Canon in D Playing Notes
Background
I initially came across this little arrangement of countless weddings and other gigs. This song has this classic tune in a guitar magazine and have sintruly put bread on my table. Originally written byce adapted it and played it at the baroque composer
Johann Pachelbel around 1680 as a string quartet, tstaple classical standard at weddings. It’s popularity continues to grow. his, his only Canon, was largely ignored until the 1970s when it began to be a
Harmonic Explanation
This song is in the key of D, hence the name. It iare D - A - Bm - F#m - G - D/F# - G - A. The patts basically an 8 chord progression which is repeateern of the bass notes of this progression remains cd and developed. The chords onsistent throughout the
whole song with mainly the melody being developed imeant to show the harmonic structure of the song and to loosely be used as a guide for knowing where tn various forms. The chord names above the music o begin learning the for the Canon in D are
fingering for the passage. Generally, if you take ttwo to accommodate the melody, you can play the parhe general shape of the chord given as a guide, witticular section. h the adjusting of a finger or
Technical Explanation
The first four measures are simple arpeggiations of(5th string barre form pg.48), F#m (6th string barr the chords. They are D (open chord form pg.31), Ae form pg.44), G (open chord pg.31), and D/F# (pg.1 (open chord form), Bm 03). Not all the notes of
each chord form are used so be careful to play onlythe same as the first four bars, just with different combinations of notes being played. The half not the ones needed at the time. In measures 5-8 the e notes are meant to remain chord forms are fingered
ringing for the full 2 beats. So, be very accuratecorrect amount of time. Don’t let your fingers mut in your fingering so that the notes that need to re the notes that need to be held out. This can be ting out are holding out for the ricky, but with attention to this
detail of ringing notes the song really comes alive.
The first 2 measures of line three I play in the sebecause some notes that normally would be played opcond position. Pay attention to the TAB to see wheen are played with a finger since we are in the secre to play some of the notes ond position.
Remember, the Bm is basically a fifth string barre string barre for the Bm it remains intact until beat 3 when the 6 string F#m barre takes over and it rform and the F#m is based off of a sixth string baremains intact for the re form. So, once I hit the 5
remainder of the measure. But the last three sixteback to the C# in the barre then back to the last Denths in the 2nd measure of line 3, I play with my with the third finger. This frees up my second finger to play the low G in the third finger on the D going
next bar. On beat three of the 3rd measure of line last measure of that line, I again use my second fi3 I play the low F# with my first finger and the A nger to play the first low G. In the second beat I play the low B with my first with my second finger. In the
finger and the high D with my third finger. On the third finger leaving my first, second, and fourth fingers to cover the upper notes. It's requires a lithird beat I play the high C# with my first finger ttle bit of a stretch to hold that the fourth beat low C# with my
low C# while playing the other notes and hitting th e high A but this fingering works best for me.
On line 4, the first measure beat 1 is in 2nd positmeasure, go back down to 2nd position for the Bm. ion again, but on beat 3 where it goes to A, I moveThe F#m on beat 3 is played by one straight bar wit to 5th position. In the next h the 1st finger over all 6
strings, then I play the B and the G with my 2nd & 3rd finger.
Closing Thoughts
This piece is, by far, the most complex song you haweeks to work out all of the parts to it. Tackle it one line at a time. Don’t go fast. Whatever tempve come across so far in the course. It’s not impoo you can play the 3rd line is the ssible but plan on it taking
tempo you should start and play the whole song at. move on the 3rd and 4th line is critical and is probably going to be unfamiliar to you. Work them car Don’t start at one tempo then slow down at the 3rdefully out one at a time until line. Each fingering
you can play them with the correct fingering motionall together. Make sure the bass notes are holding out for the proper amount. Don’t cut them off earls. When you have worked out all of the numerous fiy. When I am performing ngering issues then put it
this song I usually do each line twice. This is a come and, who knows, you might even play it at a wegreat song that is worth the effort in learning. Ydding or two. Keep Learning and Growing! - Steve ou will be playing it for years to Krenz
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