Luis de Briceño facts for kids
Luis de Briceño was a Spanish musician and music expert who was active from the 1610s to the 1630s. He is famous for bringing the Spanish guitar style to France. Before him, the lute was the main string instrument played there.
Briceño spent time with important people in both Spain and France. He was first recognized as an expert on the Spanish guitar in 1614. His most important work is a book called Metodo mui facilissimo para aprender a tañer la guitarra a lo español. This means "Very Easy Method to Learn to Play the Guitar in the Spanish Style."
Why Luis de Briceño Was Important
Briceño's book, published in 1626, is a key source for understanding the Spanish guitar style of that time. Not many other books about Spanish guitar were written in Spain during this period. His method helped many people learn to play the guitar in a new, exciting way.
What Music Did He Write Down?
Luis de Briceño wrote down many different types of music for the guitar. These included popular Spanish and French dances and songs. Some of the musical styles he transcribed were:
- villanos (country songs)
- villancicos (Christmas carols or popular songs)
- pasacalles (street dances)
- tonos frances (French tunes)
- españoletas (Spanish dances)
- romances (ballads)
- folías (a type of dance)
- seguidillas (fast Spanish dances)
- A special dance called "Danza de la Hacha" (Axe Dance).
Some of his music was recorded in 2011 by a group called Le Poème Harmonique, led by Vincent Dumestre.
Explore More
You can find a digital copy of Luis de Briceño's book, "Metodo mui facilissimo...", at the National Library of France.
- Digital copy of "Metodo mui facilissimo..."
See also
In Spanish: Luis de Briceño para niños
