Sor Study in G for Classical Ukulele

Performance: Fernando Sor Study in G

Lesson: Fernando Sor Study in G

Sor Study 11 for Classical Ukulele

Fernando Sor’s Op. 31, No. 3 comes from his 24 Progressive Lessons, Op. 31, a collection first published in Paris in 1828 under the title Vingt quatre leçons progressives pour la guitare. The original title describes the set as progressive lessons for guitar, carefully fingered, and dedicated to beginning pupils.

Sor was one of the central guitar figures of the early nineteenth century. Born in Barcelona in 1778, he became known as a guitarist, composer, and teacher, and his music helped establish the guitar as a serious concert instrument. He also wrote one of the early guitar methods, along with a large body of studies, lessons, and concert works for the instrument.

In this classical ukulele arrangement, Op. 31, No. 3 becomes Study 11 from our collection 35 Progressive Studies by Fernando Sor for Classical Ukulele. The original guitar study is in D major; this low-G ukulele version is in G major. The piece is an intermediate study in 6/8 time, and it gives you a focused way to work on second-position playing and fast slurs.

Sor’s Op. 31 and Progressive Study Writing

Sor’s Op. 31 belongs to a practical teaching tradition. These pieces are not concert showpieces in the same sense as his larger works, but they are still musical studies. Each one gives you a clear technical focus while keeping the phrasing and harmony connected to Sor’s Classical style.

Study 11 keeps that balance. The texture is approachable, but it requires control. The 6/8 meter gives the piece a flowing character, and the second-position setting makes the left hand feel different from music that stays in first position. Instead of treating the study as a simple reading exercise, use it to become more comfortable with position playing on the ukulele.

Playing in Second Position

One of the main challenges in this study is that it is played entirely in second position. In practical terms, that means your first finger is assigned, for the most part, to the second fret.

This may take some getting used to if most of your playing has been in first position. In first position, the hand naturally relates to the first four frets. In second position, the hand shifts up one fret, so the second fret becomes the home base for the first finger.

Feeling the 6/8 Meter

The study is in 6/8 time, so feel each measure as six eighth notes. Keep that pulse steady as you learn the notes, with a slight emphasis on beats 1 and 4.

Working on the Slurs

The other major challenge is the fast sixteenth-note slurs, especially in measure 21. These should sound controlled and clear. Do not let their speed blur the articulation.

Work on the slurs in isolation before putting them back into the full study. Take the measure, or even just the slur figure itself, and repeat it slowly enough that each note is clear. Build the speed gradually while keeping the motion efficient.

The Value of Sor’s Studies

Sor’s progressive studies are valuable because they connect technique with musical purpose. In this arrangement, Study 11 gives you a concise way to strengthen second-position playing, improve slur control, and become more comfortable reading and performing in low-G classical ukulele style.