strap it on

From time to time I get questions about my playing position – mostly regarding the reasons that led me to it, but sometimes people ask more “technical” things on how I rig my strap. I decided to write up a little piece, explaining both why, how, and the likes. Continue Reading…

update, some changes, etc…

I remember mentioning something about the new website providing me with more opportunities to post…well, it’s been almost two months since my last update, so that didn’t necessarily went the way I envisioned!
In my defense, I’ve been keeping busy with a new academic adventure; I started in the PhD program at UCSC in September, and it’s been quite a bit of work right from day one – not to mention the rather drastic change from both a summer of leisure and my previous performance-oriented (and practice-heavy!) experience.
Despite the massive amount of reading and the menial aspects of my double involvement as a TA (it literally pays the bills, so no complaints here), I’m trying to keep a dynamic attitude towards the many aspects of my musical enterprise, both on the playing and now scholarly side.
This is where the website comes in – ideally, I’d like to start posting some musings, short writings of sorts about matters more or less musical. I’m not sure what kind of audience there might be for this (what I call the “is this thing on?” syndrome), but if nothing else I will be practicing my writing, as well as developing a style for talking about music in more and more accessible terms.
I do have to be realistic about the frequency of my postings, especially given the amount of my other commitments – let’s say I’d be happy to get something up at least once a week. So, if you’re reading this, expect more to follow – I have other developments in the works, and they’ll be unveiled at more or less the proper time.

another “Genteel” review

Jamie Anderson from Indie-Music.com wrote a nice little review about my latest recording effort:

Classical pieces like Milano’s “Ricercare IV” are included on this instrumental guitar disc; as are great finger style covers of Beatles classics “In My Life” and “Yesterday.” No matter the time period, every piece is executed beautifully, with just enough embellishment to showcase the great melodies. He studied with Muriel Anderson and Mario DaSilva at Belmont University, and it shows in songs like “A Dance for Muriel” and “Sakura Variations,” the latter he calls “a sort of musical Holy Grail.”

He includes one original, the title cut. Originally written to play with a string duo, he offers a solo version here so he could really show his interpretive style. Its gorgeous melody soars through several different moods, from delicate to percussive. I love his use of harmonics – something he also uses effectively in “Yesterday.” A series of short pieces adapted from Scottish lute music wrap up the disc, with the full-length “Farewell to Stromness” fitting in nicely at the very end.

The guitar is recorded well with few, if any, effects. It’s perfect background for a quiet Sunday or at the end of a workday, with a glass of rose in hand. Recommended.