Week 4 · 12 min
Two phrases from Recuerdos
By the end, you can play the two opening two-bar phrases separately.
Before this lesson
Lesson steps
1 Recall the first phrase
Play bars 1 and 2, counting six groups in each.
3 min · 78 bpm · 4 notes per click
Check for · 2 bars at 84 BPM — the second low bass starts on click seven.
More detail
The thumb opens each group. The three melody notes fill the rest of the beat.
2 Read the second phrase
Play fret 5 for the first four groups in bar 4, then fret 6 for the last two.
3 min · 78 bpm · 4 notes per click
Check for · 2 bars at 84 BPM — all six upper notes in the last two groups of bar 4 sound at fret 6.
More detail
On click five, the thumb plays string 3 at fret 7. Fret string 2 at fret 6 with the left middle finger. On click six, the thumb plays open string 3.
3 Repeat the first phrase
Play bars 1 and 2 twice without shortening the last i.
3 min · 84 bpm · 4 notes per click
Revisit the tablature · Step 1
Check for · 4 bars at 92 BPM — the last i keeps its place before the first bass returns.
More detail
Locate fret 1 at the start of bar 2. Use it as a listening landmark within the loop.
4 Repeat the second phrase
Loop bars 3 and 4 twice, listening for the final rise.
3 min · 84 bpm · 4 notes per click
Revisit the tablature · Step 2
Check for · 4 bars at 92 BPM — the move from 5 to 6 lands on the same click in both passes.
More detail
Listen for the melody rising on click five. Open string 3 marks click six. Return to fret 5 as the loop begins again.
You can move on when…
You pass when each phrase runs twice at 92 BPM and the last fret change in bar 4 is audible.
If a movement feels difficult
The tune breaks at a fret change.
Locate the new fret before the last i. Fret the note during the next bass attack.
The thumb hesitates at the string change.
Play the thumb line alone for two bars before adding the three upper notes.