Jorge Cardoso is a recognized performer who has travelled the world over giving hundreds or concerts as a soloist, in duos, and with orchestras. There are innumerable recordings of his performances, and he is a prolific composer whose works have been recorded by other guitarists in more than thirty albums. Cardoso is also a master teacher with followers around the world.
This DVD traces the historical path of the guitar, showing the instrument's ancestors and tracing its development to its current form. It includes a visit to the workshops of Manuel Contreras II and Ars Antiqva, Jose Angel Espejo's workshop, followed by a detailed analysis of the factors that contribute to the proper development of classical guitar technique. The DVD covers everything from the seat, the position of the body, and the devices used to improve it “Aguado's machine”, Sor's support system, the foot-rest, attachments, and an ingenious, simple and practical system created by the author, to the mechanical workings of the hand, its main ways of gripping, and the problems posed by the ring finger. All of these topics are approached through the scientific reasoning of the author, backed up by his knowledge as a doctor.
As Jorge Cardoso says in the introduction, this course “can be useful both to beginners and to more advanced players. . . it can be useful to anyone who plays a plucked stringed instrument.” It includes basic demonstrations and explanations about how the hands work from the moment they are placed on the guitar, as well as exercises and concert pieces of the highest level. There is a discussion of strumming technique, of “toque mixto” and four complete pieces interpreted by the author. The course will also be useful for electric guitarists and others who have focused on the use of the pick and have neglected other essential guitar techniques.
