Mauro Giuseppe Sergio Pantaleo Giuliani (July 27, 1781 – May 8, 1829) was an Italian guitarist and composer, and is considered by many to be one of the leading guitar virtuosi of the early 19th century. His first instrumental training was on the cello—an instrument which he never completely abandoned—and he probably also studied the violin. Subsequently he devoted himself to the guitar, becoming a very skilled performer on it in a short time. In this song “Etude in A minor” you will play the lead with bass and treble strings.

Technique
-Lots of thumb action and finger gymnastics. Suspension of bass/treble notes.
-Bar[12]-[16] In these 4 Bars, you will enounter a series of rapid bass notes (struck with thumb).
Make sure the treble notes are suspended and heard.
-2 half barred chords at the end (first fret). 35 total bars. Played straight with no repeats.

taken from Mauro Giuliani's Etude in A minor

Tips
-The suggested Left hand fingering may be weird at first but you will soon notice the finger position sets up for the next finger placement. Sort of like looking ahead to facillate playing.

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Further Reading
I learnt Etude in A minor by Mauro Giuliani from 50 Easy classical Guitar Pieces by Jerry Willard. Another book in my collection. Book is in tabulature. Great for beginner guitar for classical. 50 short songs introducing you to key players of the genre. Works featured in this book includes the many names that influence the classical guitar world. To name a few featured: Fernando Carulli, Napoloen Coste, Fernando Sor, Dionisio Aguado, Gaspar Sanz, John dowland, Robert Devisse, and Mauro Giuliani. This book comes with a companion CD plus a brief biography writeup on the aforementioned maestros.

Ecossaise by Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829)
Grade 1- Beginner

Mauro giuliani was born in Italy 1781. Giuliani’s early life is relatively unknown as he was a seasoned traveller. He finally settled down in Vienna in 1806 at the age of 27. Soon he led the classical guitar movement there and became the greatest living guitar and also a highly acclaimed composer. Mauro Giuliani pioneered modern notation practices for guitar music, notating melody, bass, and inner voices individually on one staff. Giuliani died in Naples in 1829 at the age of 48.

Technique
The écossaise is a variety of contredance in a Scottish style, especially popular in France and England at the end of the 18th century and at the beginning of the 19th. The ecossaise was usually danced in 2/4 time. 16 Bars. AABA. Play Part A twice the proceed to play Part B twice. No barre Chords. Play at moderate Tempo

Excerpt from Mauro Giuliani Ecossaise

Tips
Mauro Giuliani’s Ecossaise is ideal for beginners letting you get familiarize with the fretboard.

Full TAB in txt

Further Reading
I learnt Ecossaise by Mauro Giuliani from 50 Easy classical Guitar Pieces by Jerry Willard. Another book in my collection. Book is in tabulature. Great for beginner guitar for classical. 50 short songs introducing you to key players of the genre. Works featured in this book includes the many names that influence the classical guitar world. To name a few featured: Fernando Carulli, Napoloen Coste, Fernando Sor, Dionisio Aguado, Gaspar Sanz, John dowland, Robert Devisse, and Mauro Giuliani. This book comes with a companion CD plus a brief biography writeup on the aforementioned maestros.

( p i m a m i ) are 6 notes in triplet time in legato, a pretty aggressive right hand pattern. To me, the sweep effect mimics the harp. Being legato means playing smooth and connected; without breaks between the successive tones. If you like this continuous sweep effect, there’s another song using the same 6 note pattern on steroids, Francisco Tarrega’s “Estudio Brillante”. However, I must prepare you that Tarrega’s song is significantly harder and lengthier than Mauro Giuliani’s tune. Opus 48 no5 is a good introduction song for the sweep effect. Short enough to have mercy on your right hand!

pimami pattern all the way

Tip
Although the sweep is same throughout the song, the accents are not. You must separate the string and strike one string/note harder than the rest. For example, 1 2 3 4 5 6 . The 5th note is accented and is louder than the rest. This means you have to be in control of each note in the pattern. Don’t go too fast. It’s better to go slow, uniform and without breaks than turbo and disjointed.

Full Song in txt | Full Song in MIDI

Exercise: ( p i m i a i m i )
“Allegro Etude” is one of Giuliani’s fine example of his Right Hand Arpeggio Studies. Mauro Giuliani was a gifted guitarist and composer of an Italian heritage. The song title “Allegro Etude” means “Rapid Study”. In this case, fast right hand plucking of arpeggios. pimiaimi.

Technique
This song is fairly easy for the left hand as there are no barred chords. Take note of the pivot fingers when doing the bass fills.

Right hand arpeggio studies: pimiaimi

Tip
Go slow then progressively faster. Keep tempo constant at all times.

Full Song in txt

Further Reading
Classical for guitar is one of my first classical guitar book. Jerry Synder, the author of the book has categorized 17 songs by grades. From grade 1 (beginner) to grade 4 (late intemediate). Each song comes with a brief introduction which is helpful and informative. In this tab book, you will find many composers’ famous works. like beethovern’s “fur elise” to wedding favorites like “Canon in D” by Pachelbel and “Jesu, Man’s joy of desiring” by Bach to excerise work by Fernando Sor. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an entry level classical guitar book.