World-renowned tresero (tres player) Nelson González explains tuning and playing of the Cuban tres guitar, offering tips for beginning to advanced players. As the instrument’s name implies, the tres has three courses of double or triple strings and is used both as a lead and an accompaniment instrument. The author thoughtfully includes instructions for converting a normal 6-string guitar to a tres guitar, offering suggestions for appropriate string gauges.

This may be the first book of its kind published outside of Cuba. The method contains Latin folksongs arranged for the beginning tres player plus examples of repeated, often syncopated underlying vamps called montunos. The book also presents all principal chords and scale patterns plus notation fundamentals- all beautifully illustrated with clear photos, diagrams and explanations. Written in standard notation only.

Nelson González is singularly qualified to write this book. Known in Latin music circles as the “Ambassador of the Cuban Tres Guitar”, he has toured or recorded with a virtual Who’s Who of Latin stars not to mention his own band, Son Mudano. His tres mastery is featured on dozens of recordings with such artists as Tito Puente, Gloria Estefan, Andy Garcia, Paul Simon, and Marc Anthony to name only a few.

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About the Author

Born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Nelson González is distinguished for his mastery of the Cuban Tres guitar, a traditional instrument indispensable to the interpretation of son, the most popular form of Cuban dance music. Using the recordings of Arsenio Rodriguez and "El Nino" Rivera, two tres guitar masters, Nelson revolutionized tres playing by incorporating percussion styles into his tres technique, and is regarded by Israel "Cachao" Lopez as the "Ambassador of the Cuban Tres Guitar."

Nelson's 30-year career spans many Latin genres including Broadway and has involved such notables as Tito Puente, Gloria Estefan, Andy Garcia, Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Eddie Palmieri, Paul Simon, Danny Rivera, La India, Carlos "Patato" Valdez, and Marc Anthony. An important member of Los Kimbos, Tipica 73, and Grupo Folklorico Experimental Nuevayorquino, Nelson's awards include Tipica 73's "Best Salsa Band in Latin America" from the Primer Festival Mundial de Salsa 1976 and NY Latin Magazine's "Best Tres Player of the Year" in 1978 and 1979. Nelson also leads his own award winning band Son Mundano, and has produced many recordings, including his own Son Mundano (Dissar Records 1997) and Pa' Los Treseros (Qbadisc 2001). His appearances on countless recordings attest to the high regard in which he is held by the giants of Latin music.

For more information, please visit his website at www.nelsongonzalezonline.com.

Photo courtesy of www.nelsongonzalezonline.com.