Achieving Guitar Artistry - Contemporary Baroque Etudes


Book Description

The arts flourished in the Baroque period. Music from that time is still performed worldwide by symphonies, opera companies, choirs, chamber ensembles and soloists on many instruments. The period was characterized by the works of such great artists as J. S. Bach (b. 1685), Handel (b. 1685), Telemann (b. 1681) and many others. These composers defined the rich, ornate and melodic Baroque style of music which we categorize in the classical realm. There was another genre of music flourishing during this period, and that was the "common" or folk music style characterized by such composers as Ireland's legendary harpist, Turlough O'Carolan (b. 1670). In composing music for this book the author recreated harmonic and melodic elements of this great musical age, while adding some contemporary twists. All of the etudes are original and will serve to enhance guitar technique, phrasing, expression, note- reading ability, and knowledge of the entire guitar fingerboard. Fingering and string markings are included where appropriate. In addition to facilitating the many technical and aesthetic aspects of performing at an advanced level on the guitar, these etudes may be used successfully in concerts or recitals. This book is an ideal companion for the other books in the Mel Bay "Achieving Guitar Artistry" series, which is designed to condition and guide the developing guitarist to an advanced level of proficiency, regardless of the style of music performed.




Achieving Guitar Artistry – Contemporary Preludes, Sonatas & Nocturnes


Book Description

This collection of original, contemporary, concert-style compositions for plectrum or flatpicked guitar includes 15 preludes, 4 sonatas with multiple movements, and 12 nocturnes. The solos present a colorful spectrum of tonality, harmony, rhythms and moods ideal for concert or recital performance. All solos are written in standard notation only with appropriate fingering and string markings.




Guitar Picking Studies for Improving Technique


Book Description

This book includes a multitude of beginning to intermediate studies, designed to build right-hand picking technique and coordination between both hands. The material includes vertical picking exercises across various string combinations, linear picking studies, tremolo studies, warm-ups, picking etudes, triplet exercises and picking solos–essential material that will supplement any guitar method. Written in standard notation and tablature.




Guitar Solos for Improving Technique


Book Description

This collection of 36 solos, etudes and technique studies was written especially for the developing intermediate guitarist. A variety of musical styles and genres are presented, along with a colorful assortment of flatpicking techniques and melodies. In addition to their appealing sound and being fun to play, many of these pieces are suitable for performance in recitals or concerts. Every effort has been made to be sure that these musical selections “lie well under the fingers,” and are very guitaristic or idiomatic in nature. Guitar Solos for Improving Technique is ideal as a standalone solo collection or as a technique-building text. The collection also works well as a supplement to any intermediate guitar method. Includes access to an online audio recording of each piece.




Guitar Picking Tunes - Hymns of Beauty and Strength


Book Description

This book in the Guitar Picking Tunes series presents 29 favorite hymns arranged for guitar solo. The material spans the centuries, but reflects a deep faith, including lyrically-beautiful hymns such as “Just as I Am”, to the powerful “Crown Him with Many Crowns”. These solos work well as preludes, offertories, communion hymns and even recessionals, or simply for enjoyment. All solos are written in standard notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio.




The William Bay Collection - Christmas Guitar Solo Anthology


Book Description

This book contains all 60 of William Bay’s guitar solos found in his three Christmas solo collections: Guitar Picking Tunes – Beautiful Carols of Christmas, Guitar Picking Tunes – Christmas in the British Isles, and Guitar Picking Tunes – An Early American Christmas. In this volume, all solos are presented in notation only. Includes access to an online recording of the author performing each piece.




The William Bay Collection - Flatpicking Guitar Solo Anthology #1


Book Description

This comprehensive book contains the solos found in five William Bay guitar solo collections. The solos range from colorful foot tapping reels, breakdowns, hornpipes, jigs, fiddle tunes and sea chanteys to country and Celtic ballads and waltzes. Also included are numerous original guitar solos. All 143 solos in this collection are recorded by the author and online access to the recordings is included. All solos are presented in notation and tablature.




Complete Bach Cello Suites


Book Description

Most instrumentalists would agree with the author’s introductory statement, that the six Bach cello suites are “…one of the greatest collections of solo instrumental music ever written.” Many amateur classic guitarists have endeavored to play favorite movements of the suites, and a few professionals have recorded all six in their entirety. The author himself has played them on various plucked-string instruments. Here, for the first time, Rob MacKillop and Mel Bay Publications present the Six Cello Suites of J. S. Bach, transcribed for the plectrum-style acoustic or electric guitarist! According to MacKillop, Bach had an overall didactic plan and each suite increases in emotional depth and difficulty, posing specific problems to the plectrum guitarist or any instrumentalist. For example: Using a pick, how do you play a 2-note interval when there is a string in-between the two notes? MacKillop provides a good deal of fingering in the early suites suggesting solutions to this and other issues, but ultimately encourages readers to make their own decisions through careful analysis and left-hand fingering. If you stay the course and play through all six suites, you will gain a personal understanding not only of the Baroque suite, but also of left-hand digitation, picking direction, and the guitar fretboard. Written in standard notation in guitar-friendly keys for the intermediate to advanced plectrum guitarist, this book is destined to be a part of university curriculums and recitals worldwide. It deserves a place in your music library too.




Famous Lute Solos Arranged for Plectrum Guitar


Book Description

Rob MacKillop presents 20 classic lute transcriptions; the "greatest hits" of the Renaissance and Baroque lute repertoire arranged for pick acoustic, electric, or classical guitar. MacKillop has for many years played all these pieces on the lute, and has created sensitive guitar arrangements that lose nothing from the original scores. Composers include Bach, Weiss, Dowland, Spinacino, among others. Finally, we have a book of lute-to-plectrum guitar transcriptions by an arranger who is deeply familiar with and respectful of both instruments. Includes access to online audio for every item recorded by Rob MacKillop in plectrum style.




Tunes from 17th Century Scotland Arranged for Flatpicking Guitar


Book Description

Many great Scottish traditional tunes can be traced back to 17th century lute music. In this collection, multi-instrumentalist Rob MacKillop has transcribed and arranged 25 popular tunes derived from various lute manuscripts. While idiomatic to the guitar, some of these arrangements include fast runs and chord changes, so are best suited to the intermediate-level flatpicking guitarist. This guitar collection consists of the same melodies in the same keys found in its mandolin counterpart, Tunes From 17th Century Scotland Arranged for Mandolin (Mel Bay Publications). In both books, suggested chords are provided wherever appropriate. Consequently, the settings work fine as either mandolin/violin and guitar duets, or as solos for either instrument. Until now, most of these appealing dance tunes and airs have not been available as guitar arrangements. Here, except for two tunes in drop-D tuning, all are in standard guitar tuning. With MacKillop’s spirited online recording, generous performance notes and standard notation and tablature for each selection, get ready to explore a wonderful new take on an old repertoire! Includes access to online audio.