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Hi Guitarristas, I have been taking Jason's online lessons since during the summer. I'm sure that they are no big secret around here, but I just wanted to mention how great they are for anyone who might be considering them.
Two days ago, I learned a sevillanas on there. Yesterday, I used it playing for dance class, where it fit great. Last weekend I accompanied a dancer por solea on a gig. Some of the accompaniment, as well as a falseta, was Jason's material, as well as an V. Amigo falseta (note to self: start composing own solea falsetas again!). I had also copped his tangos "a" and "i" rasgueo, which took a little doing, and I actually used it for a continuous rasgueo on the same gig. Awhile ago, I learned a popular fandango at a seminar, and put it to use in gigs as soon as possible. I added Jason's fandango compas to that, and it definitely added aire to it.
Just a few examples of "news you can use" from the lessons. Admittedly, it's easier to get the beginner material there. But even the beginner stuff tends to be awesome. And some "beginner" stuff is humbling... there's a beginning tangos falseta that ends with some alzapua - a cakewalk for him - I'm still honing it a couple weeks later, and finally it's nearly up to tempo. My arpeggio playing needed work too, still does, but I'm a lot further ahead.
And sometimes I just listen to the advanced stuff, just to watch in sheer thrilled amazement, and almost disbelief. OMG, the bulerias stuff... un-be-lievable. And maybe I'll be able to play some of that. At some point. :) It's good to get dusted now and then, or you become complacent, as I had been.
I am highly self-motivated, so these work very well for me. Between these lessons, the incredible guitar that our own Sr. Culpepper (DeTeresa1) made for me, and DeTeresa's own superb playing skills and vocabulary, I'm way, way ahead of where I was.
Sure, I could nitpick and say I want more siquiriyas falsetas or something. But wow, these lessons have improved my playing a whole lot, and I think they could provide years of good work and great material for just about anybody.
RE: Jason McGuire's excellent lessons (in reply to chupacabra)
To bad you can't pay per lesson. I subscribed 3 times, but as a beginner I can't learn much in 1 month. A daytime job, and other responsibillities, leaves not that much room for practise....and after the month has gone it is over.
Like on Flamenco-Teacher or NewLearningVision, you pay per lesson, which will be available for the rest of your life. Perhaps Jason could provide such a subscription also.
Just my 2 cents.
But the lessons are great, I cannot disagree with that.
RE: Jason McGuire's excellent lessons (in reply to chupacabra)
Kozz, That's a valid point. I don't have a whole lot of spare time myself.
For those who have limited time, an a la carte option does sound good.
I've looked at Adam's sample lessons on NewLearningVision, and they looked very good. I have bought several of Ricardo's outstanding MP3 pieces, and I have no doubt that his lessons, whether live or recorded, would be great.
RE: Jason McGuire's excellent lessons (in reply to chupacabra)
Wow.... thanks for the great review. I understand about the a la carte thing, but I started out with the subscription model and it works for the greatest number of people. I have been performing outside of California more and everywhere I go students come up to thank me for the website and offering them a different way to learn.
Difficulty seems to be a common remark. :) Flamenco guitar really isn't an easy thing....
There are lots of beginner's books out there and there are plenty of transcriptions of famous players for the advanced.... but everyday, intermediate material.... thats the main focus of my website. Other levels get covered, but the majority of lessons fall into the intermediate category and while challenging most can get these lessons with determination and thoughtful practice and all are welcomed to send questions via my private forum.
Been to busy to post much here lately. Sorry about that. Nigel pointed me to this thread and I wanted to drop in to say thanks for the kind words.
RE: Jason McGuire's excellent lessons (in reply to orsonw)
I don't think that is true imho. At least not when I was a member. Even Jason says his site is for intermediate and up players - just look a couple of posts up.
I think Beginners would largely struggle with the material on his site.
I would thing the beginner/intermediate level would be the lowest level to start.
RE: Jason McGuire's excellent lessons (in reply to cathulu)
You're right most is higher than beginner level. But there are also basic lessons even on how to tune the guitar, introductions to various techniques and beginner compas lessons. I think it's worth a beginner signing up for a month at least.
RE: Jason McGuire's excellent lessons (in reply to chupacabra)
ok just logged in to jasons site after picking my jaw off the ground realized i wont be leaving the house for the next year... the addition of sibelius scores along with the video is just outstanding.... and the sections on cante accomp...!! still alot to discover here but cant think of any other resource more complete...
RE: Jason McGuire's excellent lessons (in reply to Mike_Kinny)
Yes, I would recommend Jason’s lessons because if you are a student it is always good to be around people who are better than you and Jason is a very good guitarist.
I, personally, am a life long student and am glad anytime I enhance my understanding, and try to learn from every situation. All I would say is do you homework.
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His amazing technique is one that never loses touch with the spiritual improvisation and direct communication style of flamenco and which does not make virtuosity a goal in itself, but communicates deep sublime emotional qualities. - Manolo Sanlucar
RE: Jason McGuire's excellent lessons (in reply to Mike_Kinny)
yes until i actually logged in i had no idea what was really available at flamencolessons.com i have an excellent teacher here in the city that i live i participate in dance classes and performances so have a real-time learning event most nights of the week
at home i do or have searched you tube for lesson material in fact that is where most of it started..other than books and dvd.. even then i found jason's lessons posted there the ones which seemed to inspire me the first thing i learnt via you tube was his sevillanas in taranta key.. maybe it was the step by step approach..ie tempo variations slow/normal plus the counting was a huge help...plus the clarity of the hands..different angles it seemed very complete, like spending time with my teacher here to a large degree had'nt really noticed that anywhere else on you tube... plus the availablity of the music/tab via sibelius scorch
would have signed up years ago if i was'nt bringing up 2 kids on my own...[money is always an issue!]
i also feel however that Corey's approach is useful as far as harmonic outlines go etc..but my main interest and need was in keeping compas...also the site offers exceptional guidance in working with baile and cante... maybe i've missed a few things on you tube but jason's material seems to be in a class of it's own...as far as lesson material goes.. also his use of musical language ie chord and scale names appeals to my sensibilities as i generally dont read tabs and like to think of things as harmonic sequences/rhythmic cadences and assign melody's to tonal scales..ie major, minor, diminished etc other than a finger pattern...though it could be learnt that way as well...
these are my views on the flamencolessons vs youtube.. will still use youtube as a learning source but more so for performances of pieces etc other than actual lessons...there's alot out there just most of it seemed lack depth, cohesion and explanation...
the other side of this i guess is that i am professional musician and have a large base of students [mainly jazz/classical etc] and am totally envious of the way this site is put together
RE: Jason McGuire's excellent lessons (in reply to chupacabra)
just from the perspective of a beginner... most of the material is too advanced for me, but there is lots of stuff there that is manageable (for example the basic compas lessons)
there is a lot to be learned from watching and reading through the intermediate lessons also though, it helps me to set my short term goals, because i see lessons that i want to tackle, and work hard towards it
RE: Jason McGuire's excellent lessons (in reply to Mike_Kinny)
quote:
Orson and Al,
Considering there are lots of free lessons floating on the net, specially youtube, do you still recommend Jason's lessons?
Yes I also use many resources, I haven't been signed up to Jason's site for a while but I was for several months. Jason's site is unique in it's approach. In my experience he's also very available to answer questions and give individual advice. All I can say is that I found it very useful and I'm sure I will sign up again at some point.
RE: Jason McGuire's excellent lessons (in reply to chupacabra)
Wow, something I said actually started a discussion! Well, first time for everything. :)
It's true, you can definitely get some benefit from his Youtube vids. But he gives you more views for each lesson. Camera angles for right AND left hands. Regular speed. Slow speed. Played while counted (IMO extremely helpful for us non-Spaniards), AND commentary. If there's somebody else doing all that, I haven't seen it. (YES, I know there might be)
And to me he has the widest range of difficulty presented: beginner up to basically infinity - stuff that even the very best players would really have trouble executing. In other words, he's not holding back, so you could basically improve forever doing this.
One phenomenal exercise is for bulerias, basically learning to stop at any point in the compas, even half-beats. You can develop killer awareness of the compas that way.
Also very cool are the raps about what it's like in an informal jam vs. a fancy performance, and general philosophy of being a band member, and so on. Not just exercises and falsetas.
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