Week 4: Spain in 19th ! 
Welcome to the Main Thread for the second week of the "Around the 19th Century Guitar World" challenge!
In the beginning of the 19th century the prevailing compositional style in Spain was similar to other places in Southern Europe. Over the course of the next hundred years through influential figures such as Aguado, Ferrer, and Tarrega, Spanish classical guitar will develop it’s own unique voice that will become the dominant style of classical guitar in the 20th century.
↓ Happy Sharing! ↓
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Ejercicio No.9 - José Ferrer
I didn't know that this piece had a name called Vals Español, my score didn't have those dynamic markings on it, so I had to rely on my instinct. Although I didn't play it very well, this piece was beautiful and fun to play.
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Wai What do you mean you didn’t play it well? That was great, Wai! I really liked the little articulation you have to the opening measures (and their repetitions). It gave it almost a Latin feel. Great job!
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Eric Phillips Thank you, Eric. Actually, I recorded this piece before watching the Livestream, and as I said in my comment, my score didn't have those dynamic markings. So, after I watched the Livestream, I knew that I must miss many details in my playing, but I didn't what to record it again...
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Wai My score did not have Hannah's dynamic markings either. I remember that her score said to play the B section dolce, but I like it more when it's a little ponticello. I can't imagine those markings came from Ferrer, so I think we can play it with whatever dynamic and tonal plan we like.
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Wai This is such a beautiful piece and a great performance! I will let you in on a little secret: I enjoyed your performance so much I actually played it twice! Great job!
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Wai absolutely beautiful Wai. I enjoyed that a lot. You play it so lively and musically.
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Wai you started the thread before Eric, OMG!!!
It was well played Wai, I understand your personal point of view related to your own expectation, but it has nothing to do with the result we hear 
. About dynamics I also rely on my own understanding of the musical text than what's written or not on the score, even more in pre-modern music. -
Steve Pederson Thanks, Steve. I played Eric's video 4 times in a row.
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joosje Thank you, joosje!
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Blaise Laflamme Thanks, Blaise. Ha, I was lucky to see this thread first, maybe due to the time zone? I don't know, but sorry, Eric.
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Wai That was great, Wai. I agree with the others, I think you played this piece with great musicality.
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Wai Blaise Laflamme No apologies necessary! I'm happy to have someone else posting before me!
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Eric Phillips because of timezone
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Jack Stewart Thank you, Jack. This month's challenge was difficult for me because the theme was changing every week, which meant we only had 1 week to practice a new piece.
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Wai great job with this! It’s so technically accurate already! I’m wondering if there’s so more ways you can play with tone colors and dynamics in the future!
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Wai Nice playing Wai! You instinctively have the right feel for the rhythm and direction of the piece. Very well done! I'm not familiar with Ferrer's work, so also thanks for sharing it.
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Hannah Murphy Thank you for the advice, Hannah.
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Barney Thank you, Barney!
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Here are Tárrega's Adelita and Ferrer's Ejercicio 9. I've played the Tárrega many times, and it's one of the few pieces that I can play from memory anytime. Although I played a lot of Ferrer in a previous challenge, I actually had never played this piece. The B section is so fun to play!
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Eric Phillips Very well played, Eric! Your sound was so clean and smooth like butter! Just curious, I saw that you played the 1st phrase of section 2 horizontally, may I ask if there is any specific reason behind it?
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Wai Thanks, Wai. I think you are referring to the way I play parts of the B section in a higher position, going up the fourth string? If so, that's just to keep the melody on the bass strings as much as possible, since they are a bit more resonant than the third string. (And also, it's fun to play it like that!
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Eric Phillips
Interpreting my question must be like CSI work, yes, I was talking about bar 17 to 20. Let me try it myself, thanks for sharing! -
Eric Phillips Beautiful performances Eric! Really enjoyed these.
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Eric Phillips that was really beautiful.!
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Eric Phillips beautiful Eric! you're definitely in your comfort zone here
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
