Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Alhambra Classical Guitars at Discount Price
Lowest Price Guaranteed!. We Offer Every Option!
Buy Alhambra Classical Guitars Online at Discount Price!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
NAMM Show in L.A
This coming year is very exciting. A lot of projects will come up:
- from a trio with world guitar stars Ricardo Cobo and Cem Duruoz - concert at the Carnegie Hall announced soon
- to new DVD's and recording...
But, for now, join me at the NAMM Show in L.A where I will present my new guitar, Alhambra, of course! A completely crossover model, entirely handmade in Spain with the highest quality wood. A narrower neck (50mm instead of 52mm) gives this guitar an incredible comfort whether I play with fingers or pick, Indian Rosewood back and sides, Canadian Spruce top for clarity and definition and the wonderful Fishman Prefix-ProBlend that combines a condenser mic inside of the guitar and an under saddle pick up system. This miniature preamp shares similar performance specs as the Prefix Stereo Blender, on a smaller bezel that occupies 1/3 less space on the guitar!
Featured for the Pro Blend is the acclaimed Acoustic Matrix under-saddle pickup. It delivers a clear, articulate sound with emphasis on string definition and attack.
To compliment and contrast this pickup, a miniature electret microphone(mounted to the underside of the preamp chassis) captures the guitar's elusive natural ambiance and sound chamber resonance. Blend the pickup and Microphone together for a powerful and cohesive acoustic guitar tone that is deeper and more "filled out",than the sound of either the microphone or pickup alone.
The Prefix Pro Blend preamp module incorporates a unique flip-top battery compartment for easy access.
Now I got a guitar that sounds great when I just play acoustic and fabulous when I plug it into the P.A.
We are working on a Cedar Top Model that will be ready within a few months and with a simple, however, beautiful design. And a "Texas Touch" version for the summer with turquoise inlays and other surprises!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Habitat for Humanity Benefit Concert
Howdy "all y'all" !My friend Eddie Collins - board member of Fayette County Habitat for Humanity - asked me to set up a concert in order to raise funds for their organization.
Of course, I said "yes" and felt much honored and happy to set it up for such a great cause.
Therefore, I will be playing - with my usual partner in crime the crazy Luiz Coutinho, fabulous Brazilian percussionit at Jovita's.
Jovita's will have a Happy Hour all day! (tell me you are not spoiled after that... ugh...)
It would be generous and nice (and I know you are) to forward this email to your family and friends and make this benefit event a real success for Habitat for Humanity.
Please join the fun and be part of such a great solidarity!
Feel free to forward this invation to your family, friends and work colleagues: everybody's welcome!
Thanks to Mayo and Joyce who support this fundraising event and let me use their venue.
The Concert:
Philippe Bertaud
Habitat for Humanity Benefit Concert
Date
November 29, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Location
Jovitas1617 South 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704-3046
Ticket price:
$25.00 Info Line (512) 965-7073
Website
http://www.philippebertaud.c...
Contact
info@philippebertaud.com
(817) 539-0533
Habitat for Humanity:
This organization build houses for people in need regardless of race or religion. They can put up a house in a weekend (!) and provide more that a shelter: a house, for family in need
The Fund Raising:
The money will go to Habitat for Humanity to support their next construction project.
The Tickets:
I make it easy for you. You can buy the tickets:
at the door, we will start selling them at 5PM,
at Jovita's a week before the event or the night of the show,
at Music Makers (517-B S Lamar Austin, Texas 78704)
or by phone (it's free... the phone call.. not the ticket) 1-800-838-3006
or online @ http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/90335
It will such a great pleasure to play for you and have some fun time all together!
See you there!
Philippe
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Alhambra Deals on Ebay!
Buy it cheaper on Ebay!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300363409274&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
The Alhambra Luthier India is a beautifully crafted the two master luthiers at Alhambra, Javier Mengual and Jose Margarit.
It’s fullness, tone quality, craftsmanship, volume, projection, and playability are superb. This guitar is a wonderful example of the fine work of the luthiers at Alhambra.
It features an advanced bracing system that gives it unparalleled depth and projection.
Features:
Top: Red Canadian Cedar
Back/Sides: Indian Rosewood
Neck: Spanish Cedar
Width: 52mm
Scale: 65cm
Fingerboard: Ebony
Tuners: Luxury Gold Plated
‘ Luthier Rio ‘ concert grade classical guitar which features a Master Grade cedar top and solid Brazilian rosewood back & sides.
This instrument has a very limited production and represents the finest quality tonewoods and craftsmanship offered by this traditional Spanish company.
This guitar has an amazingly rich and refined tone, clarity, an even response and a lush overall sonority that has a rich layer of overtones on every note!
More Pictures:
http://www.philippebertaud.com/LaBoutique/guitars/alhambra-luthier-india-classical-guitar/
Listen to the Luthier Rio [Asturias by Isaac Albeniz] – Free Download [right click to save it]
It has a revolutionary bracing pattern that gives it a really phenomenal sound.
It’s fullness, tone quality, craftsmanship, volume, projection, and playability are superb. This guitar is a wonderful example of the fine work of the luthiers at Alhambra.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Guitar Lessons in Fort Worth
3901 S Hulen St
Fort Worth, TX 76109-3321
(682) 553-1028
Email Me!
The pride of being a guitar teacher is to listen to those wonderful and talented guitar students of mine.
What a reward!
The guitar lessons are always a nurturing environment that allows students to learn through guided exploration.
Everything for guitar students’ success:
Performances, guitar club - to meet other guitarists to play and jam with, competitions...
Priorities and focus are the goals and needs of each student so that progress can be made in a manner that is enjoyable and rewarding for each individual.
Therefore I design a curriculum for each student that is tailored to accommodate their specific needs and goals while including fundamental principles that are necessary for providing a foundation upon which a multitude of musical activities can be built. Beginners and advanced guitar lessons are offered.
Tuition and guitar lessons policy. Download a registration form.
My guitar students work in several general areas:
Technique
The physical mechanics of guitar playing and the ability to use that technique for achieving one’s musical goals.
Technique provides students with the tools by which musical ideas can be most clearly expressed. Technique is a means to an end, not an end itself. A solid technical foundation allows musicians to make their own technique as they deem appropriate for each piece being studied. While scales, arpeggios, chords, and etudes (study pieces) constitute the typical activities in this area, technical training must also seek to use these mechanics to find a pathway that leads towards true artistry.
Weekly Study Pieces
Accessible music to develop general reading skills.
While these pieces are easier than the more challenging repertoire pieces, they are usually not “sight reading” pieces. These pieces are designed to continually develop each student’s self-sufficiency at learning new music. If this area is neglected, students learn new pieces slower and more laboriously. These pieces are intended to be learned within one to two weeks with the student doing all of the initial work. This allows students the opportunity to assume responsibility and pride for their own work while challenging them to figure out how to create a refined musical performance through their own initiative.
Repertoire Pieces
Repertoire pieces are challenging pieces most commonly presented in public performances (such as recitals and competitions). These pieces are carefully selected so that each student is working on a piece that is incredibly motivating and yet appropriate for their musical development. This gives students the opportunity to select music that inspires and challenges. These pieces provide an opportunity to develop practicing skills that are highly structured and carefully monitored. With thoughtful practice, anyone can have successful musical experiences.
Theory and Ear Training
Theory and Ear Training are required to develop each student’s ability to hear and understand musical patterns and syntax. Developing one’s listening ability is an important part of being able to play with great communicative power. This sort of study also allows one to develop a musical vocabulary that can be used to discuss music in an intelligible manner.
Guitar Video: Students realized their own movie with composition!
Improvisation and Composition
Improvisational and compositional studies allow students a chance to become directly involved in the creative process while exploring different sounds in a natural and stimulating manner. This process allows students the opportunity to find and connect with their personal creative voice which in turn helps them to gain a more enlightened understanding of music by other composers. This study is therefore an integral part of developing a musician’s capacity to hear and internalize different pieces and styles on a deeply meaningful level.
Guitar Video: Students Improvising
Music Literature/History, and Critical Listening Skills
A study of music history and literature is necessary not only so that students are performing music in a historically sound manner but also so students can develop critical thinking and listening skills. This also allows students to become more aware of the musical world in which we live. This means that they develop an informed awareness of the vast diversity of music in our society and other societies and begin to see historical trends in music. This then encourages other academic interests in musical scholarship and a general respect for music of all cultures.
All these areas constitute a holistic curriculum that surpasses the more fragmented traditional approach of developing repertoire and technique alone. Each area reinforces the other thus allowing students to excel in all areas with greater fluency. While evaluating musical ability through performance is possibly the easiest way to gauge success, it is not the only way. Far too often many teachers work primarily in this area while neglecting the others. True artistry comes only after understanding. This approach shows students a musical world that can be enjoyed for their entire lifetime not only through performing, but also by attending concerts, supporting the arts in our schools and communities, collecting recordings, and by the many other countless ways that we experience this life-enriching activity.
View Larger Map
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Buy Guitars, Strings, TKL Cases
Howdy!
As you know from my different articles, I only play on Alhambra Guitars and D'Addario Strings. A lot of folks are asking where they can find those guitars and composite strings...
Classical Guitar, hand made in Spain, Alhambra Guitars like I am playing with TKL Guitar Case Deluxe and all buy guitar accessories and gears I use on Stage for a Performance, Clinic or Recording are available now:
"La Boutique" (http://www.philippebertaud.com/LaBoutique/)
Buy Guitars, Strings, Cases and Accessories
Strings D’Addario
“I only trust D’Addario to render the Passion, Grace and Fire of my Alhambra Guitar.While everyone is looking for the perfect tone, quality, consistency… strings that last longer and make your playing better… D’Addario… they just do it” – Philippe Bertaud
Pro-Arte Normal Tension and Hard TensionComposite Normal Tension and Hard Tension
Guitar Accessories Planet Waves
“Because they think different, and ahead of anybody else, Planet Waves makes the ultimate guitar accessories.Planet Waves even creates beyond imagination, making your guitar practice and care an experience.I never leave on tour without my Planet Waves companions.” – Philippe Bertaud
Headstock Tuner______Your Guitar Precisely In Tune In Live Situation.
Headstand _______Stabilizes guitars during string-changes.
Pro-Winder__________Change your strings with no hassle.
NS Capo_____________The only Capo perfectly designed for Classical Guitars.
Metronome/Tuner_____the ultimate “all-in one” musicians practice tool.
Guitars Alhambra
1- C_________________Entry level handmade Spanish classical guitar
4-P_________________The first rosewood guitar with ebony fingerboard
8-P_________________Entirely by hand, cedar top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides
11-P________________Great Concert Model hand made by a special group of luthiers at the Alhambra workshop
Luthier India_________Beautifully handcrafted concert level instrument made by master luthiers, Javier Mengual and Jose Margarit.
TKL Guitar Cases
TKL_______________Ornamental and functional hardshell guitar case.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Guitar Lessons in Fort Worth, Texas
3901 S Hulen St
Fort Worth, TX 76109-3321
(682) 553-1028
Email Me!
The pride of being a guitar teacher is to listen to those wonderful and talented guitar students of mine.
What a reward!
The guitar lessons are always a nurturing environment that allows students to learn through guided exploration.
Everything for guitar students’ success:
Performances, guitar club - to meet other guitarists to play and jam with, competitions...
Priorities and focus are the goals and needs of each student so that progress can be made in a manner that is enjoyable and rewarding for each individual.
Therefore I design a curriculum for each student that is tailored to accommodate their specific needs and goals while including fundamental principles that are necessary for providing a foundation upon which a multitude of musical activities can be built. Beginners and advanced guitar lessons are offered.
Tuition and guitar lessons policy. Download a registration form.
My guitar students work in several general areas:
Technique
The physical mechanics of guitar playing and the ability to use that technique for achieving one’s musical goals.
Technique provides students with the tools by which musical ideas can be most clearly expressed. Technique is a means to an end, not an end itself. A solid technical foundation allows musicians to make their own technique as they deem appropriate for each piece being studied. While scales, arpeggios, chords, and etudes (study pieces) constitute the typical activities in this area, technical training must also seek to use these mechanics to find a pathway that leads towards true artistry.
Weekly Study Pieces
Accessible music to develop general reading skills.
While these pieces are easier than the more challenging repertoire pieces, they are usually not “sight reading” pieces. These pieces are designed to continually develop each student’s self-sufficiency at learning new music. If this area is neglected, students learn new pieces slower and more laboriously. These pieces are intended to be learned within one to two weeks with the student doing all of the initial work. This allows students the opportunity to assume responsibility and pride for their own work while challenging them to figure out how to create a refined musical performance through their own initiative.
View Larger Map
Repertoire Pieces
Repertoire pieces are challenging pieces most commonly presented in public performances (such as recitals and competitions). These pieces are carefully selected so that each student is working on a piece that is incredibly motivating and yet appropriate for their musical development. This gives students the opportunity to select music that inspires and challenges. These pieces provide an opportunity to develop practicing skills that are highly structured and carefully monitored. With thoughtful practice, anyone can have successful musical experiences.
Theory and Ear Training
Theory and Ear Training are required to develop each student’s ability to hear and understand musical patterns and syntax. Developing one’s listening ability is an important part of being able to play with great communicative power. This sort of study also allows one to develop a musical vocabulary that can be used to discuss music in an intelligible manner.
Guitar Video: Students realized their own movie with composition!
Improvisation and Composition
Improvisational and compositional studies allow students a chance to become directly involved in the creative process while exploring different sounds in a natural and stimulating manner. This process allows students the opportunity to find and connect with their personal creative voice which in turn helps them to gain a more enlightened understanding of music by other composers. This study is therefore an integral part of developing a musician’s capacity to hear and internalize different pieces and styles on a deeply meaningful level.
Guitar Video: Students Improvising
Music Literature/History, and Critical Listening Skills
A study of music history and literature is necessary not only so that students are performing music in a historically sound manner but also so students can develop critical thinking and listening skills. This also allows students to become more aware of the musical world in which we live. This means that they develop an informed awareness of the vast diversity of music in our society and other societies and begin to see historical trends in music. This then encourages other academic interests in musical scholarship and a general respect for music of all cultures.
All these areas constitute a holistic curriculum that surpasses the more fragmented traditional approach of developing repertoire and technique alone. Each area reinforces the other thus allowing students to excel in all areas with greater fluency. While evaluating musical ability through performance is possibly the easiest way to gauge success, it is not the only way. Far too often many teachers work primarily in this area while neglecting the others. True artistry comes only after understanding. This approach shows students a musical world that can be enjoyed for their entire lifetime not only through performing, but also by attending concerts, supporting the arts in our schools and communities, collecting recordings, and by the many other countless ways that we experience this life-enriching activity.
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Right Strings for your Guitar
Hey Folks!
That is like the question I get all the time:
- Philippe, what strings do you put on your guitar?
and, I know when I look in your eyes that you guys had... and maybe still have if you did not read this article yet, the same issue(s) I had. Finding the right strings!
Honestly, if you get into a store and look at the brands, you really start feel ing woozy, and then you start to try one set, and another, and another... and arrive on my blog - or come to one of my clinic - and anxiously ask me about strings.
Because I tried them all, and there is not a week I do not receive a set from a string company. Some are okay... the first days of their life but, like the butterflies, they do not last a long time. Others - let's be honest - most of the brands have intonation issues... you have to run to the store to buy other 1st or 3rd strings (no kidding! I live in Texas and the time I get to the store it's pitch dark, that's how far it is!!!) and you realize you have to go back to the store because the new ones you get still have intonation problems... Other sets have they basses dead in 2 or 3 days... or break.
Seriously: do you want me to break in string during a show? I tour and play a lot and want to have reliable strings! And y'all know I bang the guitar and take all the guts out of the poor thing.
You never see me re-tuning the guitar when I perform (if you saw me, it's because I was about to play open tuning... or it was when I did not have Alhambra Guitar... just buy the right stuffs guys) It's not because I'm deaf ... neither because I'm blond... it's because the strings I use stay in tune, never break, last forever... are cheap and American. Read that well coming from a Frenchy: they are MADE IN ZE USA! Okay... Should I share more about the spirit? You want me to tell you I fence my Texas ranch with those strings?
So, what is the mistery? Well, I went to Africa to meet a wizard in Zambia and he gave me the answer... are you ready?
Over the past 30 years, guitar strings have benefited from a wealth of engineering and manufacturing improvements and the brand I use are now made by utilizing automated computer-controlled winding machines. The result has been unprecedented quality and value for the guitarists. The basses are round anb rich. They got the sustain you are looking for and the support. What am I talking about? Go to the end of the concert hall next time you attend a classical guitar recital... you barely hear the basses. They are weak. Not the one I use
The trebles are sorted by a sophisticated computer-controlled laser machine which performs diameter/tension measurements and quality checks to insure precise intonation. How many times? 200 - TWO HUNDRED TIMES. Those guys are so crazy about precision, they measure EACH string 200 times. It's not only for the fun .. or because they have time to kill... It's because they have a vision:
- They want to make the best products because they take pride into what they do.
- 1 dissatisfied player will be talking to 8 people about how the strings caused them problems and they will talk to others who will talk to others... and so forth.
They want to make you satisfied... And they are.
What do I play?
The only real strings for pro... D'Addario.
I use the Pro-Arte and also, on my spruce top guitar the Composites.
D'Addario Composite wound strings exclusively feature Zyex(R) multi-filament stranded core material, which delivers gut-like tone with extremely long life and consistency. The trebles come with two 3rd strings, one from the regular Pro Arte line (clear nylon) and one made from composite polymer (coffee colored) which has a brighter tone (the 1st and 2nd are also from the regular Pro Arte line).
Say you love me now... okay... a thank you would be enough.
Cheers!
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