G. E. 44 Fredy Reyna Venezuelan Cuatro 1957 CD $17.00
Fredy Reyna once played his cuatro for the maestro Andrés Segovia, who was amazed at the ability of the player and capacity of the instrument. Segovia's surprise sounded like this: "On a guitar ... it is possible, but from another planet smaller than the Earth. However, you're not lacking any strings."
The Venezuelan cuatro is normally tuned from low to high pitch G, C, E and A. The A string is typically a whole step above the 4th string G, a reentrant or scordatura tuning. Fredy Reyna tunes the A string above the E string. Therefore, it is basically like a guitar tuned at the 5th fret.
Maestro of the guitar in Venezuela, Raul Borges, said that the cuatro puts vitality in the popular orchestra, by its sonorous and rhythmic capacity, that doesn't succeed with another instrument or group of instruments, and that due to this quality, it could be incluided in a symphonic orchestra. About Fredy Reyna he adds: "What I admire the most in his interpretations, is his ability for succeeding at full effects on only four strings, suggesting the chord from just one note, and over all, for synthesizing the work, getting from it that which is essential."
Now available:
Fredy Reyna Veneuelan Cuatro Method
Oversize edition 8" x 12.5" Written in Tablature only.
230 pages w/slip cover case $59.95.
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