BBC: Guitar Gives Classical Gems New Sparkle

By Laurence Peter, 4 May 2011.


Last week, we had an article by The Economist which briefly suggests that we are at the dawn of the next epoch of classical guitar.  This week, BBC interviews classical guitarist David Russell.

David Russell

In this article David explains why J.S. Bach's music is not just for the organ or harpsichord.  How the previous era of classical guitar greatness was heralded by Segovia, John Williams & Julian Bream.  How the tastes for classical guitar music has changed, and how multicultural exchanges have benefitted the classical guitar.

"The classical guitar repertoire would be impoverished were it not for the hundreds of transcriptions of music written originally for other instruments." - David Russell.

Modern compositions has contributed much to the recent classical guitar.  Popularity of electric guitars, jazz and acoustic guitars have infused the classical arena with new input and perspectives.


Cultural influences from performers such as, Carlo Domeniconi, Xuefei Yang, Eleftheria Kotzia, Keigo Fujii and Fiona Harrison have brought much to the table, as well as bringing the guitar to diverse populations.


David ends by giving some tips to guitars on how to memorize pieces.


Read the full article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13229108

The Economist: Fingersmith

By The Economist, 28 April 2011.


In the recent issue of The Economist, it has been suggested that the classical guitar is experiencing a revival.


This short article looks at how performers, technology, financial uncertainty, electric guitars and pop music are shaping the classical guitar scene.


Although its just a brief article, what intrigues me is why The Economist decides to do an article.

"The honesty of this way of music-making makes the guitar supreme. It’s so personal and delicate." - Milos Karadaglic

 I agree that the guitar is an extremely intimate instrument.  The classical guitar, with its nylon strings, warm sound and various techniques makes it all the more intimate and sensitive.


Check out the original article at: http://www.economist.com/node/18617908

MuseScore 1.0 Released!

MuseScore 1.0 is a new free music composition/notation tool that is available on Windows, OS X and Linux.  I believe that it was in testing for quite some time, so we should be expecting quite a polished product.

http://musescore.org/en

On their website, it boasts:

• WYSIWYG, notes are entered on a "virtual note sheet"
• Unlimited number of staves
• Up to four voices per staff
• Easy and fast note entry with your keyboard, mouse, or MIDI keyboard
• Integrated sequencer and FluidSynth software synthesizer
• Import and export of MusicXML and Standard MIDI Files
• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
• Translated in 35 languages
• GNU GPL licensed

They seem to have a pretty comprehensive tutorial on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MuseScoreHowTo

I've just downloaded it, and hope to give it a run in due time.  For those of you who have used it, do feel free to share your views in the comments section.

Jeremy

Sen Goh, Singapore Classical Guitar Maker

I just want to give a shout out here for my new friend, Sen Goh (http://senguitar.blogspot.com/).


I visited his workshop recently, and am impressed at his workshop and the amount of work and time invested into this hobby.  He builds as a hobby, but you can tell from his blog that it is definitely not child's play!


Much has been said about Sen and his guitar at Dedrick's Blog (http://www.dedrickkoh.com/2010/11/02/exclusivesen-gohsingaporean-classical-guitar-maker/).  I felt that his first guitar is an amazing effort on his part, and it's not an easy task to build one without direct guidance, so kudos to him there.  Sound was a loud and balanced, however I felt that it lacked some sparkle or crisp, perhaps the sound will change after the guitar is finished.


One thing is clear, the action is close to perfect and the guitar is a joy to play.  A clear success for Sen.


The guitar is the product, what about the process?


In my opinion, the process is always the more fascinating part of the journey.  This is evident when you hear Sen speak or look at his blog.  The planes, the tools, the jigs and rigs are all for a specific purpose in the building process.  He builds many jigs himself and I would think that it is a study in itself!


Keep a look out for his guitars, a rising star!


Jeremy

On Delcamp Forum: Research On Ergonomic Classical Guitars

If you are a fan of the classical guitar, then you should be familiar with Delcamp forums (http://www.delcamp.us).  Its an amazing forum for classical guitarists.


Rob, is asking for assistance for an ergonomic classical guitar industrial project.  Read more about his appeal here: http://www.delcamp.us/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=56340.


His survey form for the above said project is: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=56492.


Do check him out.


Happy Chinese New Year!
Jeremy

Yamaha GC-41: Review

This is my take on the Yamaha Grand Concert classical guitar, the GC-41.  This is currently the top of the range model moderately available outside Japan.  I believe Yamaha is still making the GC-51 and above, but those are seldom seen around and are in a completely different league (as well as price range).


Some of the specifications on this are:
Solid European Spruce Top
Solid Honduras Rosewood Back & Sides
Mahogany Neck
Ebony Fretboard

GC-41 Label

GC-41 Top

Initial Impressions:
As most of the guitar production have move out of Japan, only the top tier of Yamaha's products are still made there. Right off the bat, you can definitely see the quality fit and finish of the Japanese workmanship.  The finish is flawless, and appears to be quite "bulletproof".  The rosette and bindings are extremely intricate and impressive.  I was extremely happy with the quality of the European Spruce top, nice tight grain and no run out.  The back and sides did not particularly impress me though, because I'm partial to nice straight quarter-sawn grain.  But nonetheless, if Yamaha choses to use this wood, there must be some merits.  It comes with a set of pristine white bone nut and compensated saddle.


Tonal impressions were satisfactory, the trebles being clear and bass notes as they should be.  The guitar is musical, but appears to be "tight". I suspect it needs more time to "open up".  Comparing with my CG-201S, the GC-41 is clearly a better instrument, but at the same time, more demanding as well.

GC-41 Back with Flash

GC-41 Back without Flash

After 1year:
The finish is still pristine and the action the same as the day it arrived, which is always good news.  I can't detect any movement on woods, so I would say that it is as stable as it can be.  I feel this has always be a strength of Yamaha guitars.


The guitar has "opened up" some, but there is still potential for improvement.  Trebles and basses have become clearer and the volume appears to be louder.  I'm quite happy with the guitar, as I would say it would be worth the price I paid for it.

GC-41 Headstock

A good guitar, Yamaha reliability and consistency at its best.  The most critical aspect is the price which you pay for this guitar, if you see a good deal, grab it.

Jeremy

Dedrick Koh, Singaporean Classical Guitar Teacher, Blogger & Writer

I first met Dedrick Koh at the Singapore Guitar Show.  He was invited to the private viewing of the show, and I had the privilege to show him around.  He was very friendly and seemed to have quite a bit of experience playing with a variety of classical guitars.  I remembered clearly as he wore a protective sleeve on his right arm as he tried some of the guitars, not wishing to leave any mark on the guitars.


As I spoke to him, he shared his experiences playing the guitar as well as trying out guitars in other countries.  From what I could tell, he is extremely observant when it comes to music and guitars.  He spoke from experience, carried no airs and remained very humble in all my conversations with him.


In my recent quest for a new classical guitar, I approached him for his advice and opinions.  We spoke at length initially and he very graciously opened his house for me to try some of his guitars.  I really appreciated that gesture and had a great time at his place.


Do check out his website at http://www.dedrickkoh.com/ where you can read several of his articles as well as watch videos of his playing.


Jeremy 

Yamaha CG201S: Review

Initial Impressions:

All solid European Spruce & Mahogany, Ebony Fretboard, Rosewood Bridge. Very nice & solid guitar overall, the top is still quite "tight". Excellent set-up (3mm,4mm) out of the box. Perfect finishing. Bright trebles with decent mids and bass.

After 3weeks:

I sent it to Malcolm (http://www.mtlutherie.com) for a bone nut and saddle to help improve the tone. He did a great job and the guitar now has slightly better response and "rounder" tone. The top opened up abit, but I believe it will open up more in the months to come. The tone is more refined and the sustain has improved. Its a good guitar becoming even better!

After 1year:

Leaving it on the stand within arm's reach has been a good decision, I often play a tune and set it down.  The guitar has opened up nicely, the volume is loud and clear, the spruce top giving plenty of definition.  Occasionally I bring it to places to play, like at events and gatherings.  Plenty of nice remarks about the guitar and I did not detect any movement of the action despite fluctuation in humidity and temperature.  "Bullet-proof" finish helps to reduce effects of any rough handling (not that I abuse any of my guitars).  A seriously good guitar for the money.

I will highly recommend this guitar to any student who is on a limited budget. Look out for the Yamaha sale and it will really be worth your money.


Jeremy

Traveling Guitar Program's Annual Charity Guitar Auction!

Finally! The most interesting auction I've seen in 2010!  "Ballurio Lingo Custom takes the Lingo Classic's familiar design and adds a few elements adding a slightly different feel to the original package.  The body is a smooth contoured Claro Walnut top and back with a Mahogany body core and deep tendon neck with a select Ebony fingerboard.  The electronics consist of two balanced humbucking Ballurio S3 pickups with master volume, tone and three way pickup selector."


Signatures on the guitar belongs to : Devon Allman, Gary Hoey, Bill Leverty, Reb Beach, Eric Johnson,  Michael Angelo Batio, Bruce Kulick, Bobby Vogel, Loretta Lynn, Ben Mauro, Jennifer Batten & Sonny Landreth!


100% of the proceeds from the auction will go to Guitars In The Classroom!


Bid now! at http://cgi.ebay.com/Traveling-Guitar-Programs-Annual-Charity-Guitar-Auction-/110622985520?pt=Guitar&hash=item19c1a4cd30#ht_4796wt_1141


Jeremy

2006 Bourgeois JOMC Deluxe, Acoustic Guitar: For Sale

I'm offering some of my personal guitars for sale.

This guitar was ordered though a dealer in the United States, it's definitely a keeper in my opinion.  I am selling it because I play more classical guitar now, and I would like to raise funds for Terroir Arts.  It is set up by Malcolm Tan.  The condition extremely good, 9.5/10.  Here are some of the specifications.


Top: Bearclaw Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides: Madagascar Rosewood
Neck: One-Piece Mahogany
Fretboard: Ebony
Bridge: Ebony
Tuners: Gold Waverly
Others: Floral Inlay, Triple-Bound Maple Headstock, Neck & Body
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut Width: 1 23/32"
Price: SGD$8,000 (With original hardcase)


Contact Me

The Travelling Guitar Program

I saw this programme at the Guitars in the Classroom webpage.  It is nice to see more of such initatives taking flight.

The mission of the Traveling Guitar is to fund music education and programmes for those unable to pursue these activities due to limited resources.

They have a two-prong approach for raising funds in support of their mission:

1)  The Traveling Guitar Program: 

1. Each year custom guitars will be built by Ballurio Guitars. These guitars will be built using materials from our sponsor,Northland Forest Products.  Each stage of the build will be photographed and shared via the Traveling Guitar Website.
2. Once built, the Guitar (the Traveling Guitar) will then spend the next year traveling around the country being play, signed and photographed by our Performing Sponsors.  Each stop will be photographed with photographs displayed on the Traveling Guitar Website.
3. At the end of the Traveling Guitar's year of travel, the guitar will be prepared and auction.
4. All (100%) of the proceeds from the on-line auction price will be donated directly to music based charities.

2) Guitar Donation and Auction Program:

1. All guitars donated, will have the setup and if needed, corrected and will then be auctioned online (eBay).
2. All (100%) of the proceeds from the auction price will be donated directly to the music based charities.

To contact them about a donation or sponsorship, please send e-mail to donations@travelingguitar.org or sponsors@travelingguitar.org.


Visit them at http://www.travelingguitar.org/


Jeremy

2002 Yamaha FG-433S, Acoustic Guitar: For Sale

I'm offering some of my personal guitars for sale.

This guitar is my first guitar which I bought around 2004.  It is set up by Malcolm Tan.  The condition quite good, 7/10.  Here are some of the specifications.

Top: Solid Sitka Spruce

Back & Sides: Nato

Neck: Nato

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Bridge: Rosewood

Scale Length: 25.6"

Nut Width: 1.7"

Price: SGD$400 (Add $50 for Gator Hardcase)


Contact Me

EZ Slide Chord

According to the promotional video, the invention was to help a guitarist who lost his finger to continue playing the guitar.  This device frets a movable bar chord shape, and the guitarist would just have to move the device up and down the neck to play various chords, and shift it laterally to get the minor chords.  Check out the promotional video.

I would recommend this device to anyone who has physical impairments which would prevent him from learning the guitar.  You could strum along to plenty of songs with this device, and would be a good tool to help you enjoy music.


But if you can learn the guitar the good old fashion way; hard work, callouses, cramps and lots of practice, do yourself a favor and give this device a miss.


Jeremy

The Soul of Antonio de Torress "1867": Isao Kitaguchi

CD Album Art 

I picked up this CD at a local clearance sale, attracted by the name "Antonio de Torres".  I did not expect much from CD; being unfamiliar with Isao Kitaguchi and the fact that more than half of the characters on the rear of the CD case was Japanese.  This must be one of the best kept secrets of classical guitar recordings.


All the tracks were performed on a 1867, Antonio de Torres.  Antonio de Torres is known as the Stradivari of the guitar world, and almost all the instruments are well documented in the book, Antonio de Torres, Guitar Maker - His Live & Work by Jose L. Romanillos.


The guitar in the CD is also known as FE27A, Spruce/Rosewood with a tornavoz. According to the description in the book, it does not seem like anything to write home about.  But the CD is definitely something to recommend to all guitar players.


Two of my favorite pieces are La Catedral and Madrigal by Barrios.  These lyrical pieces really made the guitar sing and you could really feel the guitarist and the composer's intent.  All the pieces are really played very well, and inspiring to any student of the classical guitar.


The CD is from Japan, from COSMO VILLAGE Co., Ltd.  Recorded in 1995 at the Guitar Culture Museum at 88.2kHz sampling.  It is interesting that some of the background sound, like breathing and external sounds was recorded as well.  Not necessary a bad thing, as it lends a sense of realism.  The dome of the Museum also added some reverb to the sound of the guitar.


Track Listing:
1)  Barrios: La Catedral (7:36)
2)  Barrios: El Ultimo Tremolo (3:13)
3)  Barrios: Oracion (02:53)
4)  Barrios: Villancico de Navidad (3:02)
5)  Barrios: Un Sueno en la Floresta (6:28)
6)  Mompou: Coral (2:16)
7)  Mompou: Cuna (3:03)
8)  Tarrega: Adelita (1:44)
9)  Tarrega: Marieta (2:02)
10) Villa-Lobos: Prelude No. 5 (3:26)
11) Barrios: Comtemplacion (4:15)
12) Barrios: Julia Florida (3:18)
13) Barrios: Madrigal (3:07)
14) Barrios: Vals No. 2 (3:08)
15) Barrios: Vals op.8-3 (3:11)
16) Barrios: Vals op.8-4 (3:56)
17) Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra (4:44)
Total Time 61:29


Jeremy

'89 Fender Japan Telecaster

This is my '89 Fender Japan Telecaster.  I'm not really an electric guitar person, but I believe this guitar is a keeper.  The condition is quite good for it's age, but perhaps more work needs to be done.

This is just an experimental shot, but it turned out quite nicely.

'89 Fender Japan Telecaster

Jeremy

"Free" Online Classical Guitar Lessons by Jean-François Delcamp

(Jean-François Delcamp; Professor at the Brest Conservatory of Music, Dance and Drama - France, and founder of the Delcamp Classical Guitar Forums sent this email out early today, which I reproduce entirely.)

Hello everyone, 

Starting from Tuesday 9 November, I will be giving online classical guitar lessons on the forum.

My aim is to help isolated amateurs who don't have the opportunity to have a teacher. I want to help them to progress by giving them goals and advice. I hope my forum students will provide help to one another and forge bonds of solidarity among themselves.

My role in these lessons will consist solely of giving you a reasonable goal, advice, and audio and video examples. I will not be commenting on the mp3s and videos that you upload here for the support and advice of other members of the forum, and indeed the teachers on the forum, if they have a little time to devote to you. For my part, I shall unfortunately not have the time available to be able to reply to your questions except very rarely.

I ask help to make these lessons work, and I urgently need one or more coordinators who will manage the groups of students. This teacher, or these teachers, will check first that any student following the lessons fulfills the three requirements which I spell out later. It is enough that the candidate student confirms that he has advertised the lessons among his friends, or indeed in shops/stores or on the net, for his candidacy to be approved.

These lessons are not free: in exchange for my work at your service, I ask 4 things of my future students:

1. I ask you to participate more actively in forum discussions by posting messages more often. I ask you, if possible, to help other members, either by your advice or at least by your encouragement.

2. I ask you to start by publicising my online lessons. This includes publicity on Facebook, Twitter, newsgroups, or by putting up a notice in your newsagent's window, etc. The more students I get, the more you will be able to help one another. You will progress better because you will be able to compare your own work with that of numerous other guitarists who will be playing the same pieces as you, at the same time as you, and under the same time constraints as you. That is why publicity for these online lessons is very important. I repeat, the more of us there are, the richer and more instructive the course will be. Tell your guitarist friends about it too.

You could also put up notices in luthiers' shops, music stores, concert halls, CD stores. You can also send the information to newspapers and magazines, who might perhaps report it.

3. I ask students who want to follow my lessons, as a courtesy, to be registered on the forum with their real forename and surname, or at the very least with their real forename followed by a pseudonym of their choice. To change your username, make a request in the "Your messages to the site administrator" forum.

4. Please do not contact me by private message, but only by posting a message on the forum.

To register for the course, and also to confirm that you have publicised my lessons, use the topic: Registration for forum lessons.

To publicise the lessons, here is some text and a poster that you can send to your friends by email, or put in your blog, or put up in your local baker's window:

Free classical guitar lessons on the internet
Lessons given by Jean-François Delcamp
(Professor at the Brest Conservatory of Music, Dance and Drama - France)
The lessons will begin in November 2010 and finish in June 2011.
These lessons correspond to the first three years at the conservatory
The conditions for registering are available on the forum
http://www.delcamp.us/

Description of the "Online classical guitar lessons by Jean-François Delcamp"

These lessons are open to all those who speak English and who can upload mp3 or video recordings of themselves playing the pieces I shall provide for study, on the forum "Online classical guitar lessons".

Here is how the first lesson will be conducted: 

On Tuesday the 9th of November I will create two topics with the titles "D01 - Lesson 1" and "D02 - Lesson 1". I will indicate in my posts there the pieces or exercises to be worked on, I'll give scores in PDF format, or links to scores, with mp3 or video examples.

To register for my online lessons, there are no formalities, you only need to choose which of the 3 levels offered suits you best. A student can change courses during the year, if he realises that he would be more comfortable in a different level. After having confirmed in the "Registration for forum lessons" thread that you have publicised my lessons, all you have to do is upload (in a reply to the lesson thread) your recording of one of the study pieces which I shall provide in order to be considered as a registered student and a participant in the course.

Each student can record several or, preferably, all the pieces and exercises which I shall give out for each lesson. After a week to ten days of work, no more, the student will upload his first recordings in a single post. Participation in one lesson at a particular level is closed as soon as the next lesson at the same level begins. That is to say that each lesson will remain open for your posts and attachments up until the start of the next lesson at the same level. After that date, the previous lesson will be locked and it will no longer be possible to post new messages, though the lesson will remain available in read-only form.

I ask all students to listen to the recordings of each of the other students of the same level, then to give their encouragement, opinions, and if possible their advice. Then the student, after having received that feedback, can post a second series of recordings taking into account the advice and opinions of the other members of the forum. In the absence of a video, photographs of yourself playing the guitar could allow others to give you advice on the best position to adopt for holding your guitar. All advice is welcome, and I am counting on the assistance of all members to help, encourage and advise students and finally to enable them to progress.

I'm asking for your help. I would ask teachers registered on the forum to be kind enough, if they have the time, to give their advice to members occasionally.

Students can proceed as they wish: they can follow the lessons at the level they have chosen from the three levels offered, and they can start and stop when they choose. If you decide to stop, please let the others know by posting a message on the forum.

Calendar: 

Lessons for the first year conservatory level (D01) will start on:  

Lesson 1 Tuesday 9 November
Lesson 2 Tuesday 23 November
Lesson 3 Tuesday 14 December
Lesson 4 Tuesday 11 January
Lesson 5 Tuesday 1 February
Lesson 6 Tuesday 22 February
Lesson 7 Tuesday 29 March
Lesson 8 Tuesday 19 April
Lesson 9 Tuesday 24 May
Lesson 10 Tuesday 14 June


Lessons for the second year conservatory level (D02) will start on:

Lesson 1 Tuesday 9 November
Lesson 2 Tuesday 30 November
Lesson 3 Tuesday 21 December
Lesson 4 Tuesday 18 January
Lesson 5 Tuesday 8 February
Lesson 6 Tuesday 15 March
Lesson 7 Tuesday 5 April
Lesson 8 Tuesday 10 May
Lesson 9 Tuesday 31 May
Lesson 10 Tuesday 21 June

Lessons for the third year conservatory level (D03) will start on:

Lesson 1 Tuesday 16 November
Lesson 2 Tuesday 7 December
Lesson 3 Tuesday 4 January
Lesson 4 Tuesday 25 January
Lesson 5 Tuesday 15 February
Lesson 6 Tuesday 22 March
Lesson 7 Tuesday 12 April
Lesson 8 Tuesday 17 May
Lesson 9 Tuesday 7 June
Lesson 10 Tuesday 28 June

If you are a member of the "002 posted messages" group, you can download the scores for the lessons here: Collection of scores for guitar - levels D01 to D03. If you are not yet a member of the "002 posted messages" group, you first need to post two messages on the forum in order to be registered in the group. This can take a while, so please be patient, but if you have not been registered within 24 hours of posting your second message, please contact a moderator.

In the hope of your company in the shared ambition to improve our playing of the classical guitar.

Yours, Jean-François

I believe this is an amazing effort to further the classical guitar community.  As long as anyone have internet access, they can benefit from some serious lessons.  Some of the contributors at Delcamp are seriously high level, and now people of all social and economic standing can have some guitar lessons!


Jeremy

Playing for Change & Education

"Guitars in the Classroom and Playing for Change Foundation have teamed up to bring you this exciting online auction that aims to promote peace, well-being, and education through music.


Items include unique and celebrity signed musical instruments & sports memorabilia, plus a variety of treasures and special experiences you won't find anywhere else including tickets and VIP passes to Playing for Change concerts! 


Proceeds will go towards helping Guitars in the Classroom and the Playing For Change Foundation continue bringing the healing and teaching power of music to communities and children around the world."


http://www.playingforchangeandeducation.com/
http://www.guitarsintheclassroom.org/
http://www.playingforchange.org/
Go to the Auction Site!


I believe this is a time to give some exposure to some of these social initiatives.  Music is about people and social interaction.  Music has the power to empower and inspire.


My dream is that we will have more music or arts based social initiatives locally.  If anyone hears of any, give me a shout through this site or email.


Jeremy