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rest stroke

by Yulia
(Australia)

I`m studying N.Coste`s Barcarolle at the moment and I was wondering if rest stroke can be used to play it.

I study the guitar on my own and I just don`t know when to use rest stroke. Could you please let me know in which pieces of music of third grade level rest stroke is preferable?

Or you can just use it ad lib? I`m confused.

Hi Yulia,

You can indeed play rest stroke in the Barcarolle, at least in places. It definitely helps in bringing out the melody of the piece.

Have a look at my page where I have some notes on the piece and a little video of Barcarolle...

You'll notice the video is an "extended" version of the printed music I provide because I wanted to show a close up of the right hand too. On certain melody notes I play rest stoke. It just helps to emphasise the melody line.

I imagine one of those boat people, the Gondolier, singing this melody as he rows. The piece is in fact based on this very idea of the Gondolier (It is sometimes known as "The Boatman's Song") and that thought makes it easier to interpret and phrase the music.

As for "can just use it ad lib?", I would say with practice you get a feel when to use it. It is mainly to express a strong clear tone, especially in a melody line. It is obviously inappropriate when playing a fast arpeggio for example.

I hope this has been of help!

Kind regards,
Trevor M.