Our tutorial today introduces a new rhythm, premieres an arpeggio pattern, and takes on a new piece, Andante Opus 31 No. 4 by Fernando Sor.
Melody
The melody of Andante Opus 31 No. 4 is more intricate than prior melodies but will fall under your fingers easily due to the slower tempo. Take care to count four beats for whole notes at phrase endings.
Dotted Quarter Note
Andante introduces a new rhythm at measure 12: dotted quarter note followed by an eighth note. Here's how this combination sounds (audio repeats four times):
Dotted Quarter Note Counting
In the above example, the dotted quarter note receives 1 1/2 (1.5) beats: it sustains from beat 1 through the first half of beat 2. Gauge the placement of the eighth note by saying “and” between beat numbers. The eighth note falls on the “and” or second half of beat 2. Practice counting and clapping the rhythm until smooth. The goal is to internalize this rhythm so it comes out naturally.
Listen to the Track
Watch the video and become familiar with the sound and feel of this piece.
Andante Opus 31 No. 4 | Frary Guitar Duo
In the video above, the melody is played note for note per the score. P-i-m-a 2X (see below) is used for the chords with freestyle passages here and there.
Play the Melody Now!
Practice the melody of Andante until smooth. Play along with the audio track or video to help shore up your rhythm.
Andante Op. 31 No. 4 | Melody only—play along!
Once the melody of Aura Lee is under your fingers, work on the chords.
Chords
Andante only has one new chord, E, so you should be on familiar harmonic ground. For this piece, learn to play the chords with the P-i-m-a 2X arpeggio. This pattern is designed for quadruple meter (4/4 meter).
P-i-m-a 2X Arpeggio
An arpeggio accompaniment complements the serene and lyrical melody of Andante perfectly. As with any new arpeggio or strum pattern, practice it on the open strings until smooth and burned into your reflexes.
P-i-m-a 2X | Practice on the open strings first.
P-i-m-a 2X Arpeggio Step by Step
Thumb (p) plucks the lowest bass note of the chord (root)
Index (i) plucks the third string
Middle (m) finger plucks the second string
Ring (a) plucks the first string
Repeat the above.
In 4/4 meter, the right hand finger sequence of p-i-m-a is played twice in each measure, resulting in a flow of eighth notes. P-i-m-a 2X is an ideal accompaniment for a ballad and, compared to strumming, is easier to balance with a melody played on a guitar or 'ukulele.
Now that you've mastered P-i-m-a 2X on the open strings, take a closer look at P-i-m-a 2X within the context of Andante. Here's Andante's first line written out with the P-i-m-a 2X arpeggio. The audio track continues on through the entire piece, following the P-i-m-a 2X pattern, albeit not fully notated here.
Role of the Thumb
The i-m-a part of the P-i-m-a pattern is played on the third, second and first strings for all chords. However, the thumb switches bass strings depending on the chord. Why? The thumb's role is to create a bassline by plucking the root or lowest indicated note of the chord. For example, pluck the fifth string for an Am chord, the fourth string for a Dm chord, the sixth string for the E chord, etc.
Which Bass note?
How do you know which bass note to play? The thumb plays the lowest indicated string on the left side of the chord diagram. Watch the video below for further explanation of the thumb's bass role.
P-i-m-a 2X "How to" video for Andante | Peter Kun Frary
Down 2X Strum
If arpeggios aren't your thing, the Down 2X Strum (two strums per measure) works well. You can mix P-i-m-a 2X and the Down 2X Strum for creative effect.
D.C. al Fine
Andante uses a repeat symbol: D.C. al fine. D.C. al fine is an abbreviation of Da Capo al Fine, an Italian phrase meaning return to the beginning and play until the word "fine."
In the case of Andante, once the fourth line is completed, return to the beginning (Da Capo) and play until the end of the second line (fine).
Melody
Dotted Quarter Note
Listen to the Track
Play the Melody Now!
Chords
P-i-m-a 2X Arpeggio
Role of the Thumb
Down 2X Strum
