New twist...MY videos!

[johngregson]

Good morrow one and all,
As there's been a veritable smorgasbord of videos on this esteemed site, I thought I'd throw my efforts into the mix.

These were recorded back at Easter, so I apologise for the quality - you know how it is, not-enough-practice-yada-yada-yada. But they're quite entertaining.

[Note: don't be too alarmed, as these are guitar videos. Taste was murdered, and musicality thrown to the dogs. It was not pretty.]
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C# minor ballad improvisation [Windows Media, low-ish quality]
http://s54.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1BLRFY2X0Y8113OVV9EIISSJUR

^ Widdle, widdle, widdle. And painful facial expressions.

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Modoc [Windows Media, low-ish quality]
http://s54.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1Z0LQOB7T1L9G1CHUBY89T6U5D
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Modoc [Realplayer, fantastic quality. Seriously. I can't describe how gorgeous this is. You'll all end up with an inexplicable affection for me for bringing such a sumptuous video experience to your monitor.]
http://s54.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2RYWL8MH2ZSJB2WY2RRQUTSXYF

^ Modoc, for anyone who doesn't know, is a classical guitar piece from Steve Morse's delightful 'High Tension Wires' album. I normally play it on classical, but decided to redo it with a slightly more processed ('80s!) electric sound. I've also slowed the tempo down - purely for 'emotional effect', you understand. Don't worry, it picks up towards the end.
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I hope all you lovely folk enjoy the fruits of my labour - admittedly, they're not up to date, but I'm sure that won't be a hindrance.
Thanks for watching, and being an excellent forum to share this sort of nonsense!
Cheers,
John.

[johngregson]

Ha! That's my 666th post!

\m/

[James G.]

hey john, watched the first two access denied on the third (i'll bet that was the best one n' all!)
thats you without practise ... crikey
great playing you are one bad mizza fizza

[johngregson]

Cheers, mate!
Thanks for taking the time to watch 'em. The elusive 3rd video (which I just tried, and it works for me) is the same as the 2nd, it just looks spiffing [that's a good thing!].
Thanks again!
John.

[Markdude465]

*uproarous applause*

Only the extra-spiffy "Modoc" worked for me, and boy was it spiffy! Though I know virtually nothing about guitar playing, I do know that looks hecka hard to do, and it's one sweet, sweet piece of music. I like. :D

[jimi]

Modoc sounds nice, what other classical guitar composers do you like?

Btw do you grow your nails?? Just wondering cos i'd shred mine on any kind of steel strings. Nice posture too, i'm using the A-frame at the moment. You should try it, apparently my torso was too long for a foot stool ...

[johngregson]

No, I haven't tried the A-frame - I must give it a shot! I'm not the tallest of chaps (!) though, so it might not be required, but I certainly will give it the benefit of the doubt...

And, no, I don't grow my nails - I actually prefer the sound of flesh-only on the right hand. As for steel strings - my nails are actually really strong anyway, so it's never really mattered. Also, nails impede tapping, so that's a pretty good reason there!

As for classical guitar composers...I listen to a lot more piano/organ music than classical guitar. My favourite guitar music therefore is normally stuff like piano transcriptions - e.g. Bach's Goldberg variations or Scarlatti sonatas - or violin stuff (Bach's Sonatas and Partitas) etc. etc.

Did you see John Williams play Rodrigo at the Last Night of the Proms recently? Unbelievable!
Also, Bream's "A Life in Music" DVD always puts a smile on my face - it's incredible. I've just got hold of the new Segovia archive DVD, but haven't really had time to watch it...

Did you start on classical, Jimi? I only started playing it around 2 years ago, and it's made a real difference in my overall playing. I really wish I'd started many many years ago!

So, thanks James, Mark and Jimi!
Best,
John.

[C.J.]

If ever you have any more, just bring it on John! You rule \m/

[jimi]

Interesting that you prefer the flesh tone. It's somewhat muted and i find in general, projection/tone are lacking too. I always hated growing my nails though, so now im finished college i whipped out the nail clippers got rid of them feckers! I couldnt work certain part time jobs even cos of the breakage/chipping risks, even though i've only once split one once while i was drunk! (thats a great record!)

Other than the greats, another two composers i really like are Andrew York, and Roland Dyens. Fun to play, and much more musical in my eyes than Fernando Sor and the likes. From that earlier era, Dowland, Bach, Carulli, and a few by Giuliani but he can get boring fast too.

I've actually been playing since i was 8, i'll teach it alright but i've achieved my goals and dont want to be a performer on the classical guitar at least. i've gotten into live and studio recording so im trying to pursue that in the near future. i still plan on working on musicianship from a guitar point of view. modes, chord progressions, soloing, basically stuff i never learned from classical playing! Playing Satch and understanding Satch are two different things altogether :)

Well, thats kinda my story!

[johngregson]

Thanks, CJ, you obviously have a high pain threshold!

Jimi,
Excellent stuff! I agree, 'playing the notes' and 'understanding why he played those notes' are completely seperate levels.
Incidentally, have you tried cutting up ping-pong balls (bear with me)? They, allegedly, make a great nail substitute in an emergency. I found out when I went to one of my big fingerstyle heros concerts, sitting in the front row. During a rather frenetic rasquedo passage, a ping-pong-ball-nail flew off his hand and landed next to me! Cue dramatic, albeit silent "Aaaargh! He's ripped a nail right off!" etc.

John.

[jimi]

Ya, i know one guy who does that cos his nails are so weak, but this other dude a former chef, uses plectrums! Apparently he melts them a bit, glues them on and cuts to shape. Funny having Martin embossed on your nails ... and it gives a goth effect too!

[frank]

Hey John, just watched that 3rd video. Good playing! I dig that electronic "80's" sound!