Juan martin flamenco biography book review

Steve Marsh reviews “Essential Flamenco Guitar: Volume 1”

This book follows on in a seemingly ever-increasing line of flamenco-based educational publications and DVDs from Juan Martin, one of the best-known names in the world of flamenco.

This first volume asserts that it is an in-depth course for absolute beginners to more advanced players, and a highly detailed, comprehensive analysis of this most exciting musical form.

The book is divided into three segments, the first of which examines many of the basic technical requirements needed for progression onto the later chapters.

Therefore there are many exercises for training in tremolo, rasgueo, thumb technique, arpeggios, ligados, picado, and so on. Most of the musical examples used to practice the various techniques are interesting and entertaining, and within a few pages the student should b