Trinity Guite Grade 5?!
Question: In just under 2 weeks I'm going to take my Grade 5 Guitar (with the Trinity College exam board)
I wonder if anybody could help me decipher my scales instructions?
It says ''All to be performed f, mf and p in straight and swung rhythms. RH fingering: im (or mi) and ma (or am). Tone: norm. and pont. Scales: apoyando or tirando at examiner's choice; arpeggios, scales in 3rds and Full Barre sequence: tirando.''
How can I play each scale f, mf AND p? And how can the RH fingering be im AND am?
Also what does norm. and pont. mean?
Thanks very much.
PS; tips for on the day of the exam/ preparation for the exam would be much appreciated!! xx
Answers: In just under 2 weeks I'm going to take my Grade 5 Guitar (with the Trinity College exam board)
I wonder if anybody could help me decipher my scales instructions?
It says ''All to be performed f, mf and p in straight and swung rhythms. RH fingering: im (or mi) and ma (or am). Tone: norm. and pont. Scales: apoyando or tirando at examiner's choice; arpeggios, scales in 3rds and Full Barre sequence: tirando.''
How can I play each scale f, mf AND p? And how can the RH fingering be im AND am?
Also what does norm. and pont. mean?
Thanks very much.
PS; tips for on the day of the exam/ preparation for the exam would be much appreciated!! xx
To decipher:
f= forte (play the scale loudly)
mf=mezzo forte (play it medium volume)
p= play it softly (piano)
straight=play it with steady eighth or sixteenth notes
swung=play it jazzy with a swing feel
im/mi=alternate your index and middle fingers when playing the notes
am/ma=alternate your middle and fourth fingers when playing the notes
norm=play the notes in the normal finger position with your hand over the guitar's sound hole
pont=play the notes with your hand very near the bridge of the guitar (pont=ponticello)
apoyando=after you pluck the string, rest your finger on the string (so it dampens it a bit)
tirando=after you pluck the string, keep your finger in the air
The idea is that you should be able to play the scales different ways using different techniques and not just only play in one style or have just one sound. It means you'll have to practice more (but you'll be a better guitarist for being able to do it.)
simply you'll have to be able to play scales both forte and piano and mezzoforte (... "at examiner's choice"), and with different fingering, obviously not at the same time