Three Preludes on Occitan Songs

The single download comprises of an Introduction with performers' notes, a score with TAB underneath (to aid with the DADGBD tuning) and a score with notes only.

In performance, the guitar is tuned DADGBD (with both strings 1 and 6 tuned to D).

Icomposed Three Preludes on Occitan Songsduring the years I spent living and working in South West France.
I hadthe pleasure of seeing Occitan bands performing at village festivals. The styleof music was coarse and rhythmic with lyrics telling timeless stories. I borrowed the mostsimple of melodic fragments and use them to create contemporary guitar workssuitable for concert performance.

The Cancion de Hialara translates as ?The Spinner?sSong?. In this, I have imitated the rustic drones of the hurdy-gurdies found inOccitan bands through the use of tremolo patterns.

Som Som is a lullaby. This melody isfamiliar to many cultures across Europe and beyond.

L� NostreAse translatesas ?Our Donkey?. It is a comic song which tells of the antics of a stubbornrustic animal. Players should enjoy the hemiola rhythms where 3/4 is set again6/8.

For other solo compositions, arrangements, and teaching scores, see: www.danjonesguitarist.com.

This cancause some difficulty in reading. Also, to take advantage of the sonority ofthe instrument when tuned this way, the unusual playing positions and fingeringare critical. It is for these reasons that I have provided the score in justnotes but also with notes and tablature below.

Thankyou and I hope you enjoy Three Preludes on Occitan Songs.

I was lucky enough tobe involved in the recording of the Inspector Morse theme for the debut TVseries in !987. Barrington said he had aimed to capture the Inspector?smelancholy by using the minor key. A brilliant stroke musically was to play onthe surname with a repeated note tapping out the Morse code. When I made thisarrangement of the Morse theme I sent Barrington a pre-recording for hisapproval. I was more than delighted when he replied:

?Hi Carlos! Thank you so much. It?s a beautifularrangement. With all my best wishes and may God bless you mate, love Bazz.?

This is a simple, short arrangement of the lovely Scottish song 'Annie Laurie' for solo guitar.

The technical and musical level is suitable for early-years guitarists. The ABRSM grade level is approximately Grade 2 and for other boards, where the technical requirements are more relaxed, Grade 3.

Exam boards across the world are now offering online video submissions to replace existing grades. Candidates are required to perform some set repertoire but also free choice music. This piece is ideal for Grade 2-3 standard players (2nd-3rd year). Annie Laurie also makes an excellent piece of repertoire and the addition of chords makes it a possible ensemble piece. I will upload a YouTube video before the end of September 2020.

For a wealth of repertoire choices for solo and ensemble guitar, please see www.danjonesguitarist.com.