The Sailor's Hornpipe - performance ideas
Hampshire Guitar Orchestra » free Music » Sailor's Hornpipe performance
Derek Hasted writes...
Portsmouth's historic Naval Dockyard is close to us - home to HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, both of which can be seen from the Spinnaker Tower - see our photos
I thought you might like a few words about this trio, so that you can understand this arrangement all the better...
It's a simple little piece that gives you the freedom to "make it yours" by adding your own performance markings.
I always find that red ink is all the more eye-catching for performance markings. See?
The hornpipe opens with the three parts entering in quick succession, and this stylistic trick is repeated later.
At the repeats, none of the parts has rests (this preserves the momentum of the piece). The fugue-like staggered entries would benefit from accents
on the repeats, to draw them out from the conventional harmonies nearby.
The bass part sits well in the 1st position, but the 2nd position reduces the risk of buzzes on the 4th fret notes.
The middle part needs the 2nd position in bar 2 of line 3, but the 1st position at the end of that line. Use an open string to cover the position change.
The first part sits well in the seventh position, but most players will prefer the security of the lower positions, moving up where necessary. Line 4 of the top part will benefit from half-bar shapes that are simply slid up the neck.
Occasionally (e.g. bar 4 of line 3) the middle part rises above the tune. Be sure that the tune is not lost at this point.
The theme and centre secton are both repeated - try a volume or tone change on the repeat, or, if you can concentrate, swap parts on the repeats - a highlighter pen is a good way to direct your eye to such a change.
And it has to be said that this piece is at its best when played at breakneck speed!
I hope you enjoy this chance to sample Naval Life in the Hampshire Area!
Download score | Download tab | Performance ideas