New to Baroque guitar

[Lars Hedelius-Strikkertsen]

I'm interested in getting a lot of advices on how to start with the Baroque guitar. When the terz guitar that I recently ordered is payed of I'm thinking of getting a Baroque guitar.

Please let me know all on how to start, what builder is best and at what price and types of strings and music and methods ect

 

[Jelma van Amersfoort]

Hi Lars

Are you after  student-level or a professional level baroque guitar? I'll post some links to luthiers and I'm sure other members will follow:

http://www.bosserluthier.net/englishinstruments.htm from Spain, also affordable beginners models...

http://www.marcoskaiser.com/search/label/baroque%20guitars lives in London, young luthier, I have a guitar by him and some other people on this website too

http://www.vihuelademano.com/guitars.htm Alexander Batov

 

I'd say try and play as many dufferent instruments as you can before buying. And keep an eye on the second hand baroque guitars here and here, because sometimes a good bargain comes up.

 

Good luck! 

 

PS I moved the discussion to 'Baroque Guitar'

 

 

 

[Lars Hedelius-Strikkertsen]

Hi Jelma. Thank You for the links. I'm also interested in knowing if there's any music for B-guitar and other instruments. There must be a lot of music for voice and B-guitar, I presume.

 

[Jelma van Amersfoort]

Hi Lars

I am really not the greatest expert on 5 course guitar, but yes, there are a lot of songs. There are some pieces for 5 course with violin I believe. There is the Lagarde book somewhere on this website that has songs for voice, violin, guitar and harpsichord. There are some duets for two 5-course guitars (I love the Merchi duets). And the most fun is if you learn to play basso continuo, of course.

 

If I were you I'd start by having a look at the 'scores' tab on this website. 

[Rocky Mjos]

Hello Lars.

I have been meaning to do a bit more complete listing of the repertoire you asked about, but still haven't found the time. So below is an overview of written ensemble music with the Baroque guitar.

 

Generally, it is not a large list (except the alfabeto songs). I believe I have listed many of the main sources. I hope other readers will contribute sources that I have overlooked in my rather quick reponse.

 

I'm sure you are aware of at least some of the creative ways the 5-c instrument is used in ensembles beyond this starter list -- adding its unique voice and colors as accompanist, continuo member, and as a solo instrument with accompaniment. I have played, for example, the Lawes/Mesangeau duets on guitar and both vieil ton and baroque lutes (Stubbs has recorded it with harp). I am also looking at other possibilities for baroque guitar and lute. I believe Lislevand has performed Vivaldi with the guitar.

 

-- R

 

Guitar duets (and trios)
Foscarini -- Corrente (guitars a 4th apart)
De Visee -- a couple of contrapartie
Hertberg Ms -- Sonata for 2 guitars (facsimile on Trond’s page)
Medard -- two Sarabandes
Corbetta
Diesel -- Lamenta, Rigadon, and others (?) in Book 9
Carre -- Menuet
Portuguese Ms -- Minuete
De Gallot ms -- some trios (and possibly duos?)

Ensemble with other instruments
Carre -- Pieces de conser (10 movements for violin, 2 guitars and bass)
Granata -- Sonata (guitar, violin, BC)
Prague Sign II Kk 76a & b manuscript -- mensural notation part doubles the guitar part.
Merchi -- violin and guitar duets (late)
Grenerin -- three (?) Simphonie (1680, 2 dessus instruments, guitar, BC)

Ensemble -- guitar with continuo/bass
Schickhardt -- 11? sonatas. Buhl-Mortensen has recorded them and published staff notation editions of them
Foscarini -- Sinfonia
Granata -- Sinfonia in Op. 3
Corbetta Sinfonia a2 (1643)
Vargas y Guzman manuscript

Songs with guitar
Countless alfabeto songs -- Lex Eisenhardt has done a very nice recording of some of these. I’ve set some of my favorites from it on my Ning page

Songs in tab
Moulinie -- a few songs (see scores list)
Marin -- Lislevand and Figueras have recorded many pieces from this collection. There is also a modern edition which includes parallel tab.
Diesel (set a Handel song to guitar)
Handel -- Cantata spagnuola (see the scores list)
Kremberg -- could accompany voice, though the melody would be doubled. Or play from the continuo part with voice and add the tab part as a solo verse.
A manuscript in the USA has come Italian pieces with period guitar arrangements (see Tyler's book)
Pepys manuscript -- a couple of songs on my member page