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Ravel, Bolero
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 Maurice Ravel:
BOLERO

The bolero's origins are in Cuba. It started around the 19th century and blossomed from a Cuban popular song as a style of its own.

Boleros are also popular in Spain but they are radically different than the Latin-American counterpart. In the Spanish version, the couples dances apart, while in the Latin-American, the couples embraced.  The Spanish version is written in 3/4 time while the Latin American version is in 2/4 time. African based rhythms at the very base of the Latin-American bolero. 
Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). French, son to a Swiss father and Spanish Mother, Ravel combined skill in orchestration with meticulous technical command of harmonic resources. He wrote in an attractive musical idiom that was entirely his own, in spite of contemporary comparisons with Debussy, a composer his senior by some twenty years. A deeply impressionistic style filled with the deepest romanticism.

The Bolero is one of the best known works on the planet and unique in every way...recognizable after only a few bars. 

Ravel died of a brain tumor and some recent investigations by a British doctor indicate that he suffered from Alzheimer disease because  "...the famous melody repeated 18 times without change during the course of the piece demonstrates that the French composer was possibly succumbing to Alzheimer's disease. Perseveration, an obsession with repeating words and gestures, is one of the more notable symptoms of this pathology"... Now, with all due respect, with that type of approach, we have to assert that Pachelbel's Canon is a Mental institution case, not to mention most music with variations... 

The Music was introduced massively by Blake Edwards in the 1979 Warner comedy "10" (Dudley Moore, Bo Derek). The guitar transcription I propose is irresistible... It is an applause magnet and it is very impressive... The technical challenges are well defined and I consider the piece a must in the contemporary guitarist repertoire. 
Staffs, Video and Analysis 1-20
# 1
VIDEO 1:
Analysis:
This is the rhythmic stage onto which the hypnotizing melody will move. Identify the rhythmic groups because they will repeat relentlessly creating a fantastic contrast with the moving melody. 
# 2
 
VIDEO 2:
Analysis:
The famous melody begins. Bring it out by using fijación on the a finger. More on fijación here
# 3
VIDEO 3:
Bolero video 3
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
High impact pieces like the Bolero, usually have a rhythmic element that creates an illusion of more than one instrument playing at the same time. The illusion is created by the steady bass (A) rhythm...put it on a different acoustic plane so as to enhance the illusion. The tie between the F# and the E can be omitted according to your musical taste.
# 4
VIDEO 4:
Bolero video 4
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
I like to play this section using ascending slurs. You can omit them if you like. The secret to a smooth, clean ascending slur is to put down both left hand fingers that will perform the slur prior to actually performing the slur. Doing otherwise, makes you more vulnerable to mistakes or to miss the slur altogether.
# 5
 
VIDEO 5:
Bolero video 5
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
The first melodic entry ends in measure one...the bass line takes center stage for a shortly while the second melodic entry begins in the next staff.
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# 6
VIDEO 6:
Bolero video 6
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
Sing, hold and apply a slow vibrato to the E at the very beginning.
# 7
VIDEO 7:
Bolero video 7
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
The small 2 finger barre is lifted immediately after the A is plucked by the right hand.
# 8
VIDEO 8:
Bolero video 8
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
With the exception of a few passages, the melody does not incur in any sudden change of pitch... the melody moves very gently and the listener is taken to a peaceful place.
# 9
VIDEO 9:
Bolero video 9
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
You can decide to play the E-D, F#-E ties. These ties have more to do with technique than interpretation.
# 10
VIDEO 10:
Bolero video 10
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
After the short presentation of the opening motif, the A at the very end of the staff introduces the main melody transposed exactly 1 octave higher (next staff).
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# 11
VIDEO 11:
Bolero video 11
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
The melody is transposed. 
It will move almost identically to the first melody. Feel free to add or eliminate slurs. The movement of the melody is carried on whether you use them or not. 
# 12
VIDEO 12:
Bolero video 12
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
Again, use legatos (more on legatos here)  freely where you think it's appropriate. 
# 13
VIDEO 13:
Bolero video 13
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
Again, choose whether you want to incorporate the slurs or not.
# 14
VIDEO 14:
Bolero video 14
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
The fast alternation of the triplet (3) can be performed with either an i-m or an a-i right hand fingers combination
# 15
VIDEO 15:
Bolero video 15
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
The second main theme starting with the high E is taken one octave higher. 
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# 16
VIDEO 16:
Bolero video 16
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
To make the changes of position easy, simply remember where your sliding finger (1 and 2 in this staff) has to land.
# 17
 
VIDEO 17:
Bolero video 17
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
Use the open string E to move to the D and then to the G on string 2 
# 18
VIDEO 18:
Bolero video 18
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
One note later, the section ends and a new, lower tone is presented. The high A at the beginning of measure 2 is meant to create contrast with the following section.
# 19
VIDEO 19:
Bolero video 19
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
As soon as the initial chord is played, the initial motive is presented....you can repeat this staff (changing the high D at the beginning with an A)  to stall your listeners' ear and prepare them for the new motif staring next staff.
# 20
VIDEO 20:
Bolero video 20
To see, click on the image
To download, right click here		 Analysis:
This is just a measure presenting the familiar tune before a new section is presented 2 staffs ahead.

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Asunción, Friday September 16th 2005
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