends. Always shaped them like this, and I was dumb to try to change - but we have to try new stuff. But I was nervous about doing it and I could not adjust. I was about as nervous as Abraham probably was when he...read the bible (Old Testament) to find out what he did.

[vcs700s]

Libre,

You are right about the workout on the video. As I was following Scott, I had to pause and rest the hand. It is indeed like pumping iron. If I take it slow I know my hand will be stronger which will always help.

By the way, I feel the same way about the nail illustrations. I have found over the years that works well for one doesn't necessarily work for another. I believe Tarrega and Sor both played without nails. At least they didn't have to worry about nail shapes!

[WillBee]

another. I believe Tarrega and Sor both played without nails. At least they didn't have to worry about nail shapes!

there was a recent article in soundboard discussing tarrega's nail/no nail choice. it claimed he played with nails early in his career, and then later without, due to some sort of dermatologic condition rather than personal preference

[John J. George]

8) :lol: I got pumping nylon and think its great. the video is very well done(like the heavy weight room and towels,ect)the book is great for all levels of playing.he shows the technique very clearly.most people should worry more about the correct technique then about nail shapes.After learning how to play and you feel the music the different sounds will flow out of your fingers with or without nails. But as Scott says do what works best for you.don't be afraid to try other ways of doing things.

[selma600]

Great video and book, to be sure.
But be very careful. It really is Pumping Nylon. You would not Pump Iron with total abandon for hours - you'd wreck your body. I think some of the exercises are as strenuous to the small muscles and connective tissue of the hands and forarms as any bench presses or squats are to the big muscles.
Also, I think his fingernail shapes are for the birds. I tried to re-shape my nails like he said and pictures in the book. THen I had to wait a week to play again.
I prefer half-moon shape nails over the square-ish nail he recommends. Always shaped them like this, and I was dumb to try to change - but we have to try new stuff. But I was nervous about doing it and I could not adjust. I was about as nervous as Abraham probably was when he...read the bible (Old Testament) to find out what he did.
Some Romero students file their nails in that squarish shape. They have a particular way of placing the nail on the string. My teacher didn't think much of it, but, hey, if it works why kvetch?

[jay]

i don't agree with all there are some great tips in the video and book but
it bothered me when he told about the student he had who quit he or she wanted to play RDLA and wasn't ready for it
" i taught her anyway because i needed the money"
takinga a students money and trying to teach them something theyre not ready for yet is plain dishonest to me
He also seems arrogant to me

[vcs700s]

i don't agree with all there are some great tips in the video and book but
it bothered me when he told about the student he had who quit he or she wanted to play RDLA and wasn't ready for it
" i taught her anyway because i needed the money"
takinga a students money and trying to teach them something theyre not ready for yet is plain dishonest to me
He also seems arrogant to me

Interesting. I have two of his DVD's- Pumping Nylon and Basic Classical Guitar Method. I don't find him arrogant at all. In fact, I appreciate his honesty when he says things like that.

To call someone arrogant and dishonest, without really knowing the entire situation or person, appears to be judgmental. :!:

Food for thought.

[jay]

that's the way he came across to me
i mean trying to teach someone who isn't ready yet even though they insist
to play a certain piece instead of guiding them properly
i think that's why student got frustrated and quit
i suggest you watch pumping nylon again and listen closely when he starts explaining about tremolo

[kyop]

Great video and book, to be sure.
I was about as nervous as Abraham probably was when he...read the bible (Old Testament) to find out what he did.

I hear that the Easter Bunny was quite upset after reading the reviews on his 1999 candy delivery efforts.

[racer_x]

I think it is the students choice when it comes to what they want to learn.
Let the student learn from their own mistakes. Then when the student finally figures out that a certain piece is way beyond their skill level they will concede and learn something else. Most guitar players go through that when they first start out. Who doesn't want to play the hard stuff first? I think the other side of that spectrum is how some bad instructors keep students at low levels of playing taking their time and having them go through countless books of nonsense so they can earn more from the student. The longer you have a student the more money you make from them. I have not seen this DVD yet.
It does sound like something I should purchase from what you all say.

[Libre]

I'll give you a hint. After Abraham did what he was told to do, God then said, "Hey Abe! Thanks for the tip!"

[selma600]

I'll give you a hint. After Abraham did what he was told to do, God then said, "Hey Abe! Thanks for the tip!"

If you will email me privately, I will share with you my two best "briss" jokes.....

[Jonny Hotnuts]

I am find it strange that no one made any comment on Scotts teaching of the tremolo on the high E. To me this is not good practice.

I did not feel that he was arrogant, but I am glad to see that someone has the balls to express their opinion and not worry if it is going to be popular. If you feel he is arrogant maybe you are seeing something I am not.....maybe he is, but sometimes a bit of arrogants is good for ones confidence.
And lets not forget that Segovia was a bit arrogant as well (bit is a huge understatement!)

[Libre]

I'll give you a hint. After Abraham did what he was told to do, God then said, "Hey Abe! Thanks for the tip!"

If you will email me privately, I will share with you my two best "briss" jokes.....
Well, I would - but what's your email address?

[APERTURE]

I find it strange that no one made any comment on Scotts teaching of the tremolo on the high E. To me this is not good practice.

Getting back to the main reason Jonny started this thread - tremolo on the high E. I have read (in this forum) about not practicing tremolo on the 1st string. Some have said that 'It's not real tremolo' or that you will develop bad habits which will make it hard to play tremolo on the inner strings. My experience does not support those claims. I learned tremolo exclusively on the 1st string (at first). The piece I practiced is Tarrega's 'Study in E minor' from Liona Boyd's "Miniatures for Guitar" CD and book. She plays the study straight one time and then repeats using tremolo. The tremolo stays on the first string. It is not a difficult piece and is quite beautiful. As my tremolo technique improved and I experimented with other pieces and excercises I found no difficulty in transitioning it to other strings. In fact I find it more diffcult on the 1st string especially when the thumb has to strike the 6th string - your hand is more 'open' and to me that is the most awkward moment to maintain a smooth, even tremolo. Hey, I'm not Pepe Romero, but my tremolo technique is, at least, decent.
I have the pumping nylon video and I would say that the discussion on tremolo is aimed at the beginner, that is to say the guitarist who is for the first time attempting tremolo. I think there is nothing wrong with learning it on the first string first. Remember back to when you first began to learn the technique - it takes time to develop the right feel and rhythm before you can sustain a tremolo. Then it takes a lot more time to develop evenness, tone and volume. If your technique is sloppy on the 1st string (or any other string) it won't sound good.

[jay]

i agree
I started to practice tremolo on the b and g string i can get a good speed even tone and volume and rarely hit the string above but i don't have the same evenness and stability on the open e string. it's much more difficult to do. currently i am practicing constanly on the open e string.

[Zak]

Ehhh the 1st string is a good starting point for learning temolo. It does get significantly more difficult when you move into the 2nd, 3rd, etc strings.

What helped me: Practice tremolo with all four fingers on the same string - p a m i (or whatever your fav temolo pattern is) all on the 1st string. Then try it on the 2nd. That gets your temolo consistant real quickly.

[rdubb]

once you have an even and decent tremolo combining it with scales in 3rds and 6ths is really nice too. Then it becomes a lot closer to a piece because th bottom note of the 3rd or 6th becomes the 'bassline' and the top note a 'melody'. then try crescendoing as you go up, and diminuendoing as you go down, smoothly.

mmm, technique that sounds good. I like it.

[arby]

I have two of his DVD's- Pumping Nylon and Basic Classical Guitar Method.

Vic,
Could you give a bit of a review and description of his Basic Classical Guitar Method DVD?
Is it worth getting if you already have Pumping Nylon?
Thanks, Arby

[vcs700s]

I have two of his DVD's- Pumping Nylon and Basic Classical Guitar Method.

Vic,
Could you give a bit of a review and description of his Basic Classical Guitar Method DVD?
Is it worth getting if you already have Pumping Nylon?
Thanks, Arby

Arby,

I actually purchased the Basic DVD first. It was perfect for me, as I am not a beginning guitarist, but as far as classical goes and reading music I definitely needed to brush up. I would say that if you have the Pumping Nylon DVD and can follow along with it, the Basic Classical Guitar Method would be too basic. It was perfect for me at the time and I definitely recommend it for someone who is begining classical guitar or who needs to review the basics of reading music etc. Hope this helps.