Rumba

“Rumba” is a lively little piece again aimed at a less-experienced quartet and follows the same formula that Chapalain has used in other compositions at the same standard - Guitar 4 plays bass, Guitar 3 takes mainly two- and three-note chords, Guitar 1 takes the tune, and Guitar 2 takes countermelody and occasional tune. The parts enter one at a time with a compelling 3:3:2 rhythm, but rhythmically this moves the bar up a notch compared to his other compositions - many of us will know that there's a real issue with learners playing passages that are only off the beat, never on; Guitar 3 has that load to bear. And again, Guitar 1 is playing off the top of the neck onto the body, but more arpeggio-based than scale-based, so a clear head and instinctive fingering is needed. - Derek Hasted (Classical Guitar Magazine)