Andantino By Matteo Carcassi

I do not believe Matteo Carcassi needs any introduction. If you really think you need to look him up, then here is the link for the Wikipedia page. It is worthwhile to note that he wrote 77 opuses that we know exist. There a few that are known to be lost. I don’t know about you, but I surely haven’t heard, let alone played, the entirety of his work. But most who begin the guitar get around to pieces like this Andantino.

Publications of Andantino

This piece originally from the Méthode complète pour le guitare, op. 59, part 1. This is obviously Carcassi’s method for learning the guitar. It is broken up into four sections (if my memory serves me correctly?). The Royal Conservatory series. Currently, list it in the Level 1 Repertoire and Etudes. However, it previously was listed at the preparatory level.

About The Piece

As mentioned above, this piece falls in the Royal Conservatory Level 1. The key is C major. However, it has a nice change of key alternating from D minor to G major in measures 4 through 8. This piece gives a beginner a nice change of character from the standard non-accidental playing of pieces at this level. Technical challenges are in the thumb playing with an individual finger simultaneously and with alternating the thumb with two fingers playing intervals.

Chadwick Becks

I have two degrees in guitar performance and was privileged to study under Aaron Shearer, Tom Kikta, David Skantar, Ken Karsh, Tim Bedner, and currently Christopher Berg. Outside my editorial work on this blog, I teach full-time across many genres including classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, and metal.