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Classical Guitar Technique and Musicianship

Hand, Frederic (Actor), Traum, Happy (Director) Rated:
Unrated
Format: DVD
3.4 3.4 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
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April 13, 2004 		—
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— $5.90
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Product Description

Here's a lesson for both classical musicians and fingerstyle guitarists who want to discover their "natural dexterity" for speed, tone and effortless technique! Whether you are a beginning or advanced guitarist, you will benefit from Fred Hand's in-depth exploration of the fundamental principles of classical guitar technique. "Your body and mind have an innate ability to express the music that you hear," says Hand, "you only need to tap into this source."

By learning the essentials of good playing, such as posture, relaxation, fingernail shaping and the correct application of the free stroke and rest stroke, you will quickly become a smoother and more efficient player. As you practice your arpeggios, scales, vibrato, trills and cross-string trills, you'll learn to apply them to beautiful classical-style pieces such as John Dowland's "Lady Hunnsden's Puffe" and a dance by Gaspar Sanz. Hand's own compositions, "A Celtic Tale," "Heartsong " and "Lesley's Song" are perfect examples of the application of classical techniques to pieces in a contemporary setting. This is a lesson that will dramatically improve the playing of both classical musicians and fingerstyle guitarists of other tradition.

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.33:1
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ Unrated (Not Rated)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.75 x 5.75 x 0.53 inches; 2.93 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Traum, Happy
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC, Color, Closed-captioned, Multiple Formats
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 15 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ April 13, 2004
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Hand, Frederic
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ HAL LEONARD
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0001WANWC
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.4 3.4 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

Customer reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars
3.4 out of 5
18 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Rod Saunders
5.0 out of 5 stars A Lending Hand
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2004
Verified Purchase
This is the next best thing to studying with a classical guitar instructor. Hand gives the viewer a crash course in classical technique, offering tips on everything from posture to fingernails to vibrato. The audio and video are first rate, although I was a bit distracted by the blue light effect that made Hand's hair look like a bad wig.

Frederic Hand's resume is impressive. Having studied under the renowned guitarist Julian Bream he has since performed, composed, and recorded for 30 years working with the likes of Luciano Pavoratti, Placido Domingo, and Zubin Mehta. He puts his expertise to work for the viewer in this video covering pieces like John Dowland's Lady Hunnsdon's Puffe and a dance by Gaspar Sanz, as well as Hand's own compositions, A Celtic Tale, Heartsong and Lesley's Song with accompanying sheet music for all. Highly recommended.
25 people found this helpful
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Claudia Gasparrini Etheridge
4.0 out of 5 stars Much useful information for the self taught
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2005
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This is a 75 minute DVD which aims to describe in a slow easy pace how to play the classical guitar, starting with how to feel at ease when playing the guitar, how to hold the guitar, how to use the right and left hands correctly, how to apply some of the more basic techniques of classical guitar playing, such as the free stroke and rest stoke. The DVD also shows how to pluck the strings, strike chords, play arpeggios, scales, vibrato, trills and cross-string trills, etc., which it does through direct demonstrations first, then through the performance of actual songs.

The DVD comes with a booklet which includes a left hand warm-up exercise, slurring exercises, free stroke chords, free stroke arpeggios and speed bursts, as well as songs such as A Celtic Tale, Lesley's Song, Heart's Song, La Caballeria de Napoles con Dos Clarines, My Lady Hunnsdon's Puffe.

Mr. Hand is no doubt an excellent guitar player and a good communicator, but the package that he has prepared is far from perfect. He may want keep these comments in mind when planning a next edition.

Mr. Hand teaches about classical guitar, but says nothing about the guitar itself. What makes it a classical guitar, where to purchase a classical guitar, what kind of classical guitar should one buy, when is it time to upgrade to a better guitar. Is a made in China classical guitar appropriate for a beginner, or should a serious player - no matter how inexperienced - ever bother with such an instrument. Information about the actual guitar seems like a legitimate expectation, if we keep in mind that Mr. Hand spends time talking about the file necessary to keep the nails appropriately trimmed, and even suggests where to buy such file (kind of unnecessary, he recommends any good drugstore and most of us already know that nail files are purchased at drugstores). Also, the guitar that he plays is not the best looking guitar I have ever seen. It is true, he may not be aware that he is not using a very photogenic guitar. But the two string ends sticking out of the bridge give an impression of carelessness. My guitars - and all the ones that I have seen - always have their strings neatly tucked in.

Mr. Hand also may want to keep in mind - when revising the booklet - that the letters p, i, m, a, indicating the right had fingering are not from the Spanish, pulgar, indicio, medio, anular, they are from the Italian pollice, indice, medio and anulare (since when we use Spanish in the musical score!?!?!?!). Indicio is not the index finger in Spanish, it is a sign. The index finger is called indice, same as in Italian (although it is pronounced differently). Caballeria (if it is the Spanish word that he is using) is spelt with a b not with a v. There may be more inaccuracies, I have only looked at the booklet very superficially. All of this gives again an impression of carelessness, in addition to lacking respect towards the foreign language that he is trying to use. Why does the man provide the information, when he does not seem to have such information for himself.

Some of the advice - for example, a happy tune should be played in a happy mood, a sad tune in a sad mood - seems redundant.

Classical Guitar - Technique and Musicianship provides much useful information, as well as practical assistance and is ideal for the self taught who do not want to bother with a teacher: these people are often unaware of many mistakes and failings until it is too late to eliminate them. But the DVD and attachments need a more professional presentation.

(...)the package is overpriced.
24 people found this helpful
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Dana C
2.0 out of 5 stars A dissapointed beginner
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2012
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I have to say that I am disappointed after reviewing the DVD. I am a beginner but not unfamiliar with music.
The first part of the DVD which I was counting on to give me basic right and left hand use and exercises did provide some but at a pace that was to fast. Further along the lessons which included arpeggios moved much to fast for my ability. I am going to buy either Pumping Nylon or Frederick Noad's complete beginners course.

I can't honestly recommend this DVD course to any one. I would however suggest that the producer of the lessons separate them on the DVD so one can tell where one ends and practice should begin on that part before just blending them all together.
6 people found this helpful
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OnLooker
5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleased so far
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2012
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I am a rank beginner. I have only used so far early chapters on position and posture, free and rest strokes and first string fingering. The video quality is very good. Mr. Hand shows instructions very clearly and camera follows action up close to visualize the details. I will update my review when I get to the later chapters, may be in a year or so?
One person found this helpful
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K. Gale
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2004
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I just picked up the guitar again after 20 or so years of not playing. My husband thought I was nuts because he never new I could play. This video can teach you to bring out the beautiful sound of the guitar even if you are virtually a beginner. You don't need to be able to read music either. I recommend this to anyone. The songs are hauntingly beautiful.
35 people found this helpful
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Brian J McCarthy
5.0 out of 5 stars Dandy as could be. I was so excited by ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2017
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Dandy as could be. I was so excited by it that my hiney did a little wiggle and I accidentally wet myself a little!
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Ari
4.0 out of 5 stars Well done DVD
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2005
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I would have liked to have seen more closeups of his playing as I didn't like having to refer back to the booklet (that's why I purchased a dvd). Outside of that, this is a well done dvd with great tips on getting started from position to nails to muscle and finger tension. I was able to quickly correct poor habits I had developed learning from books on my own. Definitely worth the money. (for the reviewer who asked about spanish language and subtitles this dvd has neither)
25 people found this helpful
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GERALD W OSTERMAN
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2014
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This is an excellent introduction to classical guitar fundamentals and practice ideas (but is available for free on YouTube).
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Top reviews from other countries

The Old Guitarist
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful DVD
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 14, 2014
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What I've seen so far has been excellent. Frederic Hand is a wonderful player and his discussion and comments on technique etc are delivered in a natural and highly understandable manner.
DVD delivery from US supplier was also excellent - came in no time at all
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