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1 | Playing Solos

Cano's Etude in A Minor

Peter Kun Frary

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Begin your guitar solo studies with an overview of notation and technique. Afterwards, apply your new knowledge to your first solo, Etude in A Minor.

Spanish Singer | Édouard Manet, 1832-1883 | Metropolitan Museum of Art

spanish singer image

What is a Guitar Solo?

Melody and accompaniment played on a single guitar is called a guitar solo. Guitar solos are self-contained and complete musically. The combining of melody and accompaniment on a single instrument is integral to classical guitar, Hawaiian slack key, flamenco, Delta blues, and numerous other guitar styles.

How to Play Etude in A Minor | Tutorial and video version of this chapter.

Etude in A Minor

Your first solo, Etude in A Minor, uses a melody and accompaniment texture: melody played on the treble strings—first, second and third strings—and accompaniment played on the bass strings—fourth, fifth and sixth strings.

Melody and Accompaniment | Melody (blue) should be played louder than accompaniment (red) notes.

melody & accompaniment ©FRARY

Right-Hand Technique

Here are the basics of right-hand technique for Etude in A Minor:

Melody plucked by fingers (m-i) on the treble strings.

Accompaniment played with the thumb (p) on the bass strings.

Tip: emphasize melody and tread lightly on accompaniment (bass notes).

Study Tips

Let Ring

Etude uses a let ring symbol to indicate lengthening of note sustain. This symbol resembles a tie but isn't connected to another note. Rhythm and beat remain steady—no delay of the next note—the note with the let ring symbol is simply allowed to sustain while you play the next few notes.

How do you play a note with a let ring symbol? Leave the fretting finger down a little longer on the note so it overlaps the next note. The resulting sound is smoother and more flowing than simply releasing the note. If it’s an open note—bass notes in Etude—simply allow the string to continue ringing.

Let Ring | The let ring symbol indicates a sustain of the note so it overlaps the next note without delaying or changing the beat.

let ring symbol