Flamenco & Spanish Guitar
Internationally known Latino artist, composer and guitarist explores key Flamenco and Spanish rhythms and progressions. Marcelo breaks down these styles in a proven, easy to understand method.
View Marcelo's Bio
Focus: Marcelo covers 4 basic rhythms: The Gypsy Rumba Flamenca, the Bolero, the Southamerican 6/8, and the Brazilian Bossa. He offers a number of ways to apply these rhythms and also dives in to the beginnings of improvisation and melodic playing in the Flamenco and Spanish styles.
Lessons in this Series:
Lesson 1
Series Introduction
Marcelo artfully demonstrates the playing style he teaches in this Flamenco & Spanish Guitar series. He also plays through four basic rhythm techniques and sets the course for the lessons ahead.
Length: 2:07 Difficulty: 1.0 Member Only
Rumba Flamenca: Basic Right Hand Moves
Marcelo teaches the eight basic right hand moves for the Rumba Flamenca strum pattern. He then shows you how to apply it to a single chord as well as one of the most important chord progressions in Spanish music.
Length: 17:46 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Phrygian Rumba Blues
Marcelo blends familiar sounds with new ones as he looks at how to combine the rumba rhythm with a standard blues progression and the Phrygian mode.
Length: 5:49 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
7ths, 9ths, and Secondary Dominants
Take the rumba and the Andalusian Cadence to the next level by adding tasty extensions and chord substitutions.
Length: 15:24 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
La cita
Marcelo teaches the rhythm portion of his popular song "La cita" as a way of applying the techniques and progressions covered in the series thus far.
Length: 15:33 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Rumba: Triplet Fills
Learn how to insert fast and tasteful triplets into your strumming. Marcelo demonstrates two different ways of performing the technique and combines triplet fills with the rumba strum.
Length: 12:28 Difficulty: 3.0 Member Only
Rumba: Playing Accents
Using the song "La cita", Marcelo explains how to add accents and hits to the basic rumba strum.
Length: 7:06 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Rumba: Double Time Variation
Marcelo mixes it up by teaching several popular variations to the rumba strum. He reviews the basic rumba and demonstrates how to incorporate different rhythms without skipping a beat.
Length: 8:41 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Bolero Rhythm
Moving on to the second of four Spanish guitar rhythms in this series, Marcelo introduces the bolero. He teaches the right hand moves and demonstrates the technique over a variety of common chords.
Length: 14:29 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Bolero & Chord Progressions
Marcelo explores four popular chord progressions commonly applied to the bolero rhythm and reviews the techniques needed to play the bolero strum.
Length: 22:23 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Bolero & Variations
Using the chord progressions covered in previous lessons, Marcelo explains how to add tasty variations to the basic bolero rhythm. Have fun!
Length: 12:03 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Brazilian Bossa
Chill with Marcelo and the soothing vibe of the Brazilian Bossa. This is a comprehensive lesson that covers a variety of chord progressions, jazz voicings, right hand techniques and various patterns that make this style of guitar come alive!
Length: 33:19 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
South American 6/8
Blending time signatures and applying the strumming techniques you've learned so far, Marcelo brings you the upbeat and challenging South American 6/8. Try it with a variety of chord progressions...Try it with the plucking technique!
Length: 22:56 Difficulty: 2.5 Member Only
Finger Picking
Marcelo dives deep in to the world of finger picking in this monster lesson. He explains how to effectively play scales while keeping certain pedal tones going on the upper strings. Marcelo then applies the right and left hand techniques to both the Phrygian and Phrygian Dominant modes.
Length: 43:30 Difficulty: 3.0 Member Only
Finger Picking & Barre Chords
This lesson continues where the last one left off. Marcelo explores the finger picking techniques covered in the previous lesson over barre chords. He also teaches several new scale positions corresponding to different modes of the Major scale.
Length: 8:01 Difficulty: 0.0 Member Only
Salsa!
Get your dancin' shoes... grab some percussion instruments... or just sit down with your guitar and explore some salsa playing with Marcelo! In this lesson, you'll learn some great chord progressions and distinctive rhythmic techniques that will bring your music to life.
Length: 12:52 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Improvising and the Andalusian Cadence
Using the famous Andalusian Cadence chord progression that was covered in earlier lessons, Marcelo offers up different scales and phrasing ideas that players can use over each chord. Then, he talks about transitioning from chord to chord from a soloing perspective. This one is a must see!
Length: 10:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Member Only
Cha Cha Rhythm
Marcelo teaches the popular cha cha rhythm that has been made famous by performing greats such as Carlos Santana.
Length: 6:41 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Gypsy Jazz
Marcelo takes you in to the style of Django Reinhardt with this fun lesson on gypsy jazz. You'll learn a few chord progressions and the right hand "la pompe" strumming pattern with and without a pick.
Length: 14:29 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Walking Bass Lines
Be your own band!...sort of. Marcelo shows you how to use moving bass notes while playing chords at the same time. He applies this over a number of chord progressions, including the 12 bar blues.
Length: 30:45 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
12 Bar Blues & Forms
After harping on the importance of the 12 bar blues for his entire series, Marcelo finally explains the blues in detail. He covers chord changes, explains different "forms," and even talks about chart reading. This is an essential lesson for every guitarist!
Length: 7:27 Difficulty: 2.0 Member Only
Shell Chords
Marcelo shares a tool that is indispensable when jamming with other guitarists. He shows us how shell chords leave room for improvisation and provide a great way to play a steady, simple rhythm through even complex chord changes.
Length: 11:44 Difficulty: 1.5 Member Only
Single Finger Strum
Marcelo teaches yet another popular rhythm technique for Spanish guitar and applies it to a number of familiar sounding chord progressions.
Length: 22:33 Difficulty: 0.0 Member Only
Horizontal Scales
We spend a great deal of time learning scale positions, but most of the players we know and love use a lot of the horizontal approach. Marcelo explains horizontal playing using four familiar scales and demonstrates them in a Spanish guitar context.
Length: 29:22 Difficulty: 2.5 Member Only
Horizontal Playing & Intervals
Marcelo takes the scales learned in the previous lessons and applies them to 3rd and 6th intervals. He offers some improvisational ideas that will enhance your creativity!
Length: 14:58 Difficulty: 2.5 Member Only
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