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Ben
Bolt
Ben Bolt is credited with being the first classic guitar instructor
to introduce the classic style of playing to the masses. Because of his worldwide
success, his work has been mimicked throughout the publishing world. Several
Ben Bolt books have consistently appeared on Mel Bay’s “Best Seller”
list. He also appears on Mel Bay’s videos of the complete volumes of “The
Modern Guitar Method”, a huge commercial success, selling in the millions
of copies. His publications are distributed internationally and have been featured
at all the major conventions and music shows, including the National Association
of Music Merchants in Germany. His video “Anyone Can Play the Classic
Guitar” has become a reference for college students as the authority on
the fundamentals of classic technique. He is endorsed by D’Addario Strings
and Takamine Guitars. He has recorded the classic guitar work for HGTV and can
be heard in the background of programs such as “America’s Castles”.
Ben Bolt first met Andres Segovia in the American
Embassy in Madrid, Spain on his 18th birthday.
Bolt was registering for the draft as Maestro Segovia was getting his Visa together
to tour the U. S.
This fortuitous meeting was the beginning of their relationship. Andres Segovia,
the Father of the
classic guitar, was quoted saying “Ben Bolt is an excellent guitarist
with fine tone.” After studying
with Segovia, the Maestro personally paid for scholarships so that Bolt could
continue his studies
abroad, as well as setting up lessons with his assistants while he was on tour.
Ben Bolt first met Abel Carlevaro in
Paris. Carlevaro then invited the 20 year old to study with him
under full scholarship at the yearly Master Classes held in Brazil. After Brazil,
Bolt moved to
Montevideo, Uruguay. He won first place in the “Concurso Internacional
Aemus by unanimous decision. Carlevaro awarded him the coveted “Premio
de Merito” at the National Library of Montevideo for his outstanding efforts
in music. Bolt assisted maestro Carlevaro at the San Francisco Conservatory
in 1978. Of Music Bolt completed his music studies under the direction of Maestro
Guido Santorsola, who bestowed him with an original composition for guitar entitled
“Seis Bagatelas” as a graduation gift. After returning to the States
he became the first guitarist inducted as a National Patron of Delta Omicron’s
International Music Fraternity.