Search - DVD-Learn To Play Flamenco Guitar on DVD

Great for moderately experienced players to fine-tune rhythm

Mel Beckman | Oxnard not just a pretty name, CA United States | 08/06/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been playing flamenco for several years, but learned from instructors who were quite busy and could not spend a lot of time helping me refine my technique. The value of this DVD is that you can play the material over and over again until you have the rhythms down solid. I read music, but I find I really like seeing the left and right hand parts demonstrated separately -- another thing you can't really do with a live instructor. Aaron Gilmartin also clarifies some confusing aspects of Flamenco terminology -- something I wish I'd had in the early years of playing

Aaron goes into great detail on each rasguedo and rhythm, giving you everything you need to learn them perfectly. And his hints about playing and how each technique should feel are priceless. The melodic passages are very basic, but pleasant and reasonably interesting. But I'm after the rhythm, and I got it here.

I also have Juan Martin's "Solos Flamenco", but that book is too vague and moves too quickly to advanced material to be very rewarding. I did like some of the Martin's pieces, and enjoyed learning them, but I don't think his course really helped me improve my technique.

This is a great book for new flamenco players that already have some proficiency at classical guitar, but also valuable for intermediate students llike myself. A green beginner will get lost -- you've got to master fretboard and right-hand fundamentals before tackling the flamenco style."

Excellent but be careful

Ahmad Talal Ahdab | Lebanon - Tripoli | 02/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD (they are 2 in fact) is very good. It focuses very well on very important techniques that usually all flamenco guitar players use, and it gives you methods to practice them with a guitar and without it. The picture of the movie is very clear, and the method of showing both the right hand and the left hand at the same time is very successful. Also the DVD titles are very well made allowing you to easily jump to any technique you are practicing.

What you have to be careful about this DVD is that it is not for beginners in guitar. Don't expect that you are in zero level and you want to learn flamenco from it. The level of the songs played and the techniques discussed are to a bit experienced guitar player.

I strongly recommend this DVD if you would like to learn flamenco, and I also recommend that you get the book of Juan Martin too. These two together will form a complete ring."

Excellent for beginners into Flamenco

Flamenco Drummer | Worcester, MA | 07/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is really good. I have been playing drums for a while now, but always had fooled around guitars. However, only recently I decided to play flamenco guitar. I bought a book on the basics and this DVD. It is amazing how fast you can start playing the basic forms of flamenco like Tangos. The DVD is easy to follow and Aaron simplifies the pieces. He goes over technique for the right and left hand.

However this shouldn't be looked as a comprehensive but rather intorduction to Flamenco which in my opinion is really beneficial for starters.

If you play guitar already and want to explore flamenco, there is not a better DVD than this one."

Good beginnings

Michael Bradley | Hatley, Quebec Canada | 02/10/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I enjoyed the various sections of these 2 DVDs. He breaks the various guitar techniques used in flamenco into playable pieces. The split screen showing both left and right hand simultaneously is excellent for matching what to do as you learn. I would recommend this DVD to any beginner to intermediate player, but it helps to have some familiarity with the guitar and with music structure to appreciate the lessons.."