As a pianist/violinist I can tell this video is spitting absolute gold nuggets of guitar wisdom. The internet is a marvelous place. Thank you very much for sharing
Your explanations on varying the rhythms was amazing! I’m a few months into my Tremolo journey, and I can see so much more clearly now what I should focus on, moving forward. Excellent video!
I enjoyed this more than you can know. I am only now arriving at the point to begin Tremolo. Your tips will be invaluable. Unfortunately, I do not know enough to suggest further videos, but when I do, I'll let you know.
Good video Manus! I'm sure many will find this highly instructive. I have a few suggestions if I may though. I am a university professor of music, composer, theorist, musician, and guitarist. In fact, the teacher I had when I was earning my undergraduate degree (some time ago) in classical guitar performance was also a former teacher of David Russell. He didn't share the same idea of the "accent the a-finger technique" that you suggest here. I do see how you bring your idea into fruition when the music is realized though, so if this approach helps one to develop a technique that allows one to cleanly play tremolo lines, I have no qualms! At (2:42) ff, you mention a "bass line" and a "tremolo melody" as if this piece was in two voices. "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" by Francisco Tárrega is scored in three voices (a3). The bass line is comprised of only the lowest two bass notes throughout (mostly in parallel 5ths - very "Spanish folk style," as there is no attempt at conventional counterpoint), the actual melody sits just beneath the tremolo voice, opening on scale degree 3 (written as C5) in measure 1, and closes on scale degree 1 (written as A4) in the final measure as most tonal compositions do, and the tremolo line (merely an accompanying line) sits in the highest voice as a static and effective "glistening line" to offset the other two voices. Projecting the true melody is the challenge amid the contrasting bass and tremolo lines. It should be heard as the loudest and most prominent of the three voices. This is what I believe Tárrega's aim is with his composition; quite a task indeed for most! Playing the true melody alone will give one the understanding, direction, and goal of this piece. The bass and tremolo lines are simply accompanying lines to support the alto melody woven within.
Thank you, A real explanation of the tremolo method. I am about to set out on playing tremolo so this is an optimum video for my future capability. Andy
very excellent Great tips. Please also explain about the timing of the speed increase. For example, I start with a speed of 50 and train for half an hour every day. So when should I increase the speed to 60? When to 70, 80 and... this is a big challenge for me.
This was excellent, would love the video suggestions you mentioned. Also specifically one on hammer on and pull off technique would be great, I’m struggling with that personally
Thank you very much for this lesson. I just ordered your book and am looking forward to it. My difficulty, which I have never seen mentioned is that I can get the speed up to almost tempo but can never actually get it there. There is a point that it just starts to feel like I'm flailing at the strings and I lose control. If you could address that in another video, I would be most grateful.
Hope you enjoy the book! It would be hard to advise without seeing you play in person. I would recommend using a metronome to very slowly increase the tempo, and you might be able to figure out at what exact point your tremolo loses some of its control...practice lots around whatever metronome mark that that might be, and then increase slowly when you're ready to.
Thanks very much, your explaining is very clear. Can you comment on doing the tremolo on different cords, like the b-cord one uses with the Recuerdos de la Alhambra? Ronald Zwaan.
Thanks for this video .I recognize good guidance after and during the struggles with tremolo.Yes ,do more if you like .I wonder from your teaching if you have noticed any good ways to increase speed??I also find D.Russel one of the most useful on line YT teachers .Peace n love .
Hi James, thanks very much for the comments! Maybe I'll make a video on this. Usually a metronome will help, deliberately pushing yourself past what you are comfortable with. Also doing exercises with sudden, controlled bursts of speed.
Thanks for the tutorial - great to see you demonstrating some of the ideas in your book, (which I highly recommend!) Any chance that you could elaborate on your approach to tremelo on the inner strings? 👍
Thanks Shaun! For the inner strings, you might need to adapt a slightly different angle (slightly flatter wrist, *ever so slightly*) to avoid hitting the E string. Planting exercises will help, as will just practicing a m i triplets alone on the B string will help
Really interesting! Re "The Secret"...But is there another reason why the middle finger gets an accent? It's longer than the "i" and "a" fingers and so needs to approach the string slightly differently to the fingers either side of it....
Manus: This is a very good film, Sir. :) It would be excellent to see a "no stone unturned mathematical" instructional film of speed development of the Villa Lobos Etude No. 1 right hand pattern. We have yet to see films that show "How" to do it. For example, repetitions such as first note to last note as, "1,2,3,4". 1,2,3,4,5,6,7". Or descending only "1,2,3,4,5", "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8". These are only examples of course. And, we have yet to see any film of the Etude No. 1 address very specific metronome marking increases. Such as starting at 60, the moving to 66, then 72....In a day for three days ? In a day for four days ? THEN moving the M.M. up every two days, etc. What we have never seen is a instructional film that addresses the "dogmatical" approach to the mechanical increase of speed for the Etude No. ! If you could do this, it would be terrific. :) We all thank you for an excellent film. :) Antoine.
just checked in Pepe Romeros LA GUITARRA technique guide from 2012, page 86 he explains tremolo:" the thumb,which is playing the beat,is the resolution of the cycle not the beginning. a finger is the singer of the melody,and the m-i sustains the note created by a."
Just my two cents here. The most important part of playing a tremolo is the flex release aspect, particularly in the 'a' finger. It's not important that the fingers move fast. I've seen a lot of good tremolos with slow looping fingers. Because you are playing four notes per click, even in a fast tremolo the individual fingers move pretty much in slow motion. I notice your 'i' comes out almost straight. I've seen a lot of good tremolos with that motion.
Very good point there, definitely one I would mention if I ever did a full scale 'tremolo from scratch' video. Yeah my fingers go pretty flat and straight, which can make it tricky to control on the inner strings!
@@ManusNoble1988 But it may be what makes it work. Like I said, I've seen this in a lot in good tremolos. This motion is more feel than anything else. When I taught guitar (I'm retired now), I usually had them play it fast and when they could do that without fatigue, I then had them slow it down to even it out. Playing it slow can drive the feel away.
It comes naturally to a lucky few! Such a strange technique that people obsess over, despite the fact that there are only a few tremolo pieces worth playing haha
I think significant point is the balance between the thumb and p m i of the tremelo. Two main things achieve the balance: 1. Play the bass notes as a pick up to the tremelo as he suggests, with the accent on the ring finger. 2. The bass notes are rarely the melody, so should probably be more quiet and have a tone that contrasts with the tremelo. I think that’s what you were asking about?
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I am a bedroom player practicing all these by myself. It is great to hear the same advises from a great teacher. Thank you.
Thanks!
Hi, I am a living room player! Nice to meet you 😂 (used to be a bathroom player growing up)
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
As a pianist/violinist I can tell this video is spitting absolute gold nuggets of guitar wisdom. The internet is a marvelous place. Thank you very much for sharing
You're very welcome!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
This is without question the most direct, practical, and accurate lesson on tremelo I’ve seen on RUclips. Fantastic lesson.
Your explanations on varying the rhythms was amazing! I’m a few months into my Tremolo journey, and I can see so much more clearly now what I should focus on, moving forward. Excellent video!
You are an excellent professor. Thank you for your lecture. More grease to your elbow and more wisdom always. Amen
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Thank you, been trying to get my flamenco, classical, and sanlucar tremolos to be smoother
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Yes please do a detail Tremolo from scatch. Thank you.
I'll see what I can do!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
I enjoyed this more than you can know. I am only now arriving at the point to begin Tremolo. Your tips will be invaluable. Unfortunately, I do not know enough to suggest further videos, but when I do, I'll let you know.
Thanks very much - good luck with the practice!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Subscribed for the machine gun accuracy. Thats was really cool
Learnt a lot from this video! Thank you so much! I will check out your book on tremolo! I'd also like to know how to practice for solid slurs :)
Thanks! Glad it helped. I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest.
will definitely try these as i make all the mistakes you have so usefully and excellently highlighted - thank you !!
You're very welcome
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Good video Manus! I'm sure many will find this highly instructive. I have a few suggestions if I may though. I am a university professor of music, composer, theorist, musician, and guitarist. In fact, the teacher I had when I was earning my undergraduate degree (some time ago) in classical guitar performance was also a former teacher of David Russell. He didn't share the same idea of the "accent the a-finger technique" that you suggest here. I do see how you bring your idea into fruition when the music is realized though, so if this approach helps one to develop a technique that allows one to cleanly play tremolo lines, I have no qualms!
At (2:42) ff, you mention a "bass line" and a "tremolo melody" as if this piece was in two voices. "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" by Francisco Tárrega is scored in three voices (a3). The bass line is comprised of only the lowest two bass notes throughout (mostly in parallel 5ths - very "Spanish folk style," as there is no attempt at conventional counterpoint), the actual melody sits just beneath the tremolo voice, opening on scale degree 3 (written as C5) in measure 1, and closes on scale degree 1 (written as A4) in the final measure as most tonal compositions do, and the tremolo line (merely an accompanying line) sits in the highest voice as a static and effective "glistening line" to offset the other two voices.
Projecting the true melody is the challenge amid the contrasting bass and tremolo lines. It should be heard as the loudest and most prominent of the three voices. This is what I believe Tárrega's aim is with his composition; quite a task indeed for most! Playing the true melody alone will give one the understanding, direction, and goal of this piece. The bass and tremolo lines are simply accompanying lines to support the alto melody woven within.
Yes, certainly something I would go into if it were looking at the pieces in depth! Glad you enjoyed.
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Thank you, A real explanation of the tremolo method. I am about to set out on playing tremolo so this is an optimum video for my future capability. Andy
You're welcome Andy!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
very excellent Great tips. Please also explain about the timing of the speed increase. For example, I start with a speed of 50 and train for half an hour every day. So when should I increase the speed to 60? When to 70, 80 and... this is a big challenge for me.
This was excellent, would love the video suggestions you mentioned. Also specifically one on hammer on and pull off technique would be great, I’m struggling with that personally
Thanks! I'll definitely keep that in mind for a future video!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Thank you very much for this lesson. I just ordered your book and am looking forward to it. My difficulty, which I have never seen mentioned is that I can get the speed up to almost tempo but can never actually get it there. There is a point that it just starts to feel like I'm flailing at the strings and I lose control. If you could address that in another video, I would be most grateful.
Hope you enjoy the book! It would be hard to advise without seeing you play in person. I would recommend using a metronome to very slowly increase the tempo, and you might be able to figure out at what exact point your tremolo loses some of its control...practice lots around whatever metronome mark that that might be, and then increase slowly when you're ready to.
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
THANK YOU! That's really great!
You're welcome!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Thanks very much, your explaining is very clear. Can you comment on doing the tremolo on different cords, like the b-cord one uses with the Recuerdos de la Alhambra? Ronald Zwaan.
Glad you enjoyed! I will certainly do a more in depth look in future. Which b-chord are you referring to?
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Thanks for this video .I recognize good guidance after and during the struggles with tremolo.Yes ,do more if you like .I wonder from your teaching if you have noticed any good ways to increase speed??I also find D.Russel one of the most useful on line YT teachers .Peace n love .
Hi James, thanks very much for the comments! Maybe I'll make a video on this. Usually a metronome will help, deliberately pushing yourself past what you are comfortable with. Also doing exercises with sudden, controlled bursts of speed.
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Thanks for the tutorial - great to see you demonstrating some of the ideas in your book, (which I highly recommend!) Any chance that you could elaborate on your approach to tremelo on the inner strings? 👍
Thanks Shaun! For the inner strings, you might need to adapt a slightly different angle (slightly flatter wrist, *ever so slightly*) to avoid hitting the E string. Planting exercises will help, as will just practicing a m i triplets alone on the B string will help
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Thanks for part two! - really appreciate the insights into your approach 👍
Great video! More on tremolo please!
Will do!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Great video thanks! Lightbulb moment for me with the middle finger accent... What mic are you using?
So sorry, I never saw this comment! I'm using a pair of AKG XLS 414s
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Will check it out - also saw Stephen Hill stared your video, I also play a Hill lattice!
Excellent!!
Glad it was useful!
Excellent video thank you!
You're welcome!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Really interesting! Re "The Secret"...But is there another reason why the middle finger gets an accent? It's longer than the "i" and "a" fingers and so needs to approach the string slightly differently to the fingers either side of it....
Perhaps, not sure about that one, but maybe! I suppose it is at risk of coming too far underneath the string.
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
@@ManusNoble1988 thanks for the update! I look forward to checking it out tomorrow.
Great video dude!
Thanks very much!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
@@ManusNoble1988fantastic, heading over to that video now!
Manus:
This is a very good film, Sir. :) It would be excellent to see a "no stone unturned mathematical" instructional film of speed development of the Villa Lobos Etude No. 1 right hand pattern. We have yet to see films that show "How" to do it. For example, repetitions such as first note to last note as, "1,2,3,4". 1,2,3,4,5,6,7". Or descending only "1,2,3,4,5", "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8". These are only examples of course. And, we have yet to see any film of the Etude No. 1 address very specific metronome marking increases. Such as starting at 60, the moving to 66, then 72....In a day for three days ?
In a day for four days ? THEN moving the M.M. up every two days, etc. What we have never seen is a instructional film that addresses the "dogmatical" approach to the mechanical increase of speed for the Etude No. !
If you could do this, it would be terrific. :) We all thank you for an excellent film. :) Antoine.
Interesting, I'll consider it for sure!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
I wonder how this lesson translates to flamenco guitar which adds the index finger in first, before the ring finger.
Definitely a blind spot in my technique, flamenco is!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
@@ManusNoble1988 Cool, thanks!
What are you doing differ with your thumb?
Thanx
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Hi Manus, when will you be posting a video on brewing the perfect cup of tea?
When I reach a million subscribers! I don't drink tea, so it's got to be a pretty big milestone to earn that video haha
just checked in Pepe Romeros LA GUITARRA technique guide from 2012, page 86 he explains tremolo:" the thumb,which is playing the beat,is the resolution of the cycle not the beginning. a finger is the singer of the melody,and the m-i sustains the note created by a."
There you go! I never knew he thought the same. Crazy that nobody teaches it this way.
Just my two cents here. The most important part of playing a tremolo is the flex release aspect, particularly in the 'a' finger. It's not important that the fingers move fast. I've seen a lot of good tremolos with slow looping fingers. Because you are playing four notes per click, even in a fast tremolo the individual fingers move pretty much in slow motion. I notice your 'i' comes out almost straight. I've seen a lot of good tremolos with that motion.
Very good point there, definitely one I would mention if I ever did a full scale 'tremolo from scratch' video. Yeah my fingers go pretty flat and straight, which can make it tricky to control on the inner strings!
@@ManusNoble1988 But it may be what makes it work. Like I said, I've seen this in a lot in good tremolos. This motion is more feel than anything else. When I taught guitar (I'm retired now), I usually had them play it fast and when they could do that without fatigue, I then had them slow it down to even it out. Playing it slow can drive the feel away.
@@Lutemann good points!
I've just released part two of this video, if that's of interest!
Manolo Sanluca
....just a reminder: Pepe Romero has been teaching and explaining the tremolo to start from the ring finger for decades( also to see on youtube)
Never seen, thanks for the message! Good that he is teaching that, so far I have never seen anyone else mention it.
I've never really practiced tremolo but can do it because it just eventually comes with overall control of the right hand after YEARS of practice.
It comes naturally to a lucky few! Such a strange technique that people obsess over, despite the fact that there are only a few tremolo pieces worth playing haha
Another tremolo guru?
My pro tip:
Don't get carpal tunnel syndrome!
Absolutely, so many guitarists get injured doing too much tremolo. I injured myself also!
I don’t understand; so frustrating.
What are you doing that is different different with your thumb?
I think significant point is the balance between the thumb and p m i of the tremelo. Two main things achieve the balance: 1. Play the bass notes as a pick up to the tremelo as he suggests, with the accent on the ring finger. 2. The bass notes are rarely the melody, so should probably be more quiet and have a tone that contrasts with the tremelo. I think that’s what you were asking about?