Óscar Herrero launches his new study materials
for flamenco guitar and a live DVD

RGB is also distributor for the album by Jorge Berges, who transcribed
Paco de Lucía's work

Flamenco-world.com, July 2004

The RGB editorial makes new additions to its catalog of flamenco guitar products for learning and for pleasure. First there's the publication of a new study guide by Óscar Herrero for intermediate levels, entitled ‘24 estudios para guitarra’, comprising a book containing the 24 musical scores and a CD with a track-by-track analysis. In addition, the teacher gives a demonstration of his talent as a performer on a DVD recorded live, offering a selection of tracks lifted from his albums ‘Torrente’ and ‘Hechizo’. Then the same label is releasing the solo album ‘Mil abrazos’ by guitarist Jorge Berges, author of the official transcriptions of Paco de Lucía's, Gerardo Núñez's and Serranito's songbooks.

Óscar Herrero

Óscar Herrero's new educational materials “are a continuation of the study series dedicated to flamenco guitar technique, and graded according to levels of ability”, which was launched with the elementary level ‘21 studies for flamenco guitar’. This second volume, ‘24 Estudios para Guitarra Flamenca’ is aimed at intermediate level students, who have already established their basic technique. Each ‘study’ is “a short piece in a particular flamenco style or rhythm. As well as giving the student an opportunity to practice their technique, they’ll begin their immersion in the sounds and rhythms of flamenco.” The book, containing notes on theory and the sheet music - both tabs and traditional scores - is accompanied by a CD with all 24 studies recorded at reduced speed “in order for the student to better appreciate the sonority of each piece.”

Óscar Herrero is one of the most prestigious guitar instructors around, as is demonstrated by the guitar methods he has on the market in DVD and book form. Besides the ‘studies’ mentioned here, he also wrote the musical scores for his CDs ‘Hechizo’ and ‘Torrente’, and the introductory pieces for ‘Guitarra Flamenca Paso a Paso’, for ‘Acompañamiento al cante por Soleá’ and for ‘Acompañamiento al cante por Alegrías’. These volumes are to complement the study series ‘Guitarra Flamenca Paso a Paso’, a step-by-step guide consisting of nine DVDs, and used by students all over the world to get to grips with the basics of flamenco guitar in the comfort of their own homes.

But he isn't only a teacher. Óscar Herrero is also a working flamenco guitarist. And to prove it he released a new DVD ‘Óscar Herrero in concert’, a live recording running through his repertoire in the company of flautist Pedro Esparza and percussionist Jorge Palomo. This audiovisual extravaganza draws on tracks taken from his albums ‘Torrente’ and ‘Hechizo’, including tangos, granaínas, bulerías and farruca, among other styles. Watch online video clip

‘Mil abrazos’ by Jorge Berges

Another guitarist who juggles his labors as a teacher with those as an artist is Jorge Berges from the northern region of Aragón. He just released his first solo album, entitled ‘Mil abrazos’ - a thousand embraces - on the RGB label. The guitarist - who produced the musical scores of Paco de Lucía's, Gerardo Núñez's and Serranito's work, among others, offers a wide range of compositions including tanguillos, bulerías, soleá and taranta. He's accompanied by a band comprising vocalist Tano Escudero, contrabassist Marcelo Escrish, percussionist Josué Barrés on cajón, and dancer Miguel Chaves.

magazine@flamenco-world.com