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Musical Notation - How do I play this note?

by Ronna
(Western Mass.)

I am working on an Etude in Frederick Noad's "Solo Guitar, Vol 1". It is the one on the page right after "Greensleeves" (sorry I don't have the book with me at the moment).

It shows arpeggios where the first note (low E or A--stem up)is connected to the other three notes in what appears to be normal arpeggio notation. However, it also shows a half note (stem down) *right next to* and facing the other way from that first note on the same line!

Does this mean 1) it should be played a second time? Or 2)that the first note of the arpeggio is held for an extra two beats? (This doesn't make sense to me, since normally when I play an arpeggio, I don't mute the string after playing it....)

I am mystified by this notation. He doesn't give any explanation about this in his study notes for the piece.

Hi Ronna,

The notation just means the note (A in this case) is regarded as both a bass note and as part of the melody. So, in effect, you would only strike it once, let it ring on for two beats, and it also will form part of the melody with the other eighth notes.

It is quite common in music notation but you're right, it isn't often explained.

Hope this helps!

Kind regards,
Trevor M.