One of many greatest pitfalls when studying classical guitar is to be engaged on a piece of repertoire that’s too troublesome for you. If a piece is simply too troublesome it could actually trigger frustration, a sense of failure, overwhelm, and as a rule you’ll blame your self for not being as much as the problem relatively than the problem of the piece.
What, then, makes a piece troublesome and the way can we grade these items into a progressive order of problem?
This query has been requested many occasions by college students around the globe who need to guarantee that they’re engaged on the proper repertoire on the proper time however sadly it isn’t a query that’s simply answered. As we’ll talk about, there are various totally different aspects that go into a piece that may convey challenges. Some are apparent, corresponding to size and pace, however others are extra delicate and tougher to establish like left hand independence and transitions.
In the long run you’ll probably want the steerage of an skilled educator to get the solutions you’re on the lookout for however we are able to delve into the varied points that make this downside so sophisticated.
Musical Components
Key facilities and accidentals and Concord
Sure key facilities (i.e. C Main or B minor and so forth.) carry with them an inherent problem due to the quantity of sharps and flats which are used. C Main has not sharps or flats and due to this fact will current the least quantity of problem in terms of studying the music. As we delve into the flat keys, nonetheless, we begin to come throughout hurdles of familiarity (or relatively a lack of familiarity) with mounting flats to take care of. One key isn’t objectively harder that the opposite to learn, nonetheless, sure keys are seldom used within the classical guitar repertory and so we by no means construct up a studying fluency.
One major motive that we don’t use too many flat keys on the classical guitar (after I say flat I’m referring to keys like F Main, Bb Main, Eb Main, d minor, g minor and so forth.) is that they more and more rule out the usage of open strings. F main has one flat and that’s Bb, so it implies that as guitarists we won’t be able to make good use of the open second string. Because the flats improve we rule out extra strings (the order is Bb, Eb, Ab, Db for the primary 4).
Even when the important thing signature is extra favorable then we are able to get stumped by a giant variety of accidentals or dense harmonies within the piece. As soon as once more this comes right down to how acquainted we’re with studying music on the guitar.
Vary of Music/Fingerboard Data
Just like key middle, our fingerboard information will affect how troublesome a piece is to be taught, comprehend, and memorize. If we had a heatmap of the fingerboard that represented how a lot time we spent in every place, absolutely the decrease strings up in eighth place can be the coldest. Subsequently, a piece with a substantial quantity of taking part in and studying on this fretboard nether area would make a piece harder.
Rhythms
Rhythmic complexity will dramatically affect the problem of a piece of music. It might come within the type of syncopations, odd time signatures, layered rhythms, or rhythms which are merely troublesome to parse. Regardless of the case, the rhythmic elements can essentially change how simple it’s to learn and play a piece of music.
Counterpoint
On a musical stage, having two or extra distinct traces to contemplate will affect not solely the comprehension but additionally memorization, and musicality. In fact having a number of musical traces to maintain brings with it technical difficulties too, however we’ll take care of that a little later.
Idiosyncratic writing
One of many larger points affecting problem would be the type during which the music is written. Composers who play guitar already may have a far higher understanding of what kind of music is extra approachable to play on a technical stage. Sure prospers and results which could sounds troublesome can in actual fact be very achievable on the instrument as a result of a specific idiomatic kind of taking part in.
Composers who don’t play our splendidly advanced instrument, nonetheless, typically write music in a means that’s far tougher to appreciate albeit in a refreshingly distinctive musical language. Good examples of this may be Antonio Jose, Joaquin Rodrigo, Elliot Carter, or William Walton. Great music, troublesome to play!
Stylistic Data/Expertise
Shifting on from how a composer writes, we are able to additionally issue within the type and style inside which the composer lives. It’s one factor to play the music of Dowland by merely studying the notation. It’s a completely totally different expertise to play his music with a stylistically knowledgeable interpretation. This may increasingly sound educational and even elitist however to me it’s as if an actor portrayed a character with the fallacious accent.
I’m you, Sean Connery…
Technical Facets
Technical issues are maybe a little extra apparent in terms of grading a piece of music, however there are nonetheless some sneaky culprits within the checklist.
Proper hand figurations
Whether or not or not it’s advanced arpeggios, proper hand stability to convey out voices, string crossing or string leaps, many proper hand actions can contribute to the general stage of problem. As you progress in your classical guitar research the proper hand develops extra finesse and we begin to pay attention for not solely tone high quality however a number of tones and dynamics inside a single hand motion.
Left hand shifts, stretches, and transitions
Repertoire would possibly require any variety of left hand acrobatics to appreciate the music they usually can add as much as a nice problem when it comes to choreography. Shifts and stretches are normally remoted challenges however transitions can actually ask a lot from the participant. Transition from one location to a different on the fingerboard could be executed in a number of methods leading to a number of musical outcomes. It’s a kind of issues that we are able to work on as guitarists for a very long time. It is usually one thing that superior guitarists do with misleading ease.
Left hand finger independence
Speaking of of transitions and counterpoint, the underlying technical facet that’s required is finger independence. With the ability to maintain down one be aware whereas others transfer whereas staying in good synchronization with the proper hand and sustaining good legato by correct transitions is among the nice joys/challenges of the classical guitar.
Synchronization between the palms
The aforementioned aspects can all be labored on in isolation however in the long run they should synchronize with the opposite hand. This synchronization is maybe a “meta” facet on this checklist however it nonetheless contributes to the general problem.
Pace (tempo) Compounds the above necessities
Maybe the obvious ingredient that can affect problem is the pace. Though, make sure to not assume that quick durations (16th notes or 32nd notes) equate to quick actions as they may be inside a gradual tempo. Inversely a quick tempo could have lengthy durations. Regardless of the case, taking part in with quick actions on the guitar is hard. It will undoubtedly increase the extent of problem.
The true affect of pace isn’t the pace itself however relatively the way it compound the problem of all the pieces else. Synchronization, shifts, transitions, all of them shall be made harder by an elevated pace.
Articulation, tonal dynamic management, ornaments
One other set of ingredient that can compound the problem of a piece. Play a scale, simple. Play a scale with a crescendo, tougher. Play a scale with a crescendo, staccato and an decoration on the finish? Properly, you get the concept.
Prolonged Methods, new/unfamiliar methods
Any new methods which are required by a piece are going to gradual you down. Along with studying the music additionally, you will need to dedicate time to creating a new method. Not a unhealthy factor in itself however it may be troublesome if there’s already a lot of recent challenges offered by a piece along with a new method.
Prolonged methods are seldom used and due to this fact will take some devoted work inside your follow regime.
Miscellaneous Components
Size of the Piece
An extended piece will clearly imply extra materials to cowl, nonetheless, there are another challenges that size can convey to the fore:
1.Memorization – extra to play means extra to memorize
2.Apply Method – extra materials to be taught would possibly require a extra developed set of follow abilities to handle time and focus
3.Technical Stamina – Merely focusing and taking part in for a longer time period is a problem
4. Leisure/Pressure – Longer piece, particularly sooner ones with a number of notes, may end up in an accumulation of pressure except you are taking steps to observe your leisure
Ensemble Facets
Ensemble items may have all the aforementioned challenges however moreover you should think about the problem of taking part in the components collectively. Rhythm will play a massive issue as will stability, and synchronization.
Your Personal Private Challenges
Lastly, there may be some difficulties that come up from one thing that’s specific to your scenario. Maybe you may have a lacking finger, maybe you don’t have any expertise in a type… the checklist is limitless however one piece that’s “simple” for one isn’t essentially simple for you.
Phew! That’s a lengthy checklist.
I feel it demonstrated why it’s fairly a advanced matter to grade music and place it in a curriculum. The CGC Academy has labored so properly for thus many due to the items that had been chosen and in addition the order during which supplies are offered (concept, method, musicianship, repertoire, sight studying, type and so forth.).
An skilled educator and performer will be capable of curate your personal private journey too. This may be a great expertise however it could actually take some looking to seek out somebody who actually understands the training path, takes an curiosity in your journey, and has efficiency expertise themselves.
The checklist above is on no account exhaustive, I welcome your personal additions as to what brings problem to a piece and the way we’d grade them so as.
Take care,
Simon