Playing Leyenda

[ihategeoffrey]

Hello, my name is Geoff and I'm a high school senior. I'm entering Solo & Ensemble this year to play Leyenda by Isaac Albenez. I've memorize the entire piece and can play almost all of it at almost full speed except for ONE part (it's driving me insane).

In the middle of the first part of the song, it goes into a part where a chord (B major) is played and several triplets consisting of a note and two B's in a row. I can play arpeggios this fast but I'm finding it almost impossible to play the exact same note on the exact same string that fast. Does anyone have any tips?


BTW: I'm playing on a steel string guitar at the moment, I should be able to borrow a nylon by the contest. Also, I pay no attention to what length or condition my right hand nails are in.

Thanks for the help!

[nylonthanh]

I don't know the music, but is it played on either the B or E string for these triplets? Are you chords or single notes? If it's a single note, is it a tremolo? I'm not familiar with the piece or can get the music for it.

[ihategeoffrey]

The measures that I am talking about begin with a B Major chord that lasts an eigth note followed by a series of 16th triplets.

The triplets begin with a note (varies by triplet) and is followed by two open B's on the 2nd string. I'm having trouble with the two open notes because it's so difficult to play the exact same note, especially on an open string, that fast (it's supposed to be 132 BPM).

[nylonthanh]

easy answer is not to play it as an open string. Half the time the fingering are by the publisher and not the composer.

part of my technical exercies include tone concentration. Remembering back when I had percussion lessons, I use to do rudiments (left, right, left, right... etc sticking patterns with different rhythms) and you had to listen to equal out the tones.

An exercise is listening for equal tone with all fingers. I start doing index... i, i, i, i, etc until it's the same. Then I swith i, m until it's the same for a long period of time, then I do i, a, ... ima .... ami...which leads me into tremolo study.

Also, I always do my scales and exercises because it helps with evening out notes as well.

[owl]

I'm having trouble with the two open notes because it's so difficult to play the exact same note, especially on an open string, that fast (it's supposed to be 132 BPM).

Then SLOW it down Geoff... in my opinion 132bpm is too fast... regardless of what the tempo marking is!

Also take care of your nails... although if you are playing a steel string that will be a bit futile!
You also need to practice on nylon... how can you possibly achieve the best tone, colour, (or speed) etc, on a steel string.

Sorry to be so pedantic but you are doing yourself and the music a disservice here!

@ nylonthanh
Here is the mp3

http://www.classicalguitardelcamp.com/viewtopic.php?t=4208

Here is the score... you will find it under Level 8... I find it amazing, that as a guitar student you don't know (of) this music!
http://www.classicalguitardelcamp.com/viewtopic.php?t=7589

Owl

[Tomas-Lobos]

Here is the great one himself playing Leyenda. As you'll see speed isn't the determining factor in playing this piece. Enjoy and cheers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1ICFdH7 ... ed&search=

[owl]

Here is the great one himself playing Leyenda. As you'll see speed isn't the determining factor in playing this piece.

Ah!... now you're talkin'!
My thoughts exactly!

Thanks for the link

Owl

[ihategeoffrey]

I've sort of tried to compensate for just that one part by bringing the tempo down to like... somewhere around 100 BPM (but I still have trouble playing that single part at that speed). Wow, and that recording is probably even slower.

Thanks for the help but I'm guessing it'll be easier to do that with nylon strings (a bit thicker).

(and I think it would be much harder to not play the B's on an open note).

[owl]

(and I think it would be much harder to not play the B's on an open note).

I agree Geoff... stay in touch... let's know how you get on

Owl

[ihategeoffrey]

haha, sure. I have a pretty good chance at making it to state (there are usually only one or two guitarists every year in our region).

I actually used to play bluegrass (Chet Atkins) stuff before I learned Leyenda.

[owl]

Ah!... I get it!
Are you now making the leap into classical?

Owl

[roninartist]

what I do is ignore playing the both B's on the open B, and play a triplet with the high B on the High E string. The tone is alot better that way, kinda 12 stringish. Let me know if this makes sense.

[sixtytwori]

nylonthanh, you probably know it better as asturius

roninartist, you play it the same way as segovia plays it, and this,to me is the best way

S

[Genesis]

i think i kinda know your problem...you play the melody which is the first among the triplets on the string d..the back part should be like tremolo one the open string...hope that helps you...that part should not be a big problem if you can execute it correctly...

[MallowDick]

Not wishing to get into an argument, but my personal favourite performance of this piece is by John Williams, not Segovia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEfFbuT3I6A