1x durch den Quintenzirkel Kleine Vortragsstücke für Gitarre Heft 2 (Moll-Tonarten)

It takes considerable cognitive effort to master compositions with many accidentals joyfully and successfully. Only regular and consistent practice helps the musician not only to play these works, but also to create them.

However, as with almost all stringed instruments, there is a second, technical problem when playing the guitar. The given tuning of the instrument is due to the fact that hardly any empty strings can be used with increasing accidentals; this applies in particular to the Bb keys! As a result, the fretting hand has to do a lot more physically, because only playing across the entire fretboard enables differentiated and demanding music-making in all keys. I can only strongly encourage every guitarist to take on this task.

The present work, divided into major and minor keys, is the result of my many years of experience as a guitar teacher. It is intended to introduce the pupil to the ‘uncomfortable’ keys, arouse his interest, initiate eagerness to practise and take away the fear of the numerous accidentals.

The main positions, the secondary positions and of course the position changes are practised.

In order to avoid tiring and cramping the fingering hand, I have kept all the pieces quite short, but they are nevertheless fully-fledged compositions with (I hope) a highly challenging character. I have also avoided permanent and continuous barré fingering as far as possible. There are no instructions as to when a large barré fingering is required; this should be decided by the performer and serves as an additional exercise. The numerous fingerings are merely suggestions and are intended to facilitate a fluent performance; with two exceptions, I have dispensed with touch instructions, as they are not the subject of this work.

For those who can play both booklets with confidence, I recommend further study:

Frank Knabben:

10 Waltzes for the Ambitious Guitarist op. 30

Prelude and Fugue in G major op. 25

10 Concertante Caprices op. 24

5 Päludien for guitar op. 31

Frank Knabben

Bochum, 08 September 2024