This month...an Ackerman inspired free piece, a new single & publication, an interview & performance, new music in the works, and some recommendations.
This Month's Free Piece
I was recently asked to participate in the "Will Ackerman Tuning Challenge" which was being sponsored by Acoustic Guitar Magazine. Despite being pretty swamped with the start of school, I was happy that I was able to find a bit of time to come up with something.
The challenge invited guitarists to compose and record a song using Will's tuning from the song "I Had to Go There". All participants will receive a signed copy of Will's new album "Positano Songs". Will will also choose his favorite piece, and that person gets a Zoom/FaceTime call with Will and a year subscription to Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
I haven't written music in alternate tunings for a couple years now, so when I first tuned my guitar to F C Eb Ab C Eb, I felt pretty lost (and my guitar was not very happy with me). I think after playing so many concerts with Will, and tuning so many guitars, I may have developed ATP (altered tuning phobia.)
I spent a few minutes noodling and finding the home bases, then I was able to improvise a short piece. After a couple passes trying to tap into Will’s vibe, I recorded the video.
I am happy to see so many incredible entries for the challenge. It reminds me of the enormous influence Will has on so many great players.
I want to give away the TABs for my little contribution. If you don't feel like cranking your guitar up into the stratosphere, you can tune to DACFAC and capo up on the 3rd fret. I hope you enjoy playing the piece.
Niel Gow's Lament for the Death of His Second Wife & Rosin the Beau
My arrangement of "Niel Gow's Lament for the Death of His Second Wife & Rosin the Beau" was released in early September.
Niel Gow was the most famous fiddle player in Scotland in the 18th century. Legend has it that he was so grief stricken after the death of his second wife, Margaret Urquhart, that he stopped playing the fiddle. Eventually his friends were able to encouraged him to play again, and when he picked up his fiddle, this was the tune he played. Whether or not that story is true, the tune itself is heart-wrenchingly beautiful.
Rosin the Beau is an old Irish/American folk song. The lyrics (which I am not singing...you're welcome for that) relate the story of a man who was popular in his youth, and later in life, the ladies refer to him as "Old Rosin, the beau". In the song he reflects on his life as he prepares for the grave.
Did you think I would pick happy songs to arrange? Of course not.
The tune is streaming everywhere, and is available for download on Bandcamp. TABs are available on my website.
If you would like a lovely printed copy (standard notation only), I suggest going to Guitar Chamber Music Press. Please support this wonderful publishing company! GCMP offers a vast amount of guitar music from many incredible composers.
Gallery of Guitar
Last month my interview with renowned classical guitarist and educator, Matthew McAllister, premiered on his Gallery of Guitar YouTube Channel. If you haven't seen it yet, please check it out and leave a comment over on YT.
Matthew's channel is well worth the follow!
Here is my performance video of "The Tree Still Thinks of Tom" which was also done for Matthew's Gallery of Guitar.
* Big thank you to Tom Eaton for mixing my audio for the video.
What's in the Works?
Ten Studies for Classical Guitar - Volume 2
One of my current projects is writing the second volume of studies for classical guitar. (You can find Volume 1 over at Guitar Chamber Music Press). So far, I have four out of ten pieces written for the new book. Although I refer to these pieces as "studies for classical guitar", they are essentially short, expressive pieces of music that will help your overall technique...and they sound good on both nylon and steel string guitars.
New Album
As soon as you release an album, you begin a new one. I am writing new pieces to record next year. My plan is to record an entire album on nylon string guitar. I just ordered a Furch nylon crossover guitar and I am sure there will be plenty of songs in it.
BTW...I sold one guitar before buying this one, so technically...I don't have a GHP (guitar hoarding problem).
Some Recommendations...
Books
I am teaching Music Fundamentals and Music History classes for the first time this year. I thought some people may be interested in some books that I am using.
Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory is wonderfully paced, and contains easy to understand lessons, guided practice, and ear training lessons. It contains three books in one, so covers learning the staff all the way up through harmonizing melodies.
Master Theory were the workbooks I used as a student in high school (shout out to my high school theory teacher Bob Dokus!) I was fully prepared for all my college courses because of Mr. Dokus and these books. The six books take you from the very basics through harmony and arranging.
I am loving Smithsonian's Music - The Definitive Visual History. It is incredibly detailed, but easy to read, with wonderful illustrations and pictures. This is a great book to have on the coffee table if you are interested in music history. It covers the music of ancient civilizations up to the digital music revolution with everything in between...and I mean everything. Highly recommended.
Max Morden is an incredible trumpet/flugel horn player here in NJ. He also plays a handful of other instruments, composes, arranges, produces, and he is a public school music educator.
Max was also one of my high school jazz band teachers, who was always encouraging, supportive, and inspiring. There is one particular moment that still sticks in my mind...
The jazz band was on stage rehearsing for a concert later that evening. We were on a break and I was just noodling on bass with my friend Mike Fumento on drums. We were riffing on Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused", and Max came over and surprised us by belting out the lyrics in his best Robert Plant voice. We were blown away.
After that, he told Mike to play a fast swing and Max played an a burning solo version of "A Night in Tunsia" on flugel horn. Again...we were awestruck.
It is moments like that...moments that are usually small and completely insignificant at the time to the teacher…that can make a lasting impression on a student's mind. That was an inspiring "I want to be a musician like that" moments that I never forgot. Thank you Max!
Please check out Max's YouTube channel to hear some of his original music and a ton of arrangements he has recorded from his 'red room' at home. Your ears will be happy.
That's all for now. I appreciate you taking the time to read these newsletters. I hope you have a wonderfully relaxing and uneventful October…like the Pittsburgh Pirates.
