The Joys of playing easy pieces (for those aging fingers and wrists...)
I wonder if my musings on the limitations of making progress resonate with others:
The ethos among guitar aficionados and musicians in general seems to follow the motto of the Olympic Games: Cities, Altius, Fortius--faster, higher, stronger. Given the many talented players, the vast repertoire, and the excellent lessons on Tonebase, advancing to ever greater heights technically and musically seems a commonsense and worthy goal.-- All well and good,, but...
Now in retirement and with my time at the conservatory many decades in the past, physical and, admittedly, motivational limitations have let me to re-discover the joys of playing beginner pieces. This time not rushing through to the next level of proficiency but focused simply on the beauty of a simple melody in a Sor etude, the pleasing harmonies in Giuliani and Carulli, the evocative sounds of a Sagreras lesson.
True, part of me wants to reach higher and this is not out of the picture. However, for peace of mind and ease of playing without getting stumped by difficult passages, I return to the music of the early years of studying the guitar and find pleasure in the easy repertoire played well (as well as being appreciated by family and friends listening in the evening).
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Yes, I can identify with your point. Not suffering, but moving through my late 60s and having recovered from a stroke 7 years ago, just getting calluses back on my hands has been a slow process, but it always feels great to play if even for a short time.
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I only got a teacher 3 years ago at the tender age of 69, after retiring. I work on pieces I probably have no logical reason to tackle. But yeah, easy pieces. Just started on Angelo Gilardino's "Studi Facili Per Chitarra. The first study is PERFECT for me--two voices on OPEN STRINGS!!!
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Amen! I could not agree more. Easy pieces bring me so much joy, and never stop teaching me.
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Hi what pieces would you suggest to learn and practise? I can play guitar really well (most styles) but havent as yet put together a classical repertoire that I could maybe take to the street and do some busking. Id love to do that. Do you have any favourites? Thanks in advance.
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The beauty about the guitar is that it give pleasure to anyone at any level. You play whatever makes you happy and whatever is within your ability. I am in my advancing years and there are more years behind me than what is in front. However being in good health I strive to still be as good as I can and try to learn to play as many of the big pieces that I can. Motivation, passion, desire are all different in every player. Just enjoy the beautiful instrument we play whatever the music we play may be.
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These days I am learn a complex piece from a musicianship perspective which makes the easier pieces easier, it’s frustrating when I painstakingly learn a complex piece by memory and if I dont replay it regularly it goes the way of dreams but am able to sight read through “easy pieces” with the scores, when I say easy meaning minimal jumps all over the neck, minimal ornaments, staying in 1 or 2 playing positons, not too fast, and pieces that emphasize the basic melody. I have also discovered the IPad with forescore app and a foot controlled page turner, so not so inclined to memorize everything since it takes so much time.
Regards
so much music so little time lol
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Steve Garfinkle There's a lot to be done with Forscore, but learning the "power moves" for me seems as hard or harder than learning new music.
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As a retiree, my primary goal with the guitar is pleasure. Easy pieces can bring pleasure, and tackling difficult pieces can also bring pleasure. I’m not obsessed with mastery. Good enough is good enough. It’s the enjoyment of it that matters. Filling your life with music, and keeping your brain sharp and active, are valid goals in and of themselves. I’m not going to be playing Carnegie Hall.
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Eileen et al:
I am 80 years old and the greatest impediment to progress is my memory. My hands function fairly well for my age. I enjoy tinkering with guitars, in the past I dreamed of learning complicated pieces, but I am content just to practice a little, even just learning a part of a piece. I cannot sight see a score directly, so I use the score and tablature, and add a lot of notes about fingering. At this age, walking is more important than the destination. I am practicing the same pieces I practiced 6 months ago: Evocación, Lagrima, Calatayud Vals no. 1, just started to look at Brower " Un Dia de November, and also "Alfonsina y El Mar". There is an infinite amount of music out there, when you start late in life is very difficult to play the great pieces, but I enjoy to listen to them, and see the young and gifted players do justice to them. What ever your level, and physical condition enjoy the ride ... ...
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Jose I love to play the same pieces! Which version of "Alfonsina y El Mar" do you play?
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Correction: "Un Día de Noviembre"
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Stefano:
About "Alfonsina y El Mar", I just got the score with the tablature, it is the original Ariel Ramirez/Felix C. Luna, but is a simplified arrangement by Skyguitar. I am very familiar with the lyrics (Spanish) of which I have recordings by different interpreters, Mercedes Sosa y Lucecita Benitez are my favorites. I have also read some of Alfonsina's poems. I am hoping I can learn the piece, it will have some "feeling" for me.
"Un Dia de Noviembre" is also new to me, just looking at it seems to be easier than Alfonsina y el Mar. Although to get that feeling that Brouwer placed on it might not be that easy.
Of the other pieces I mentioned, I like Evocación, I have heard Jose Luis Merlín playing it, but truly I have heard other interpretations at a very slow tempo, that I like even better.
And of course to learn any piece from Tarrega is pleasure.
There is a version of Spanish Romance by Pablo Sainz-Villegas (YouTube) that I am going to try the tempo, which is also slower than other versions.
It is a pleasure to exchange information about classic guitar, and music in general, please feel free to communicate at any time.
P.D.
I have a friend that I have known fo a very long time, like me he is from Puerto Rico, and he is also a guitar "aficionado", we get on the phone and sometimes go for an hour, just talking about the strings we are trying out. If somebody overhears that conversation might think we are really two gifted musicians, instead of two old beginners... more enthusiasm than fire!
Best Regards Stefano,
José
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Jose You probably already know the wonderful guitar and voice version of "Alfonsina y el mar" by Elizabeth Roma and her daughter Rita Payes, if not this is the link: https://youtu.be/C8wpfQ5pdfo?si=JRAmaC8luDXHlKR5
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Thanks so much, that is a treat; I had never heard them; beautiful interpretation. Are they Argentinians?
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Jose Spanish
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I saw in YouTube, they are from "Cataluña". One person I admire is "el Catalán" Carles Trepat. I have been several times in Cataluña, and never had the opportunity to attend one of his concerts. He is so intense playing, I say "he gives birth to every note", amazing dedication to his trade.
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These are all wonderful, inspiring comments and stories about playing the guitar at any age. My high school partner and I just got together again today to work on some ancient songs we wrote and have exhumed 50 years later. We’re eventually going to record them.
End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
