Month September 2015

Ascension by Yuri Liberzon

I’d like to introduce the excellent guitarist Yuri Liberzon as well as congratulate him on his new album titled Ascension. It’s a great mix of repertoire from the complexity of Bach, lighter side of the Beatles, freedom of Keith Jarrett,…

Barre Exercise for Classical Guitar

This is a new video lesson for my book: 20 Favorite Exercises for Classical Guitar – For beginner to intermediate classical guitarists (Includes: notation, TAB, fingerings, practice tips).I’ve been meaning to re-record some of these with better video quality. This exercise & lesson,…

Taavi Kiviranta Plays Gestolpert, gestürzt by Krüger

Anna Amalia Gitarrewettbewerb 2015 Weimar, Preisträger, Taavi Kiviranta (Finland), special prize for the best interpretation of a compulsory modern piece, performs “Gestolpert, gestürzt” by Thomas Nathan Krüger. This comes to us via Gitarreverein Weimar and their YouTube Channel. Great young…

Review: MSP Magnetic Contact Mic

MSP Pickup for Musical InstrumentsManufacurer: 123sound.jpInternational Sales via 123sound.jpInuyama Aichi, JapanPrice: $99USThe Good Stuff The magnet installation is quick and great because you don’t have to remove your strings or get sticky gunk on your guitar. For relatively cheap you’ll be…

Hoppstock & Prégardien Perform Purcell

Christoph Prégardien (tenor) & Tilman Hoppstock (guitar) performing What Power art thou from “King Arthur” by English composer Henry Purcell (1659–1695) at Darmstädter Gitarrentage 9.12.2011. Performing a program with Purcell, Giuliani, Schubert. I’ve always loved Purcell on the guitar as it’s just thin…

Score Release: Saggio for Two Guitars

Saggio by Victor Manuel Amaral Ramierz Edited and arranged for two guitars by Duo AmaralWebsite: duoamaral.comScore available by request here.$20 USD plus shipping I’m happy to share this publication by the fantastic Duo Amaral (Jorge Amaral and Mia Pomerantz-Amaral). I…

Intermediate Shifts and Slurs Exercise

This is a video lesson for my ebook: 20 Favorite Exercises for Classical Guitar – For beginner to intermediate classical guitarists (Includes: notation, TAB, fingerings, practice tips). This exercise & lesson, No. 14 – Intermediate Shifts and Slurs Exercise for Classical Guitar, is…

Songs and Arias by Garth Baxter

Here’s a new release by composer Garth Baxter and performed by Katherine Unha Keem, soprano; Andrew Stewart, piano; Kathrin Murray, guitar; Peter Scott Drackley, tenor. From the Heart: Three American Women is a significant contribution to the guitar and voice…

Emma Rush Plays Etude 17 by Gerald Garcia

Canadian guitarist Emma Rush plays Etude 17, Tournesol, by Gerald Garcia on a 2005 Roland Scharbatke guitar. This comes via Siccas Guitars and their great YouTube channel! Fun piece and well played. I feel this would be the perfect track for some kind of…

LAGQ Play with Dweezil Zappa

The LAGQ is joined by Dweezil Zappa (yes, son of Frank). This is mostly weird but I figure that is okay since Frank Zappa was never a stranger to weird. If only Moon Unit Zappa were there too. Here’s the…

Vintage Williams with Mouskouri playing Villa-Lobos

Vintage video (1968) via BBC of Nana Mouskouri & John Williams performing the beginning of Bachianas Brasileiras No.5 by Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887–1959). Too bad we don’t get the whole thing. Williams is so much more enjoyable to watch in ensemble…

Randall Kohl: Octaviano Yáñez & Estudios Étnicos

Classical guitarist and composer, Randall Kohl, recently sent me some interesting materials. Kohl is on the music faculty of the Universidad Veracruzana en Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. I wanted to showcase three items: a new CD with music from the Orizaban…