Rasgueados (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781947596009)

I began my studies in 1971, at the University of Athens School of Medicine trained in obstetrics and gynecology. Along with my medical training and about the same time, I started formal studies in classical guitar at the National Conservatory of Athens, Greece. After successfully completing my medical and music studies, I began my career working as an obstetrician at Kalamata County Hospital, where I witnessed the deliveries of hundreds of newborns. Later on, I founded a privately owned medical institution chartered to accommodate our local community needs. About 25 years ago my passion for music was rekindled. A family friend living in Spain, vacationing in Kalamata, introduced me to the unique Flamenco style sounds and rhythms. Certainly, it did not take long for me to fall head-over-heels with the music traditions of Southern Spain communities of Andalusia, Extremadura and Murcia. For many years as a beginner, I struggled trying to locate possible teaching material sources to augment my limited knowledge of Flamenco guitar techniques and styles. I frantically searched to find books, lessons explaining, these special techniques used in Rasgueados, Pulgar (Alzapua), Golpe and Flamenco Tremolo. Nothing was available, nothing was organized. Not being able to locate any Flamenco teaching material, I started in the most amateur, coarse way to generate my own specific technique based exercises that would help me develop the required dexterity needed to master each and every aspect of Flamenco guitar playing styles. The book you hold in your hands is the culmination of such effort; the outcome of a decades-long research effort in the most consistent, systematic way needed to teach the mastery we all cherish and hope one day attaining. Organized and presented in current form, this material is guaranteed to satisfy the most widely possible Flamenco guitar audience committed in learning the most intricate details of these highly specialized guitar techniques and methodologies. Having faith that my work will serve well, our uniquely grown Flamenco guitarist's community, I look forward meeting and working each and every one of you, now and in the near future.