As one can easily imagine, it would be very hard for a guitar student to start reading the scores of the traditional choro repertoire, most of them with large number of technical difficulties. It would be much better if they could start with some easier pieces – of intermediate level – in order to be presented to the choro language in a more gradual and appropriate manner. That is the main goal of this book. It has 13 studies (in the 13 more commonly used keys for the choro guitar) written in a reduced form and in the principal stylistic choro variants: besides real choros, there are polkas, maxixes, Brazilian tangos and xotis. the more used and characteristic rhythmical figurations are present in each of the studies as the principal. Also aiming at the simplification of execution, all studies were composed with only two voices (melody and bass) and with no chords (although harmonies are quite evident due to the choro melodic particularities). A CD with all 13 studies is included.

Choro is a popular instrumental-music tradition flourishing in Brazil and around the world. It preceded, influenced, and in turn was influenced by samba and bossa nova. Its repertory is vast, including thousands of choros composed by all manner of string, wind, keyboard, and percussion players—in addition to the guitar classics by João Pernambuco and Heitor Villa-Lobos. This landmark publication gives guitarists access to this seemingly endless repertory, empowering its readers to turn a choro written for any instrument into a convincing and idiomatic solo guitar arrangement. This process is taught through examples provided by Dr. Stephen Guerra, a versatile guitarist/composer intimately familiar with both classical and Brazilian guitar (violão brasileiro) as well as the choro idiom. This book is intended for both students of Brazilian guitar and classical guitarists seeking to add choros to their repertory and play them authentically. It includes: • Original solo arrangements plus lead sheets and online recordings of 10 choros for the intermediate to advanced classic guitarist. • Biographical and performance notes regarding the selected composers and compositions. • Insightful suggestions for further reading, listening, and study. • Extensive endnotes explaining arrangement choices, notation practice and influences. Dr. Guerra focuses on classics from the pioneering generation of choro composers culminating in the artistry of João Pernambuco, Pixinguinha, and Heitor Villa-Lobos; among others, these include compositions by choro pianists Chiquinha Gonzaga and Ernesto Nazareth, samba singer-composer Noel Rosa, choro bandleaders Joaquim Calado and Anacleto de Medeiros, and Brazil’s early flute virtuoso, Patápio Silva. Includes access to online audio.

An outstanding collection of 33 classic guitar solos transcribed from piano works by Manuel Saumell, Ignacio Cervantes, and many others. Cuban song and dance rhythms have had a global impact. These arrangements capture the rhythms, styles, and moods of the Cuban contradanza, danza, vals, canción and criolla of the 19th to early 20th centuries. The available online audio features Segovia student and Tulane University professor Elias Barreiro performing his arrangements of the multi-faceted music of Cuba. Written in notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio.

The guitar's entrance into American culture began in the early 1800s, introduced primarily by visiting and immigrant Spanish guitarists. Many of these newly arrived Spaniards exerted great influence on the guitar's development in 19th century America. the works in this book contain the compositions and arrangements of eight noted 19th century Hispanic American guitarist/composers with an emphasis on their works that reflect Latin themes or rhythms. Rounding out this anthology are dance forms such as the Habanera, Jota, Cachucha, Sevillaño, Spanish Mazurka, and other Spanish dance related works along with extended concert pieces such as Theme and Variations, Serenades, Polonaises and a delightful arrangement of the Celebrated Spanish Retreat, a programmatic work with an unusual "C" tuning and novel harmonic effects crafted to imitate the bugles, horns and drums as heard on the battlefield. the book features twenty-one solos and two duets which range in difficulty from easy to advanced. an extensive and well researched text along with photos and a companion recording by acclaimed guitarist/scholar Douglas Back help to make this a landmark book.

Some of the best known Latin American rhythms are included in this collection carefully graded from beginner to intermediate level. for this book Mel Bay asked an expert on Latin American music, world celebrated guitarist-composer Alfonso Montes, to put together all his expertise to come up with real Latin sounding pieces keeping the technical demands within reach of beginner and intermediate players. "Latinitas", besides being full of beautiful melodies and captivating rhythms, should act as an introduction for guitarist of all ages to this fascinating music. Standard notation only.•

This book contains the elements necessary to learn to play authentic bossa nova and samba accompaniment patterns. The material is presented in a sequentialeasy-to-follow format. As well as accompaniment techniques, the book contains sections on chord voicings, common progressions, and playing bossa nova andsamba solos. The student is taught how to apply the techniques to sheet music and lead sheets. All of the examples are demonstrated on the accompanying online audio

Brazilian Choro: A Method for Mandolin focuses on teaching bandolim technique for playing Choro. the combination of method book and CD offers a great opportunity to add performance practice to the black-and-white notes on the page. the book, presented in both English and Portuguese, is written for two different groups-Brazilians learning to play bandolim in the Choro tradition, and non-Brazilians who play other styles and want to learn Choro. Mr. Sá, a native Carioca who as played Choro since childhood, understands Choro intuitively and brings a Brazilian perspective to the project. Ms. Mair, a classical mandolinist who has spent much of the past four years refining her Choro technique in Rio, brings an outsider's viewpoint, recognizing the subtle distinctions that make Choro style unique. Together these renowned performers and university professors have created a pathway to help you play Choro with a true Carioca accent. Music presented in standard notation.