Vihuela 'improvers' page

[Rob MacKillop]

I don't think we do enough, generally speaking, for the maybe not-so advanced (if I may say that) players among us. I have had quite a few questions over the years from beginners, post-beginners, and those who have hit the brick wall and can't move forward, and maybe we should do more to help. Well, with this in mind I've started a page on the www.vihuela.eu site which sets out to do just that. I've started with a 'duo' (for one instrument) by Fuenllana/Josquin, as, like Bermudo, I believe the articulation of vocal lines is one of the most crucial yet difficult things to achieve well on the vihuela or lute. The page is very much just beginning, so please let me know what you would like to see there. I can't promise I'll be able to do all you ask...Unfortunately, the vihuela I used for the recording needs some attention, and does tend to buzz occasionally...but it's not a CD.

Anyway, hot foot it to http://www.vihuela.eu/study.htm I have the score in French tab, an mp3 performance, plus an mp3 of commentary as I explore the piece, discussing how I approach my interpretation. Doubtless, someone else would play it very differently, and you must find your own way eventually, but hopefully this will help.

Rob MacKillop

[Harry Jess]

Rob, thank you very much for this instructive page! I'm going to study it thoroughly!
Harry

[Rob MacKillop]

I've just added four 'easy' sonetos by Valderrabano to the vihuela study page - mp3 files and scores. They are wonderful pieces, and not anywhere near as difficult as Fuenllana, Narvaez or Mudarra, I think.

Rob

[Marc Alexander]

I am self-taught and my technique, to borrow from Julian Bream's description of his own playing method, is "homemade." The first vihuela piece to affect me was Julian's lute performance of "Cancion del Emperador." Of course, when I saw the music on the printed page I thought it unplayable, at least by me. At the time, I was stumbling through some basic Spinacino and such, but I was determined to play "Cancion," come hell or high water. Of course, my hubris would have given any responsible teacher a heart attack, but I pushed on and learned the piece and learned to play it well. Yes, we should learn in a methodical manner, but if we feel compelled to tackle a challenging piece beyond our current level and abilities, I believe -- and I say this in all sincerity -- that we can rise to the occasion and become better players for it. As the Bard said, "Fortune favors the bold" Sometimes it also favors the foolish.

Marc Alexander

[Andre Nieuwlaat]

Funny you should write that, Mark! My technique (if you can call it that) is 'homemade' as well, and not too long ago, I made exactly the same decision. I've made up my mind to learn to play the wonderful Fantasia in Jane Pickering's lute book, believed to have been written by Philip Rosseter and based on Sweelinck's incredible Chromatic Fantasia. At the moment, it's way out of my reach, but sooner or later I will get there - and Rob, your wonderful initiative will be a great help, thank you very much!