[?] Subscribe To
This Site

Aguado Allegretto

Free Guitar Lesson 9

Study Notes

"The Aguado Allegretto - Light, graceful,
and moderately fast in tempo..."

This little piece is a timely lesson in the sustained use of slur techniques. The actual ornamentation that Aguado uses was very common in the classical period and is called a "turn".

Here's how the turn is notated and described by Fred Noad in his Solo Guitar Playing Book 2...

Excerpt from

Solo Guitar Playing Book 2 by Fred Noad

As you can see, the turn consists of 4 notes that are slurred and played starting above the main note. But further to this you can see in the information about the turn in the Collins Encyclopedia of Music (see below) that the turn may "occasionally start on the principal note." Usually a grace note before the actual turn is apparent but this is not the case in our Aguado allegretto...

Here is a video of the complete piece...

L'esprit Manouche

Art Print
Roberto, Diego
19.7 in. x 19.7 in.
Buy at AllPosters.com
Framed Mounted

Another piece of ornamentaion to take notice of is the grace note in the second last bar. Make sure you play the "B" note simultaneoulsy with the bass "E" note. The note is "slurred" to the main note.

This piece is actually a "delicate little miniature" that requires of you attention to detail if you really want to bring out its fine character. A good idea is to practice each turn in order one after another i.e. the beginning of Bar 1, followed by the beginning of Bar 3, followed by the beginning of Bar 5 in order over and over as a warm up exercise. You would do this slowly to get a real "snappy & crisp" sound to your ornamentation.

Also, you need to use "damping" methods in Bars 8, 18, 20, 26, 28 & 30. This may be means of the side of the thumb and lower hand or by the outside of hand on the little finger side. If you "play" these silences correctly it gives this Aguado allegretto more effectiveness, class and authenticity.

Another way to add class to this Aguado allegretto is by using rubato. Rubato literally means "robbed". It is a slight slowing, then quickening of the tempo and if done properly can make a piece seem so more musical. You can use it from Bars 6 to 8 for instance. I think I play it this way in the video below.

Anyway, the Aguado allegretto is a great little piece and if you approach it with the right attitude you�ll not only enjoy it but really develop your technique and get a feel for both the classical period and the use of proper ornamentation.

I hope Guitar Lesson 9 Aguado allegretto has been of interest and help to you!

You can download a copy of the Aguado Allegretto here...

Just right click and "Save Target As" for windows or click on the link and print the PDF file in the new window. There is both normal notation and tablature for those that want/need it.

Still Haven't Found What You're Looking For?

Simply enter whatever term you're searching for e.g. if you're searching for all pages that mention the word "segovia" just type in that term and away you go!

You can even search the Web. Just enter "classical guitar" followed by your search word(s). I hope you find me again!

Ready? 1-2-3... Search!