🎶 Start your 14-day free trial & unlock the full course today. Start Free Trial →
tonebase Guitar Course

Domeniconi

Koyunbaba, Op. 19

Taught by renowned guitarist 

Aniello Desiderio

Domeniconi's Koyunbaba is a four-part suite inspired by Turkish music and culture. The title translates to "shepherd father" and is a nod to the pastoral lifestyle of semi-nomadic shepherds, who play a lute-like instrument called a saz. Throughout the piece, Domeniconi incorporates Anatolian motifs, as well as rhythms and ornamentation inspired by the saz. The music has a distinctly Middle Eastern flavor that is both captivating and challenging to play. Aniello is well-known for his interpretation of Koyunbaba and has spent years performing it in some of the world's most renowned concert halls. In this course, he shares his unique insights, allowing you to fully appreciate the depth of this piece. Learn how to create the most incredible atmosphere through dynamics, colors, and phrasing!

  • checkmark icon
    Difficulty: 
    Advanced
  • checkmark icon
    Duration: 
    c. 
    1
     hours
     hour
All courses on tonebase include subtitles in English and Spanish

Course Syllabus

Introduction

In this introductory module, Aniello Desiderio provides an overview of the origins of Koyunbaba and his own personal relationship with the composer, Carlo Domeniconi. Desiderio recounts the multiple conflicting stories the composer had told him about its origins. He theorizes that there may not be one authentic story, and suggests it should be up to the player to choose their favorite. This section sets the stage for the rest of the video lesson series and provides valuable context for understanding the piece.

I. Moderato

In this lesson, Desiderio delves into the incredible colors and atmosphere of the first movement. He hypothesizes that Koyunbaba could be one of the most atmospheric works ever written for the guitar and explores elements of tempo, rubato, and voice leading. He shares his best practices for bringing out the nuances of this movement and creating a captivating atmosphere.

II. Mosso

In this lesson, Desiderio shares his favorite fingerings for the second movement, and provides helpful tips for playing natural and artificial harmonics. He offers valuable tips for bringing out the beauty of the music and creating mesmerizing atmospheric effects.

III. Cantabile

In this module, Desiderio emphasizes the importance of combining apoyando and tirando for expressive purposes. He offers valuable tips for performing the arpeggio section and explains the importance of recognizing parallel motifs. He also shares his insights about bringing out the unique dynamic character of the movement.

IV. Presto

In this final lesson, Desiderio teaches the fourth and final movement of "Koyunbaba". He shares his approach for building up to the expressive climax of the movement, practicing your right and left hand separately, and on playing the rasgueado section convincingly.

Click here to download the course workbook PDF and see the full syllabus →
Access this course and hundreds more.

Click below to access hundreds of exclusive classical guitar courses, available only on tonebase.

Unlock Course →
Aniello Desiderio
meet YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Aniello Desiderio

Known for his intricate touch, speed and precision, Aniello Desiderio is regarded as one of the best Italian classical guitarists with countless awards and accomplishments as proof.

read full bio →
Aniello Desiderio
explore our courses

Join tonebase today to unlock this course plus 500+ more!

Preview our curated selection of courses below. With lessons covering fundamentals, technical training, style and interpretation, you won't find a more thorough and enriching learning experience anywhere else.

preview
play-button-icon
Asturias (Albéniz)

with Ana Vidovic

preview
play-button-icon
Complete Guide to Virtuosity

with Marco Tamayo

preview
play-button-icon
Capricho Arabe (Tárrega)

with Zoran Dukic

preview
play-button-icon
How to Play Bach

with Nigel North

preview
play-button-icon
On Stretching

with Mircea Gogoncea

preview
play-button-icon
Sons de Carrilhões
(Pernambuco)

with Stephanie Jones

preview
play-button-icon
Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Tárrega)

with Xuefei Yang

preview
play-button-icon
Etudes (Pujol)

with Rene Izquierdo

preview
play-button-icon
Music Theory Basics

with Ben Laude & Mircea Gogoncea

preview
play-button-icon
Frog Galliard (Dowland)

with Scott Tennant

preview
play-button-icon
Vals Op. 8 No. 4 (Barrios)

with Laura Snowden

preview
play-button-icon
Suite in E major, BWV 1006 (Bach)

with Eliot Fisk

Listen to a few tonebase stories. Ready to start yours?

Ready to begin learning?

Start your 14-day free trial today!

All plans include:
  • checkmark icon
    Unlimited access for 14-day free trial
  • checkmark icon
    Full 90-day satisfaction guarantee
  • checkmark icon
    Access to 500+ video lessons & courses
  • checkmark icon
    Structured & guided course content
  • checkmark icon
    Free PDF workbooks & annotated scores
  • checkmark icon
    Feedback from our active Community
  • checkmark icon
    Bonus: The Ultimate Practice Toolkit

Monthly

$
49.95
/mo
Billed monthly
Give tonebase a try with our Monthly plan. Cancel anytime or upgrade your plan later when you find it’s a good fit.
Select Monthly →
Best Value - Save 50%

Yearly

$
24.95
/mo
Billed at $299 yearly
Make music your priority for the next 365 days and save BIG with our most popular plan. You’ll be amazed what a year with tonebase can do…
Select Yearly →

Lifetime

$
895
/once
Billed just once
Ready to invest in your future education? Get our Lifetime plan and gain full, unlimited access to tonebase for life!
Select Lifetime →

"I don't regret for a minute having spent the money on the membership. There's something for every musician on tonebase – I recommend you give it a try."

Photo of Dave
Dave McLellan

Concert & Chamber Guitarist

Join over 10,000 fellow musicians improving every day on tonebase.