Guardame las Vacas by Narvaez for Classical Ukulele

Guardame las Vacas by Narvaez for Classical Ukulele

In this video Jeff plays his arrangement of  Diferencias sobre Guardame las Vacas by Luis de Narvaez for Classical Ukulele. Like Gaspar Sanz, Luys de Narváez was a celebrated Spanish composer during the Renaissance era, known for his compositions focused on the vihuela, a predecessor to the modern guitar. Theme and variations were very popular at the time, and this piece exemplifies that, using the villancico form, which originated in the folk music of peasant farmers.

Performance Notes

The piece features a repeating bass line that underpins the variations, highlighting F-C-Dm-A harmonies in 6/4 time, with six quarter notes per measure.

The quarter notes move quickly, and it may feel more natural to count the piece in 3, treating each quarter note as half a count, similar to eighth notes in 3/4 time. Gradually work up to a tempo of around 80 bpm, counting in 3, or 160 bpm, counting in 6. For the right hand, alternate between the index and middle fingers for all the eighth note runs, adding the bass notes with the thumb.

In measures 17 through 20, various finger combinations can work, but I prefer using the thumb for most notes on the 3rd and 4th strings, with alternation between the index and middle fingers on the higher strings. This approach can help maintain a steady rhythm and clear articulation throughout the variations.