My wife was just reminding me how excited I was the first time I saw a symphony and much I enjoyed the title piece.
I was just wondering If that piece lends itself to guitar. I was mesmerized when I heard it, and if it could be, or has been adapted for guitar I would love to hear and learn to play it.
Any thoughts?
Cheers,
Max
What instrument(s) was it played on originally? being a symphony I assume it was multiple...either way, if there was an instrument taht really stood out it can be played on guitar if you know your notation. That being said, it may have to be transcribed according to the possibilities based on the neck of the guitar.
Guitarin' isn't a job, so don't make it one.
It has been done. :)
If you want to Google it, the guy's name is spelled Ravel and the piece is spelled Bolero.
Here's one result from my Google attempt. (type the line below into the search line).
+Ravel +Bolero +guitar
Good luck. :)
I've seen this one at the music shop here in town...and you can buy it online too:
http://wwws.sheetmusicplus.com/sheetmusic/detail/SP.TS98.html
http://www.classicalguitarstudio.com/Ravel16400153.htm
Torville and Dean, anyone?
:D :D :D
Vic
"Sometimes the beauty of music can help us all find strength to deal with all the curves life can throw us." (D. Hodge.)
I really don't think the piece lends itself at all to the guitar, or any other single instrument. The beauty of the piece is in the arrangements. It builds from a single snare drum to a complete orchestra, giving each string section and wind player a solo along the way. The actual music doesn't change that much, just who's playing it. It would be a nice bit for a decent sized jazz band, but IMO it's not great for guitar. Ravel's a great composer, and did write a lot of stuff that lends itself to guitar. His mother was basque, and he was raised near the french border with spain, so it's no surprise some of his music is guitaristic. Check out Alborado del Gracioso or Pavane for a Dead Princess. Not too famous, but still excellent music. Ravel had very jazzy tendencies, as well, and in fact he and Gershwin were mutual influences. Anyway. Great composer, but beware: don't listen to Bolero too frequently, or you will start to loathe it.
~Sam
Torville and Dean, anyone?
:D :D :D
Vic
:D
And wasn't it used in the film "10" with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek? Didn't they use it to make love to? Didn't see the film, but the idea sounds OK...
Torville and Dean, anyone?
:D :D :D
Vic
:D
And wasn't it used in the film "10" with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek? Didn't they use it to make love to? Didn't see the film, but the idea sounds OK...
Yes. With Bo Derek at the time, absolutely. I think she did age well. She couldn't be more than 50 now could she?
What instrument
I believe the Oboe was the lead instrument. Ah yes! The romantic Oboe :P .
Anyway I don't think it transcribes well for solo guitar but maybe as a duet Flamenco piece it would work.
I really don't think the piece lends itself at all to the guitar, or any other single instrument. The beauty of the piece is in the arrangements.
Ravel created orchestral versions of some of his piano pieces, but I'm pretty sure Bolero wasn't one of them, though I think he may have created a piano (either for one piano or two pianos, I can't remember) arrangement later...
Yep, it's a lead oboe. The tough thing about doing a decent guitar-only version is the repetitive bass notes... it's almost like the guitar is built upside down for efficiently arranging it.
Come to think of it, if you really wanted to, you could probably do a decent job playing a 'wrong-handed' guitar... the melody is single notes, and that would let you do the bass patterns with multiple fingers instead of needing a Wes Montgomery-style thumb :)
Guitar teacher offering lessons in Plainfield IL
Funny I thought this was a shot in the dark. I should have realized the shear number of talented people that frequent this site.
Thanks for all the info.
Cheers,
Max
Maurice Ravel. Was he the "Gangster of Love"? :wink:
Agree with the nice sized jazz band for this one, with a talented keyboard player with a nice set-up, a couple horns and/or woodwind players, bassist, drummer, guitarist. Sounds like a plan.
Emerson Lake and Palmer could have done an interesting job. They did "Pictures At An Exhibition" pretty good. The group Camel, could probably have done a great job. I'm sure there are some more modern bands that could do a nice version.
It is a small world for metal fanatics. I welcome you fellow musicians, especially the metalheads!
Emerson Lake and Palmer could have done an interesting job. They did "Pictures At An Exhibition" pretty good.
Interestingly enough, Ravel was the one who orchestrated Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," which was originally a piano suite.
HEY!
http://www.powertabs.net/pta.php?page=song,14683
I think that th person may have forgotten to set the tuning. It sounds out.
