Flamenco Guitar
(Basic Techniques)
by Juan Serrano
Listen
 Juan_Serrano_Samples.mp3
Product Description
This book, written in both English and Spanish is the most authoritative method available on flamenco guitar
technique. Juan Serrano is one of the world's premier flamenco concert soloist and is a seasoned teacher and
performer in this vibrant, colorful musical genre. The text describes the history and development of flamenco
music; teaches basic music theory; presents developmental studies on flamenco guitar techniques such as
rasgueado and tremolo; and offers 14 exciting flamenco guitar solos. Written in notation and tablature.
About the Author
Juan Serrano's incredible musical execution has been witnessed and enjoyed by millions around the world.
Serrano has drawn awe and praise from his audiences, aficionados, critics, and artistic peers. Critics have
called him the "best flamenco guitarist living today."
But Juan Serrano is more than just an incredibly gifted guitarist. He is also
an exceptional and rare musical resource who can communicate his art on a very personal level unlike other great
Spanish guitarists who normally only perform in a strict concert setting where the audience receives little
orientation about flamenco from the artist. Serrano speaks both English and Spanish which enables him to give
enlightening explanations during his performances that give his audiences a rare insight into flamenco.
He has performed on major television and radio programs throughout the world.
In addition, Serrano has authored several music books and videos distributed by Mel Bay Publications which instruct
guitar players on the origins of flamenco and its techniques. He has also written Flamenco, Body and Soul, a
history of flamenco for the aficionado published by the Press at California State University.
Serrano's mastery of flamenco not only comes from his many years of discipline
and study of the guitar, but also because he grew up in Cordoba, Spain, the birthplace of this rich and dazzling
music. At age nine, Serrano was studying under his father, a professional guitarist, and learning the traditions of
flamenco which is a fusion of Jewish, Moorish, Christian and Gypsy musical elements between the 8th and 15th
centuries in Andalucia. Juan made his professional debut at age 13 and as a teenage earned a reputation all over
Spain and Europe as a gifted musician. He performed and recorded with the top flamenco musical, dance, and
theatrical companies.
At this time Serrano also started his solo career. His home town of Cordoba
was so proud of his accomplishments that they replaced the bell in the town clock with recordings of his guitar
playing. Cordoba also awarded Serrano the Porto de Oro. This prestigious honor is awarded once every ten years and
Serrano is the only guitarist ever to be so honored. Serrano received the Page One Ball from the Newspaper Guild of
New York for his outstanding performances. He was also awarded the Medalla de Oro from the Spanish Academy of Fine
Arts, the Catedra de Flamencologia from Jerez, Spain, and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Fairfield
University in Fairfield, Connecticut.
The city of Fresno bestowed Serrano with the "Fabulous Fresnan" and "Horizon"
awards. Serrano is the only flamenco guitarist in the world with a doctorate in humane letters and a tenured
faculty position at a major university. He developed the guitar program at California State University and heads
the guitar department. In addition to his teaching duties, Serrano is much sought after as a performer, for master
classes and as a guest lecturer on the history of flamenco. Serrano's latest recordings are a series of five
compact discs, Masters of Flamenco, Volumes 1-5 and The Art of Flamenco Guitar released by Planet Records; Flamenco
Festival, a re-release by BMG; Grandes Guitarras by Phillips; and Sabor Flamenco released by Concord Picante.
Review
In various ways, this method is in direct contrast to Juan Martin's style and
approach. The rasgueados lessons and exercises are great and very different in style. So many beginners think
that there is only one way to play flamenco. Not true. I learned some valuable lessons about right hand
technique from this method. Juan Serrano has some other books full of challenging, but manageable solos, but
this is the book to buy first.
This book begins at the beginning with photos showing finger strokes and basic music
theory. The technical section has exercises for rasgueados, tremolo, arpeggio scales and ligados. The 11 solos
are good, chunky study pieces and include a preamble explaining origins and characteristics. The rasgueado
styles used in this book are significantly different to Juan Martin's style of playing. Both are solid
traditional flamenco styles but different. It’s worth leaning both. I particularly like Juan Serrano’s way of
starting rasgueados with "i" instead of "e". Written in English and Spanish.
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