Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Guitar For Sale: Guitar Kenny Hill La Curva: the perfect combination of a refined classical concert guitar and a crossover one.($,2000)

Concert guitar made by World-wide famous guitar maker Kenny Hill, La Curva Guitar is the perfect combination of a refined classical concert guitar and a crossover one.
La Curva is an excellent, concert grade, hand made nylon string guitar, featuring a narrower neck and cutaway.
Built in the classic style of Herman Hauser I, this model guitar has excellent clarity, projection, and beauty of sound.
The classic body shape makes it a very friendly guitar to handle and a very comfortable instrument to play. They are wonderful for players who need extra access to the highest notes on the fingerboard:
flamenco players who capo up higher, bossa nova and jazz players - anyone who wants the advantage and styling of a beautiful, concert-quality cutaway.
Most steel string players have never played a truly fine nylon string guitar, or if they have, the width of the classical neck can be uncomfortable for a non-classical player.The beauty of nylon strings is in the tone colors they produce, and the light weight construction and finesse of building bring these colors out.

Sound board: Englemann spruce
Back & sides: Indian rosewood
Neck: Spanish cedar
Fingerboard: ebony
String length: 650mm
Tuners: Schaller

Kenny Hill is a widely recognized name in the world of classical guitars. He operates a shop in Felton California were he builds a catalog of several different styles and models.
Track of Jazz Guitarist Roy Patterson (roypatterson.com) playing La Curva:
Video Classical Guitarist Philippe Bertaud playing La Curva in Villa Lobos DVD:

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Want to learn tremolo?

The key in a good tremolo is evenness and articulation.You need to focus on regularity and each note should have the same volume and duration.

First of all you’ll need a metronome.

Then, practice the first speed burst exercise on all the open string. I start at 60 but you can start slower. Always use a speed you're comfortable at and can control every thing. Practice on the 6 strings.
[Click on images to enlarge]




When you feel comfortable, practice 2 and 3, increasing the speed burst. Keep the metronome at 60 and progressively go to 120.






Exercise 4 introduces P playing on different strings to create a bass line.




Exercise 5 is the same but without the rest. You will play now a continuous tremolo but still at the half of the speed. A tremolo is usualy written in 32nd notes and, at this point we are still playing 16th notes:









Exercise 6 introduces the 32nd notes, still on open strings:



Exercise 7 is the same but with chord changes: C - G - Am - Am - F - G7 - C


Working on a song like Recuerdos de la Alhambra, start with just the chords and then ad your tremolo.
Have any question? Write a comment.
Take it easy,
Philippe

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

The Real Life!

For a long time I thought my life will start soon.
But there always were obstacles to surmount, problems to solve first, moments to spend, bills to pay... And then: THE REAL LIFE WILL START!
Till I realize these obstacles were precisely my life...
This point of view helped me to understand there is no way leading to happiness. Happiness is the way.

Thus, remember that time does not wait.
When one spends each moment as a special one, even more, when one shares this moment with someone special, special enough to share our time with, this is Happiness.
Therefore, enjoy each moment as a unique one. Enjoy your morning and the new day coming like a new venture to live. Make your day a happy one.
Cheers,
Philippe

Friday, December 12, 2008

Dear Guitar Lovers

Dear Guitar Lovers,

I have the great pleasure to invite you for a free Guitar Clinic on:
Saturday December 13th
@ Ridglea Music 6323 Camp BowieFort Worth, Texas 76116
Seating is limited, please register at:
http://www.PhilippeBertaud.com on the clinics page.

4 Sessions of 2 hours each will be available:from 11:00am to 1:00pmfrom 1:00pm to 3:00pmfrom 3:00pm to 5:00pmandfrom 5:00pm to 7:00pm
You will have the unique opportunity to play the best guitars on Earth, Alhambra, hand made in Spain- can you dream any better ? - in the purest tradition:Flamenco, Classical and Electric-Acoustic models.

You will also know more about D’Addario Strings I use and how to take of your instrument…Re-string it, clean the frets and body…

From beginners, students to advanced guitarists or professionals.A stage will be set up for you to share your talents on the best guitars you will ever play.We will also work together on technique, tricks and tips for a free 2 hour workshop! Sign up todayand join us for a free Guitar Clinic. Tell your friends.Seatings are limited. Register now! The first five persons will receive an Alhambra gift.
See you at the Free Guitar Clinic