Leyenda de Espana technique problem

[Russell]

This topic could go in Guitar Classes or Studies, scales, arpeggios, theory , so I chose this one.

Would one of our teachers/aficionados/performers/savants take a look at this score extract of 22 measures of Leyenda de Espana by Agustín Barrios-Mangoré (attached)

I should be able to execute both the melody an accompanying arpeggio, but frustratingly, I cannot.

Having listened intently to recordings (most recently by Alexander-Sergei Ramírez) my actual preference is a midi that does a better job of balancing the melody and arpeggio. So, perhaps the problem arises from the fact that the melody is with M & A fingers only and P & I restricted to the (busy) underlying arpeggio?

Any tips gratefully received.

Russ

[Florentin]

I don't play this piece, but have you tried using the A finger for the top melody, and PIM for the arpeggios?

[Martin]

I have bashed my way through this piece before, and I played it the way Florentin says; the melody entirely with the a finger, and the arpeggio played pim. That seems the most logical way to do it.

Be aware the arpeggio is played across three strings, so for example in the first bar you quote, the low B is played with the fourth finger on the sixth string, seventh fret, the D# on the fifth string sixth fret (with the third finger) and the F# on the fourth string fourth fret with the first finger. Follow that pattern throughout and it all makes sense!

[Russell]

ok Martin and Florentin, thanks for the advice, I'll have a crack at it.
It will be a while before my A digit will have the required strength. It would also be a door opener to finishing other great pieces I am studying too.
Interesting piece in itself isn't it.

Thanks again,

Russ

[Florentin]

I have the complete Barrios works, but I haven't looked at this one yet

you might also want to play some Sagreras pieces, in his first couple of books. He uses the A finger quite often for those pieces. That'll get you going

[anathem]

heya flor have u got the sagrerasor barrios on the computer i'd be more than happy to get some from more reliable sources

[Russell]

thanks again Ana, Flor and Martin. It would really be fantastic if either of your goodselves could do a few bars via an mp3 as an example?

the forever grateful Russ

[tomc]

If I may insinuate myself Russell... A good preparation for that as Florentin wisely pointed out would be taking a very primary Book 1 Sagreras study and putting a rest stroke with the a finger on the (top) melody note while free stroking the arpeggios. It's a clumsy move at first but if you pick an easy chord for the left hand or no chord at all you can watch your right hand and slowly free stoke i and m then make a rest stroke with a. Muscle memory will take care of the rest. If you don't have Sagreras, the opening chords to Carcassi's no3 study in A major would work just as well. Hav as well as myself put that one up in the one work many players section. I also use a rest stroke for the top note in La Catedral pt.1 utilizing the a finger. I couldn't make it work without doing that. The a finger is problematic because of the construction of the hand. The index and middle finger have separate tendons while the ring and pinkie share a tendon. Play the a finger on an open string loudly with a rest stroke to start. Alternation isn't even necessary to do this. You're only trying to teach the a finger to make a rest stroke . Stay with it, and you'll get it. Tom

[Russell]

thank you Tom, I will do as you suggest. I should have been aware of the shared tendon, no wonder it requires more practice for finger independence. I learned something new today, thanks.

Russ

[Russell]

In the meantime: I hope Florentin wasn't teasing when he said he was going to record and post it.

Anxiously waiting

Russ

[merry_zhao]

I thought it was the Leyenda of Albeniz, maybe I will try this some other time. Barrios has too many pieces, nearly a hunderd, most are unheard to me.

I only play few of those famous ones.

[Russell]

Hi merry zhao, it's been a long time since seeing your last post.

I like your new avatar.

You would enjoy this piece, good luck.

Russ

[merry_zhao]

Yeah, such a long time, I was a little busy doing my assignment and visiting some Chinese classical guitar websites, also practicing the guitar.

There are quite different things between Chinese people playing the classical guitar and western people, maybe the cultural differences, I can't tell in languages by now. The value of each society is unique, the guitar and the music must be a new culture to Chinese people to accept and adopt.