Hey Guys, today we are going to learn a new piece on Classical Guitar called Lagrima by the Spanish composer Francisco Tarrega. This is one of my favorite piece. The melody is sublime and melancholic. This piece really helped me developed accuracy, tone and vibrato. Definitely a “must play” piece! Enjoy.
Basic info
The song was written by Tarrega back in the 1900. The piece is in a key of E major for the first 8 bars, then modulates in E minor for the second half. This is a fairly easy piece for classical and also acoustic guitar but I would recommend you start this song only if you have been played for more than two years.
The bar chords are indicated with a roman number. A number II indicate a bar on fret two. The number next to the roman number tells you how many strings you need to bar: IX4 means a four strings bar on fret nine. I hope it make sense.
Bar 1: The song starts with a symmetrical positions on the 4th and 1st string. Notice that I am using the same fingers: index finger on the 4th string and little finger on the 1st string. Slide gently across the three positions. Reduce the slide “scratching” noise by lifting the fingers away from the string.
Bar 2: This is a B7 chord played. Make sure you pluck the strings in the right order.
Bar 3-4: Same as Bar 1-2
Bar 5: Jump on fret 12. In this bar there are three killing positions. Make sure you are using the same fingers positions I do. Watch the video lesson at 6:25. The bar chords in this measure are just a four strings bar.
Bar 6: For me this is the most difficult bar in this major section. Make sure you let the 1st string ring on and add a bit of vibrato.
Bar 7: Finally the last few chords before the end of the first part. I would highly recommend you use a bar chord on the second fret where indicated.
Bar 8: Easy E major chord.
The minor part from bar 9 is much more challenging. I would highly recommend you watch the video several times and practice each bar slowly.
Bar 9: Let’s start off with the melody played on the first string. Notice that you will slide the finger from fret three to fret 8. Use the second finger. It is quite difficult to land on the B7 chord. Place a five strings bar on fret two and stretch the little finger up to fret four.
Bar 10: This is an amazing line played on 3rd and 4th string. Use index and middle finger as plucking fingers.
Bar 11: In this bar you will just to fret 12. Follow the notation and tab for the other positions. Stretch the finger carefully and rest if you feel any pain.
Bar 12: Simple melody on the 4th string.
Bar 13: The melody is played on the first string. Start quiet and build up the volume (crescendo).
Bar 14: Play the bass note quite loud and control this line on the top string so that it sounds sharp and accurate.
Bar 15: I see lot’s of people struggling to memorize that bar. The fingers are a bit tricky and the chord is hard to visualize.
Bar 16: A simple E minor chord (at last!)
Lagrima Part 1
Lagrima Part 2
Check out my Book!
