Tips for Guitar Ensemble
by Alan HirshUse Rest Stroke

pre-read and Clarify your challenges
Many guitar ensemble parts aren’t adequately edited, so sometimes you may have to make fingering decisions on your own. When faced with challenging passages, always clarify the problem(s) during pre-reading, rather than allowing mistakes and confusion in your practice.
Rhythm Issues
Right-hand technical Issues
The first example is “bad” because leading with m creates awkward string crossings between (1) and (2) which aren’t natural to the hand’s finger order. The second example is preferred since string crossings between (1) and (2) follow the natural order of your fingers.
Left-hand technical issues

You may initially want to play it this way, especially if you’re not used to thinking about notes in higher positions …but re-fingered in Position V, the passage becomes easily managed—no “jumping:” If you’re unsure how to re-finger a passage like this, ask your director.
Steady the BEat

Be Prepared

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