Capricho Arabe by Francisco Tarrega

Capricho Arabe by Francisco Tarrega (1852–1909), Serenata para Guitarra, Al eminente maestra Tomas Breton. Capricho Árabe by Francisco Tárrega is one of the most famous works in the classical guitar repertoire. This page includes my PDF sheet music edition, tab, a complete lesson, performance video, and practice tips for intermediate and advanced guitarists. My edition comes with both a notation edition with left hand fingering and a separate tab edition in the same pdf. The level is early to mid-advanced (Grade 9) depending on your tempo and level of refinement.

My PDF Sheet Music Edition

• Capricho Arabe by Tarrega from Werner Guitar Editions

Capricho Árabe is one of Francisco Tárrega’s (1852–1909) most famous works. It has become one of his most popular works due to its rich sound, Romantic feel, and the strong melodic lines. It also works fairly well on guitar making it accessible to pros and students alike. That said, make sure you are at the level to take on this work as it is a significant undertaking and has quite a few barres and a few stretches here and there. I highly recommend you try out of some Tarrega’s easier works, such as Lagrima, which you can find with grade levels on the main sheet music page. You can also read about the work on wikipedia.

Here’s a small quote by Graham Wade about the work from this Naxos album. Terrible Segovia quote with the feminine heart thing, I’m pretty sure all genders enjoy the work.

Capricho árabe (Arab Caprice), dedicated to ‘the eminent maestro, D. Tomás Breton’, is a tribute to the Moorish heritage of southern Spain. Its opening recalls the oud, the Arabic lute, while the steady rhythm which follows evokes the sensuous Danza mora, the traditional dance. Segovia in his autobiography observed how during his youth Capricho árabe was ‘the pièce de résistance of my repertoire and one especially suited to reach the sensitive chords of a feminine heart’.

FAQ

What grade level is Capricho Árabe?
Capricho Árabe is generally considered an early to mid-advanced classical guitar work (around Grade 9). It requires strong barre technique, expressive phrasing, and control of slurs, shifts, and arpeggios. There are a few awkward chord shapes but it’s fairly manageable. The reason it’s upper level has a lot to do with it’s larger scope and the high level we are used to hearing it played by pros.

Is Capricho Árabe suitable for intermediate players?
Only advanced-intermediates. Most students should first learn Lágrima, Adelita, Marieta, and Gran Vals before attempting this piece. You can these works listed below this FAQ or more works on the main sheet music page.

Can I download Capricho Árabe as a PDF?
Yes. My video matches the pdf sheet music and includes a professionally edited PDF with notation and a separate TAB edition. You can purchase it here: Capricho Arabe by Tarrega from Werner Guitar Editions.

Who composed Capricho Árabe?
Francisco Tárrega composed Capricho Árabe in the late Romantic period, and it remains one of the most frequently performed works in the classical guitar repertoire.

My editions and lesson videos of other Tarrega works

• Study in C by Tarrega, Grade 3
• Estudio in E Minor by Tarrega, Grade 4
• Adelita (Mazurca) by Tarrega, Grade 6
• Lágrima (Tear) by Tarrega, Grade 4
• Maria – Gavota by Tarrega, Grade 7-8
• Marieta, Mazurka by Tarrega, Grade 7
• Capricho Árabe by Tarrega, Grade 9
• Gran Vals by Tarrega, Grade 9
• Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Tarrega, Grade 9
• Rosita (Polka) by Tarrega, Grade 7-8
• Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Arr. Tarrega, Grade 9
• Chopin Prelude Op.28, No.7 (arr. Tarrega)

Other Performance Videos

Above is my performance and lesson but check out the other performances below for pro reference. Here’s the YouTube lesson link if you want to watch it there.

I recommend this video of Marcin Dylla playing Capricho Árabe. This come via Siccas Guitars and their YouTube. Almost the same fingerings.

Also see this nice performance. Different fingerings but good ones too. Capricho Arabe – Francisco Tárrega played by Sanel Redzic

Nice phrasing by Ana Vidovic via Siccas Guitars and their YouTube channel.

Media