Moto Perpetuo

In this lesson I will be showing you an excerpt from Paganini's, "Moto Perpetuo". It is important to keep your chops up if you have worked up to a certain level or trying to increase your technique. Sometimes it can be tough to fit in a lot of practice if you have a lot of distractions you know, bringing the cats or dogs to the vet, waiting at the garage while your car is being serviced, the list can go on and on. If you want to maintain your playing, it is great to play these type of pieces. They sound real cool on guitar and are fun to play. I have always liked to transcribed violin pieces to guitar.

"Moto Perpetuo" or Perpetual Motion should be played continuously and evenly sustained. You should play the notes evenly, and with equal value. This piece is played with continuous 16th notes throughout, which is great for your endurance and your technique as you get farther though the music without stopping. Be sure to play this at a slow tempo and then gradually build up speed, I suggest mastering one bar at a time and then moving on. Also, I have included the chords throughout the piece so you can think harmonically.

This composition is put together so well, the harmonies are nicely outlined and you will hear the chords even if you don't play them. This piece is based in the key of C major, with the clever use of secondary dominants. Which will add more excitement if you make some of the minor chords dominant, instead of strictly using the harmonies inside the key. Also, there is some nice chromatic passing tones, This piece can be played in different positions on the neck once memorized; 5th and 7th position works well, and you might want to try it in the 9th. I suggest following the fingerings I supplied or experiment with your own.

MP3 - Moto Perpetuo Fast

MP3 - Moto Perpetuo Slow

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