Here’s a nostalgic social media post celebrating the legendary Corso di Chitarra Franco Cerri Mario Gangi Title: 🎸 The Course That Taught a Nation to Play If you grew up in Italy in the , you likely remember seeing those weekly installments at the newsstand "Corso di Chitarra" Franco Cerri Mario Gangi
(published by Fabbri Editori) wasn’t just a music method—it was a cultural phenomenon. Why was it so special? Franco Cerri E Mario Gangi – Corso Di Chitarra - Discogs
Franco Cerri E Mario Gangi – Corso Di Chitarra – Box Set 4 x Cassette, 1982 [r3997383] | Discogs. www.discogs.com
Corso di Chitarra Franco Cerri Mario Gangi is a landmark multi-genre guitar method published by Fabbri Editori
in 1982. It is celebrated for its dual approach, combining the classical expertise of Mario Gangi with the jazz mastery of Franco Cerri. Forum di Chitarra classica Structure and Content
The course was originally released in installments (fascicoli) and is typically organized into the following components: Written Volumes : Usually consists of 3 main volumes comprising 60 total installments Supplementary Material : Often includes a fourth volume titled "Chitarra Ieri e Oggi" (Guitar Yesterday and Today). Audio Support : Originally accompanied by 20 audiocassettes containing exercises and famous songs. Musical Genres : The curriculum covers a broad spectrum, including: Classical music (Gangi’s specialty). Jazz, Pop, and Rock. Folk, Country (USA), and South American rhythms. Italian songwriting (Cantautori). Technical Features Notation Style : Scores use a double version
—traditional pentagram (staff) and tablature (tabulato)—making it accessible for both classical students and self-taught modern guitarists. Difficulty Level : Aimed at reaching a level roughly equivalent to a third-year conservatory student
: Cerri’s lessons focus on jazz sonorities and are noted for being technically demanding and sophisticated. Forum di Chitarra classica Legacy and Availability
While originally a print-and-tape series, digital versions (PDF fascicoli and MP3 audio) are often sought after in enthusiast forums like Chitarra Classica del Camp
. Some pieces, such as Gangi’s "Exercise in C Major," have been revived on as educational benchmarks. Franco Cerri E Mario Gangi : Corso Di Chitarra
The Corso di Chitarra , released in 1982 by Fabbri Editori, represents a landmark collaboration between two titans of Italian music: jazz legend Franco Cerri and classical maestro Mario Gangi
. Published originally in installments with accompanying audio cassettes, this method sought to bridge the gap between formal classical training and the expressive freedom of modern jazz. A Fusion of Disciplines
The course is celebrated for its dual-perspective approach, blending Gangi’s rigorous academic foundation from the Santa Cecilia Conservatoire with Cerri’s self-taught jazz brilliance.
Classical Precision: Gangi's contributions emphasize Metronome Use and systematic technical development, focusing on scales, arpeggios, and precise finger placement.
Modern Accessibility: One of the course's most progressive features was Gangi’s early adoption of tablature alongside standard notation, making complex music more accessible to beginners and self-taught players.
Jazz and Popular Style: Cerri’s sections are noted for their more gradual progression, focusing on acoustic and electric styles, including interpretations of popular songs like "Oh Susanna" and "Greensleeves". Educational Philosophy and Impact
The method advocates for a "slow and steady" progression, prioritizing precision and control over speed. Despite being over 40 years old, it remains a frequent point of reference in guitar forums and archives, such as JazzMusicArchives.com, where enthusiasts still discuss its technical exercises and rare recordings.
Critics and students have noted that while the Franco Cerri portions are approachable, Gangi’s classical exercises can be quite demanding for absolute beginners, often introducing complex hand movements early on. However, this "no-shortcuts" philosophy is precisely what has cemented its reputation as a comprehensive foundation for any serious guitarist. Legacy of the Collaboration
Beyond the technical exercises, the Corso di Chitarra is a cultural artifact of 1980s Italy. It brought professional-grade music education into the homes of thousands, supported by high-quality recordings featuring prominent musicians like saxophonist Eddie Daniels. For many, the course was not just a book but a gateway to understanding the guitar as a versatile instrument capable of both Bach-like intricacy and jazz-inflected soul. Corso di chitarra Gangi-Cerri digitalizzato - Pagina 5
Corso di chitarra by Franco Cerri and Mario Gangi is a landmark pedagogical series in Italian guitar instruction, first published in by Fabbri Editori
. It is recognized for bridging the gap between classical and modern jazz guitar techniques. Forum di Chitarra classica Overview of the Course Originally released as a weekly series consisting of 60 installments (fascicoli) Multimedia Integration: Each installment was accompanied by an audio cassette
, allowing students to listen to the exercises and pieces to aid comprehension. Dual Approach:
The method is unique for its parallel structure, offering separate but synchronized paths for acoustic and electric guitar Key Educational Features Pedagogical Breadth:
Mario Gangi, a master of the "Roman School of Santa Cecilia," focused on technical academic foundations. Franco Cerri, a jazz icon, introduced modern jazz phrasing and rhythmic concepts. Difficulty Level:
For classical guitar, completion of the course is considered roughly equivalent to a third-year conservatory level
. The jazz sections by Cerri are noted for their complexity and professional-grade arrangements. Technical Content: corso di chitarra di franco cerri e mario gangi
The course begins with foundational work like barre chords and full-fretboard navigation. It includes traditional exercises, such as Major scales and arpeggios, alongside jazz standards and popular pieces like "Oh Susanna". Forum di Chitarra classica Accessing Material
While the physical set is a collector's item often found on secondary markets like Mercatino Musicale , digital versions and excerpts are available: Corso di chitarra di Franco Cerri e Mario Gangi - Wallapop
The Legendary "Corso di Chitarra" by Franco Cerri and Mario Gangi: A Pillar of Italian Pedagogy
For decades, the Corso di Chitarra created by Franco Cerri and Mario Gangi has remained a foundational milestone for Italian guitarists. Released in 1982 by the Gruppo Editoriale Fabbri, this 60-lesson course was a groundbreaking multimedia effort that brought professional guitar instruction into Italian homes. A Masterful Duo: Classical Meets Jazz
The genius of this course lies in the meeting of two musical worlds.
Mario Gangi (1923–2010), representing the "Roman School of Santa Cecilia," was a giant of the classical guitar.
Franco Cerri (1926–2021) was the undisputed master of Italian jazz, known for his elegant style and collaborations with legends like Chet Baker and Billie Holiday.
Together, they bridged the gap between academic rigor and modern improvisation, making the instrument accessible to a wide audience. Structure and Content of the Course
Distributed in weekly installments (fascicoli), the course was designed to take a student from zero to proficiency.
The Corso di Chitarra, authored by the legendary Italian guitarists Franco Cerri and Mario Gangi
, is one of the most influential multimedia guitar methods in Italian music history. Originally published by Fabbri Editori in 1982, it was designed as a comprehensive course for beginners and intermediate players, sold primarily as a collection of weekly newsstand installments (fascicoli). 1. Historical Context & Creators
The course combined the expertise of two titans of the instrument:
Mario Gangi: A conservatory-trained master known for "the Roman School of Santa Cecilia," who brought formal classical discipline and technical rigor.
Franco Cerri: Italy’s most famous jazz guitarist, who provided insights into modern harmony, jazz improvisation, and the more "contemporary" side of the instrument.This partnership allowed the course to bridge the gap between classical technique and modern/jazz application, a revolutionary approach at the time. 2. Structure and Multimedia Format
The course was ambitious in scale and format, typically consisting of: Franco Cerri E Mario Gangi : Corso Di Chitarra
The Corso di Chitarra by Franco Cerri and Mario Gangi is a multi-volume educational method originally published in 1982 by Fabbri Editori. It was famously released as a series of 60 weekly "fascicoli" (booklets) that included audio support via music cassettes. Key Content & Structure
The course is designed to take a student from absolute beginner to an intermediate/advanced level (roughly equivalent to a third-year conservatory level for the classical portions). It is uniquely structured to cover two distinct worlds:
Classical Guitar (Mario Gangi): Focuses on systematic technique, including finger independence, scales, arpeggios, and tremolo. It includes studies by masters like Fernando Sor, Francisco Tárrega, and Mauro Giuliani.
Modern and Jazz Guitar (Franco Cerri): Introduces jazz sonorities, improvisation, and modern accompaniment. Specific Instructional Elements
Foundational Techniques: Step-by-step breakdowns of the Alberti bass, rasgueado, and chromatic scales. Graduated Curriculum: Levels 1–4: Beginners. Levels 5–8: Intermediate. Levels 9–12: Advanced.
Repertoire: Pieces range from Renaissance and Baroque (J.S. Bach, Dowland) to Spanish and South American music (Albéniz, Falla).
Notable Pieces: Original compositions and arrangements like "Greensleeves" (the course's first piece), "El Vito," and "Malagueña".
That is a legendary recommendation. The "Corso di chitarra" by Franco Cerri and Mario Gangi is widely considered the "Bible" of Italian guitar pedagogy.
While modern apps and YouTube videos are popular, this method remains one of the most effective ways to build a solid technical foundation.
Here is a helpful breakdown of why this course is so valuable and how to get the most out of it. Here’s a nostalgic social media post celebrating the
If you have the books (usually split into volumes, e.g., Corso di Chitarra Vol. 1, 2, 3), here is the best way to approach them:
A. Don't Skip the "Scales and Arpeggios" Section In the back of the volumes, there are often pure technical studies. Guitarists often ignore these to play the songs. Do not ignore them. The Cerri/Gangi scales are designed to fix your hand position and tone.
B. Practice "Sight Reading" This method is exceptional for learning to read music on the guitar (standard notation).
C. Play the Duets The course is written for "Student and Teacher."
| Step | Action | |------|--------| | 1 | Learn to read standard notation on guitar (at least in first position). | | 2 | Work through Gangi’s technical exercises slowly with a metronome – they are designed for classical right-hand fingering (p, i, m, a). | | 3 | Simultaneously study Cerri’s harmony section: play the chord progressions in different voicings, then try improvising over them using the provided scales. | | 4 | Translate Italian musical terms (e.g., "accordi di settima" = seventh chords, "movimento obbligato" = voice leading). | | 5 | Supplement with recordings of Franco Cerri (e.g., with Quartetto di Milano or Gerry Mulligan) to hear the stylistic context. |
Gangi parte da zero, come un vero maestro elementare. I primi esercizi si concentrano su:
Questa sezione è perfetta per chi non ha mai preso in mano una chitarra. La chiarezza espositiva di Gangi toglie ogni frustrazione iniziale.
The course moves quickly into intervals, triads, and seventh chords. It doesn't just show you the shape; it shows you where the "tensions" (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) live. If you have ever wondered how Italian jazz guitarists get that bright, sophisticated sound, it is here in these pages.
Navigando su forum come Chitarra.it o su gruppi Facebook di didattica musicale, le recensioni sono quasi unanimi:
"Ho studiato sul Cerri-Gangi 30 anni fa, e ora lo faccio studiare ai miei studenti. Non esiste metodo più logico per la mano destra." — Marco, insegnante di chitarra.
"Il primo volume è duro, sembra noioso... ma dopo 6 mesi ho realizzato di saper leggere qualsiasi spartito. Merito di Gangi." — Laura, autodidatta.
Unico "difetto" segnalato da molti: il primo approccio alla lettura ritmica è severo. Non ci sono sconti. Ma è proprio questa severità a fare la differenza.
Franco Cerri once said, "La chitarra è una piccola orchestra." (The guitar is a little orchestra). The Corso di Chitarra by Cerri & Gangi is the conductor's baton for that orchestra.
It is a method that teaches you to listen more than you play, to swing without a drummer, and to turn a simple progression into a story. For serious students of the guitar, it is not just a course; it is a rite of passage.
Do you have a copy of this classic method? Have you worked on the Cerri-Gangi duets? Let me know in the comments below!
Keep practicing, and keep swinging.
One of the most interesting features of the "Corso di chitarra di Franco Cerri e Mario Gangi" is its unique dual-perspective teaching model, which bridges the gap between classical guitar and modern jazz/pop styles.
Published in 1982 by Fabbri Editori, this course was a massive multimedia undertaking for its time, featuring:
Hybrid Genre Approach: Mario Gangi, a heavyweight of the classical world, and Franco Cerri, Italy's most famous jazz guitarist, combined their expertise. The course included everything from classical music and South American rhythms to rock and Italian singer-songwriter classics.
Dual Notation: To make it accessible to everyone, sheet music was presented in both standard staff notation and tablature—a practice that was less common in formal methods at the time.
Massive Multimedia Scale: The original release consisted of 60 weekly fascicles (lessons) that were often accompanied by 20 audiocassettes, allowing students to hear the masters perform the exercises and pieces they were learning.
Eclectic Line-ups: Some of the recordings even featured international stars like American jazz saxophonist Eddie Daniels.
Cultural Iconography: Interestingly, some regional versions of the course, like the 1986 Brazilian edition titled Acorde, featured Frank Zappa on the cover of lesson #17, despite there being no Zappa-specific content inside. Franco Cerri E Mario Gangi : Corso Di Chitarra
You're looking for a good guide on the guitar course by Franco Cerri and Mario Gangi!
Franco Cerri and Mario Gangi are renowned Italian guitarists and educators, and their guitar course is highly regarded. While I couldn't find a specific guide that outlines their entire course, I can provide you with some general information and resources that might be helpful. Don’t skip the duets – they teach rhythm
About Franco Cerri and Mario Gangi's Guitar Course
The guitar course by Franco Cerri and Mario Gangi is a comprehensive method that covers various aspects of guitar playing, including technique, theory, and repertoire. The course is designed for guitar students of all levels, from beginners to advanced players.
Key Features of the Course
Resources
Some recommended resources
Tips
In the early 1980s, an era when the music store was the soul of the neighborhood and the newsstand was a gateway to new hobbies, two of Italy’s greatest guitar masters joined forces to create something legendary. Franco Cerri
, the self-taught king of Italian jazz with his elegant Gibson L-5, and Mario Gangi
, the classical virtuoso of the Santa Cecilia school, didn't just teach—they democratized the instrument. Published by Fabbri Editori starting in 1982, their Corso di Chitarra became a cultural phenomenon that arrived in weekly installments at newsstands across Italy. The Vision
The course was designed as a "complete bridge" between two worlds. While Gangi brought the rigor of classical technique—scales, arpeggios, and precision—Cerri infused the lessons with the rhythmic "swing" and harmonic freedom of jazz. Corso di chitarra Gangi-Cerri digitalizzato - Pagina 5
The story of the Corso di chitarra di Franco Cerri e Mario Gangi
is a unique piece of Italian cultural history, marking the moment when the guitar moved from the conservatory and niche jazz clubs into the living rooms of the general public. Forum di Chitarra classica 1. The Odd Couple of Italian Music
The course brought together two giants from opposite ends of the musical spectrum: Franco Cerri : A self-taught jazz legend who played with icons like Django Reinhardt Chet Baker
. He was already a household name in Italy, partly due to a famous detergent commercial where he was known as the "soaked man". Mario Gangi : A master of the classical guitar and a pillar of the Santa Cecilia Conservatory
in Rome. He represented the rigorous, technical side of the instrument. www.francocerri.com 2. From Television to the Newsstand
Their collaboration actually began on screen. In 1965, they hosted the RAI television show Chitarra, amore mio
("Guitar, my love"), which broke new ground by treating the guitar as a versatile instrument capable of both classical precision and jazz improvisation. Brilliant Classics
Following the success of their TV work, they partnered with the publisher Fabbri Editori to launch the Corso di chitarra
. Unlike traditional textbooks, this was a "partwork" publication—individual booklets (fascicoli) released weekly at newsstands. Forum di Chitarra classica 3. A Multimedia Revolution
For many Italians, this course was their first encounter with "multimedia" learning: The Format : Each of the 60 lessons came with a booklet and an audio cassette The Experience
: Students could read the theory and then immediately hear Gangi and Cerri perform the exercises, which included everything from classical pieces to popular tunes like "Greensleeves" and "Oh Susanna". Accessibility
: In an era before the internet, having world-class masters "teach" you via cassette tape was considered a "gift from God" by self-taught learners who previously had no access to high-quality instruction. 4. Legacy and Cultural Impact The course was so successful that it reached its 5th edition
. It became a nostalgic touchstone for a generation of guitarists who remember the excitement of biking to the newsstand every week to pick up the next lesson.
This is a specific and somewhat niche request. Franco Cerri (1926–2016) was a giant of Italian jazz (guitar and double bass), and Mario Gangi (1923–2010) was a renowned classical guitarist and educator. Their collaborative "Corso di chitarra" was published in Italy primarily by Edizioni Curci and Ricordi from the 1960s onward.
Because this is a vintage, Italian-language method aimed at bridging jazz, classical, and popular music, it is very different from modern guitar methods. Below is a guide to understanding, finding, and using this course.