Gaspar Sanz (1640–1710)
An Aragonese priest, guitarist and theorist, Gaspar Sanz published the most famous Spanish baroque guitar method (1674), full of dances still played today.
Gaspar Sanz studied theology and music in Spain, then spent time in Italy, where he learned from musicians of his day. The dates usually given for his life (1640–1710) remain approximate.
In 1674 he published in Zaragoza the Instrucción de música sobre la guitarra española, expanded in later editions. The book explains accompaniment, strummed chords (“rasgueado”) and plucked playing (“punteado”), and offers many pieces: canarios, folías, españoletas, pavanes, jácaras…
The five-course baroque guitar had a special tuning without a true low bass, so modern guitarists play these pieces in arrangements. In the 20th century Joaquín Rodrigo borrowed several of Sanz’s dances for his Fantasía para un gentilhombre (1954).
Players learn the spirit of baroque dances, the mix of strummed chords and melody, and a wealth of ornaments such as trills and mordents.