Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Part 2

Instructor: Rick Graham

This section moves away from the previous homophonic approach and incorporates a lot more changes in rhythm with a more jazzy harmony.

It is essential that you sustain the melody wherever possible as it is imperative that it is distinguishable from the accompanying rhythm and bass.

More often than not, classical guitarists tend to employ what are called 'rest strokes' to bring out a melody in the upper voice. This is where we play the string with a finger of the right hand and follow through so that the finger comes to rest on the lower adjacent string. The resultant note is usually more accentuated and higher in volume than the 'free stroke' which clears the lower adjacent string. Feel free to experiment wherever possible.