Asturias, a captivating and challenging piece for classical guitar, often represents a significant milestone for students. At guitarplayers.net, we understand the ambition to conquer this work, and we’re here to guide you on the path to mastering it. Before diving into Asturias, it’s crucial to ensure you possess the necessary foundational skills. This article will outline the technical and musical prerequisites, helping you determine if you’re truly ready to embark on your Asturias journey.
The Challenges of Asturias
Asturias presents unique hurdles for developing guitarists, distinct from purely technical difficulties.
Length and Focus
One of the primary challenges is the piece’s duration. Clocking in at around 5.5 to 7 minutes, depending on tempo interpretations, Asturias demands stamina and concentration. Many pieces encountered by students prior to Asturias are considerably shorter. Therefore, experience with longer repertoire is essential to build the necessary endurance and mental focus. Practicing pieces of similar length beforehand, including multi-movement works, will prepare you for the sustained effort required for a compelling performance of Asturias on guitar. Maintaining focus throughout an extended piece is a skill in itself, and Asturias serves as a crucial training ground for this aspect of performance.
Technical Demands
While not the most technically demanding piece in the classical guitar repertoire, Asturias requires a solid technical foundation. Unlike some 5-7 minute pieces that are overwhelmingly complex technically, Asturias’ challenge lies in its nuanced demands across various techniques, combined with its length. To learn Asturias effectively, familiarity with the entire guitar fretboard and the ability to read 5 and 6 note chords are paramount. These skills streamline the learning process, allowing you to focus on musicality and interpretation rather than struggling with basic navigation and notation.
Essential Techniques for Asturias
Specific right and left-hand techniques must be well-developed before tackling Asturias on guitar.
Right Hand Mastery
Two core right-hand techniques are critical:
- PIM Arpeggios: Fluency in P-I-M arpeggios at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 168 beats per minute is necessary. This dexterity ensures clarity and evenness in the arpeggiated sections of Asturias.
- PMI Tremolo: A consistent and controlled P-M-I tremolo at the same tempo (quarter note = 168 bpm) is equally important. The tremolo passages in Asturias require stamina and precision for a musically convincing rendition.
Left Hand Proficiency
Solid left-hand technique is equally vital:
- Barre Technique: Strong and enduring barre technique is indispensable. Asturias features extended passages requiring barre chords, and the ability to maintain these barres cleanly and comfortably for prolonged periods is crucial for a successful performance.
Repertoire to Build Your Skills for Asturias
To systematically develop these necessary skills, consider incorporating the following pieces into your repertoire before attempting Asturias Guitar:
- Brouwer Etudes 1-10: Especially Etudes 3, 6, and 8, these studies by Leo Brouwer are excellent for building both right and left-hand technique, and musicality.
- Movements from Pujol’s Suite del Plata No. 1: Emilio Pujol’s suite offers valuable practice in arpeggios, scales, and melodic playing, contributing to overall guitar proficiency.
- Villa-Lobos Preludes (especially Preludes 1 and 4, possibly 3): Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Preludes are fantastic for developing musicality, right-hand arpeggios, and left-hand finger independence, all crucial for Asturias.
- Andrew York’s Snowflight: This contemporary piece by Andrew York provides excellent practice in tremolo and legato techniques, bridging the gap towards the demands of Asturias.
- Arpeggio and Tremolo Studies: Utilize focused exercises from technique books like Richard Provost’s method books to specifically hone PIM arpeggio patterns and PMI tremolo execution.
This curated repertoire directly addresses the musical and technical concepts needed for Asturias. While other pieces can contribute to your development, these selections are particularly effective in preparing you for the specific challenges of Asturias on guitar.
Conclusion
The aim of this preparatory work is to make the learning and refining process of Asturias enjoyable and rewarding. By building a solid foundation, students can approach Asturias with confidence, focusing on musical expression and interpretation rather than being bogged down by technical struggles. With the right preparation, your journey with Asturias will be a fulfilling and enriching experience, culminating in a powerful performance of this iconic piece.
