Etude #4 Fernando Sor Beginner

Fernando Sor (1778 – 1839):

Etude #4 Fernando Sor Beginner – Score

Etude #4 introduces us to the use of dotted notes. The dot is located adjacent to the note head. Here is what a dot does for for note timing. When you see a dot used in music, it means the time value of the note is increased by an additional 50% or half again as much. Some examples are:

Half Note = 2 Beats;
Dotted Half Note = 2+1 or 3 Beats;
Quarter Note = 1 Beat;
Dotted Quarter Note = 1 + 1/2 or 1-1/2 Beats;
Eighth Note = 1/2 Beat;
Dotted Note = 1/2 + 1/4 or 3/4 Beat;
Sixteenth Note = 1/4 Beat;
Dotted Sixteenth Note = 1/4 + 1/8 = 3/8 Beat;

In Etude #4 Fernando Sor Beginner we have dotted eighth notes, which receive 3/4 beats. You will note that immediately following the dotted eighth note there is a sixteenth note, which receives 1/4 beat, so used together, this totals one beat for both notes. When you play this piece you will note that these passages of dotted eighth notes have a syncopated type beat. Listen to the Guitar Pro file and you will see what I mean.

This version is based on the original composition as written by Sor. As I always will do, I have added additional right hand fingering (p-thumb, i-index, m-middle, a-ring fingers) for you to concentrate on your fingerstyle techniques. Also I have added all the correct left hand fingering, which appears directly beside each note head.

Watch your timing when you switch back and forth between the dotted eighth/sixteenth and the straight eighth notes. This can be a bit tricky for you beginning classical guitar players.