WEEK 4: Homenaje a la Guitarra 
Welcome to the Main Thread for the fourth week of our musical Journey to Spain!! This is the place to share submissions of the fourth week! 
- Make sure you've read the guidelines before replying (<- click)
- Watch the kickoff livestream for help with the first section!
If you want to describe your process (optional), feel free to use the following template.
- Things you found easy:
- Things you found difficult:
- (Optional): a video of you performing it!
- (Optional:) questions
↓ HAPPY PRACTICING, HAPPY SHARING ↓
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I'm running out of time, so today I'm going to post two pieces. They are rather similar, coming from the same book.
Rafael Marin – Peteneras
With this, I’m venturing out into a new arena (a bit). Marin was a flamenco guitarist from Sevilla. He taught in Madrid and published a flamenco method in 1902, that has apparently been very influential in the world of flamenco guitar. I am not a flamenco guitarist at all, but this Peteneras seems to sound okay with classical technique.
Peteneras is a song and dance style that alternates 6/8 and 3/4 time. The rhythm goes 1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2 1-2 1-2. It is very slow and sad, and according to superstition, brings bad luck to anyone who interprets it (but I think you are safe if you just listen to it).
Julián Arcas – Solea y ¡Ole!
Arcas (1832-1882) is perhaps the most important Spanish guitarist of the nineteenth century prior to Francisco Tárrega. Arcas collaborated with Antonio Torres in the design of his groundbreaking guitars, and was also a major influence on the young Tárrega.
Much of Arcas’ music has a strong Spanish character to it, and is often based on popular Spanish dances. This particular one is a flamenco dance called the Solea. It is a very expressive and emotional dance in 3/4. I found this piece in the flamenco method book of Rafael Marin mentioned above. The short "¡Ole!" that follows it is in double-time.
Tomorrow, I'll post another piece by Arcas.
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Wai Thanks, Wai, I'm just trying to get some great pieces in before the challenge is over. I obviously have psychological problems!
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Eric Phillips They just keep coming! Those are very nice and beautifully played.
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Jack Stewart Thank you, Jack.
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Eric Phillips worried ? Why ? ...100%
not ! Ok- then the watch party is two days earlier ... So you will have enough time to make some additional recordings ?! Best Regards -
Eric Phillips Olli We needed to switch the Watch Party because of Sanel's interactive Masterclass on Friday! Who's ready to sign up with some Spanish Pieces?
https://guitar-community.tonebase.co/t/m1h5v9c/interactive-masterclass-with-sanel-redzic
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Martin I would love to do it, but I will be teaching (I'll miss the Watch Party too). I could be there one hour later (3pm EST). I wish I could be at both events!
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Eric Phillips oleeeeeee (é) !!! thanks for sharing these melodies and commentaries Eric!!!! very good played and always giving us new music, at least for me, I did not know them. Gracias!
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Eric Phillips wonderful Eric. I've not had a lot of time to look at the Forum this week. I had a go at this piece last week but decided not to post it. You've done a great job. It's an easyish piece but there are (in my opinion) a couple of tricky bits that you handle very well.
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Derek Thanks so much, Derek! In the Marin piece, I decided to move the section in C major down an octave. Not only is it easier to play, I honestly think it sounds better, especially on my guitar where the intonation was off when played up higher.
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Eric Phillips where you born in Andalucía? You are giving totally the air to these pieces. Wonderfully played!!! Running out of time ? Impossible! Wonderful new pieces to me. I am making a list! Thank you Eric!
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Emma Thanks, Emma. Is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA) close to Andalucia?
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Eric Phillips Bravo!
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Here is a work in process of Leyenda. Again, audio only since video file too large to post. This piece (along with Recuerdos de la Alhambra) were the pieces that convinced me to learned the Classical guitar.
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Barney It was fantastic! It is a very difficult piece! If you want to share videos here, you can upload the video on Youtube, then copy the video link here. And of course, you can always set the video as "Unlisted" on Youtube, so that it won't go public if you don't want to.
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Wai Thanks Wai!
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Barney thank you for your great piece. It is, in my small opinion, very challenging. I am also practicing this piece at the moment. The hardest part is when the triplets start... (for me)
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Olli I agree Olli. It is challenging to play well by keeping the articulation clear and flowing with micro-dynamics and direction towards peaks and keeping overall balance of dynamics and color in the piece--all of this while not missing notes, without buzzing chords, etc. In my case, it needs plenty more work to sound the way I want it. Thanks, and we will both keep practicing it!
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Barney
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Barney Bravo, Barney, great job!
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Moyses Lopes Thanks Moyses!
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Martin just reminded me about "manually" uploading the video, so here is the video of Spanish Dance# 5. Thanks Martin!
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Barney See my comment above. It's even better with video!
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Eric Phillips Thanks again Eric!
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Barney Wow! Another wonderful performance. Beautiful!
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Here is the video of Leyenda I uploaded "manually (Davinci seems to be a bit buggy in this process). This piece is clearly a work in process that requires more serious attention in certain areas, and needs more overall practice as well.
End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
