Classical Guitar Solo - Gran Vals(Nokia Waltz)

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Technique Style: Classical

Excerpt: Hey there and welcome back to my continuing series of classical guitar pieces penned by Francisco Tarrega. In this lesson we will be looking at perhaps Tarrega's most recognised piece 'Gran Vals' due to a phrase from the piece being used by Nokia, the mobile phone company, as their main ringtone. OK, watch the performance and as always, take onboard what y...

Media Length: 2:57

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Technique Style: Classical

Excerpt: Alrighty then, lets get started with part one. This piece is significantly more difficult to play in comparison with the pieces that we have studied thus far. In actual fact, 'Gran Vals' has been included as an examination piece for the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music 2009 syllabus Grade 8 exams. As this is a waltz you will know, or at least ...

Media Length: 1:07

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Technique Style: Classical

Excerpt: We have now modulated to the dominant of the original key which is E. The parts which will require the most practice will be the slurs with the left hand. As always, slow methodical practice will yield the best results. Be very careful with bars 36 and 37 as it may require you to put some practice overtime in with those sections. Remember that the importan...

Media Length: 0:56

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Technique Style: Classical

Excerpt: In this section we have modulated once more in the dominant direction to the V of E which is B major. The melody now shifts from being in the upper register to being in underneath the chords on the lower strings. You may need to isolate the melody again to really get an understanding of how the melody line moves within that lower register. Fear not though, ...

Media Length: 0:46

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Technique Style: Classical

Excerpt: We have now made another modulation, this time moving from B major back to E major - the Dominant of the original key of A major. This last section has a certain humour to it I find and I feel it works very well if one can manipulate the dynamics and phrasing somewhat to give it a kind of 'cheeky' feel. I felt that at bar 77 it was necessary to hold back on...

Media Length: 0:50