As a professional classical and flamenco guitarist with over 21 years of experience, I've tried a LOT of audio interfaces for recording at home. Here are my 4 favorite audio interfaces for 2024. (*Please consider buying with the affiliate links below to support my ,free education blog and ,YouTube channel.) ,1. ,Apogee Duet 3-2 Channel USB Audio Interface ($649) PROS Best Professional Interface Pristine sound! Up to 65dB of gain 48V Phantom power for both channels USB Powered 2 Channels: XLR or 1/4" 1/8" headphone jack Very easy to use CONS Expensive but totally worth it! A little hard to ..read more

As a professional guitarist with over 21 years of teaching experience, I have read everything out there concerning pedagogy and music theory. Here are my 9 favorite classical and flamenco guitar method books and general theory books for 2024: Please consider buying with the affiliate links below to support my ,free education blog and ,YouTube channel. ,The Christopher Parkening [Classical] Guitar Method - Volume 1 Summary This premier method for the beginning classical guitarist shows basic classical technique by playing over 50 beautiful classical pieces, 26 exercises, and 14 duets. The met ..read more

As a professional guitarist with over 21 years of performance experience, I have tried a LOT of amplifiers in all kinds of settings. Here are my 6 favorite amps for 2024: (*Please consider buying with the affiliate links below to support my ,free education blog and ,YouTube channel.) ,,1. ,AER Compact 60/4 Acoustic Amplifier ($1,399,,) PROS The cleanest amp I've ever used! 60 Watts 2 Channels: 1/4" & XLR Phantom power for both channels 4 onboard effects for each channel Independent 32/2-band EQ CONS Expensive (but totally worth it)! View specs ,,2. Fishman Loudbox Artist BT 120-Watt ..read more

As a professional guitarist with over 21 years of performance experience, I have read a LOT of books on how to improve practice and performance. Here are my 9 favorite practice and performance strategy books for 2024: Please consider buying with the affiliate links below to support my ,free education blog and ,YouTube channel. ,Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning Summary Drawing on recent discoveries in cognitive psychology and other disciplines, the authors offer concrete techniques for becoming more productive learners. Speaking most urgently to students, teachers, trainers ..read more

https://youtu.be/xtB-aZeRf14 La Paloma (Yradier / Tárrega). Performed by Diego Alonso La Paloma ("The Dove") was written by Spanish, Basque composer Sebastián de Iradier y Salaverri (1805-1865, Spain) around 1860 after visiting Cuba. Iradier later changed the spelling of his last name to "Yradier," which is the surname (pen name) he used for publications.   La Paloma is written in the Habanera or "contradanza" music and dance style, popular in Cuba at the time. This piece has been arranged and covered thousands of times since its original publication (1860s) and recording on January 5, 19 ..read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXIVxQ1HSXs&feature=emb_imp_woyt Casilda (tanguillos) composed and performed by Paco de Lucía. The tanguillo is another style in the flamenco genre characterized by its lively and very syncopated rhythm (in 4/4 time). The original tanguillo from the mid-1800s was a folkloric style of music and singing called the "tango Gaditano" (i.e., the tango from Cádiz). It continues to be a staple of Cadiz's 10-day Carnaval where groups sing and play original and very funny tanguillos that are often politically inspired. Paco de Lucía's instrumental version here was the ..read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STy8kjbkWAc Vals Venezolano No. 2 "Andreina" (by Antonio Lauro). Performed by Ana Vidovic. This waltz was part of Lauro's "4 Valses Venezolanos" and, along with Vals No. 3, is one of Lauro's most famous works. This is a short advanced piece (level 1-2) that has a very memorable melody and is super fun to play. Ana Vidovic plays this piece very expressively using a lot of tempo, dynamic, and tone variation. © 2021 Sonanta LLC & Diego Alonso Audette Aste (+1) 312-217-3937 ..read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc-uFv87fac&feature=emb_imp_woyt Café Piñero (bulería por soleá) composed & performed by José Carlos Gómez. The style of bulería por soleá (a.k.a., "soleá por bulería") is basically a slowed-down bulería with regard to tempo and rhythm -- the melody of the singing marks the main difference between soleá bulería por soleá. The tempo for bulería por soleá is somewhere between a bulería and a soleá. It is a 12-count style with accents typically on the 3, 7, 8, 10 & 12. To hear a beautiful version with flamenco singing, click here: https://www.youtube.co ..read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4ycHSQnReM&feature=emb_imp_woyt El Vito (José de Azpiazu). Performed by Ana Vidovic. The vito was an Andalucían song and dance from the 16th century which has its roots in the Spanish bolero. This style of song and dance uses a fandango abandola'o rhythm and meter (3/4) and was a precursor to the flamenco malagueña. © 2021 Sonanta LLC & Diego Alonso Audette Aste (+1) 312-217-3937 ..read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwbPaPsL_cM&feature=emb_imp_woyt Todo Una Rumba (by Paco de Lucía). Arranged & performed by José Manuel León & José Carlos Gómez. The flamenco rumba is a party style derived from the Cuban guaracha. It's a 4/4 style -- 4 beats per measure, quarter note counts as 1 beat -- similar to the flamenco tango but generally faster and played in any key. This piece is an arrangement of many of Paco de Lucía's most famous rumbas. © 2021 Sonanta LLC & Diego Alonso Audette Aste (+1) 312-217-3937 ..read more