Biography

Carl Bernstein was born in Detroit, Michigan. His early music studies included violin and piano. At the age of sixteen he concentrated his attention on the guitar.
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My Stories

A STORY FROM A SEVEN YEAR MUSICAL ODYSSEY

On the morning of January 1, 1972, a friend in San Francisco drove me south out of the city onto Highway 1. We said our goodbye and I began what turned out to be a 7-year musical odyssey in Latin America and the Caribbean. With approximately $400.00 in pocket, a backpack with some basic necessities, a guitar and harmonica, I faced south, stuck out my thumb, and began my journey towards my destination, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. < read the rest of the story >

EARLY YEARS WITH MUSIC

At the age of 5 my parents arranged for me to study the violin with a neighbor who at the time was the assistant concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He was an elderly Russian Émigré. I was his only young student, as he usually worked with advanced violin students in the Detroit area. < read the rest of the story >

GUITAR STUDIES

When I was 15 years old I attended a concert performed by the famous folk musician Pete Seeger. After attending the concert I was inspired to tell my parents that I wanted to study guitar. I was again fortunate. We had another neighbor who was a university medical student and also had a great love of the classical guitar. He became my first guitar teacher. My ability to focus and my passion for the instrument and studies gained in strength. In addition to my classical guitar studies I began to explore various styles of folk music and other popular styles. < read the rest of the story >