Introduction to Sons de Carillhões Guitar Course

João Pernambuco was a brilliant Brazilian composer, guitarist, and singer from the early part of the 20th century. During his lifetime he composed over 100 known works and is often considered to be as influential as his fellow countryman Heitor Villa Lobos for establishing the ‘sound’ of Brazilian guitar.” Sons de Carrilhoes (Sound of Bells)” is one of his most popular and ubiquitous pieces that showcases the lively rhythms and melodic richness of Brazilian music. This piece is typically performed at a lively tempo, around 120-140 BPM, and is set in the key of D major with the sixth string tuned down a full tone to D.

The composition features a series of arpeggiated patterns and melodic lines that imitate the sound of ringing bells, creating a bright and energetic atmosphere. An important characteristic of the piece is its significant key change from D major to the subdominant G major, which adds harmonic variety and keeps the listener engaged. The rhythmic complexity and syncopation characteristic of Brazilian choro music are prominent in this piece, requiring precise timing and dexterous fingerwork from the performer.

In this course I teach the piece note by note paying special attention to the semiquaver – quaver – semiquaver rhythm that is predominant. The piece is in Ternary form – beginning in the key of D-major; moving to the sub-dominant G-major in the B section before returning to D major.

Musical Style

João Pernambuco’s musical style is deeply rooted in the folk traditions of Brazil, blending elements of choro, samba, and classical music. His compositions often feature intricate melodies, complex rhythms, and rich harmonies that reflect the diverse cultural heritage of his homeland. Pernambuco was a master of creating music that is both technically challenging and melodically engaging, making his works popular among guitarists. His ability to integrate traditional Brazilian sounds with classical guitar techniques has left a lasting impact on the guitar repertoire.

Notable Pieces

Five notable pieces by João Pernambuco:

• Graúna

• Interrogando

• Luar do Sertão

• Magoado

• Suíte Brasileira

Let your fingers fly!

Josh

Course Instructor

Joshua Rogers Author

A teacher and lover of all things guitar!