For guitarists seeking a PDF of this work, the difficulty typically ranges from . The primary challenge is not just the notes, but the "two-against-three" rhythmic tension between the steady, "starchy" bass line and the flowing triplet melody.

After his death, the song exploded in popularity—first in Mexico, then across Europe. Its rhythm is a Habanera , a style that originated in Cuba and heavily influenced French composers like Bizet (think of the Habanera from Carmen ). For guitarists, this means a syncopated bass line with a steady chordal rhythm.