Prelude XIX from the Well Tempered Clavier - Book 1 by J.S. Bach. Michael Stitt (Bach Plucked! web site) asked about other WTC Preludes. This version is quite playable but has minimal fingerings. MIDI sound file of Prelude XIX.

Sarabande 2 by Johannes Brahms. This is a more contrapuntal piece than the Sarabande 1, and left-hand fingerings are correspondingly more difficult in order to maintain notes for their required durations. Feel free to alter these as you need to. The MIDI sound file of the Sarabande 2. [10/9/99, 1 page, 62KB]

Fugue by Mikhail Glinka. This is a three part fugue that fits on the guitar with almost no modifications. A good piece for learning to project counterpoint clearly. MIDI sound file of the Fugue. [7/31/99, 3 pages, 112KB]

Fantasia Quinta by Simone Molinaro is the quintessential Italian Renaissance lute fantasia. It has full bodied counterpoint that makes masterful use of the contrapuntal resources of the lute (or guitar) while ingeniously surmounting the limitations. Full expression of the counterpoint in performance does not come easily, however. It requires close attention to the weaving voices and to the fingerings necessary to sustain the notes for the indicated durations. If you succeed in this you will be rewarded with a remarkable musical experience, and one not provided by the usual guitar repertoire. If you are not familiar with this type of music some of the fingerings will seem awkward, but their logic will become clear with study. Transcription from the original tablature, as was done with this piece, requires deducing the countrapuntal structure and you may find places where it could have been done differently. Although you must tune the third string to F sharp I have included ample fingering numbers on this string as an aid to reading. You will notice that there are no bar lines in this edition. Modern bar lines imply a pattern of accents that do not apply in this music. Rather, you must examine individual voices to determine accent. MIDI sound file of Fantasia Quinta. [9/17/99, 3 pages, 111KB]

The following six pieces are all from Peter Tchaikovsky's Music for Children, Op. 39. They are sparkling miniatures that are relatively easy to play, even on the guitar.

Old French Song. Click here for a MIDI sound file of the Old French Song. [9/10/99, 1 page, 59KB]

In Church. Click here for a MIDI sound file of In Church. [9/10/99, 1 page, 53KB]

Morning Prayer. Click here for MIDI sound file of Morning Prayer. [9/10/99, 1 page, 54KB]

The Sick Doll by Peter Tchaikovsky. Originally for piano, on the guitar this piece is an excellent and relatively easy study for left hand placement and higher positions. MIDI sound file of The Sick Doll. [7/23/99, 1 page, 47KB]


The Doll's Burial by Peter Tchaikovsky. Sorry, but the doll could not be saved. Check back later for a happy ending. MIDI sound file of The Doll's Burial. [7/23/99, 1 page, 47KB]


The New Doll by Peter Tchaikovsky. On the guitar this is a good study for practicing articulations. Play all of the accompaniment staccato and quieter than the melody. MIDI sound file of The New Doll. [7/24/99, 1 page, 55KB]