(Open this newsletter in a new browser to view the embedded videos)
Well, we made it to the end of another year. I am still shocked that I have managed to put one of these newsletters out every month for two years now. Thank you for taking the time to read these, and for your encouraging responses to the music each month.
Free Piece
I am sure that I have said this before, but Christmas music is definitely not my favorite thing…especially since we seem to start celebrating the season immediately after Halloween now. I also think the 16 years I spent teaching elementary school soured it for me. Every year, I would have to sing holiday songs with the kids for the entire month of December. One can only sing Jingle Bells so many times before facing an existential crisis.
That being said, there are a few carols that I do enjoy. Last year, I arranged the Irish carol Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil (This Night in Bethlehem) for my December newsletter (I have included it below in case you missed it). This year, I have arranged another Irish carol, Carúl Loch Garman (The Wexford Carol).
In my arrangement, the opening of Carúl Loch Garman (The Wexford Carol) is marked “Cascading freely”. After the harmonics, play the line with lots of forward movement, like falling snow, and ritard into the Em7b5…and hold that tension. The verses should be played andante (walking tempo), but also rubato (expressively with rhythmic freedom), so you can get as much emotion out of the melody as possible. Don't rush anything.
The arrangement is short, so try adding your own arrangement of a verse or two. Have fun with it!
I hope you enjoy playing the pieces...or just listening.
If you missed any of this year's free music, here are notations/TABs & videos for all 12 pieces in one Google Folder.
That's all for this year…
I have some exciting new things coming out early next year. I can't say much about them yet, but they definitely explore a new musical direction. I am really looking forward to a year of new discoveries and musical partnerships.
Thank you for your continued support. It has been a very good year for my music, reaching lots of ears on lots of different platforms, and I am very grateful for that.
I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season.
