![Edition Zalzal logo](/static/zalzal_images/zalzal_logo_smaller.png)
Series editor – Robert Lopez-Hanshaw
Consulting editor – John Schneider
Edition Zalzal aims to be the definitive modern edition for important historical and contemporary microtonal works for the guitar. Named in honor of Mansur Zalzal, the medieval oud player and music theorist, this series aims to make microtonal guitar music available to the general public in clear, readable, and beautiful editions.
We strive to bring to light important unpublished works of the past, as well as the vibrant and vital music of today. We celebrate the radical diversity and creativity of microtonal music. And—for maximum clarity—we use a single standard notation, adapted to the many idiosyncratic tuning systems in our catalogue.
We use the Helmholtz-Ellis Just Intonation system of microtonal accidentals (HEJI). Of course, there is a great deal of microtonal music in non-Just systems. For such music, we use the same graphical symbols as HEJI, but redefine them—using them flexibly, yet consistently, between one system and another. For details on our notational practice, please visit our Notation page.
The focus of this series is on music with altered fretboards. The efforts of Tolgahan Çoğulu inspired us to gather such music into a single outlet and accessible format. However, the task of altering a fingerboard can seem expensive, technically daunting, or generally out of reach. Our Fretboard page provides resources to overcome these obstacles. The path to a microtonal guitar in your hand can be easier than you think.
Finally, all scores come with a technical preface describing the notation, the pitch system used, and the fretboard itself. Each score is capable of standing alone: it contains all the information necessary to perform the piece, without further research. Of course, comparative study is valuable—but it is not a barrier to entry.
At present, all scores are available in digital form only, as DRM-free pdf files.
Z0002 - Carrillo, Julián | Suite "Impromptu" para guitarra de cuartos de tono | $30.00
Length: 20’ | Num. of Movements: 4 | Movement Names: Preludio “impromptu”; Bajo las frondas de milenarios ahuehuetes en Chapultepec; Gavota versallesca; Jarabe “El puritito Ahualulco tapatío”
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: 24edo
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Style: Classical
Extra details: Pathfinders Series
Audio Sample Link: https://sonido13.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1-Preludio.mp3
![Score image of Z0002](/static/zalzal_images/Z0002.png)
Z0003 - Darreg, Ivor | Two 19-edo Preludes | $20.00
Length: 3’ | Num. of Movements: 2 | Movement Names: Prelude no. 1, Allegretto; Prelude no. 2, Andantino
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: 19edo
Difficulty Level: Easy
Style: Classical
Extra details: Pathfinders Series
![Score image of Z0003](/static/zalzal_images/Z0003.png)
Z0006 - Tipp, Devon Osamu | Reasoning With Windmills | $15.00
Length: 3’
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: 24edo
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Style: Classical
Extra details: Noise | Atonal | Experimental
![Score image of Z0006](/static/zalzal_images/Z0006.png)
Z0007 - Hale, Casey | Not Silent | $7.00
Length: 4’30”
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: Just Intonation | 13-limit
Difficulty Level: Easy
Style: Classical
Extra details: Atmospheric | Experimental
Audio Sample Link: https://soundcloud.com/caseyhale/not-silent-2017-performed-by
![Score image of Z0007](/static/zalzal_images/Z0007.png)
Z0008 - Bargrizan, Navid | Se-Chahar-Gah (Trip-Four-Tych) | $25.00
Length: 7’ | Num. of Movements: 3 | Movement Names: I; II; II
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: 24edo
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Style: Classical
Extra details: Persian | Chahar-Gah
![Score image of Z0008](/static/zalzal_images/Z0008.png)
Z0009 - Weijters, Melle | Groof's Groove | $15.00
Length: 6’
Instrumentation: Solo Electric Guitar Loop Pedal
Tuning Systems: Just Intonation | 13-limit | 41edo
Difficulty Level: Easy
Style: Pop | (Improvised)
Extra details: Blues | Funk
![Score image of Z0009](/static/zalzal_images/Z0009.png)
Z0011 - Brown, Marguerite | Duet 1 and Duet 2 | $25.00
Length: 9’ | Num. of Movements: 2 | Movement Names: Duet 1; Duet 2
Instrumentation: Duo Guitar Just National Guitar
Tuning Systems: Just Intonation | 11-limit
Difficulty Level: Easy
Style: Classical
Extra details: Atmospheric
![Score image of Z0011](/static/zalzal_images/Z0011.png)
Z0012 - Venkataramana, Praveen | Tapiocomma | $0
Length: 5’
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: Kite | 41edo
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Style: Classical
Free download
![Score image of Z0012](/static/zalzal_images/Z0012.png)
Z0013 - Byrnes, Brendan | 27-edo Guitar Etude | $15.00
Length: 3’
Instrumentation: Solo Electric Guitar
Tuning Systems: 27edo
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Style: Pop
Extra details: Chill
![Score image of Z0013](/static/zalzal_images/Z0013.png)
Z0014 - Byrnes, Brendan | 22-edo Guitar Etude | $15.00
Length: 2’30”
Instrumentation: Solo Electric Guitar
Tuning Systems: 22edo
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Style: Pop
Extra details: Chill
![Score image of Z0014](/static/zalzal_images/Z0014.png)
Z0017 - Venkataramana, Praveen | Magic Suite | $0
Length: 6’ | Num. of Movements: 4 | Movement Names: Hymn to Calliope; Galliard; Sarabande; Rondeau
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: Kite | 41edo
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Style: Classical
Free download
![Score image of Z0017](/static/zalzal_images/Z0017.png)
Z0018 - Autry, Matthew | Etude No. 1 in B Minor | $7.00
Length: 1’
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: Just Intonation | 7-limit | 72edo
Difficulty Level: Easy
Style: Classical
Extra details: Scordatura
![Score image of Z0018](/static/zalzal_images/Z0018.png)
Z0019 - Barnett, Timmy | Ode to Creative Commons | $0
Length: 8’
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar (Eight String)
Tuning Systems: Kite | 41edo
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Style: Classical
Extra details: Neoclassical
Free download
![Score image of Z0019](/static/zalzal_images/Z0019.png)
Z0021 - Haverstick, Neil | Venus | $15.00
Length: 2'-3'
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: 19edo
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Style: Classical
Extra details: Virtuosic
![Score image of Z0021](/static/zalzal_images/Z0021.png)
Z0022 - Haverstick, Neil | Spider | $15.00
Length: free duration, 3'-7'
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: 19edo
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Style: Pop
Extra details: Swing | Experimental
![Score image of Z0022](/static/zalzal_images/Z0022.png)
Z0028 - Giedraitis, Kite | Evening Rondo | $0
Length: 5'
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar (Seven String)
Tuning Systems: Kite | 41edo
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Style: Classical
Extra details: Neoclassical
Free download
![Score image of Z0028](/static/zalzal_images/Z0028.png)
Z0029 - Giedraitis, Kite | Downminor Nocturne | $0
Length: 2’
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: Kite | 41edo
Difficulty Level: Easy
Style: Classical
Free download
![Score image of Z0029](/static/zalzal_images/Z0029.png)
Z0030 - Vargas, José Daniel | Evening Tide | $15.00
Length: 2’
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: 19edo
Difficulty Level: Easy
Style: Classical
![Score image of Z0030](/static/zalzal_images/Z0030.png)
Z0031 - Carrillo, Julián | Preludios para guitarra de semitonos | $30.00
Length: 20’ | Num. of Movements: 3 | Movement Names: Preludio no. 1; Preludio no. 2; Preludio no. 3
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: 12edo
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Style: Classical
![Score image of Z0031](/static/zalzal_images/Z0031.png)
Z0032 - Johnson, Aaron Krister | Alleluia | $7.00
Length: 3'
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Tuning Systems: 17edo
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Style: Classical
Extra details: Neomedieval | (arr. Stephen Weigel)
![Score image of Z0032](/static/zalzal_images/Z0032.png)