A trip to Cuba inspired this piece’s Spanish composer, Sebastián Yradier (1809-1865), to write La Paloma. La Paloma is a habanera, a popular Cuban dance. It became the signature genre for its composer. This piece went viral in both the Americas and in Europe.
Eventually, its popularity spread to the entire world. Artists as diverse as Paco de Lucia and Elvis Presley have covered it. It is still a favorite piece of instrumentalists and singers to sing in light concerts, or at parties and other special events.
Guitarists who play at casual gatherings, at parties, at weddings, or at other venues such as restaurants and clubs should consider learning this piece. It is still a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Spot Practice Clip:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/embed/N3VxBpd6uAs[/youtube]This is a piece that contains many high position notes on the first, second, third, and fourth strings. If you feel you may be a little rusty on the high position notes, please go back to the corresponding drills on the chapters on higher position notes earlier in the curriculum. If you are not a full-subscription student, you may want to enroll in our online classical guitar program, LAGA Classical, to study the drills on the higher positions.
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