Catharsis for solo guitar

I've just completed this song for solo guitar. It's called "Catharsis." I've attached the score. Here's an mp3 of the song: http://www2.potsdam.edu/simonega/Library/Catharsis_9-6-09.mp3

I'm not a very good guitar player. I think what I've written is playable, even though I can't play much of it myself. If any guitarists out there discovers that's there's something unplayable in the piece, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know. Thanks a lot.

Hope you enjoy it.

Catharsis.pdf

This was so cool and funky! I absolutely loved it. I let it play as I got ready for classes this morning.

Awesome job!

Great Tune! Had to stop it though. The fake string noise drove me crazy!! The tune is awesome though!

Thank you both for your kind words.

Yeah, the fake string noise is kind of cheezy.

I thought this was rather good. The most successful solo guitar pieces give the impression of 2 instruments playing at once, which this composition does. I hope you find a performer and somebody who can put on some fingering suggestions and barre signs, which are the norm in nearly all guitar solo publications (as you know the guitar is an instrument where you can play the same note on more than one string so this is often specified by numbers in a circle).

Thank you for your comments. There is a classical guitar forum where I might be able to find someone who can help me do this.

Unless there's a guitarist in this forum who'd be willing to offer some suggestions?

There are Glen, classical guitar forums where you could also offer it for performance.

I would help you out myself, but I'm a bit rusty right now.

If a piece is not written by a guitar specialist it is the norm for a guitarist to "edit" the music in this way and put in fingering and string suggestions. For example the Five Bagatelles by Walton were edited by Julian Bream. This is obviously because it's such an idiomatic instrument to write for.

Guitarists expect to see some of this on the page (as long as not every note is fingered which becomes clutter).

I'm sure somebody would be able to do this, and guitarists are looking for quality original pieces to play.

I'll post playability issues from first viewing without trying out on guitar.

First measure looks like it would be pretty hard (assuming this is for classical guitar). At measure 16 and on, what are trying to show with the slurs? Like that it is one voice and you don't want the bass to ring over?

Most of this is playable but some parts don't look too idiomatic (such as 69) though that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Oh and similar to a piano if there is chord that is out of reach, you can roll the chord giving some time for shifts.

I too questioned the opening chord in bar one.

You need a barre on the 12th fret and whilst the other fingers reach over the top of the fingerboard. But it is possible and since it's the first chord in the piece you can take as long as you like to prepare for it.

However it would be a lot easier if you just put the A note an octave below - and it would sound more resonant as this is an open bass string. I think you should do this !

Also I should add that modern guitar scores tend to use the vocal tenor clef as it sounds an octave below written notes.

As a guitarist, I can say it isn't difficult if you were given enough tme to practise. I would be glad to help with playing suggestions if you would like to send me the file and I can add pima markings etc.

I never pay too much attention to the strings it should be played on and what fingers to use as I;m experienced enough to know what makes sense when I play a piece. I don't think the chord at the start is difficult, if playing with the left leg raised it's easy to get the notes (see villa lobos etude no.2) more so if it's played on a guitar with a cutaway.

I'll take a look at dropping the A in the first chord and see what I think.

The slurs in bar 14 and on are to show the rhythmic groupings.

kly45, I would greatly appreciate any playing suggestions since I don't play guitar well enough to attempt this song. The score was originally written in Sibelius 6. Can you use that format? If not, what should I convert it to?

Also I should add that modern guitar scores tend to use the vocal tenor clef as it sounds an octave below written notes.

Uhhh, really? I haven't seen it once, but hey I dunno. I've seen some modern scores (Takemitsu and Smith-Brindle mostly) and of none of them have it. aka link please?

Also, I'm going over Villa Lobos no.2 currently.

Ok, the thing about vocal tenor clef and guitar is some have it and some don't in more recent publications, but it's a minor point in any case.

In terms of the first chord, without dropping the A I would say it's a pretty difficult chord and very few classical players have a cutaway.

I think that for the sake of one note it's not worth getting people to be a contortionist on the very first chord. I can't think of a chord in VL etude II that is as difficult, even the the single notes go right up past the 12th fret.

Ok, the thing about vocal tenor clef and guitar is some have it and some don't in more recent publications, but it's a minor point in any case.

In terms of the first chord, without dropping the A I would say it's a pretty difficult chord and very few classical players have a cutaway.

I think that for the sake of one note it's not worth getting people to be a contortionist on the very first chord. I can't think of a chord in VL etude II that is as difficult, even the the single notes go right up past the 12th fret.

not a chord but what I meant was that there are many players who don't have a cutaway and play up after the 12th fret on that etude. Another example could be a piece called triston

I have the notation for the arrngement of one guitar, if I recall there are many chords passed the 12th fret, mind you it's grade 8.

But you have to remember that not all pianist will be able to reach the chords on the opening of rachmaninoff's concerto no.2.

like this, it might not be a piece for the beginner.

I don't mean to sound arrogant or belittle anyone as you all probably are as good or better than me.

as for dropping the chord, it's not just the octave, there is a difference in sound and tonal quality when played higher, and perhaps this is desired by the composer. Perhaps an ossia would work here?

I did want the high pitch of the original chord, but I think an ossia is a good suggestion.

Made me want to dance

In terms of the first chord, without dropping the A I would say it's a pretty difficult chord and very few classical players have a cutaway.

I think that for the sake of one note it's not worth getting people to be a contortionist on the very first chord. I can't think of a chord in VL etude II that is as difficult, even the the single notes go right up past the 12th fret.

Okay, I think I'm going to have to break down a buy an inexpensive classical guitar and try the first chord both ways. (My son took my Rodrequez--nice guitar--with him to college.) This way I'll have a better idea of how much the low A rings out if I play it open and how difficult it is to play as written. (If I can play it, anyone can!)

This is kinda funky and cool :) The squeaks were VERY annoying, but the music itself was too cool to turn off. You can't help but tap along with your foot.

I can't wait to hear more! (Without SQUEEEAAK!!! of course :P)

Second to last chord in HVL 2 is pretty hard to get all notes ringing. I use a Rodriguez and just started college coincidently. I think I hear Real Guitar samples.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is HVL 2?

What you hear are the sounds supplied with Sibelius 6, so I assume you are hearing real guitar samples.

I was able to pick up a used guitar yesterday. I have some concerns about the playability of measures 69-71. Can someone with actual talent check them and let me know?

I tried the initial chord, and everything everyone said about it is correct. Awkward, but since it's the first note you have time to prepare for it. Rather than just dropping the A it might sound better to drop the whole chord an octave for the ossia.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is HVL 2?

Never mind, I just figured it out.

Also, I think I prefer just dropping the low A of the first chord rather than the entire chord for the ossia.