Flamenco & Spanish Guitar

Genre and Style Guitar Course from Marcelo Berestovoy

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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.

28 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

97% Appoval

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Full Course Breakdown

Focus: Marcelo covers 4 basic rhythms: The Gypsy Rumba Flamenca, the Bolero, the South American 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.

Begin the Course
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.

2:07 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

2

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.

17:46 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson
3

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.

5:49 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

4

7ths, 9ths, and Secondary Dominants

Take the rumba and the Andalusian Cadence to the next level by adding tasty extensions and chord substitutions.

15:24 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

5

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.

15:33 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

6

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.

12:28 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

7

Rumba: Playing Accents

Using the song "La cita", Marcelo explains how to add accents and hits to the basic rumba strum.

7:06 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

8

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.

8:41 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

9

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.

14:29 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

10

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.

22:23 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

11

Bolero & Variations

Using the chord progressions covered in previous lessons, Marcelo explains how to add tasty variations to the basic bolero rhythm. Have fun!

12:03 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

12

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!

33:19 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

13

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!

22:56 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

14

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.

43:30 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

15

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.

8:01 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

16

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.

12:52 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

17

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!

10:28 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

18

Cha Cha Rhythm

Marcelo teaches the popular cha cha rhythm that has been made famous by performing greats such as Carlos Santana.

6:41 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

19

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.

14:29 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

20

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.

30:45 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

21

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!

7:27 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

22

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.

11:44 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

23

Single Finger Strum

Marcelo teaches yet another popular rhythm technique for Spanish guitar and applies it to a number of familiar sounding chord progressions.

22:33 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

24

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.

29:22 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

25

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!

14:58 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

26

La Cita - Melody Lesson

By request, Marcelo has returned to teach his song, "La Cita". In this lesson, he will break down the melody line.

13:56 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

27

La Cita - Improv Lesson

Now that you've learned the melody of "La Cita", it's time to learn the scales to set you on your way to some great improv!

12:36 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

28

Flues - Phrygian Rumba Blues

By popular request, Marcelo teaches us his original piece, "Flues". He starts with the chords and melody and ends with ideas and scales for improvisation!

14:55 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

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Marcelo Berestovoy

644
  • Dallas, TX
  • Playing since 1982
  • 198 lessons at JamPlay
Begin Course
This Latino artist, composer and guitarist, has inspired a new musical trend that he has called “Southern World Music”. This innovative mix of sounds is a blend of the tango from Argentina, flamenco from the south of Spain, and several musical styles from Southern California. Marcelo has done live presentations and recorded with artists like Ricky Martin, Selena, Leon Gieco, Daniela Romo, Sergio Arau and Bebu Silvetti to name a few. In television, he accompanied stars such as Jorge Moreno, Grammy Award winner in 2002 in the “Best New Artist” category. He also composed the song “Gitano Corazon”, recorded by Natalia Oreiro in her album “Tu Veneno”. This album was nominated in the Latino Grammy Award 2001 in the category of “Best Female Pop Album”. He is co-author of the song “One Heart” with Steven Segal, Larry King and Tommy Coster. His musical talent has been shown in movies including “Dirt”, “The Mexican”, “Un Pedazo de Tierra” and “Paulie”. He has participated in television shows, concerts and kick-off parties for movies like “Mission Impossible II” and “The Disapearance of Garcia Lorca”.



Marcelo was born and raised in Argentina. He says he felt a passion for the music since he was about 11 years old when he started to take guitar lessons. His father had a lot of influence in his love for music. Together they used to play the songs that Marcelo wrote. His father always took him to listen to jazz. At this time, listening to jazz gave Marcelo another perspective since he was a rock fanatic. His motivation was first the Beatles and then Charly and Spinetta “the skinny”. Marcelo recalls that by the age of 18, he was playing in different places throughout Buenos Aires, Argentina. He would play four to five nights a week with different groups or to accompany solo singers.

His decision to come to Los Angeles was motivated by his interest in jazz. In 1985, he came to study to GIT and he never returned to Argentina. Marcelo currently lives in Los Angeles, California with his lovely wife and son. He performs live at several local places. In addition to playing the guitar and composing, Marcelo teaches in the “Musicians Institute”, one of the most prestigious in the music world.
Reviews & Feedback 97/100 with 654 ratings
DAZZMAN68

I am desperately in need of a beginners course from this teracher. Starting with chords and moves please. I like the Flamenco & Spanish Guitar style. Please ask Marcelo to help guide me.

Estrada26

Easy to understand. It's just what I needed.

gpnaoh

A great primer. Teacher seems very experienced and is tollerant and takes time

tomerhertz

amazing teacher...highly recommended

lorcanspiel

Very clear. Great teaching and a good pace of learning.

piranhamanxxx

Fantastic lesson broken down really really well. Personable teacher who explains things in a perfect linear style for me.

roberto_soto

Thank you man. This was a great lesson; its one of those songs that seem so complicated but you break it down and made it much more manageable.

numbi

The way he explains it makes learning soooo easy and fun!!

mattbrown

Great teaching/playing, and the lesson sounds great too.

daveedgeguitar

Excellent sounds and style. Love it!

sandcreek

great lesson

ceffio

He estado buscando a un profe de guitarra flamenca con elementos de jazz, blues y con un toque de teoria (que no se pase todo el video hablando demasiada teoria y que le quite el jugo a la leccion), y que no sea un gringo (no lo digo de mala ma

kumar554

best teaching

meagain666

something new

Brig07

Awesome tutorial!!!! PLEASE UPLOAD MORE FLAMENCO TUTORIALS!

kkjones82

it's what i need

Parlorstar

this helps extend my self taught approximations Muchas Gracias

blatino8

Great song "La Cita" and Marcelo makes everything easy to understand in all his lessons

raytheprinter

Teacher has a good feel for keeping on track and giving useful and fun knowledge.In a way that works for me. Thanks

tugman

I have been looking for a long time for this type of teaching. Well worth my membership.

tomhitt

Great pace, great humor. Fantastic lesson! ~Tom~

Airdriver

Please can you fix the rumba triplet fill lesson video it doesn't work from 21 seconds onwards!

Thom_Alexander

Very nice breakdown, simple and easy to follow

dalvinr

Jazz Shell Chords

scalperjim

Teaches slowly, precisely, and produces results within a short series of videos.

ridinshotgunn

exellent great lesson !

MarkTapia

Always a pleasure

stvnfrance

Perfect

AngelaW

Marcelo's lessons are very clear and easy to learn. Thanks so much.

mesaj

Marcelo has an easy approach in his lessons. He explains the subtleties of the chord progressions very well, which enhance the music. I feel confidence as I explore the guitar's ranges, I'm beginning to hear a voice coming out of my guitar a

Maurguitarz

Very easy to follow really good teacher,

cotochtes123

He is a legend on playing on guitars!

tovalexis

I love the very slow and deliberate approach along with explanations. This makes it easier to understand.

Teochezzi

Very Cool

winedrinker

I really learned something new with this first lesson. Thanks.

chester4

Good instruction, thanks

fjbarr

All three of the answers fit but the system only let me check one. Marcelo's teaching is so straight forward and effective. I like that Marcelo just got right into it and I felt like he gave very detailed explanation and took it step by step a

jsullent7

all of the above

RolandoP

I've been wanting to learn flamenco and other Latin styles for a while. This is perfect, easy to understand and very thorough. I love the various chord progression options. Excellent! Thank you!

juliascott

This teacher is better than most.

joeped

flamenco in a language I can understand

fireby35

Great video. I click all three of the above options.

robert.kwapich

Marcelo is amazing.

nikkialice

Thank you