WEEK 1: Vamos, Compañeros 
Welcome to the Main Thread for the first week of our musical Journey to Spain!! This is the place to share submissions of the first 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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Hi, I’m practicing Asturias, by Albeniz.
Also starting today “Canários” by G. Sanz
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Fernando Ponte Great choices. Challenging.
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Fernando Ponte I have been working on the Sanz “Canarios” as well. May I ask which version you are using?
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Paul Kennedy I’m using the Paola Hermosin version
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Hi! I'm newbie here, then I'll try these as best as possible for me. Some years ago (1985 I guess) I have played and studied Asturias. I really love this piece but life moved on, I've been away from "Asturias" and now here I am... Maybe is time to be friends again... =)
Before trying to test my memory I'll watch the lesson with Ana Vidovic carefully. I think now I have a great opportunity to forget my mistakes in this piece and start fresh and clean.
Maybe next week I can post a video here. Bye!
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Moyses Lopes Looking forward to it. Glad to have you join in!
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Well... First step: listen to or watch a video to know the score and the sections to identify possible technical challenges. I choose an Ana Vidovic video. As I already known the score, it was a bit easy.
At first glance I think that the problem is the right hand in the first part. Not just the speed but the control to change between combinations clearly. For that question I think that the focus is to rehearse these changes, and I created a little study that is:
I can do two or more bars for every combination, at a comfortable metronome and go speeding up slowly. The advantage to change combinations with just 1 bar is that I need to think fast to do all clearly, and mantain the control. When I'll play the piece, I'll have more time to change the right hand combinations that in the exercise. Maybe work... =)
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Moyses Lopes Such a methodical approach! Impressive.
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Moyses Lopes Hello Moyses and welcome! I look forward to hearing you play this great piece.
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Moyses Lopes fantastic, thank you for updating us on your approach, that's fascinating! Looking forward to your videos!!
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Moyses Lopes Hello Moyses, do you practice "Asturias" ?
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Olli , Yes!! I'm practicing.
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Hi, guys! I need your help. I was studying Asturias and at measure 37 there is a C7 chord but writen with A# and not Bb. Intrigued, I got the original piano score to find the way that Albeniz wrote. It's right, there is a Eb7 (the original is in Gm) writen with C# and not Db.
Accidentally, I check some more measures and I saw that at 40th measure there isn't a change in the 'arpeggio' notes. Albeniz wrote a sequence of Eb (original in Gm) in the 4 measures, there isn't the change that Tarrega (or someone) did at the guitar translation.
I have no idea why it was did. Someone can bring me some light? Thank you!
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I have two pieces by Isaac Albeniz that I've always wanted to learn that's actually perfect for this challenge. Cadiz and Mallorca, I'm going to try to practice them both and see which one is a little more fun to play, but out of curiosity which would you guys chose? Cadiz is more energetic and has that flamenco like B section, while Mallorca has that slow somber melody.
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Eddie Carcamo Sounds great, Eddie. They're both beautiful, but I would choose Mallorca as it suits my strengths better, and I always gravitate toward slower, melodic music. That said, that is probably a reason to do Cadiz. Work on those weaknesses! Whichever you choose, I look forward to hearing you play it.
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Eddie Carcamo like Eric, I would choose Mallorca. I've had a couple of attempts but always find as it starts to get harder I feel less inclined to keep going! Perseverance is the key - think I need to find some. Cadiz is a great piece too.
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Eddie Carcamo Both pieces are absolutely fantastic, you can't go wrong with either one of them! Seeing how you performed the prelude from BWV998 in a virtual masterclass (i'm such a stalker) I think both pieces are manageable for you!
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I am happy to join the challenge. Here is an audio of performance of the Pavana by Gaspar Sanz adapted for the classical guitar by Abel Carlevaro. It was published in 1974 by Barry Publications from Buenas Aires under the title of Abel Carlevaro, Suite de Antiquas Danza Españolas para guitarra sobre textos y temas de Gaspar Sanz.
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Dale Needles Nice interpretation Dale! I was aware Carlevaro did a suite based on Sanz work, I was looking at playing the version of this Pavana in A minor.
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Blaise Laflamme Thanks. Carlevaro did a wonderful job in freely adapting six Sanz Danzas. I will be adding another one in a few days. Looking forward to hearing your performance of Sanza's Pavana. Sanz is a great composer.
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Dale Needles very nice Dale. I enjoyed your interpretation. I'm hoping to fit some Sanz into this challenge.
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Dale Needles Really beautiful, Dale! Haunting! I hadn't heard this before. I have another Pavana by him up earlier in this string.
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Dale Needles , Bravo! Inspired interpretation!
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Derek Thanks. Sanz is great and I will look forward to seeing your posts.
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Moyses Lopes Obrigado.
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Eric Phillips Thanks. I enjoy all your posts and definitely enjoyed your Sanz' posts and well as your interpretation of the Spanish renaissance pieces.
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
