Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Homespun Video
• VHS Release Date: July 1, 1997
• Run Time: 75 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304696086
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,997 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Acoustic Guitar, June 1998

Hand offers solid advice on the basics before covering more advanced topics. This lesson with a master teacher could provide years of inspiration.

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 explorationof 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.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Down to Earth Instruction, November 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Classical Guitar Techniques & Musicianship - Taught by Frederic Hand [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Although I have yet to buy other classical guitar instruction videos, I rated this one a 5 because it was just what I was looking for. Mr. Hand is very down to earth and reviews from the very beginning basics to more advanced techniques. What I found most useful was his focus on learning to relax and enjoy making music. Also, his tips regarding speed and dexterity have actually help improve my technique with arpeggios and tremolo. It didn't really hit me until a couple weeks after watching the video. As a bonus the sheet music for the material used on the video comes with it.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for the Beginner...Interesting and Challenging, January 19, 2002

By 

L. Bernard (Nanaimo, BC Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classical Guitar Techniques & Musicianship - Taught by Frederic Hand [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video serves as a practical demonstration on the basic techniques of playing the classical guitar for the beginning guitarist. Sound reinforcement is provided to the more advanced player on the importance of maintaining proper playing techniques as speed and agility improve with practice.

Reading musical notation will definately enhance your enjoyment of this work as the scores for all the pieces played are provided in an easy to read booklet with corresponding tablature.

The pace rolls along quite quickly as one would expect with a single video presentation. Some pieces are well above a beginner, or even an intermediate, player's ability. All is not lost, however, as by doing so, Mr. Hand clearly makes his point about the technique and dexterity needed to master an advanced piece like Dowland's, "Lady Hunsden's Puffe", which he plays beautifully.

I have no regrets in purchasing this video. It's very well done and gets rewound quite a bit.

Whether you're just starting out, or somewhere down the road, this tape will be a valuable reference with an interesting range of material that will challenge most players at some point.