Do Alegrías Extended

Do Alegrías Extended — iii – IV – V – IV – I – V7 – I

Extended Alegrias variation starting from the iii chord (G#m in E major). Creates a richer harmonic journey through IV and V before resolving. Documented by Granados as one of the characteristic harmonic structures for concert guitar alegrias.

Playing in Do major

With no sharps or flats, C major is the theoretical home base on guitar. The open G, B, and high E strings all belong to the C major chord, creating natural sustain. C is a beginner-level key on guitar because the open B and high E strings ring within the scale, and every basic chord uses familiar open shapes. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through E to F (ascending half step), F to G (ascending whole step), G to F (descending whole step), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from C to E by major third.

Capo Transposition

To play in C using familiar open chords: capo 3 with open A shapes; capo 5 with open G shapes. Choose the capo position that gives you the voicings you prefer — lower capo positions produce a fuller sound, while higher positions create a brighter, mandolin-like timbre.

Scales for Soloing

C major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, C Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

Strumming Pattern

Try a D-D-DU waltz pattern at 80-100 BPM. Accent beat 1 strongly and keep beats 2-3 lighter. For fingerpicking, use a bass-pluck-pluck pattern with alternating bass notes.