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John Duarte: The Guitarist's Hands

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Alphonsus Jr.

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Oct 3, 2012, 8:02:07 PM10/3/12
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As I've recently returned to the classical guitar, I'm looking through my boxes of old books. I came across this one:

http://www.spanishguitar.com/Product/2305/25/The-Guitarists-Hands_Duarte,-John-W./

Any good?

Murdick

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Oct 3, 2012, 8:28:52 PM10/3/12
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here's another poser.

Alphonsus Jr.

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Oct 3, 2012, 9:23:27 PM10/3/12
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On Wednesday, October 3, 2012 5:28:52 PM UTC-7, Murdick wrote:

> here's another poser.

I know I know. But what about Duarte?

Douglas Seth

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Oct 3, 2012, 11:38:36 PM10/3/12
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On Oct 3, 8:02 pm, "Alphonsus Jr." <alphonsu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> As I've recently returned to the classical guitar, I'm looking through my boxes of old books. I came across this one:
>
> http://www.spanishguitar.com/Product/2305/25/The-Guitarists-Hands_Dua...
>
> Any good?

This is first hand information. Duarte did not solely write this book.
He wrote the text only. Luis Zea, my former teacher, provided all of
the guitar exercises. After reading the text (it was out of print shen
I was given a copy from Luis), I said to Luis that I didn't like the
"phases" ect... He said that was all "Jack's" contribution to the book
and recommended I work on a couple of the exercises a day. Luis is an
incredibly inspiring teacher and performer. Duarte could barely play
guitar at all. I did however perform some of Duarte's own guitar/voice
pieces for Duarte himself in a masterclass once. It was an odd
experience.

Alphonsus Jr.

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Oct 4, 2012, 12:09:27 AM10/4/12
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Interesting. Thanks!

Cactus Wren

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Oct 4, 2012, 12:19:11 AM10/4/12
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I did two of the "phases". I think it took me over an hour a day to do those exercises. Strangely, I am rather convinced it improved my left hand quite a bit, especially the press-and-release ex.




On Wednesday, October 3, 2012 8:38:36 PM UTC-7, Douglas Seth wrote:

Paul Magnussen

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Oct 4, 2012, 11:47:59 AM10/4/12
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Douglas Seth wrote:

> Duarte could barely play guitar at all.

He could barely play the classical guitar; he took it up too late. But
Jack's first love was Jazz, and his first instrument was trumpet. Never
the less, he got good enough on jazz guitar to play with Django
Reinhardt; Django autographed his guitar for him. Later, when the
finish became worn, Jack had the instrument repolished, and cursed
himself for ever after.

Paul Magnussen

dsi1

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Oct 4, 2012, 1:36:33 PM10/4/12
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These books are good if you want to school yourself in music without
actually playing music. I like music books instead of books about music.
Here's a great one:

http://www.amazon.com/Laurindo-Almeida-Contemporary-Classical-Guitar/dp/0769202012

This is the second time I'm buying this. The best music books tend to
fall apart from being used a lot. Is that any way to treat a book? Yes!
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