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Fernando Sor Study Notes

Guitar Study Opus 60 Number 6

"Fernando Sor - Was descended from a long line
of career soldiers..."

This little Fernando Sor study in C Major is great for developing several basic classical guitar techniques whilst at the same time helping the beginning guitar player to develop concentration and memory over a longer period (approx 2 minutes).

Sor was a master at writing melodic little tunes that were perfectly balanced in a classical sense. This study must be played legato (smooth and connected) and again, be balanced between bass and melody with the proper emphasis on the first beat (being 2/4).

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From the outset you should maintain "drive" and try to achieve continuity throughout the phrases in this Fernando Sor study. The use of the 32nd note adds interest in bar 8 but you need to be careful to perform it correctly. Similarly, the use of a "falling line" in bars 15-17 adds interest and is even more pronounced in bars 23-25.

Another form of balance is evident in bar 19 where the piece modulates to the relative minor key namely; A minor. According to Wikipedia this type of modulation can be termed as...

"Phrase (direct, abrupt) modulation is a modulation in which one phrase ends with a cadence in the original key, and begins the next phrase in the destination key without any transition material linking the two keys. This type of modulation is frequently done to a closely related key, particularly the dominant or the relative major/minor key...Abrupt modulation is also common in forms with sharply delineated sections, such as theme and variations and many dance forms."

This type of modulation was a device used successfully over and over again by Sor to change, even darken, the mood of a piece to give it more interest and "color". There are two repeated middle sections in this study that are in the minor key before it returns to the main theme for restating and coming to a satisfactory close.

A further benefit of practicing this type of Fernando Sor study is the mastery of the foundation techniques of classical guitar. For instance, there are a number of slurs which are played with the 4th finger of the left hand. Because the little finger is often weaker than the others it will benefit you in terms of strength and flexibility in a relatively easy piece such as this. This prepares you for the more difficult intermediate and advanced Fernando Sor study pieces later on.

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Be careful also to give the notes their full value, especially when they are tied notes in the bass.

I hope you have fun with this little classical guitar study. For more examples of a great Fernando Sor study click here...

To download a copy of the Fernando Sor study click here...

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