Nylon Guitarist

My Sitemap

Alphabetical Sitemap

  • Flamenco Guitar. A collection of original essays and articles by Sal Bonavita relating to flamenco.
    flamenco.html
  • FAQ about learning flamenco guitar
    faq.html
  • Flamenco metronomes. 12 beat compas metronomes that can be programmed for any accents or number of beats up to 12.
    flamenco_metronomes.html
  • Dance structure. This is typical of a typical Alegrias is structured.
    dance_structure.html
  • The capo or cejilla. This is used in flamenco to change the key or to raise or lower the pitch of the music to suit the singer's voice.
    the_capo.html
  • Blank music paper. Tab and standard notation
    blank_music_paper.html
  • Playing for dancers. How to get started with dance accompaniment.
    playing_for_dancers.html
  • What is compas. This will explain what compas is and why it is so important.
    what_is_compas.html
  • Flamenco Compas
    flamenco_compas.html
  • The compás clock. A look at the various ways of counting and internalizing the 12 beat flamenco compas. Visualizing the 12 beats on a clock face is a good way to learn compas.
    the_compas_clock.html
  • A chart showing Compas similarities between the major song forms and the lesser known ones.
    compas_similarities.html
  • A chart showing how song and dance forms naturally fall into generic compas groups.
    compas_groups.html
  • Flamenco family tree. A chart showing the origins and connections of flamenco song and dance forms
    flamenco_family_tree.html
  • Tempos and moods. A subjective look at the general emotional basis of the major forms.
    tempos_and_moods.html
  • Song regions. Flamenco song regions in Andalucia
    song_regions.html
  • Free download. Rafael Marin guitar method 1902. PDF Ebook
    rafael_marin_guitar_method.html
  • Links to Flamenco in Australia
    australian_flamenco.html
  • Traditional Vs Modern Flamenco
    traditional_vs_modern_flamenco.html
  • What flamenco is NOT
    what_flamenco_is_not.html
  • Duende
    duende.html
  • Passionless music critics
    passionless_music_critics.html
  • Manitas De Plata - Flamenco Guitarist, or Not?
    manitas_de_plata.html
  • my_friends.html
  • About my guitars. Many people have commented about the beat up looking guitar I use in my You Tube guitar videos. They want to know what brand it is. Why?
    about_my_guitars.html
  • Flamenco guitar lessons. A collection of video lessons showing various flamenco guitar techniques as well as some useful classical guitar techniques.
    flamenco_guitar_lessons.html
  • Guitar Lessons Disclaimer. I do not claim that what I do is the only way or the best way. What I teach are techniques that work for me.....
    guitar_lessons_disclaimer.html
  • Classical and flamenco guitar arpeggio lesson. How to play arpeggios In this video I cover: Types of arpeggio and exercises to develop strong and reliable arpeggio technigue 1:07 Basic thumb and 2 finger arpeggios 4:57 Forward and backward arpeggio Pima and Pami 6:03 Full arpeggio Pimami 9:12 Flamenco forward and backward broken arpeggio 11:30 Example of broken arpeggio - "Farruca" 12:55 Example from "Teachers" 13:53 Example from "The owl and the pussycat" 14:54 Examples from "Classical Gas" 17:18 Example from "Angie" 17:50 Example from "Soleares" 18:12 Example from "Alegrias" 19:40 Example from "Annies song" Full videos of apreggio demos in this video The owl and the pussycat https://youtu.be/8G6a-AYiDfg Angie https://youtu.be/f7g4Yaq-1bk Annies song https://youtu.be/vb0EXy5TYrM
    arpeggios.html
  • Classical and flamenco guitar tremolo lesson. learn nylon string guitar tremolo picking Subscribe for more guitar lessons https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmD1jwZIQ9afGjH5dwGnHow?sub_confirmation=1 This replaces the low quality video I made back in 2007 In this video I cover: Types of tremolo, Classical tremolo, two types of flamenco tremolo and exercises to develop strong and reliable tremolo technigue 0:15 Intro - classical tremolo P A M I 0:44 Nail length 1:09 The common wavy finger motion I don't use 2:07 Basic progressive exercises 3:23 Free stroke vs rest stroke thumb 4:15 Stacatto practice 6:47 Stacatto practice benefits 7:29 Sample - Romance in tremolo 8:34 Sample - Recuerdos De La Alhambra 9:08 Flamenco tremolo - P I A M I and P M A M I 11:28 Optional excersices Romance Tremolo video https://youtu.be/N7O2tD3imy8
    tremolo_mastery.html
  • How to play 4 stroke flamenco guitar tremolo. Two finger patterns are covered here. The P m a m i pattern that I prefer and the more common P i a m i .
    tremolo_mastery_part_2.html
  • A video tutorial showing practice exercises for developing strong and reliable tremolo. It shows 3, 4, & 5 finger patterns.
    tremolo_mastery_part_3.html
  • 3 simple secrets for developing tremolo speed, efficiency and accuracy.
    tremolo_mastery_part_4.html
  • Floating - Tremolo study. A study piece for developing 4 stoke flamenco tremolo technique. The video shows Pmami pattern but it can also be practiced using the more common Piami.
    tremolo_study.html
  • A guide to playing the Rumba rhythm style in the my Rumba video piece. This is based on the style of the Rumba (Tempestad) found in Juan Serrano's "Basic Techniques" book.
    rumba_rhythm_lesson.html
  • Rapid alternate picking with i and m fingers. Although the finger rests on the next string like the typical classical guitar rest stroke, picado is a much more powerful technique.
    picado.html
  • Picado hand angles
    picado_hand_angles.html
  • Rapid alternate picking with i and m fingers. Picado vs rest stroke
    picado_vs_rest_stroke.html
  • Finger robotics. A practical guide to training the fingers to do what you want. What is muscle memory? Impovising.
    finger_robotics.html
  • Rasgueado mastery is something I believe everyone can achieve. Topics covered in Part One include: What is a rasgueado is? How many different rasgueado patterns are there?... and more.
    rasgueado_mastery_part_1.html
  • Rasgueado mastery. The 6 part master key
    rasgueado_mastery_part_2.html
  • Rasgueado mastery will be speeded by these 3 exercises. How to get an even sound when playing continuous rasgueado
    rasgueado_mastery_part_3.html
  • Rasgueado mastery. Common rasgueado patterns
    rasgueado_mastery_part_4.html
  • Flamenco guitar lesson. Learn rasgueado - 4 basic finger strokes Just about any rasgueado pattern you can think of is made up of combinations of these 4 basic elements. That’s been my experience anyway. Learn these 4 building blocks and you're half way there. The video opens with a short farruca to demonstrate various combinations of different finger strokes and rasgueados. Video time stamps 00:16 demo Farruca 01:38 Basic stroke 1 Index finger strokes 02:02 Basic stroke 2 Thumb strokes 02:41 Basic stroke 3 Finger down strokes 05:52 Basic stroke 4 Golpe 07:30 triplet rasgueado
    learn_rasgueado_-_4_basic_finger_strokes.html
  • Rasgueado lesson showing how to play index strokes. This is finger down and up strokes. This very basic rasgueado is an important element of more complex patterns.
    index_strokes.html
  • 4 stroke rasgueado - e a m i. Rasgueado lesson showing three typical applications of this common flamenco strum pattern.
    4_stroke_rasgueado_-_e_a_m_i.html
  • 4 stroke rasgueado - i e a m. A video lesson showing a single i e a m 4 stroke rasgueado. Learn how to play multiple i e a m 4 stroke rasgueados played in a continuous sequence.
    4_stroke_rasgueado_-_i_e_a_m.html
  • A video lesson describing the triplet rasgueado P m P at various speeds from very slow to very fast. How to practice continuous rasgueado..
    triplet_rasgueado_p_m_p.html
  • A video showing how to help overcome the weak sound of the pinky when developing reasgueados. The pinky flick is not so much a technique as something that I found comes naturally.
    pinky_flick.html
  • Floating - Arpeggio study. A classical guitar study for developing arpeggios.
    arpeggio_study.html
  • This 2 octave C Major practice scale is a purely mechanical scale exercise you can use to build up speed in picado practice
    2_octave_c_major_practice_scale.html
  • Palmas is flamenco hand clapping. This demonstration video shows the two types, hard and soft.
    palmas.html
  • This 3 octave E Major practice scale is a good warm-up exercise to include in your daily practice routine. It's not just for flamenco of course, but it's a good excuse to practice picado
    3_octave_e_major_practice_scale.html
  • Finger symbols and rasgueado stroke directions
    finger_symbols.html
  • Fingernails 1 - Intro
    fingernails_1_-_intro.html
  • Fingernails 2 - Close up
    fingernails_2_-_close_up.html
  • Fingernails 3 - Left hand
    fingernails_3_-_left_hand.html
  • Fingernails 4 - Thumb
    fingernails_4_-_thumb.html
  • Fingernails 5 - Index
    fingernails_5_-_index.html
  • Fingernails 6 - Summary
    fingernails_6_-_summary.html
  • Nails and fingernail care. Repair broken nails
    nails.html
  • Strings. Which vrand of guitar strings are most suitable for flamenco.
    strings.html
  • Guitar. Chosing a guitar for playing flamenco.
    choosing_a_guitar_for_flamenco.html
  • A collection of original guitar videos in various styles.
    videosc.html
  • A collection of flamenco guitar videos performed by Sal Bonavita.
    flamenco_guitar_videos.html
  • 1995 video
    1995_video.html
  • Alegrias solo guitar
    alegrias.html
  • Alegrias escobilla
    alegrias_escobilla.html
  • Alegrias picado scale
    alegrias_picado_scale.html
  • Alegrias por Rosas falseta
    alegrias_por_rosas_falseta.html
  • arrastre.html
  • This is a loosely structured Bulerias with some original falsetas and some bits and pieces I learned from other people.
    bulerias.html
  • This bulerias does not pretend to mimic traditional rhythmic structures or falsetas. But it is a buleria and it IS in compas. I made sure of that with palmas rhythm pumping through my headphones. This is in A minor rather than a Phrygian mode, because I like to be different. The first falsetas are adapted from an A minor etude by Matteo Carcassi (1792-1853) Opus 60 No7. The rhythmic style and the remaining falsetas are influenced by the music of Diego del Gastor (1908-1973).
    bulerias_2020.html
  • Cafe de Chinitas
    cafe_de_chinitas.html
  • This is my version of Study in A minor (Op 60 No 7) by Matteo Carcassi (1792 - 1853) morphed it into a buleria at the end. Hence the name Carcassi Por Buleria.
    carcassi_por_buleria.html
  • Colombiana by Paco Pena from his book Toques Flamencos.
    colombiana_(el_nuevo_dia).html
  • Danza Mora. Flamenco Guitar - easy solo with tabs Danza Mora or 'Moorish dance' is a flamenco form that is heavily influenced by the Arabic style of music and dance. My video isn't a fiery display of mind bending finger gymnastics, but hopefully portrays the more subdued sections of a typical flamenco Danza Mora. I am deliberately keeping these "student" pieces short and relatively basic.
    danza_mora.html
  • This is another student piece I wrote back in 1996. El vito is a traditional dance song from Andalusia dating back to the 16th century. Although El Vito is not really flamenco, guitarists such as Paco de Lucia, Sabicas and many others have included versions on their "flamenco” albums. It was first arranged for guitar by Garcia Lorca (1898-1936), and later by the Spanish classical guitarist and composer Regino Sainz de la Maza y Ruiz (1896-1981). It is also choreographed as a flamenco dance. This is not at all surprising, since it can be counted in buleria compas (starting on 12), or simply 123-123-12-12-12.
    el_vito.html
  • Fandangos de Huelva is a popular regional species of Fandangos from the province of Heulva. A lively dance for couples reminiscent of Sevillanas. Like the Sevillanas, copla melodies follow a standard harmonic pattern set within a strict rhythmic structure.
    fandangos.html
  • An improvised Farruca solo by Sal Bonavita. It's really a typical collection of rhythm sequences and falsetas that could be used to accompany a basic Farruca dance.
    farruca.html
  • flamenco guitar album, flamenco guitar album covers, Spanish guitar album, Spanish flamenco guitar, carlos montoya flamenco, sabicas flamenco, manitas de plata flamenco, paco de lucia flamenco
    flamenco_album_covers.html
  • It's not a Zapateado. It's not a Tanguillo either.
    flamenco_bubbles.html
  • Garrotin is playful and happy festive song and dance in 2/4 time. It originated in Asturias in northern Spain. Like the Farruca, also from the north, Garrotin has slow sensuous sections, sudden stops and starts, and sections which start slow and build up to a furious pace. The story goes it was originally a song of the Lleida’s gypsies that ws later devloped into a dance guitar palo by gypies of Andalucia in the south. That's the previaling"long story short" version. This video contains only basic feel of Garrotin. It doesn't pretend to be anything else but a simple student piece. I hope you like it.
    garrotin.html
  • golpe.html
  • Golpe drills
    golpe_drills.html
  • This Granadinas is based on a study piece by Juan Martin from the book "El Arte Flamenco de la Guitarra".
    granadinas.html
  • This Granadinas is based on a study piece by Juan Martin from the book "El Arte Flamenco de la Guitarra".
    granadinas_take_2.html
  • Flamenco Tremolo section for Granadinas - tabs The tremolo pattern I use is Pmami. This tremolo section is my own composition. I used it to embellish the Juan Martin Granadinas in this video.
    granadinas_tremolo.html
  • A short Guajiras solo with basic rhythm and falsetas.
    guajiras.html
  • juan_martin_first_soleares.html
  • juan_martin_seguiriyas.html
  • La Gitanita
    la_gitanita.html
  • Left Hand Exercises
    left_hand_exercises.html
  • malaguena_variations.html
  • Noodling music
    noodling_music.html
  • Panaderos
    panaderos.html
  • I was introduced to Peteneras when I was asked to accompany a dance choreography. I was told jokingly that this was a cursed palo and some flamencos, particularly some superstitious gypsies refused to sing or dance it. The gypsies I was involved with at the time didn’t give two hoots about the curse. Anyway there’s a reason it sounds like funeral music. It is funeral music. To understand this you need to know the story behind Peteneras. These stories go back many centuries. There are different versions. The version I was told goes something like this. “The name is taken from the village of Paterna de Rivera, near Jerez de la Frontera. The superstitious legend connected with its origin endows the flamenco palo Peteneras with a certain mystique. According to this legend, a beautiful young prostitute called Dolores died a violent death at the hands of one of her lovers. Due to her irresistible power of seduction she was called the "damnation of men". For some authors, the word prostitute is a little severe and they prefer a more poetic description such as, a beautiful young temptress who stole men's hearts. After her death, songs were created around the story. The superstition surrounding Peteneras is directly connected with the misfortunes that followed later public performances. One account is of a dancer who played the part of Petenera and died a choreographed death on stage, following the story line from the legend. The four male dancers involved in the show carried her off stage on their shoulders singing, "La Petenera has died and we are taking her to be buried"... Backstage they discovered that the dancer really was dead, apparently from a heart attack. Every year in July, the people in the village of Paterna pay homage to this form of cante and to Dolores by hosting a national Peteneras song competition. There are some who believe that Peteneras was originally a song of the Sephardic Jews. The evidence comes from a verse which makes reference to a beautiful Jewess on her way to a synagogue. This would date the song back as far as 1492, which is when the Jews (and the synagogues) disappeared from Spain“
    peteneras.html
  • Picado alegrias
    picado_alegrias.html
  • Picado exercise
    picado_exercise.html
  • Rasgueado 7 tips
    rasgueado_7_tips.html
  • Rasgueado workout
    rasgueado_workout.html
  • Flamenco - Rumba - guitar solo with tab This piece based on the style of the Rumba (Tempestad) found in Juan Serrano's "Basic Techniques" book
    rumba.html
  • Herencia Latina by Paco Pena I learned this piece from the book Paco Pena's book "Toques Flamencos". This book has 10 pieces that are well worth learning. All music is written in standard notation and tab. While it's not exactly a beginners book, it does contain a wealth of traditional falsetas and rasgueado patterns. I have always liked Paco Peña's playing because it's clean and the compás is always well defined
    rumba_herencia_latina.html
  • Rumba patterns
    rumba_patterns.html
  • Flamenco Rumba -This Old Man
    rumba_this_old_man.html
  • Watercolors is a hybrid flamenco style guitar solo I put together combining flamenco rhythms with various picking styles.
    watercolors.html
  • Sevillanas - 2 coplas The first is by Paco Pena and the second (I think) is by Juan Martin.
    sevillanas_2_coplas.html
  • 2 Sevillanas
    2_sevillanas.html
  • Flamenco Guitar Solo - 5 Sevillanas This is a typical set of 5 Sevillanas you would see played and danced in a flamenco floorshow. Normally a set would have 4 Sevillanas.
    5_sevillanas.html
  • This is the first in a series of Sevillanas videos. After the performance of the Sevillanas in this video, I talk about simple substitute rhythm methods to replace the usual rasguado and golpe. What is Sevillanas Sevillanas is a a Castilian folkloric dance adopted as the regional dance of Seville. The Sevillanas originated from the 19th century style of classical dance known as Seguidillas Boleras. Going even further back, the Boleras evolved from the dance form known as Seguidillas Manchegas, popularized in the southern Castilian region of La Mancha. Sevillanas is a popular festive dance all over Andalucia. It evolved into a structured format consisting of a group of four short dances. Within each dance there is a melodic theme which is sung (or played) three times. These four dances are called coplas, or verses and they each end with a sudden stop as the dancers strike a pose. Sevillanas is unique in flamenco in that it is the only song/dance form (I know of) with a structure that never varies no matter who plays, sings or dances it. The melody, key and lyrics can be different but the basic rhythm structure never changes. It is usually the first dance leaned in a flamenco dance school. For the beginner flamenco guitarist, it's structure is easy to learn because it is counted in 3/4.
    sevillanas_1-6.html
  • Sevillanas 7 - London Bridge
    sevillanas_london_bridge.html
  • Sevillanas 8
    sevillanas_8.html
  • Sevillanas 9
    sevillanas_9.html
  • Sevillanas 10
    sevillanas_10.html
  • Slurs
    slurs.html
  • solea_compas_fills.html
  • Learn how to improvise Solea basic rhythm compas. I will show you many rhythmic variations as well as different ways to end the 12 beat compas. Solea and Soleares mean exactly the same thing. In the video I call it Soleares because this is how I learned to say it. Solea is supposedly the singular form, meaning one complete unit. Someone else - like me - might call it Soleares because they see it as a collection of falsets (melodic phrases) or letras (song verses).
    solea_compas_rhythm.html
  • Solea falseta 01
    tangos_rhythm_part1.html
  • Solea falseta 02
    solea_falseta_02.html
  • Solea falseta 03
    solea_falseta_03.html
  • Solea falsetas
    solea_falsetas.html
  • Tangos DIY part 1 - Rhythm cycle 1
    tangos_diy_part1.html
  • Tangos DIY part 2 - Rhythm cycle 2
    tangos_diy_part2.html
  • Tangos DIY part 3 - falsetas
    tangos_diy_part3.html
  • Tangos DIY part 4 - More falsetas
    tangos_diy_part4.html
  • Tangos - Flamenco guitar solo
    tangos_solo.html
  • Tanguillos (little tangos) is a happy little flamenco form with a distinctive festive feel. I put his together years ago. I used to agonise about whether I made the end sound too much like Zapateado but I don't care now. In fact Zapateado does have a similar sound and feel. The main thing is that this if fun to play and will give your right hand a good workout with rasgueados and picado passages. I hope you like it
    tanguillos.html
  • This music ia not a traditional Tarantos but it offers some interesting challenges.
    tarantos.html
  • The Godfather movie theme by Nino Rota. This is a modified version of an original flamenco style arrangent by Pepe el Tiburon.
    the_godfather.html
  • Playing rest stroke (apoyando) with the thumb is an essential flamenco guitar right hand technique. This video shows 19 daily drills to improve speed and accuracy in the right hand thumb. Playing apoyando with the thumb can be challenging at first. These exercises helped me to develop stability and stamina in the right hand generally. If your thumb is sluggish and stiff like mine was, give these drills a try.
    thumb_drills.html
  • Flamenco guitar lesson. Triplet rasgueado
    triplet_rasgueado.html
  • The arrangement Viva Espana is inspired by a track on a Canadian CD release called "Paco de Lucia and friends." It also appears on another compilation CD called, "Los Mejores Guitarras."
    viva_espana.html
  • Zapateado. A study piece by Juan Martin from the book "El Arte Flamenco de la Guitarra".
    zapateado.html
  • A collection of classical guitar videos performed by Sal Bonavita.
    classical_guitar_videos.html
  • aguado_study.html
  • Bent Fabric's simple piano foxtrot number Alley Cat is one of those tunes we all know but hardly anyone recognizes.
    alley_cat.html
  • A freestyle guitar solo based on Davey Graham's Anji. This piece should not be confused with Davey Graham's original. My version is very different which is why I spelled it Angie.
    angie.html
  • Annie's Song is a John Denver song arranged for classical guitar Arrangement by David Boddington.
    annie's_song.html
  • Acoustic Guitar Arpeggios Solo - Melodic fantasy An easy arpeggios solo for classical and flamenco guitar. It could also be played fingerstyle on a steel string acoustic guitar. I composed this one back in 2007. For some reason I subtitled it "por Farruca" at the time. I forget why. Listening again now it sounds more suitable for a children’s cartoon about rainbows and Unicorns. Whatever. It's a pretty melody that hopefully will make practicing arpeggios a little more interesting than boring exercise drills.
    apreggio_fantasy.html
  • Autumn Leaves. A Joseph Kosma song arranged for classical guitar Arrangement by David Boddington.
    autumn_leaves.html
  • beer_barrel_polka.html
  • Can't help falling in love
    can't_help_falling.html
  • Carcassi opus60 no7
    carcassi_opus60_no7.html
  • Charade movie theme - fingerstyle guitar solo with tab. Charade is a 1963 movie starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. The music was composed by Henry Mancini.
    charade.html
  • classical_gas.html
  • A short piece by Amilcare Ponchielli arranged for classical guitar by Jason Waldron. Dance of the Hours was also made into a silly song by Allan Sherman called "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh" (1963).
    dance_of_the_hours.html
  • danny_boy.html
  • This is based on "Danza" by Aaron Shearer from " Classical Guitar Technique Volume 2". The video is a straight rendition of Danza, plus an extra variation.
    danza.html
  • El Noi De La Mare The "Catalan folksong" I play here is a simple, stylized version of one of Miguel Llobet's better known arrangements, "El Noi De La Mare" (Child of the Mother). This is a traditional Catalan Christmas song. The song was made famous outside Spain by Andrés Segovia who used to perform Miguel Llobet's guitar transcription as an encore. The 5th string (A) is tuned down to G. I used to play the full version classical thing by Llobet but my fingers get all twisted up every time I try to re-learn it. In the end I gave up trying to play those complicated, classical finger twisters. I get more pleasure from the simple things in life. Along the way, I also hope I can inspire beginner classical guitar players to go on to play better than me.
    el_noi_de_la_mare.html
  • Flamingo Eyeball The 6th string is tumed to D This piece is based on "Danza" by Aaron Shearer from " Classical Guitar Technique Volume 2". The first part video is a straight rendition of Danza from the book. The rest is made up of my own variations on this repeating thumb style. The repeating bass thumb style is also commonly used in flamenco styles such as Granadinas and Malaguena, but with a thumb rest stroke.
    flamingo.html
  • A classical guitar arrangement of Feelings by Morris Albert.
    feelings.html
  • Floating tremolo. A short study piece using 4 finger flamenco tremolo style.
    floating_tremolo.html
  • God rest ye merry gentlemen - acoustic guitar. An easy Christmas solo for classical guitar beginners . For thumb practice, I included an bass melody section in the middle.
    god_rest_ye_merry_gentlemen.html
  • Greensleeves fingerstyle guitar Three styles in this interpretation 1 Simple downstrokes of the thumb, flamenco style 2 fingerpicking in a country style 3 classical rest strokes and roll chords According to wikepedia, "Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song. A ballad by the name "A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves" was registered by Richard Jones at the London Stationer's Company in September 1580. I thought that Greensleeves was composed by Henry VIII. The christmas carol "what child is this" by William Chatterton Dix was set to the music oif Greensleeves in in 1865. Me. I just think it's an interesting ditty to play on guitar.
    greensleeves.html
  • In the hall of the mountain king - Edvard Grieg - guitar solo - Free tabs This is a guitar cover of "In the Hall Of the Mountain King" by Edvard Grieg.
    mountain_king.html
  • La Playa was written by Jo Van Wetter. It was originally released in 1964 on an EP by French guitarist Claude Ciari. _____________________________________ Download the tabs and guitar pro file http://nylonguitarist.com/la_playa.html _____________________________________ Disclaimer: This arrangement is not mine. In 1978, I visited a music school in Singapore called “La Classique Guitar Music Centre” to see if I could buy some sheet music to learn. The teacher there was a really friendly man. He showed me a rack full of student pieces copied from various books and said I could take whatever I wanted with his blessing. So I did. This arrangement of La Playa was one of several pieces I selected from the rack. I could see it was page 8 of a Japanese book of classical guitar arrangements. That's all I know.
    la_playa.html
  • mi_favorita_part1.html
  • moorish_dance.html
  • Recuerdos de la Alhambra is a classical guitar tremolo solo by Francisco Tarrega.
    recuerdos_de_la_alhambra.html
  • What I play here is a modified version of Jason Waldron's arrangement of Ravel's Bolero. The original version can be found in "Popular Classics of the Great Composers. Volume 1".
    ravels_bolero.html
  • Romance. AKA Romanza or Jeux Interdits. 3 variations on a theme.
    romance.html
  • Romanza classical guitar played with block chords. In this video I explain how Romanza can be played in many different styles.
    romanza_block_chords.html
  • romance_de_amor.html
  • About this tune Romance is also known as Spanish Ballad, Romanza Espanol, Spanish Romance, Romance Anonimo, Romanza, Romance d'amour, and Jeux Interdits. Nobody really knows who composed this piece but it's now believed by some to be a pre Spanish Inquisition Jewish song. The Sephardic Jews had been in the Iberian Peninsular (Spain and Portugal) since biblical times. Throughout their history they were persecuted in one form or another and this reflects in their melancholic songs and melodies. One guy wrote to me and insisted that Romance was composed by guitarist Narciso Yepes and was French in origin. Narciso Yepes plays this music in the 1952 movie "Jeux Interdits", but if you have a good look at the credits, you will see that the tune he plays in this movie (Romance) is credited as "Traditional: arranged - Narciso Yepes."
    romance_-_tremolo.html
  • Scarborough Fair
    scarborough_fair.html
  • silent_night.html
  • Sor study 2
    sor_study_2.html
  • Sound of Bells is also known as Sons de Carilhôes. Classical guitar solo by J. Texeira Guimaraes AKA Joao Pernambuco
    sound_of_bells.html
  • Rondo is a classical guitar solo by Filippo Gragnani
    rondo.html
  • Strangers in the night is a classical guitar arrangent of a song made famous by Frank Sinatra.
    strangers_in_the_night.html
  • Classical guitar arrangent of the famous jazz piece Take five by Paul Desmond. Written in 5/4 time
    take_five.html
  • waltz_in_g.html
  • Yesterday - Easy acoustic guitar cover - with tab According to Guinness World Records, “Yesterday” has the most cover versions of any song ever written. This video is yet another cover. It never get's old. This song first on the Beatles album 'Help' in 1965. Music: Paul McCartney. Arrangement: David Boddington
    yesterday.html
  • A collection of Fingerstyle guitar videos performed by Sal Bonavita.
    fingerstyle_videos.html
  • Coney Island Cakewalk.Ragtime guitar solo by Richard Saslow. Coney Island Cakewalk is one of the pieces in the book " The Art of Ragtime Guitar". I learned it from an American hippy I met at a full moon party in Goa in 1975. He said he learned from his teacher. It was many years later I found out it was a piece by Richard Saslow. This hippy was good enough to write it down for me. His transcription is what I play so it’s not exactly what’s in Mr Saslow’s book, I do have the tabs for what I play in the video, but there are many (more authentic) tabs out there if you do a simple google search.
    coney_island_cakewalk.html
  • Maxwell's Silver Hammer. Fingerpicking Beatles song arranged by Eric Schoenberg
    maxwell's_silver_hammer.html
  • Your Mother Should Know. Fingerpicking Beatles song arranged by Eric Schoenberg
    your_mother_should_know.html
  • Freight train Elizabeth Cotten
    freight_train.html
  • Romance - Ragtime. A ragtime version of Romance AKA Romanza or Jeux Interdits,
    romance_-_ragtime.html
  • A collection of songs accompanied in various guitar styles performed by Sal Bonavita.
    songs.html
  • Alabama Rain by Jim Croce
    alabama_rain.html
  • Angel. My flamenco style version of a song recorded by Elvis Presley in the movie “Flaming Star” (1961) and later covered by Cliff Richard (1965) .
    angel.html
  • A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square. A well known romantic British popular song made famous by Vera Lynn in 1940. This is my interpretation accompanied by block chords.
    nightingale.html
  • A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square. A well known romantic British popular song made famous by Vera Lynn in 1940. This is my interpretation accompanied by block chords.
    nightingale_take_2.html
  • A Summer Song
    a_summer_song.html
  • A Tisket A Tasket - guitar Song Cover "A Tisket A Tasket" is a nursery rhyme that dates back to the late nineteenth century. The rhythm and lyrics in this video are based on the 1938 recording by Ella Fitzgerald. Lyrics A-tisket A-tasket, A brown and yellow basket I wrote a letter to my mommy On the way I dropped it I dropped it, I dropped it, Yes on the way I dropped it A little girlie picked it up And put it in her pocket She was truckin on down the avenue With not a single thing to do She went peck peck pecking all around When she spied it on the ground She took it, She took it, My brown and yellow basket And if she doesn't bring it back I think that I will die
    a_tisket,_a_tasket.html
  • Coconut woman. Flamenco style arrangement of a song made famous by Harry Belafonte.
    coconut_woman.html
  • Blue Moon
    blue_moon.html
  • Coconut woman. Flamenco style arrangement of a song made famous by Harry Belafonte.
    coconut_woman_take_2.html
  • Dance the Night Away. A flamenco style version of Dance the Night Away by the Mavericks
    dance_the_night_away.html
  • Dark Eyes. An English version of an old song written by by Ukrainian poet Yevhen Hrebinka
    dark_eyes.html
  • Dona Dona. This Yiddish song by Sholom Secunda became very popular after Joan Baez sang it with her guitar.
    dona_dona.html
  • Dead pirate song. A strange little ditty about a dead pirate getting disturbed in his grave. I wrote this about 30 years ago.
    dead_pirate_song.html
  • Drover's dream. An Australian bush ballad about a sheep drover who falls asleep on his watch and loses all the sheep. In his dream a variety of bush animals get together and party.
    drover's_dream.html
  • Everyone's gone to the moon
    everyone's_gone_to_the_moon.html
  • fireball_xl5.html
  • Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotten
    freight_train.html
  • Ghost riders in the sky johnny cash cover I based this on a version by Johhny Cash
    ghost_riders_in_the_sky.html
  • Girls Girls Girls. Words and music by Georg Kajanus 1975. When I was a little younger I thought the band Sailor was such a breath of fresh air. Apart from a mild interest in Abba and maybe ELO, they were the first musical group to really grab my attention after the Beatles disbanded. I could listen to their music all day.
    girls_girls_girls.html
  • House on the hill. An original song by Sal Bonavita about a guy who goes mad drinking seawater.
    house_on_the_hill.html
  • I Told The Brook by Billy Thorpe - Song cover This song was written by Marty Robbins and released in 1961. It was also recorded in Australia in 1965 by Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs. This is the one I first heard when I was 14. Anyway, my version is based on Billy Thorpe's record, complete with his slightly modified lyrics. Lyrics. I told the brook that runs down through the valley A secret my best friend never knew The brook told the trees and the trees told the breeze That I was in love with you The trees told the clouds hiding there by the hilltop The clouds told the moon that shone above So angry, yet blue, when they found out that you And your heart had another love The brook became angry and changed to a river Rushing so madly along The soft summer breeze that played tag with the trees Became so violent and so strong The bashful, white clouds hiding there by the hilltop Grew dark when the rain came pouring down Their hearts couldn't hide all the tears that were cried And it tossed them above the ground The storm passed on over, there's sunshine again The chains that held me are now gone The trees wave, hello, as I stand here below And the brook - sings the sweetest - song The bashful, white clouds are once again by the hilltop The sun and the moon are still my friends I promise there'll be no more heartaches for me Till I fall in love again
    i_told_the_brook.html
  • I want you, I need you, I love you. A song originally recorded by Elvis Presley
    i_want_you.html
  • I was the one. A song originally recorded by Elvis Presley
    i_was_the_one.html
  • I Will by the Beatles
    i_will.html
  • Jamaica Farewell by Harry Belafonte - fingerstyle song cover Jamaica Farewell is a Jamaican-style folk song. The lyrics for the song are by by Lord Burgess (Irving Burgie). The song first appeared on Harry Belafonte's album Calypso. Though many, including Belafonte himself, have said that the song was popular in the West Indies since long before Burgess, it is believed that Burgess compiled and modified the song from many folk pieces to make a new song, and it was Belafonte who made the song popular outside the Caribbean. Burgess acknowledged his use of the tune of another calypso, "Iron Bar". Lord Burgess (Irving Burgie) was born 1926 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. Son of a Barbadian mother and an American father. Burgess wrote the lyrics of The National Anthem of Barbados. He has also written 35 songs for Harry Belafonte. Lord Burgess has recorded the albums "Island In The Sun" and "The Father Of Modern Calypso" . Wikepedia
    jamaica_farewell.html
  • Lucille. A song by Kenny Rogers.
    lucille.html
  • Mama don't want no peas - Song cover - free tab It's a fun piece to play because of it's hypnotic repeating arpeggio pattern. Always manages to put me in a bit of a trance. "Mama don't want no peas", is a song of Bahamian origin. First recorded by Mart Britt and his Orchestra in 1932, but most famous in the version by Count Basie. The lyrics describe a woman suffering from alcoholism.The version in my video closely follows a recording by Burl Ives.
    mama_dont_want_no_peas.html
  • Dschinghis Khan - Moskau - Cover Lyrics and chords. English
    moscow.html
  • My Canary has circles under his eyes
    my_canary.html
  • "My Way" is a song with lyrics written by Paul Anka and popularized by Frank Sinatra in 1969. According to Wikipedia, "the melody is based on a French song "Comme d'habitude" composed by Claude François and Jacques Revaux." This version was recorded as I was getting over a sore throat. In the last verse I nearly choked while singing the line "and not the words", but I wasn't going to do it all again.
    my_way.html
  • Pearly Shells. A popular song based on the Hawaiian melody Pu'u o Ewa
    pearly_shells.html
  • Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps - Cuban guitar rumba - with free tabs Lesson video - learn how to play it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pMMMI9mVQs Download tab and songsheet http://nylonguitarist.com/perhaps_perhaps_perhaps.html Apart from a Cuban style rumba rhythm, this song contains several flamenco style techniques. You can learn all this in the lesson video. These include broken arpeggio, four finger rasgueado, muffled strum technique, golpe and rest stroke thumb.. "Quizas, quizas, quizas", sometimes known simply as "Quizás" (American Spanish: [kiˈsas]; "perhaps"), is a popular song by Cuban songwriter Osvaldo Farres. Farrés wrote the music and original Spanish lyrics for the song which became a hit for Bobby Capo in 1947. The English lyrics for "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" were translated by Joe Davis from the original Spanish version. The English version was first recorded by Desi Arnaz in 1948 (RCA): WIKIPEDIA
    perhaps_perhaps_perhaps.html
  • Poor boy
    poor_boy.html
  • Show me the way to go home. A song about an intoxicated bar patron trying to go home after a night of drinking.
    show_me_the_way_to_go_home.html
  • Sal Bonavita sings Suzanne by Leonard Cohen
    suzanne.html
  • Six ribbons Jon English - cover "Six ribbons" was written by Jon English in 1978. It was part of the soundtrack of an Australian TV mini series Against the Wind.
    six_ribbons.html
  • Teddybears picnic
    teddybears_picnic.html
  • The boots are made for walking - Guitar song cover Written by Lee Hazlewood and recorded by Nancy Sinatra in 1966 Song trivia: Lee Hazlewood intended to record the song himself, saying that "it's not really a girl's song", but Sinatra talked him out of it, saying that "coming from a guy it was harsh and abusive, but was perfect for a little girl to sing". Hazlewood agreed
    these_boots_are_made_for_walking.html
  • The Fox. American traditional folk song about a fox who steals geese from farmer John and takes them back to feed his family
    the_fox.html
  • The Owl and the Pussycat is a famous nonsense poem by Edward Lear, first published in 1871.
    the_owl_and_the_pussycat.html
  • The Unicorn - The Irish Rovers cover
    the_unicorn.html
  • The Whale by Fielding and Dyer 1972
    the_whale.html
  • "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" was written by Al Dubin (lyrics) and Joe Burke (music). The "Crooning Troubadour" Nick Lucas had a number one on the US charts with "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" in 1929. He introducing the song in the musical film Gold Diggers of Broadway. In 1968, Tiny Tim made the song a novelty hit in 1968 by singing it on the first episode of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In.
    tiptoe_through_the_tulips.html
  • The Wild Rover. An Irish pub song that some people believe originated in Scotland around 1830.
    the_wild_rover.html
  • what_a_wonderful_world.html
  • Waltzing Matilda - Slim Dusty Song cover - fingerstyle Waltzing Matilda by Banjo Patterson 1895
    waltzing_matilda.html
  • What now, what next, where to. A song originally recorded by Elvis Presley
    what_now,_what_next,_where_to.html
  • Contact form to send me a message
    contact.html
  • Copyright notice. Read this is you wish to use my original content in any way,
    terms.html
  • privacy_statement.html
  • About me. Just who is this Sal person anyway? Just an opinionated, upstart nobody. That's who
    about.html
  • A collection of original guitar audio and video in various styles.
    cds.html
  • Recommended books for flamenco guitar
    learn_flamenco.html
  • Recommended books for flamenco guitar
    learn_classical.html
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