Cuban Masters Series - The Cuban Tres - Paperback

by Leonel González (Author), Jon A. Griffin Jr. (Author)

Learn to play the Cuban tres from a true master.

In this book, you will learn about the Cuban tres and how to play it correctly.

Your guide is Leonel "Guajiro" Gonzalez, who has played in many Cuban bands including Elito Reve and many sessions in studios around Havana. Leonel will open your eyes as to the possibilities of using the Cuban tres in, not just a traditional context, but also to play timba, danzon, mambo and other styles.

This is an intermediate to advanced series, but even a beginner could learn from this, albeit slower. We suggest you have some familiarity with the Cuban tres, but arrangers and composers will get valuable insight into this instrument and also Cuban music in general.

The book covers:

• Introduction
• Tuning
• Traditional Son
• Modern Tumbao
• Roots of the Cuban Tres
• Picking Styles
• Mambo
• Bolero
• Son Section of Cha-cha-ch
• Timba and Modern Son
• Montuno Examples
• Guajira
• Clave
• Danz n
• Secret Weapon (Fretboard)
• Harmony and Chords
• Basic Tumbaos for Traditional Son Progressions
• Punto Guajiro
• Resources

Author Biography

Jon Griffin, originally from Los Angeles, first became interested in Cuban music while studying composing and arranging at the Grove School of Music. Jon continued his studies in Cuba with Julian Fernandez (Moncada, Irakere) and Dr. Olavo Alén Rodríguez. He has also done extensive research at CIDMUC - Centro de Investigacíon y Dessarrollo de la Música Cubana. Jon has also recorded with Richard Egües, Enrique Pla, Angel Bonne, Emilio Vega, Giovanni Cofiño, Roberto Garcia and others in Cuba.