Though these as yet unpublished pieces are at ''fairly easy" to "slightly advanced" levels, they feature a part of Brazilian music's basic characteristics.

Tuneful melodies and spare but refined harmonies over lively rhythms (animated or relaxed), make this music a real crossroads, where popular song intersects with classical music, samba and jazz. All of this with that special Brazilian warmth!

The "double notation" offers guitarists, from all backgrounds, a familiar way to read. The tablature contains, in addition, musical indications that are clearly legible (and significant, because they appear over the regular stave): they show the exact length of every note! The rounded lines that follow many of them show precisely whether or not to hold a note while playing others.

This album has two objectives: to make the colourful and expressive Brazilian musical universe better known through pieces that are more accessible than is usual, and above all, to provide deep pleasure.

Alain Vérité

1. Valsinha pra Jobim - "Little waltz", slow and dreamy, with a Bossa flavour (Tom Jobim "invented" bossa). Musically, it should feel like the constantly renewed lapping of successive little waves at water's edge, on a calm and fair evening at the beach...

2. Flor do Parana - This very melodic, relaxed Rumba could evoke a (lovers' ?) stroll along the sunny banks of Parana.

3. Chôro da Regina - With its quick tempo, flowing melodic phrases, and scattered off-beats, this bouncy chorinho (rhythmic precision is essential) is a tribute to singer Elis Regina and her extraordinary "internal dynamism".

4. Carolina - A lively, gay and very lilting "choro-waltz". Be careful not to slow down when moving from measure to measure. This insures the continuity of the melodic line.

5. Bluesy Samba - A very fast Bossa... and unusual, because it is links a Blues structure (here in minor) with the brisk rhythm of the Samba !

6. Rumbarinho n° 3 - The special "balanço" of this chorinho, calm but swinging, with nostalgia-tinted melodic accents (the Brazilian "saudade"), is above ail due to the frequent presence of triplets that are almost always followed by a crotchet: for the slightest instant, the rhythm acts as if "suspended"...

7. Balbuciando - A dynamic and contrasting chorinho: if the "bridge", due to its varied rhythmic divisions, seems "hesitant to settle", the theme, on the other hand, should be played resolutely! (despite the title, inspired by the repetitive opening notes).

8. Bossa-Maior - After a short slightly meditative introduction that begins quietly, this very melodic Bossa gradually rises in a crescendo to full strength. Establish a good tempo from the beginning, and maintain it throughout! (rather moderate, but with momentum).

Two suggestions: 1. Most of the time, start by practising each half of the measure. 2. Play the "inner" doubled notes in the background, to bring the melodic line out (keep the high notes resonant, whether fairly quiet or loud!). A little "musical reference": the title contains the tonality (A Maior means... A Major).