Danca Das Cabecas – Egberto Gismonti
This is a handwritten tablature score for six string guitar, an adaptation of Gismonti’s ten-string composition “Danca Das Cabecas” as heard on Derek Gripper’s “The Sound of Water.” The basic elements of the piece are notated using a unique tablature. The piece requires you to tune the bass E string down to A.
This piece was first recorded by Gismonti and Nana Vasconcelos on Duas Vozes and then later by the Egberto Gismonti Group on the album Música de Sobrevivência. This version is my own interpretation. It is in standard tuning.
This piece by Egberto Gismonti was originally for a custom strung 10-string guitar with two high strings on the bass side. This stringing makes certain right and left hand patterns easy to play which would be more complex (or impossible) on the 6-string instrument. I have adapted some of these original patterns for 6-string and left others out. The result is a simplified version of the piece which is still very satisfying musically. The piece is easy to play and brings out the natural sonority of the guitar. This transcription is based on two versions recorded by Gismonti on “Music de Sobrevivencia” and “Danca dos Escravos.” It is notated in my mTablature. “Lundú” is a dance which originated in Africa and travelled with African slaves to Brazil where it became the country’s first national dance. It was one of the 19th century sources of the Samba, Choro, and Maxixe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lundu_(dance). The tuning is non-standard.
There are many more of the longer and more substantial scores still to publish. Watch this space!
The list of scores that are arranged (some awaiting final drafts in Sibelius) is:
Selva Amazonia (orig. eight-string steel)
Sete Aneis / Seven Rings (orig. piano, synth, cello)
2 Violoes / 2 Guitars (orig. two guitars)
Ano Zero / Before the Beginning (orig. piano)
Salvador (orig. ten-string guitar)
Dança das Cabeças (orig. ten-string guitar)
Carmem (orig. contrabass, guitar, cello)
Lundu (orig. ten-string guitar)
Bianca (orig. eight-string guitar)
Please email info@derekgripper.com to be notified when they are ready. Next up is Salvador…