Spanish Dance No.5

[Glenn]

Does any know what the right fingering should be with the artificial harmonics and the chords that go below them? How should the melody be played throughout the piece, rest stroke or free stroke?

[Libre]

I've been playing Span #5 for years (and have recorded it as well, on my CD VOL II).

1st question 1st:
With RH artificial harmonics, I use the a finger to pluck, and the i finger (straight out and extended) to touch the harmonic point, just above the appropriate fret bar, which is, of course, determined by the note to be played. The left hand must be stopping the string exactly 12 frets below all this. Meanwhile, the p finger and even the m might be busy with the inner voices. NOBODY SAID THIS WAS EASY!
I'm not sure, specifically, what those inner notes are, without checking my score.

Artificial harmonics are one of the harder techniques in all the guitarists bag of tricks. If the right hand does not hit the EXACT harmonic point with the i finger, you won't get a note - much less a GOOD note. It all has to be timed and positioned PERFECTLY to work.

As far as rest vs free, with melody notes, I play rest strokes whenever possible.

[JerryZ]

Hi Libre,

I went to look over at the web page of yours and it was nice and so was the pictures. I am learning the guitar and hope some time I can play in a crowd of people like you do. Can you tell me if you get nurvous.

[Libre]

Hey Jerry -
Well, the first time, I was nervous as all hell. As I got accustomed to it, though, I found that I really could not play my best WITHOUT an audience. It might only be one or two listeners, or it could be 50 or more - but for me now, playing alone is just practicing for the "real thing". I need the RUSH of live ears to make me dig deep for all the intensity I can muster.