Johannes Brahms - Hungarian Dance No. 5 - Guitar Tab

Isaac Stern Plays Brahms

1957 2:41

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About Hungarian Dance No. 5

Arranging Johannes Brahms for guitar means stepping into a very different compositional world, and Hungarian Dance No. 5 is one of the most rewarding pieces to tackle. Originally written for piano four hands, the melody sits naturally in G minor, and in E Standard tuning the key falls comfortably across the fretboard without requiring a capo. The piece moves at a brisk 116 BPM, and the real challenge is keeping the rhythmic drive sharp and even while handling the wide melodic leaps that define the main theme. Classical guitar technique is essential here: clean fretting-hand articulation, controlled right-hand dynamics, and the ability to bring the melody singing above any accompanying bass notes. The contrasting middle section asks for a noticeable drop in intensity before the energetic return, so shaping those dynamic swells is as important as the notes themselves. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the opening eight-bar theme slowed down until the position shifts feel automatic, then gradually push the tempo back toward 116 BPM.

• The melody spans wide intervals in G minor, so practise the position shifts in isolation before attempting the piece at full tempo.
• At 116 BPM the rhythmic pulse is brisk, and keeping the driving dance feel steady without rushing the melodic leaps is the core technical challenge.
• Originally composed for piano four hands, any guitar arrangement must balance a singing melody against bass notes on a single instrument.