Romanza - also known as Spanish Romanza or Romance de Amor, is an essential part of a guitarist’s repertoire, capturing the essence of Spain and her picturesque beauty. I can always remember this as being one of my first classical guitar selections available for request. I have presented this piece as a tutorial in several different articles because it is such an excellent study for any student learning to break out of first position and applying barr chords – perhaps for the first time. It also serves as a good primer for the pieces covered in “Arranging for Solo Guitar – The Queen Titles” video.
Based entirely on descending triplet arpeggios, this work carries its melody, harmony and bass voices thoroughly. Use the rest stroke with your ring finger (a) throughout to enhance the melody, which is always the first 8th note of each triplet. The second and third notes of the triplet are to be plucked lightly with the middle (m) and index (i) fingers, using free strokes (Example 1):

At measure 7 you may opt for using a 5th-fret barr chord. This sets up an easier shift to the 7th –fret barr in measure 9. Measure 9 may seem a bit awkward for some, but is actually a good stretch exercise for the 4th finger (Example 2):

The B section moves into the parallel key of E major. Measure 21 (Example 3) allows for less movement if fingered as shown:

 

Some guitarists like to sustain the notes in measure 31. This requires a stretch for the 4th-finger, while holding fingers 1, 2 and 3 down. If this presents a problem, just hold the 1st finger down throughout these two measures, placing and lifting fingers 2, 3 and 4 accordingly (Example 4):

Romanza presents many opportunities for varying dynamics, speed and color. Narcisco Yepes, Christopher Parkening, Liona Boyd and Steven Pasero are just a few guitarists whose recordings exemplify the multitude of ways this work can be performed. May your interpretation please your listeners as well!

 

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