This new book is 22 pages longer than the earlier book (Guitarra Magica). It is a greatly improved method over the original. It deals with the technical aspects of playing the Lisbon style Portuguese guitar and focusses on the Fado major and fado menor. It eliminates the folkloric (non-fados) examples which were in the Guitarra Magica. Everything is explained is clear detail. The CD is a tremendous aid to learning and internally all of the material. When you can actually hear how the written music notation sounds, you learn more easily; when you can see where you put your fingers in the tablature diagrams you can have confidence in what you are doing. This book will give you a good foundation for learning the Portuguese guitar.
This book written in Portuguese, English and French. The materials in this book are coordinated with audio material on the CD starting with the exercises.
Here is the complete contents:
page 1-2 Title page
page 3 Copyright information for this book and its CD
page 4 - 5 Detailed Index
page 6-7 Author Memories (a background of the author)
page 8 Fado Origins
page 9 Parts of the Fado Guitarra (with chart)
page 10 Playing position (with photos)
page 11 Chart of the fingerboard along, with the musical notes at each fret
page 12 How ro read music
page 13 How to tune the guitarra with a piano, uning fork or pitch pipe
page 14-15 How to internall tune the guitarra--thatis, from one srig to another
page 16 How to loop the strings end, with a string winder, with a wire hook or with 2 coins
page 17 How to attach looped string to the bottom of the guitar and to the machine heads
page 18 Information about the plastic fingerpicks (artifical fingernail)
page 18-19 The free stroke and the rest stroke for the right hand index finger. How to rest your fingers on the pickguard
page 20 Information of how to read tablature
page 21 Exercise 1, 2 and 3. These exercises are coordinated with the CD; they show (in notation, tablature and by sond on the CD) the open strings on the guitar
page 22 Exercise 4 to 8. These exercises show how to count note value.
page 23 Exercise 9. Introduces accidental, that is, sharps, flates, double sharps, double flates and naturals.
page 24 Explains the notation used for the left hand
page 25-26 Exercises 10 through 15 show the chromatic notes on all of the strings for the first 4 frets.
page 27-28 Exercises 16 through 27 are exercises on all of the strings to facilitate learning the notes.
page 29-32 How to count eight notes (quavers in British). Exercises 28 to 39 deal with playing eight notes with the index finger moving in and out (up and down like a pick)
page 32 Starts the explanation of major scales. Exercise 40 and 41
page 33-34 Starts the explanatio of major and minor chord structures
page 35 Explains the tonality of D major
page 36 Exercises 43 and 44 are exercises whihc demonstrate how to use both the index finger and the thumb.
page 37 to 39 Here is a detailed explanation about how to play the Traditional Fado in D Major (that is, how to play Fado Maior (em Re Maior). This piece has the Portuguese guitarra and the vocal part in notation and tablature and it has the viola (Spanish-type "guitar") accopaniment in notation.
page 40-41 Execise 46 show 9 ways to pick the arpeggio for the Fado Maior.
page 42 Show the tonality of D minor. With examples in exercises 47 and 48
page 43-45 Here is a detailed presentation on playing the Fado Menor (like that given for the Fado Maior)
page 46-47 Exercise show 8 ways to pick the arpeggio for the Fado Menor
page 48-49 Here in exercise 51, a complete Fado Maior in D Major is presented along with some variations.
page 50-51 Here in exercise 52, a complete Fado Menor in D Minor is presented with some variations.
page 52 Exercise 53 show how to play an arpeggiated fado in A minor
page 53 Show the complete chromatic scale on all 6 courses
page 54-55 Exercises 54-59 shows ascending and descending chromatic scales on all 6 strings (courses)
page 56-57 Exercises 60-71 shows the 12 major scales
page 58-59 Exercises 72 to 83 shows the 12 melodic menor scale
page 60 Exercises 84 and 85 shows rhythmic patterns to practice with scales
page 61 Presents the barring technique for the left hand
page 62 Presents symbols used to identify chords
page 63 Explains how to understand chord symbols used in this method
pages 64-67 Presents chords tonic, subdominat and dominant seventh chords used in each major and minor key
page 68-69 An extensive chart showing 24 types of (perfect and dissonant) chords used in each key
page 70 How to execute several chords with the same finger positions
page 71-72 An advertisement for the forthcoming second book by Eurico Cebolo on the Portuguese Guitar
page 73 A small biography of the author
Book 2 with CD and DVD
page 3-5 Author's statement
page 6 Musical intervals--seconds
page 7 Musical intervals--thirds and fourths
page 8 Musical intervals--fifths and sixths
page 9 Musical intervals--sevenths and octaves
page 10 Intervals on every string
page 11 Appeggios
page 12-13 Arepegiated Fado (D major)
page 14 How to Transpose Musical Keys (Change Tonalities)
page 15 Arpeggiated Fado (A major)
page 16 Slurs--Ascending and Descending, On 2 strings
page 17 Triplets
page 18-19 Variations of Traditional Fado Picking Patterns (D major)
page 20-21 Variations of Traditional Fado Picking Patterns (D minor)
page 22 Major Chords--D, Eb, E, F
page 23 Minor Chords--Dm, Ebm, Em, Fm
page 24 Major Chords--A, Bb, B, C
page 25 Minor Chords Am, Bbm, Bm, Cm
page 26 Diminished 7th Chords and their Inversions
page 27 Dimished 5th Chords and Augmented 5th Chords
page 28 Ornamentations (Embellishments)--Vibrato
page 29 Mordent
page 30 Portamento
page 31 Glissando, Staccato
page 32 Tremolo--trill or Shake
page 33-35 Fado da Freira
page 35 Note on Musical Introductions
page 36-38 Fado Alberto--Não Sou Quem Tu Desejas
page 39-41 Fado Puxavante--Meu Coração Não Tem Cura
page 42-44 O Fado Não Se Deitou
page 45-47 Fado Cravo
page 47-51 Fado Bailado--Estanha Forma de Vida
page 52-53 Style of Mouraria in A Major
page 54 Styles of Mouraria in A Minor
page 55-7 Fado Marceneiro--Há Festa Na Mouraria
page 58-60 Fado Da Azenha
page 61-63 Fado Perseguição
page 64-66 O Milagre das Velas (by Eurico Augustas Cebolo)
page 67-69 O Relógio do Padre (by E.A. Cebolo)
page 70-74 Fado Patterns in Key of G Major (these left hand patterns in G can easily be trasnposed)
page 75 Scales in major and Minor 3rds
page 76 Finger patterns for Diminished 7th
page 77 Fado Dançado (written music with tablature)
page 78-79 Explanation about Fado Dançado
Sons de Lisboa (Sounds of Lisbon) and CD by Márcio Silva, $60+ shipping
Front Cover, Back Cover, DVD
This book includes 7 famous solo pieces for the Portuguese Guitar (guitarra portuguesa). It is written in standard music notation and tablature.
Here are the contents.
Elementary knowledge
page 8 the Coimbra and Lisboa Guitar
page 9 Diagram showing parts of the Lisboa Guitarra
page 10 Tuning of the Guitarra
page 11 All of the notes on the fingerboard
page 12 Description of left and right hand fingers
page 13 Use of special fingerpick (unhas postiças)
page 14 Holding position of the guitar
page 15 Right hand position
page 15-16 Left hand position
page 17 Right hand strokes
page 18 Dedilho technique,
page 19 The process of Tuning: with an electronic tuner or between strings
page 20 Reading Tablature notation
page 21 Peças ( List of Musical Pieces in this book--see immediately below)
page 22-24 Balada da Saudade by Casimiro Ramos (this piece and the other are written in notation and tablature and can be heard on the CD
page 25-20 Nocturno by Casimiro Ramos
page 31-37 Vira de Frielas by José Nunes
page 38-44 Variações em Mi (Variations in E minor) by Armando Freire (AKA the famous Armandinho) and José Nunes (also famous)
page 45-53 Variações em Si Menor by José Nunes
page 54-61 Guitarrra de Lisboa by Manuel Marques
page 62-72 Variações em Ré (Variations in D) by Armando Freire (Armandinho)
The price for Book 1 (Cebolo) with the CD is $50, Book 2 (Cebolo) with CD and DVD is $60, Sons de Lisboa (Sounds of Lisbon) with CD is $60 plus $7.00 for shipping for 1 book in the United States, shipping for 1 book is $9 to Canada. For shipping of several books or to other countries contact me.
Mail money order or international postal money order (if you are outside the U.S.) to: Fernandez Music, P.O. Box 5153, Irvine, CA 92616
We accept VISA and MasterCard. Contact us for how to send credit card information.
If you wish to e-mail me, click on my address: mailto:ron@fernandezmusic.com
As of November 2012, the following books by Soares and Cebolo are still out of print. I include the information below so players can know that they exist(ed) and perhaps they can find old copies of them.
As of mid December 2006 I am out of the Soares method book and I have been told by Paolo Soares that his stock is exhausted but that he intends to revise the book and print another edition. When I have more copies I will note it on this site.
The first book is a masterpiece and the essential work for learning the Coimbra style portuguese guitarra. It is called Método de Guitarra Portuguesa: Bases para a Guitarra de Coimbra (Portuguese Guitar Method: basic techniques for the Coimbra Guitar) It was written by Paolo Soares, a fine performer and recognized teacher living in Coimbra. This method book was highly praised by guitarrists in Portugal when it appeared.
For several years after its original publication (1997), the Soares method book was very difficult to obtain. In 1999 I went to Lisbon to the distributor who had been out of stock for 6 months. In 2004 I was finally able to obtain copies directly from the author. This book has 154 pages, it is written in Portuguese and has a side by side excellent translation into English. The explanations of the playing techniques and notes on interpretation are very clear, authentic and professional. The transcriptions included in this work are of famous pieces from the Coimbra style repertorie.
The musical selections include: Canto de Amor composed by Carlos Paredes, Valsa (Waltz) by Gonçalo and Artur Paredes, Estudio I by Paolo Soares, O Meu Menino song accompaniment by Paolo Soares, Dança Palaciana by Carlos Paredes, Canção by Carlos Paredes, Canto de Embalar by Carlos Paredes, Aguarela Portuguesa by Antonio Portugal, Balada do Mondego arranged by Artur Paredes, Estudo em Lá Maior arranged by António Pinho de Brojo, Variações sobre o Mondego by Gonçalo Paredes arranged by Carlos Paredes, Melodia no. 2 by Carlos Paredes. These first rate transcriptions are presented in both standard music notation and tablature (cifra).
For those who don't know, I should say that Carlos Paredes is considered a national treasure of Portugal for his wonderful contributions to the Coimbra guitarra. Carlos was the son of Artur Paredes who was regarded as a genius of the instrument. Gonçalo Paredes is highly regarded for his compositions.
If you are serious about the Coimbra guitarra this is the book for you (unfortunately the 1st and 2nd editions are out of print). Price for the 1st and 2nd edtions were $90 plus shipping (see below for details)
The Guitarra Magica (now permently discontinued) is written in Portuguese, English and French. It is a very basic method (46 pages). It includes a very extensive chord chart in all keys, basic chord sequences, and major and minor scales. It includes some simple Portuguese songs and a few simple fado variations. It does not adequately describe the right hand techniques for modern Portuguese guitar. It demonstates a right hand arpeggio technique which is like that used on Spanish classical guitars. Very frankly, my explanation in the internet lesson of the right hand technique is more authentic than what is presented in this book. Nevertheless, his book is a starting point and will be of use to someone who wants to learn the basic left hand chords and other introductory information. [The new book by Cebolo described above has solved the deficiencies of the Guitarra Magica.]
This book includes the following in Portuguese, English and French:
page 3 Parts of the guitarra (with chart
page 4 Playing position (with photos)
page 5 Chart of the fingerboard
page 6 How ro read music
page 7, 8, 9 How to tune the guitarra
page 10 The right hand
page 11 Exercises on the 6 open strings
page 12 The left hand
page 13 Exercises on the six strings
page 14 Intervals of seconds, thirds, the left hand bar
page 15 Intervals of fourths, fifths, sixths
page 16 Intervals of sevenths, octaves, accidentals
page 17 Intervals on each strings (chart), sharps, flats, naturals
page 18 Chromatics scale on six strings, the notes on the 6th string, the 5th string
Page 19 Notes on the 4th 3rd, 2nd, 1st strings
Page 20 Major scale construction, the 12 major scales
Page 21 Minor melodic scale construction, the 12 minor scales
Page 22 1/8 notes (quavers) and rests with 6 exercises
Page 23 Short music examples from Portuguese folklore: Papagaio Loiro (Blond Parrot and Tres Pombinhas (Three Little Pigeons)
Page 25 Written Music: Fado em Re Maior (Fado in D major)
Page 26 Written Music from Portuguese folklore: As Pombinhas da Cat'rina (Catherines Doves) and Mangerico (Basil)
Page 27 Written Music: Fado em Re menor (Fado in D minor)
Page 28 Written Muisc: Fadinho arpejado (Arpeggio Fado)
Page 29 Written Music from Portuguese Folklore: Alecrim (Rosemary), Oliveira Da Serra (Olive tree on the Hill)
Page 30 Wrtten Music from Portuguese Folklore: Triste Viuvinha (Sad widow), Fado em La Menor (Fado in A Minor)
Page 31 Witten Music: Fado em La Maior (Fado in A Major)
Page 32 Semi Quavers. Written Folkore Music: O Rosa Arredonda a Saia
Page 33 Written Folklore Music: O Malhao
Page 34 Written Muisc: Mouraria em La Menor (Mouraria Style Fado in A Minor)
Page 35 Written Music: Mouraria em La Maior (Mouraria Style Fado in A Major)
Page 36 Tremolo
Page 37 Slurs on two different Notes
Page 38-9 Chord symbols explained
Page 40-3 Chords in 12 major and 12 menor keys
Page 44-5 A very complete Chord Chart of perfect and dissonant chords. 24 chords in each of 12 keys
Page 46 Four scales of double notes in 3rds. 2 major and 2 minor fingering patters
Page 47 The Index
Be sure to see my free internet lesson on playing the Portuguese guitar on my website (with embedded YouTube videos) at: http://www.fernandezmusic.com/PortugueseGuitarMethod.html
Also, please look at the Fado song book and CD we have for sale: Fado Portugues: Songs from the soul of Portugal.