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- Sal's Flamenco Soapbox
Sal's Flamenco Soapbox. Learn how to play flamenco guitar. Download guitar videos and sheet music. Learn guitar with video lessons.
- Lessons
A collection of video lessons showing various flamenco guitar techniques as well as some useful classical guitar techniques.
- Tremolo Mastery Part 1
A video lesson describing the typical classical guitar style 3 stroke tremolo used in the Recuerdos de la Alhambra video. The right hand fingers used are P a m i.
- Tremolo Mastery Part 2
How to play 4 stroke flamenco guitar tremolo. Two finger patterns are covered here. The P m a m i pattern that I prefer and the more common P i a m i .
- Tremolo Mastery Part 3
A video tutorial showing practice exercises for developing strong and reliable tremolo. It shows 3, 4, & 5 finger patterns.
- Tremolo Mastery Part 4
3 simple secrets for developing tremolo speed, efficiency and accuracy.
- Rumba Rhythm Lesson
A guide to playing the Rumba rhythm style in the my Rumba video piece.
- Picado
Rapid alternate picking with i and m fingers. Although the finger rests on the next string like the typical classical guitar rest stroke, picado is a much more powerful technique.
- Finger robotics
Finger robotics. A practical guide to training the fingers to do what you want. What is muscle memory? Impovising.
- Rasgueado mastery part 1
Rasgueado mastery is something I believe everyone can achieve. Topics covered in Part One include: What is a rasgueado is? How many different rasgueado patterns are there?... and more.
- Rasgueado mastery part 2
Rasgueado mastery. The 6 part master key
- Rasgueado mastery Part 3
Rasgueado mastery will be speeded by these 3 exercises. How to get an even sound when playing continuous rasgueado
- Rasgueado mastery Part 4
Rasgueado mastery. Common rasgueado patterns
- Index strokes
Rasgueado lesson showing how to play index strokes. This is finger down and up strokes. This very basic rasgueado is an important element of more complex patterns.
- 4 stroke rasgueado - e a m i
4 stroke rasgueado - e a m i. Rasgueado lesson showing three typical applications of this common flamenco strum pattern.
- 4 stroke rasgueado - i e a m
4 stroke rasgueado - i e a m. A video lesson showing a single i e a m 4 stroke rasgueado. Learn how to play multiple i e a m 4 stroke rasgueados played in a continuous sequence.
- Triplet rasgueado P m P
A video lesson describing the triplet rasgueado P m P at various speeds from very slow to very fast. How to practice continuous rasgueado..
- 2 octave C Major practice scale
This 2 octave C Major practice scale is a purely mechanical scale exercise you can use to build up speed in picado practice
- 3 octave E Major practice scale
This 3 octave E Major practice scale is a good warm-up exercise to include in your daily practice routine. It's not just for flamenco of course, but it's a good excuse to practice picado
- Pinky flick
A video showing how to help overcome the weak sound of the pinky when developing reasgueados. The pinky flick is not so much a technique as something that I found comes naturally.
- Floating - Arpeggio study
Floating - Arpeggio study. A classical guitar study for developing arpeggios.
- Floating - Tremolo study
Floating - Tremolo study. A study piece for developing 4 stoke flamenco tremolo technique. The video shows Pmami pattern but it can also be practiced using the more common Piami.
- Palmas
Palmas is flamenco hand clapping. This demonstration video shows the two types, hard and soft.
- Finger symbols
Finger symbols and rasgueado stroke directions
- Guitar Lessons Disclaimer
Guitar Lessons Disclaimer. I do not claim that what I do is the only way or the best way. What I teach are techniques that work for me.....
- Learning tools
Learning tools. Learning flamenco guitar. Recommended teaching books, cds and dvds and other products.
Mp3
Mp3 original flamenco recordings by Sal Bonavita
- Dance practice CD
Download dance practice CD, "Flamenco Dance Forms" 29 tracks. 70 min. I previously sold for this $17 and may start selling again. Download it now while it's being offered free.
- Mp3 collection
Mp3 collection. Some of these were intended to go on a CD for sale. I may still include them on a new CD. Get them now while they're free to download. Flamenco and classical styles included.
Videos
A collection of original guitar videos in various styles.
- Flamenco guitar videos
A collection of flamenco guitar videos performed by Sal Bonavita.
- Bulerias
This is a loosely structured Bulerias with some original falsetas and some bits and pieces I learned from other people.
- Colombiana
Colombiana by Paco Pena from his book Toques Flamencos.
- Farruca
An improvised Farruca solo by Sal Bonavita. It's really a typical collection of rhythm sequences and falsetas that could be used to accompany a basic Farruca dance.
- Granadinas
This Granadinas is based on a study piece by Juan Martin from the book "El Arte Flamenco de la Guitarra".
- Guajiras
A short Guajiras solo with basic rhythm and falsetas.
- Rumba
Flamenco guitar solo by Sal Bonavita with sheet music. This is based on the Rumba style from Juan Serrano's book, "Basic techniques."
- Sevillanas
A set of five Sevillanas. Although a set of four Sevillanas is more typical when accomoanying dancers on stage.
- Tarantos
This music ia not a traditional Tarantos but it offers some interesting challenges.
- Flamenco style guitar videos
A collection of flamenco style guitar videos performed by Sal Bonavita. Flamenco "style" means these pieces are not traditional flamenco but use flamenco style rhythms as accompaniment.
- Carcassi por buleria
This is my version of Study in A minor (Op 60 No 7) by Matteo Carcassi (1792 - 1853) morphed it into a buleria at the end. Hence the name Carcassi Por Buleria.
- The Godfather
The Godfather movie theme by Nino Rota. This is a modified version of an original flamenco style arrangent by Pepe el Tiburon.
- Viva Espana
The arrangement Viva Espana is inspired by a track on a Canadian CD release called "Paco de Lucia and friends." It also appears on another compilation CD called, "Los Mejores Guitarras."
- Watercolors
Watercolors is a hybrid flamenco style guitar solo I put together combining flamenco rhythms with various picking styles.
- Classical guitar videos
A collection of classical guitar videos performed by Sal Bonavita.
- Alley cat
Bent Fabric's simple piano foxtrot number Alley Cat is one of those tunes we all know but hardly anyone recognizes.
- Angie
A freestyle guitar solo based on Davey Graham's Anji. This piece should not be confused with Davey Graham's original. My version is very different which is why I spelled it Angie.
- Annie's song
Annie's Song is a John Denver song arranged for classical guitar Arrangement by David Boddington.
- Autumn leaves
Autumn Leaves. A Joseph Kosma song arranged for classical guitar Arrangement by David Boddington.
- Catalan folksong
A simplified arrangement of the Catalan Folksong "El Noi de la Mare" by Miguel Llobet.
- Dance of the hours
A short piece by Amilcare Ponchielli arranged for classical guitar by Jason Waldron. Dance of the Hours was also made into a silly song by Allan Sherman called "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh" (1963).
- Danza
This is based on "Danza" by Aaron Shearer from " Classical Guitar Technique Volume 2". The video is a straight rendition of Danza, plus an extra variation.
- Feelings
A classical guitar arrangement of Feelings by Morris Albert.
- Ravel's Bolero
What I play here is a modified version of Jason Waldron's arrangement of Ravel's Bolero. The original version can be found in "Popular Classics of the Great Composers. Volume 1".
- Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Recuerdos de la Alhambra is a classical guitar tremolo solo by Francisco Tarrega.
- Romance - tremolo
Romance - tremolo. Romance AKA Romanza or Jeux Interdits.
- Romance - block chords
Romance - Block chords. Another version of Romance AKA Romanza or Jeux Interdits.
- Rondo
Rondo is a classical guitar solo by Filippo Gragnani
- Sound of bells
Sound of Bells is also known as Sons de Carilhôes. Classical guitar solo by J. Texeira Guimaraes AKA Joao Pernambuco
- Strangers in the night
Strangers in the night is a classical guitar arrangent of a song made famous by Frank Sinatra.
- Take five
Classical guitar arrangent of the famous jazz piece Take five by Paul Desmond. Written in 5/4 time
- Ragtime guitar videos
A collection of ragtime guitar videos performed by Sal Bonavita.
- Coney Island cakewalk
Coney Island Cakewalk. A ragtime piece from Richard Saslow's book "The Art of Ragtime Guitar". Download this book.
- Maxwell's Silver Hammer
Maxwell's Silver Hammer. Fingerpicking Beatles song arranged by Eric Schoenberg
- Romance - Ragtime
Romance - Ragtime. A ragtime version of Romance AKA Romanza or Jeux Interdits,
- Your Mother Should Know
Your Mother Should Know. Fingerpicking Beatles song arranged by Eric Schoenberg
- Songs
A collection of songs accompanied in various guitar styles performed by Sal Bonavita.
- A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square. A well known romantic British popular song made famous by Vera Lynn in 1940. This is my interpretation accompanied by block chords.
- Angel
Angel. My flamenco style version of a song recorded by Elvis Presley in the movie “Flaming Star” (1961) and later covered by Cliff Richard (1965) .
- Coconut woman
Coconut woman. Flamenco style arrangement of a song made famous by Harry Belafonte.
- Dance the night away
Dance the Night Away. A flamenco style version of Dance the Night Away by the Mavericks
- Dark eyes
Dark Eyes. An English version of an old song written by by Ukrainian poet Yevhen Hrebinka
- Dead pirate song
Dead pirate song. A strange little ditty about a dead pirate getting disturbed in his grave. I wrote this about 30 years ago.
- Dona Dona
Dona Dona. This Yiddish song by Sholom Secunda became very popular after Joan Baez sang it with her guitar.
- Drover's dream
Drover's dream. An Australian bush ballad about a sheep drover who falls asleep on his watch and loses all the sheep. In his dream a variety of bush animals get together and party.
- Freight Train
Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotten
- House on the hill
House on the hill. An original song by Sal Bonavita about a guy who goes mad drinking seawater.
- I want you, I need you, I love you
I want you, I need you, I love you. A song originally recorded by Elvis Presley
- I was the one
I was the one. A song originally recorded by Elvis Presley
- Jamaica farewell
Jamaica farewell. Flamenco style arrangement of a song made famous by Harry Belafonte.
- Lucille
Lucille. A song by Kenny Rogers.
- Pearly Shells
Pearly Shells. A popular song based on the Hawaiian melody Pu'u o Ewa
- Show me the way to go home
Show me the way to go home. A song about an intoxicated bar patron trying to go home after a night of drinking.
- The fox
The Fox. American traditional folk song about a fox who steals geese from farmer John and takes them back to feed his family
- The Owl and the Pussycat
The Owl and the Pussycat is a famous nonsense poem by Edward Lear, first published in 1871.
- What now, what next, where to
What now, what next, where to. A song originally recorded by Elvis Presley
- The Wild Rover
The Wild Rover. An Irish pub song that some people believe originated in Scotland around 1830.
- Romance
Romance. AKA Romanza or Jeux Interdits. 3 variations on a theme.
Sal's writings
Sal's writings. A collection of original essays and articles by Sal Bonavita relating to flamenco.
- Info - guitar
Guitar. A collection of information pages by Sal Bonavita relating to the guitar.
- Flamenco metronomes
Flamenco metronomes. 12 beat compas metronomes that can be programmed for any accents or number of beats up to 12.
- Dance structure
Dance structure. This is typical of a typical Alegrias is structured.
- Nails
Nails and fingernail care. Repair broken nails
- Strings
Strings. Which vrand of guitar strings are most suitable for flamenco.
- Choosing a guitar for flamenco
Guitar. Chosing a guitar for playing flamenco.
- The Capo
The capo or cejilla. This is used in flamenco to change the key or to raise or lower the pitch of the music to suit the singer's voice.
- Blank music paper
Blank music paper. Tab and standard notation
- Playing for dancers
Playing for dancers. How to get started with dance accompaniment.
- FAQ
FAQ about learning flamenco guitar
- Info - compas
Compas. A collection of information pages by Sal Bonavita relating to the compas.
- What is compas
What is compas. This will explain what compas is and why it is so important.
- The compás clock
The compás clock. A look at the various ways of counting and internalizing the 12 beat flamenco compas. Visualizing the 12 beats on a clock face is a good way to learn compas.
- Compas similarities
A chart showing Compas similarities between the major song forms and the lesser known ones.
- Compas groups
A chart showing how song and dance forms naturally fall into generic compas groups.
- Flamenco family tree
Flamenco family tree. A chart showing the origins and connections of flamenco song and dance forms
- Tempos and moods
Tempos and moods. A subjective look at the general emotional basis of the major forms.
- Classifying Song Forms
Classifying Song Forms. A look at the two main song form groupings. Cante grande (important songs) and cante chico (less important songs).
- Song regions
Song regions. Flamenco song regions in Andalucia
- Info - flamenco
Flamenco. A collection of information pages by Sal Bonavita relating to the flamenco.
- Flamenco
Flamenco. What is traditional flamenco? What is modern flamenco?
- What flamenco is NOT
What flamenco is NOT. It's not a pink bird or Mariachi music or Gipsy Kings
- Duende
Duende. The multi faceted flamenco spirit.
- Duende essay
Duende essay. An essay by Brook Zern. "the idea of duende, an aspect of performance which I regard as unique to a very few Gypsy artists."
- Mystery
Mystery. Flamenco mystery concepts. The arrogant gypsy. the patronizing teacher and the dreamy academic.
- Castanets
Brief definition and history of castanets and how they are used in flamenco.
- Flamenco glossary
Flamenco glossary. Terms and phrases used in flamenco.
- Music critics
Music critics. Thoughtful and intelligent music reviewers are one thing, but "professional" music critics are strange people that civilized society can do without.
- Info - history
History. A collection of information pages by Sal Bonavita relating to the flamenco history.
- Flamenco history
Flamenco history. How and when was flamenco born?
- Spanish History
Spanish History. Celts, Romans. Visigoths, Time line of Spanish history
- Al Andaluz
Al Andaluz. Origins of the name Andalucia
- The word flamenco
The word flamenco. Felag whatever, flamingo
- The Moors
The Moors. The Moors were in Spain for nearly 700 years. Years. Who were they.
- The Jews
Jews. Sephardic Jews in Spain before 1942.
- The Gypsies
Gypsies. Gypsy origin theories. Gypsy migrations. Spanish Gypsies
- The Celts
A look at ancient Celtic Spain. What influence did the Celts have on flamenco music and dance, if any at all.
- Domenico Scarlatti 1685-1757
Domenico Scarlatti. This is a look at the composer who is better known for his harpsichord music. The forgotten flamenco pioneer?
About
About. What is Sal's Flamenco Soapbox all about
- About me
About me. Just who is this Sal person anyway? Just an opinionated, upstart nobody. That's who
- About this site
About this site. What is Sal's Flamenco Soapbox all about
- About my guitar
About my guitar. Many people have commented about the guitar I use in my You Tube guitar videos. They want to know what brand it is. Why?
- Copyright notice
Copyright notice. Read this is you wish to use my original content in any way,
- Links
Links. A collection of useful links.
- Donate
Donate. Leave Sal a tip. Postal donations
- Search
Search Sal's Flamenco soapbox. Search for information on specific websites relating to flamenco.
- Contact
Contact form to send me a message
Tabs and midis
Flamenco and Latin guitar tabs I collected from many sources on the Internet.
- Flamenco tabs A-O
Flamenco tabs A-O. Interesting guitar pieces I found in various tab formats.
- Flamenco tabs P-R
Flamenco tabs P-R. Interesting guitar pieces I found in various tab formats.
- Flamenco tabs S-V
Flamenco tabs S-V. Interesting guitar pieces I found in various tab formats.
- Latin Tabs and midis
Latin Tabs and midis. Interesting guitar pieces I found in various tab formats.
- Tab and midi links
Tab and midi links, A collection of useful links relating to tabs and midis.
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