Aguinaldos & Seises for the Puerto Rican Cuatro: Samuel Ramos - Paperback

by Samuel Ramos (Author)

Revive the Soul of Puerto Rican Tradition
Open your musical mind to an ancient world of Christmas music that dates back centuries. Originally a traditional musical gift during the Christmas season, aguinaldos were performed by family and friends during a parranda or trulla. This book, authored by renowned musician Samuel Ramos, is a beautiful attempt at reviving age-old traditions and melodies that are slowly being lost to time.

• The Aguinaldo: Perhaps the most common form of Puerto Rican Christmas music, the aguinaldo features religious or popular themes. Unlike the seis, it is not meant for dancing, and there are currently more than 40 different types known today.

• The Seis: Derived from 16th-century Spanish and Andalusian forms, the seis is an immensely enjoyable folk style to learn. It traditionally serves as a platform for poets to showcase their talents by improvising lyrics (décimas) on the spot based on ideas from the audience. With over 100 different kinds existing on the island, many are named after the regions where they originated.

Designed for both clarity and depth, this book provides everything needed to master these gorgeous melodies:

• Standard Notation & Tablature (TAB): Every piece is written in both formats to ensure accessibility for players of all levels.

• Guitar Accompaniment: Includes guitar chords for every song, perfect for family gatherings and festive parrandas.

• "How to Practice" Guide: A dedicated section provides systematic advice on effective practice, including tips on posture, warming up, and organizing study time to achieve a high level of execution.

• Reference Materials: Features a fretboard diagram, major and minor chord charts, and the Circle of Fifths to help students understand the relationships between different musical keys.

• Cultural Context: Includes "El Cuatro," a poetic tribute by Salvador Brau (1894) that captures the essence of the instrument.

This volume covers a vast array of well-known and regional songs, including:

• Aguinaldos: Antillano, Jíbaro, Isabelino, Orocoveño, Mayagüezano, Yumac, Cagüeño, Manola, Costanero, Aguas Buenas, Bairoa, and Adjunteño.

• Seises: Seis con Décima, Seis de Comerío, Español, Fajardeño, Del Llano, Celinés, Villarán, Mariandá, Tango, Milonga, Habanero, Araucano, Mapeyé, Montuno, Pampero, Chorreao, Guaguancó, and many more.

Author Biography

Samuel Ramos, born in Lajas, Puerto Rico, started playing the guitar with his father at the age of 12. At the age of 15, he discovered the cuatro and began taking lessons with Norton Torres. As a high school student, he joined the school's rondalla (an instrumental group) playing both guitar and cuatro. Samuel holds a BA in music education from Antillean Adventist University in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, with a major in classical guitar. He studied under the tutelage of Dr. Jacques Landre. In 1999, he recorded his first instrumental CD for solo guitar, Meditando en la Cruz (Meditating on the Cross), He joined the faculty of the Juan Morel Campos Performing Arts School in Ponce, as a strings instructor. He later became an assistant professor of guitar at the Inter-American University of San German, Puerto Rico. He also served as a public school music teacher for 6 years in Lajas, Puerto Rico Samuel resides in Winter Haven, Florida with his wife Brenda and two sons, and currently teaches elementary music for the Polk County School of Florida.