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This month...a free short piece, a slight change of plans for my new release, and some recommendations.
This Month's Free Piece
This month's short piece is a challenging one, but I do think it is a really fun piece to play once it is under the fingers.
The main technique this utilizes is campanella playing. Shocking right? I may over-use this technique in my compositions, but I don't care...I love it.
Campanella is an Italian word for “little bell.” A campanella fingering is produced by taking a scalar segment and fingering it as a combination of fretted and open strings. This results in notes ringing together providing resonance, sustain, and occasional pleasing dissonance.
The first piece I remember playing that used this technique was Fantasia X by Alonso Mudarra. My teacher had written lots of campanella fingerings in order to achieve a lute or harp-like sound. I fell in love with the sound it created, especially the dissonances!
The new piece is in 6/8. There is some occasional staccato notes in the bass line. Those staccato (short) notes are important! The real challenge is playing the campanella lines as fluidly and legato as possible.
Have fun with it!
Circuitous - Standard Notation
Circuitous - Standard & TABs
Circuitous - Video
Some More Free Music...
I have created a "Free Sheet Music" page on my website that archives these free monthly newsletter pieces. I have also decided to share lots of pieces that I have written for my high school guitar classes and ensembles over the years. These are great for beginner/intermediate fingerstyle players.
Just click the links under "student solo pieces" and "beginner guitar ensemble pieces".
I will continue to write music for beginner/intermediate players and post the music there for free.
Update on My New Release
Studio is booked for June 23, 24, & 25. I will be recording with Tom Eaton at his new studio in New Hampshire. I am so grateful to have the continued opportunity to work with Tom.
There will be a slight change of plans with the release though. I had originally planned on putting this out as just another digital release, but since I still seem to sell a good number of CDs these days, I have decided to release these new songs, plus some select songs from my last two digital releases, on CD.
So here is what would love to know...
What songs from my "Something in You Remembers" and "Belonging Just Where You Are" digital releases would you like to see on this CD? Please let me know. I am really curious.
Both the new CD and the digital version for streaming sites will be released this summer. I will also have Notation/TABs available for all of the songs.
Recommendations
Here are a few things I have been listening to that I think are worth checking out.
Incredible singer/songwriter from Pakistan. She is the first Pakistani artist to win a Grammy. This is a stunningly beautiful record.
Arooj Aftab - Vulture Prince - Apple Music
Arooj Aftab - Vulture Prince - Spotify
I am very late to the Elliot Smith party. Although I was vaguely familiar with his music, I never quite took the plunge. I have recently been spending time with all of his albums. He was a brilliant songwriter. His music is full of surprises.
Elliot Smith - Xo - Apple Music
Elliot Smith - Xo - Spotify
I am familiar with the music of Brian Eno (I love the ambient record "Music for Airports"), but I was unaware of his brother Roger Eno's music. His new record "The Turning Year" is beautiful.
Roger Eno - The Turning Year - Apple Music
Roger Eno - The Turning Year - Spotify
If you are into the Grateful Dead, I highly recommend these two wonderful books.
This is All a Dream We Dreamed
by Blair Jackson & David Gans
David Gans Website
&
Skeleton Key
by David Shenk & Steve Silberman
https://www.stevesilberman.com/
(also check out Steve's book on Autism and Neurodiversity - "Neuro Tribes".)
That's all for this month. 36 days of school left, but who's counting? I am...for sure.
Thanks for reading and sharing these newsletters.
Here are all of my links. I appreciate your continued support and for helping to share my music.
Vin Downes Links
See you in June...
Cheers,
Vin
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