This rather dry blues is not your typical holiday tune, but represents the desert journey that many individuals find themselves on, whether by choice or not, whether searching for the dayspring of enlightenment or simple sustenance. Another version has a slightly more elaborate middle section with a few more clippety clops (palm and thumb slaps) to symbolize the camels of the three wise men traveling through the desert. Guitar: Lakewood M32 CP steel string. Recorded using the isight camera of a Macbook Pro.
Sounds Like
"Suite Autumn" is a three movement work from the fall of 2000. There are also piano and altgitarr versions. This is the first page from the "Andante," a beautiful jazz waltz which concludes the suite. The chord rolls are intended to add a "Chopinesque" effect. Like many of my works, this piece attempts to depict color with sound in order to capture and communicate the beauty that often surrounds us. The rhythmic motif and gentle phrasing of this waltz portray the leaves as they dance in the breeze. The development of the theme and modulation to "C" major, on the next page, follow the gently changing colors of Autumn. "Suite" is also a play on words as in "Sweet Autumn."
Right clicking over the score will present the option to view the larger version in another tab or window.
"Blues Etude in C" is from my upcoming publication: Twelve Bar Blues in All Twelve Keys." The top line makes an effective single line solo. The simple bass creates a driving rhythm, especially if one swings the quarter notes. More can be found on my "Lessons In The Blues" page.
Original works For Solo Guitar. This project has evolved since its inception. Instead of being merely a catalogue of works up until 2004, a great deal of new material has been written, resulting in a very cohesive experience. The album will include "The Last Leaf, Coral Sunset, Urdu Blue, Apparition, Suite Autumn, Celestial Muse, Wind on Water, Pirouette, Spirit Blossom, After the Dreaming, Mystic Nightingale, Gliding," and other works, performed on eleven-string alto guitar, ten-string classical, as well as, traditional nylon and steel string guitars.
VIDEO PLAYER ONE: • 1: Coral Sunset • 2: Café au lait • 3: Apparition • 4: Marco's Bicycle by the Sea • 5: Mr. Cool
My musical influences are diverse, ranging from the Baroque to the Blues, from Celtic to Rock, from Jazz to many eclectic World Musics. I am an advocate of multistring guitars. I play an eleven- string classical alto-guitar (Altgitarr) made by Georg Bolin of Sweden and a ten-string classical guitar made by American Luthier Jimmy De Cava, as well as, many other various six strings.
When I am not busy with my online music store, SoloGuitarist.Net I divide my time between teaching, composing, and promoting concert artists, masterclasses and workshops as the director of the Wichita Guitar Society.
I have recently launched a new international record label, Heartside Music.
A word about the guitars and tunings used for these videos:
"Coral Sunset" (Original) is performed performed at KCTU TV using an alto-guitar by Georg Bolin of Sweden. This particular alto-guitar was dubbed "Carollos" as Bolin did not use serial numbers. The alto-guitar (altgitarr or altgitarren) has 11 nylon strings. Its top six are pitched a minor third higher than standard tuning, like the Renaissance lute. It's five extra bass strings drop diatonically as F-Eb-D-C-Bb. This would be like D-C-B-A-G on a standard guitar. Except for the 7th, the extra basses are not usually fretted, but played open. They may also be tuned to fit a particular key. The alto allows for the unaltered performance of Renaissance and Baroque lute literature, and opens new horizons for the guitar.
"Café au lait" (Music by John Francis, French Lyrics by Philippe Bertaud). Performed Live on KCTU TV using a solo ten-string classical guitar by Jimmy de Cava. The lower four strings are tuned D-C-A-G for this tune. Philippe's French lyrics, recorded July of 2006 for his "songs" album, were added later, and time shifted to fit the performance. The album entitled "The Finer Things" is due out in early November.
"Apparition" Six string version of this piece performed at the Wichita Historical Museum November 1, 2008 on an Alhambra 11PE2 Classical Guitar. The piece was inspired by poetry of Irma Wassall. She celebrated her 100th birthday in September of 2008. The performance was part of the Wichita, Guitar Society Recital Meeting held there on the first Saturday of each month. (standard tuning).
"Marco's Bicycle by the Sea" (original Samba tune) written in jest for Marco Porcu and performed Live on KCTU TV using an Alhambra Luthier India (standard tuning).
"Mr Cool" (original) live at the Wichita Historical Museum as part of the Wichita Guitar Recital meeting in May of 2008. This laid back, yet edgy blues, is for Laurence Juber, whose tasty DADGAD tuned material and stage antics inspired the piece. I performed this one on a Lakewood M32 CP steel string from Germany. This performance was unamplified.
I enjoy writing and performing many styles and often blend the different elements together. From the simplest melody and rhythm, to the most complex harmony and counterpoint, I believe that music has the ability to captivate the spirit. For me, one of the most unique and important aspects of music is its ability to communicate, even without words. I try to express something genuine with each of my compositions.
Music shares a common origin with language. As infants, we learn melody prior to speaking. As we grow, we incorporate melody, dynamics and rhythm into our speech. We learn effective phrasing and the use of cadence- sometimes subtle, never random. We punctuate our music and communication to be, both, interesting and effective. We have a large range of emotions. Music is a natural medium for us to express them.
VIDEO PLAYER TWO: • 1: Wayfaring • 2: Mystic Nightingale
These are the first two movements from my Baroque Suite / Live TV June 12, 2009.
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