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Spanish Fandango week 1

From Winners eureka method page 28.

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Comment by Austin on January 19, 2025 at 23:54: In the Eureka method, it's a very easy tune, Ian.

Comment by Joel Hooks on January 20, 2025 at 2:53: Bradbury does not have you elevate the bass or play this until the very end of volume one. Given, his arrangement is more substantial, but there is a reason he waits so long.

I would say that back to the basic exercises with a strong focus on counting and time is the best path forward. Follow the graded path and if you are able to cleanly play all the pieces in Bradbury when you get to Spanish Fandango you will be able to play it.

Comment by IAN SALTER on January 20, 2025 at 6:12: On reflection, my strongest recommendation is that you concentrate on exercises 1 to 27 in the Barnes and Mullins book.

Do read the 'The Importance Of Practice And Patience' on page 12.

Don't use a metronome if it is going to be a distraction.

Focus on playing each exercise exactly as it is written and don't rush through them.

I look forward to hearing your recordings.

Comment by Joel Hooks on January 20, 2025 at 15:39: Well, Austin, you are not playing what is written in Winner's anyway. That is fine, but if you are missing measures and your improvised variation is not in time or coherent so it might be better to just play it as published.

Spanish Fandango is one of those pieces that is found in more instruction books than not. I believe it first shows up for banjo in 1868 Buckley's Guide, but I would have to double check. For a time I had great recall of those early tutors but since I have turned my focus to later stuff those early works start to blur together.

The variations for SF are pretty much endless. Since you are in the beginner phase, I recommend raising the 4th as instructed. But at a certain point you might start to realize that most of the "bass elevated" pieces may be played in standard. For SF it requires a little rearranging. Instead of playing the root C, I will play the octave match of the high note. Works for me anyway. The octave interval exercises are the key to avoiding raising the bass. That said, time spent with all the interval exercises is a good idea.

And don't forget to focus on alternate fingering.

Comment by Austin on January 20, 2025 at 19:24: There's no need to be so hostile, Joel. At least it seems like you're being hostile.

Comment by Joel Hooks on January 20, 2025 at 19:43: Hostile? Really?

I'm merely pointing out that you referenced a specific published arrangement that you used, but then did not actually play what was published. That is perfectly fine, you may play what you want and how you want.

The historical bit I thought was being helpful.

Comment by Austin on January 20, 2025 at 23:42: I misinterpret tone when people are talking to me One-on-one IRL. It's a bit difficult to determine over text. I apologize.

Comment by Joel Hooks on January 21, 2025 at 3:18: I can’t imagine a scenario where I wound be hostile toward you over Classic banjo. Please keep sharing and posting. If I did not support you I would not try to help.