Customer Reviews

DVD-The Segovia Style-Classical Guitar Of The Maestro

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are true gems to be mined in this instructional video from Eliot Fisk. Excellent insights into Segovia's approach to playing and his influence on the world of classical guitar. Some of the tips I enjoyed were the ones on arpeggios and vibrato. The only problem I have with Fisk's presentation is that he seems too focused on dazzling his viewers with his playing and not focused enough on bringing the viewer up to his level of proficiency. This video is not for beginning guitarists or even beginning classical guitarists. You need at least an intermediate skill level and probably an advanced one to benefit from it. If you simply want to watch one of Segovia's former students display the skills he learned from the maestro then you'll probably love it.

This is a well put together DVD and I would have given it 5 stars but the sound quality isn't that great. I will point out straight away though, that this DVD is NOT for a beginner. You need to be working at an advanced intermediate stage, (beyond grade 5) to be able to follow Eliot Fisk's descriptions of chord structures, rythmm and harmonies, and to be able to take his instructional content and apply it to the instrument. The pieces which he performs on the DVD, are well within reach, if you study them carefully, and don't try to play them at the speed Eliot does, you will find it useful.

When I first popped this dvd in I wasn't very impressed, probably because it offers a type of instruction that I am not very used too. He approaches the music thoroughly and with the expressive quality only the guitar can offer. He talks more about articulation and musical analysis more than any other instruction book or dvd I've encountered. It's kinda along the lines of the Parkening method in the way he gives so many little tips about the pieces he's playing but Eliot takes it up a notch. This is NOT for the beginner!!!! But if you want a glimpse into how an atonishing player like Eliot Fisk approaches his craft this is a must have. He brings to light the nuances that you won't find anywhere else that will make you that much closer to sounding like our heroes. I absolutely love this dvd.

This instructional DVD was very helpful in getting me (or the student) up to par on where a gifted guitarist should be. In other words, a gifted guitarist should think about each note or chord, in a given song, as a familiar phrase that can be strung into a nice chain of events. Each chord has a name. Bach may throw an A minor or a G maj7 in a chain of events. It's up to you to learn what chord is being played. For years I've been reading chords without knowing the name for each chord. Once a guitarist is on Mr. Fisk's level, they should understand music theory to the point where each given chord can be named. Once you know what you're playing, you'll have a better understanding on why a given song sounds good -- or sounds bad.

Instead of playing a group of notes per measure, try and see the chord you're playing. Your memory will improve and you'll be able to put the written work down and play by ear. This is what I've learned from Eliot Fisk in this DVD. Go ahead and buy it. Five Stars!!!!

A quote straight from the DVD:
"Just wiggle it until it feels right"

Who could argue with that? :)

First and foremost Fisk is presenting the "Segovia" style of teaching classical guitar. It was automatically understood (by Segovia) that the student already held an advanced level of musical understanding, and that the student is able to model Segovia's instructions immediately. Watch a Segovia masterclass and you'll see he basically has the student play the assigned piece, gives them constructive critque, and expects them to make the necessary corrections to meet his approval. That's "Segovia's" style.

Segovia's style is "old school" and many in today's nuturing/partnership pedagogy may find it difficult to adapt to this method of instruction. Fisk does an exemplary job of modeling Segovia's teaching technique. Although Fisk is still "learning" to be a teacher, after all he is primarily a performer, he presents Segovia's music just as if you were a student in his masterclass. The most valuable information Fisk provides in this dvd is actually beyond the playing itself and is in the dynamics and techniques Segovia used to achieve many of his unique sounds.

Be warned if you are a beginner: This DVD is NOT a beginner study, it is not an intermediate either. As the other reviewers correctly note, this dvd will challenge the advanced classical guitarist. If you are an advanced intermediate guitarist, this dvd will truly challenge you, and if you can get to the point that you are playing with Fisk, you can claim self-promotion to the advanced level of playing. I myself frankly am not at the point of being able to play these pieces - yet. I would estimate that with consistent study I would think it not out of reach to be able to play with proficiency these pieces within six months to a year (that's also continuing my formal classical studies as well).

If you are a classical guitarist who desires to progress in your playing skills, moving from the intermediate to the advanced (even concert performance) levels, then this dvd is for you. Mastery of these pieces is easily at the concert skill level. If you are a beginner or intermediate student who really wants to play songs and some exercises/etudes, then this dvd may be a stretch to accomplish. Although, I think that this dvd should be in your library, if for nothing else, inspiration.