Op.60 #16 (M.Carcassi) - classical

Andante at this period means "with movement", so not too slow.

The top part is lyrical, sustained. Make it sing. The frequent "hairpins" (accent or decrescendo marks) are very deliberate and indicate how this line is intended to be played. The lower part is like a series of thuds because of the rests which are exactly notated and should be observed. In nearly all places this is best done by using the m finger for all the top line and p i for the chords, placing p i back on the strings to dampen them. Perhaps Carcassi composed this piece as a study in étouffé.

In this piece it is a question of being ready for each chord in good time. The key of F, which is relatively uncommon in guitar music of that time, is unforgiving and does not help much with open strings. The melody in the treble should sing out unbroken.

The repeats are in the original editions but it may be suggested that they be regarded as optional.