Christopher Davis » Free Stuff

Sonata for Guitar

Christopher — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:08:36 +0000

I wrote another piece for guitar. I had wanted to experiment with some more “classical” forms, so I tried writing a sonata. When that turned out well, my composition teacher suggested I make it a multi-movement thing, so I did!

It’s in three movements:
I. Sonata
II. Slow
III. Rondo

And you can download it here (PDF).

Here are the Finale generated midi tracks of the piece.
I. [Audio clip: view full post to listen]
II. [Audio clip: view full post to listen]
III. [Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Major Scales for Students

Christopher — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:15:25 +0000

Here’s a PDF of the four major scale patterns I use with my electric guitar students. Enjoy!

Gnossienne No. 3

Christopher — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:19:50 +0000

Just finished arranging yet another Satie piece.

Gnossienne No. 3 (PDF)

This one pretty much arranged itself. The piece was in a good key for guitar from the start, I just had to select accompaniment notes. Some difficult/weird passages in this one.

More Satie

Christopher — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:54:47 +0000

Just finished arranging another Satie piece last night.

Gnossienne No. 2 (PDF)

This one doesn’t lie quite as well under the fingers as Gnossienne No. 1, but it works. When I arrange these things I want the extreme legato sound that the piano can get by using the pedal or holding down keys longer than the note value. Obviously we can’t hold down a pedal on the guitar, so a reasonable solution is to use campanella fingering. Playing the melody all on the same string just doesn’t get as nice of an effect to my ear.

As before, the phrasing slurs are not mine, they are Satie’s (or his editor’s).

Erik Satie – Gnossienne No. 1 (free music!)

Christopher — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:42:28 +0000

I have a little Thanksgiving gift for everyone: a free arrangement of Satie’s Gnossienne No. 1.

Download it! (PDF file)

Here’s a quick recording of what it sounds like:

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Some notes about the arrangement:

I prefer cross string ornaments, so most of the grace notes are written as cross string. This can be change depending on your personal preferences, but I think the cross string ornaments make it easier.
The grace notes should be placed on the beat. They borrow time from the following note.
The phrasing slurs are not mine, they are in the piano score.
A phrase slur generally indicates a slight crescendo and diminuendo. Combined with a bit of ritard at the end of the phrase.
I’ve added some dynamics, mostly at the end of phrases.
All the text in the score is also in the piano version.

If, for some reason, you’d like to download the audio, here’s the file address: http://www.christopherguitar.net/audio/satiegnossienne1.mp3.

Happy Thanksgiving!