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Elements of Standard Notation for Classical Guitar.
Who could imagine so much information on a piece of paper?
For centuries this has been the best way to record music.
In standard notation a player knows:
Notes to play
On which string to play the notes
Fingers to use
Rhythm
Tempo
Dynamics
Accentuations
Time Signature
& Key Signature
Also, melody and bass are easily identified.
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Elements of Tablature for Classical Guitar
Many guitar players consider tablature the modern method of reading music.
In fact, tablature actually precedes standard notation.
In tablature a player knows:
Notes to play
On which string to play the notes
Rhythm (although sometimes less refined)
A player does not know:
Fingers to use
Tempo
Dynamics
Accentuations
Time Signature
& Key Signature
Also, melody and bass are less identifiable.
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What if those missing elements were added to tablature?
More information is available, but
the melody and bass are still not identifiable.
Also, the essence of simplicity is lost.
Sheet music in standard notation is
the vehicle that translates both time & emotion.
Is standard notation the best vehicle?
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A simple part in Standard Notation
This is easy to read.
A classical player would see melody and bass.
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Same part in Tablature
Also easy to read.
A country or bluegrass player would see Travis picking.
(A set pattern of right hand finger picking
through a particular chord progression.)
This example is part of an introduction to a pop tune.
Both examples are overly simplified.
A more accurate notation would look like this...
....but, who would prefer to read this?
Although standard notation contains most of
the elements necessary to record a musical moment,
one should never forget interpretation.
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Why would a classical guitarist be concerned about Travis picking?
Composing and arranging feed on musical styles.
Some styles familiar to Classical Guitarists:
Spanish
Mexican
Flamenco
Tango
Eastern
Oriental
Traditional
Other styles to consider (with elements):
Blues (emotion)
Rock (driving force)
Jazz (improvisation)
Pop (audience appreciation)
Country (melody)
Bluegrass (improvisation)
This is not to say that a Classical Guitarist should become a Rock Star,
although a lot can be learned from Popular Music.
In order to learn other styles one needs to learn to speak the language
and in many cases the language is not Standard Notation.
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My first exposure to Classical Music came at an early age
while watching Saturday Morning Cartoons.
The background music was incredible.
Years later, upon learning it was Classical Music I dove into the likes of:
Giuliani (Etudes Op 111, Grand Overture Op 61, Rossiniane Op 119, Sonata in C Major Op 15),
Carulli (Overture), Sor (Grand Solo Op 14,Sonata in C Major), etc...
...kept busy for years...
But what were those tunes I heard on Saturday mornings?
Stuff by
Beethoven, Chopin, Delibes, Fucik, Grieg, Khachaturian,
Mendelssohn, Puccini, Sousa, Strauss, etc...
Songs not easily found for classical guitar, but plentiful in piano or conductor scores.
I was proficient in reading Classical Guitar Sheet Music & reading Tablature,
but this was different.
Reading multiple lines at one time was like a new language.
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Reading the Bass Clef was difficult until I realized-
If I visually erased the top line of the Bass Clef Staff
and added a line to the bottom the notes became clearer.
I only needed to become proficient
at shifting notes up or down an octave (in each staff)
to create a proper range.
Wow, its Peewee Herman.
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Suddenly, music became overwhelming.
I started with Beethoven's 5th...didn't like it on guitar...moved on.
Then came:
Spring Song (Mendelssohn), Pizzicato (Delibes), Musetta's Waltz (Puccini),
Morning (Grieg), Entry of the Gladiators (Fucik), Thunderer (Sousa),
Blue Danube Waltz (Strauss), Funeral March (Chopin),
Can-Can (Offenbach) etc...
Somewhere in all this I attended a performance of Beethoven's 5th
at the Orpheum. became inspired and completed
Beethoven's Symphony # 5 in C minor. It works.
From there I moved on to:
Humoreske (Dvorak), Sonata in C Major (Mozart), Dance of the Hours (Ponchielli), etc...
Have you seen Prelude in G Minor Op 23 #5 (Rachmaninoff)?
It Rocks!
I've also arranged by request, such as:
Sous le dome epais (Delibes), Mexican Hat Dance (Partichela)
Swan Lake Scene No. 1, (Tchaikovsky), Symphony #6 in B minor (Tchaikovsky),
Sonata in G Major (Clementi), etc.....
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Why Tablature?
Today's playing field is wide open with many styles.
Most guitar players either play by ear and/or read tablature.
A player who appreciates Classical Music will learn the language,
but a brick wall has no place between Classical and say: Jazz
or blues or bluegrass....
A Classical Guitar Player has a unique knowledge,
so open the door and let'em in.
Tablature in itself is like a half-baked frozen pizza.
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With toppings more will enjoy it.
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A Classical Guitar Composer/ Arranger can benefit using tablature.
The score to Sonata in C Major Op 15 by Giuliani is 547 measures long
with over 13,000 components.
If the score was 99% error free there could be 130 mistakes.
At 99.9%, it's 13 mistakes.
Computer programs today can auto-tab a score
in seconds giving an author a separate method for proofing
to make sure the notes are correct.
Some say reading Standard Notation removes one from music illiteracy.
I say it's a start.
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Provided by
Classical Guitar Sheet Music & Tablature by b popek
...Classical Guitar transcriptions...
...in standard notation & tablature...
Since November 1, 2002
cgsmusic.net