Level 3 · Classical technique · 20 min
Sor, Op. 35 No. 2: a melody in three eighth notes
By the end you can play the complete Andantino with audible basses and clear upbeats in both repeats.
Before this lesson
Lesson steps
1 The motif, bars 1 to 4
Play each bar’s three eighth notes while sustaining the bass.
3 min 20 s · Quarter note = 40, 1 note per click
Check for · In bar 3 the bass B lasts as long as all three upper notes together.
More detail
The bass B is at fret 2 on string 5. Fit three eighth notes between clicks, with one click per bar.
2 The first slur, bars 5 to 8
Slur G to F by lifting the finger from fret 3 on the first string.
3 min 20 s · Quarter note = 40, 1 note per click
Check for · F at fret 1 sounds without another right-hand attack.
More detail
The C in bar 8 is followed by a short rest. The next upbeat completes the motion.
3 A new bass, bars 9 to 12
Isolate the bass pairs B–A, G–C, B–A and G–A.
3 min 20 s · Quarter note = 40, 1 note per click
Check for · In each pair the first bass lasts two eighth notes and the second lasts one.
More detail
Add the melody after you can find all four bass starts with your thumb.
4 The middle line, bars 13 to 16
Bring out the G to F-sharp descent at the start of bar 15.
3 min 20 s · Quarter note = 40, 1 note per click
Check for · You hear frets 3–2 then 0–2 on string 1 above the bass D.
More detail
The sharp in the engraving precedes F. It also applies to the final F of this bar.
5 The return, bars 17 to 24
Play from the return of the opening motif to the new final C.
3 min 20 s · Quarter note = 40, 1 note per click
Check for · Bar 22 starts on high G, string 1 fret 3.
More detail
The last bar contains high C and low C together followed by a rest.
6 The whole Andantino
Play both sections with their upbeats and repeats.
3 min 20 s · Quarter note = 40, 1 note per click
Revisit the tablature · Step 5
Rhythm variations
Check for · You play the eight-bar section twice, then the sixteen-bar section twice.
More detail
Each section starts with high E and low C together. Upbeats and partial endings produce four short bars in the full tab. Select “Complete piece” to see the full tab.
You can move on when…
You pass when both repeats restart on their upbeats and both slurred notes in bar 15 remain distinct.
If a movement feels difficult
The phrases break apart at the join.
Loop the two phrases together, watching their connection.
The melody disappears under the accompaniment.
Bring out only the melody finger, keeping the others soft.