Brevities
12 short original tunes for baritone ukulele
Brevities is a collection of short solo pieces for baritone ukulele aimed at the intermediate fingerpicker. In this set Choan Gálvez profits from the extended range, the sustain, and the resonance that this instrument and its tuning provide.
Styles go from renaissance inspiration to Brazilian choro, melancholic waltzes to exciting ragtime.
All the pieces are written for G6 linear tuning and presented in notation and tablature format. Don’t you own a baritone uke? Not an issue: everything is also playable on your low G instrument. Follow the tab!
Brevities is available in print and digital editions from The Ukulele Bookshop.
Print edition
- ISMN
- 979-0-805446-51-6
- Format
- 28 pages, A4 format, stapled
Digital edition
- ISMN
- 979-0-805446-50-9
- Format
- PDF printable file, 28 pages, A4 format
From the back cover
This collection of original pieces for baritone ukulele is a real treat for the soul. I have listened to and played many of Choan’s compositions and I marvel at his ability to create such original, modern and imaginative pieces whilst subtly infusing them at times with a traditional Spanish flavour. These new compositions work beautifully on the baritone ukulele and bring out its warm, rich sound.
Choan’s music paints characters and tells stories. You will be taken down unexpected paths, shown something intriguing and new before being led back home. It’s humbling to see such compositional skill in action.
Always engaging, charming, clever and witty, sometimes dark or melancholic, Gálvez is undoubtedly a major voice in original ukulele composition and this book will be loved and cherished by all baritone players and their audiences.
Choan Gálvez once again delivers an outstanding collection of musical works for the ukulele, this time for the often-overlooked baritone ukulele. Here Gálvez holds nothing back as he presents a set of 12 beautiful works that are packed full of his characteristic charm, wit and mystery.
No matter your playing ability, no matter what your listening preferences are, any player will find a challenge and every player will find something to enjoy in the beautiful auditory landscapes that the maestro creates.
Sample scores
Ukulele Hunt has published the tablature of Brevity for Anita.
The score of Brevity for Pam appears in the issue number 30 of Uke Magazine, June 2022.
The Brevities
Here’s an index of each of the 12 pieces, including previews of their first few bars and info on key, tempo and time signature, and full audio recordings. The titles link to video performances.
Brevity for Pam
Key: D. Time signature: 4/4. Tempo: Moderato. Duration: .
A two-part invention with a spicy early-romantic flavour. Pluck the low part with the thumb. Look for the right balance of dynamic and tone between the voices.
Brevity for Jan
Key: Gm. Time signature: 3/4. Tempo: Moderato. Duration: .
A melancholic mazurka, in a minor key, with a twilight mood. A triumphal sun beam shines unexpectedly.
Brevity for Susan
Key: D. Time signature: 4/4. Tempo: Adagio. Duration: .
I wanted to write something beautiful for Susan, and this piece is probably, the most beautiful in the set. Finish with a soft tambora.
Brevity for Anita
Key: D. Time signature: 6/4. Tempo: Moderato. Duration: .
Let the lower voice arpeggios ring under this fluttering melody. Build up, then turn towards a peaceful ending.
Brevity for Cathy
Key: Am, C. Time signature: 4/4. Tempo: Allegretto. Duration: .
This was going to be a 19th century style study, but developed into some kind of tango. Feel free to go wild on dynamics and timbral variations.
Brevity for Morgana
Key: Em. Time signature: 2/2. Tempo: Adagio. Duration: .
An exploration of high and low ends. Using harmonicsforthetopmelodyallowsforawide separation between voices.
Brevity for Lorraine
Key: C. Time signature: 4/4. Tempo: Moderato. Duration: .
A two-act play about two lovers. They dance, they kiss, they discuss, they agree.
Brevity for Eloína
Key: C. Time signature: 3/4. Tempo: Allegretto. Duration: .
Reasonably simple to play. A danceable waltz, dedicated to one of my students.
Brevity for Gwendolyn
Key: E, G. Time signature: 4/4. Tempo: Allegro con swing. Duration: .
A ragtime with some unexpected rhythm and tonality changes, and the melodical syncopations that characterise the style. Play with steady pulse!
Brevity for Elisabeth
Key: C. Time signature: 6/4. Tempo: Allegretto. Duration: .
Sun, beach, waves. This one starts over the harmonies of a Hawaiian turnaround, then moves to a second section inspired by a traditional Canarian tune.
Brevity for Sam
Key: D. Time signature: 3/4. Tempo: Allegretto. Duration: .
One of the more harmonically interesting tunes in this set due to some characteristic augmented fourths. This piece presents its own share of minor challenges.
Brevity for Aline
Key: F. Time signature: 2/4. Tempo: Andantino.
A Brazilian choro in rondó form. Read it carefully and master its pulse before adding a pinch of rubato. Vary as you like.
