About the music:
"El Son de la Negra" is a Mexican folk song. Wikipedia credits Tepic Nayarit as the first person to present the tune in a recognizable form. The Jaliscan composer Blas Galindo is credited with creating the version we know best today. The piece was included in his 1940 suite Sones de mariachi.
The Mexican ethnologist Jesús Jáuregui argues that the the original tune underwent so many modifications that it can hardly be attributed to a single author or epoque. The song has now become representative of Mexican folk culture worldwide. Jáuregui's more than two decades of research were presented on 15 July 2010 at a conference held in the state of Nayarit under the patronage of the state's Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes. Among the specific topics discussed were the origin and authorship of the tune, its first recordings, excerpts from Galindo's memoirs, and photographs of older scores and lyrics
This arrangement maintains some of the traditional Mariachi style commonly associated with the original while making use of classical technique and style.
As a level 9 part, Guitar 1a presents students with several challenges including shifts, slurs, harmonics and upper position playing.
The level 5 part, Guitar 1b is more suitable for students who aren’t quite ready for the challenges of Guitar 1a. This part includes the level 5 skill of simple slurs (including an open string).
The level 8 part, Guitar 2a requires limited upper position reading with a few shifts. Measures 83-123 offer a manageable introduction to reading in position X.
The level 4 part, Guitar 3a emulates a few important characteristics of Mariachi music. One example found in opening measures is the use of Guitarron technique. To do this, the student will play bass notes with the flesh of p, The goal is to produce a warm, quasi-percussive sound. This part also makes use of some simple rasqueado techniques. The use of violin bowing technique instructs the student to play through the strings in ascending order (the bracket), or in descending order (the V symbol). Chord symbols and suggested additions afford the student a chance to include nuance.
The level 8 part, Guitar 3b also emulates many important characteristics of Mariachi music. Using extended techniques (tapping, slurring while strumming, complex rasqueados etc.) this part includes several ossia measures. The student should explore these options, ultimately choosing with the conductor which aspects to include in performance.
About the arranger:
Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Kaya began his interest in classical guitar at the age of six with his father, Dr. Mehmet Refik Kaya. In addition to winning many major classical guitar competitions, earning Masters and Doctorate degrees from prestigious Universities, and touring as a concert soloist, Kaya is a prolific composer. He has written and published music for solo guitar, violin, piano, string trio and many other combinations of performers. Learn more at celilrefikkaya.com.