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RECUERDOS DE LA ALHAMBRAby Francisco Tarrega. This is a piece that is
centered around the tremolo. Invariably, it is played using the following pattern for the right hand: P A M I (Thumb, ring
finger, middle, and index finger). The thumb plays a lower, eighth-note melody, while the A M I fingers play a three note,
sixteenth-note, tremolo. These sixteenth notes are played as triplets, and thus faster than a normal 16th note. In 3/4 time,
you would normally expect 12 sixteenth notes to a measure, but in this case, there are 18. The thumb plays the strong beats.
However, in listening to a professional rendition of the piece, the upper, tremolo notes carry the melody, as opposed to
the thumb, which is usually given a secondary role. I like to emphasize the thumb's role a bit more than
other classical guitarists, as you may have noticed in listening to the audio sample. This is also useful for the beginner.
In order for the tremolo to carry the melody, it must be played very fast with fast transitions to new positions on the
fingerboard. This can be difficult for the novice; thus the melody could be carried by the thumb until proficiency is
achieved with the tremolo. It should be noted that this piece is for the advanced guitarist, and while it could be attempted
by anyone, the novice is well advised to use it as a learning tool more than to see it as something to be performed
publicly.
This piece uses many different positions on the fingerboard, and the student needs to know his instrument and
should learn where all the notes are, the
same as a pianist surely knows where all the notes are on the keyboard. Scale study in different positions is recommended
in conjunction with a study of this piece. Start off playing slowly. The P A M I sequence will increase in speed and accuracy
slowly over time and with much practice. Before practicing this piece, the fingers should be limbered by scale study for
at least ten minutes. It will make the tremolos much easier to play. Room temperature should also be at a normal level. It
is difficult to play this instrument, and particularly this piece with cold fingers.
FYI: The chord progression for this
piece is: Am, EM7, Am, Em7, Am, Dm, C, Dm, C, Dm, C, etc. , or: I, V, I, V, I, IV, III, IV, III, IV, III etc. Thus it uses the
common chord combination of I, IV, V, with other chords, such as III to add interest and tension.
Good Luck
Randy Nyborg