Posted by: Glenelg Guitar Studio | July 15, 2013

13 Tangos – here’s just one of them

Hi Everyone,

If you like Tangos please read on.

It’s not hyperbole to say that Astor Piazzolla is the single most important figure in the history of tango, a towering giant whose shadow looms large over everything that preceded and followed him. Piazzolla’s place in Argentina’s greatest cultural export is roughly equivalent to that of Duke Ellington in jazz — the genius composer who took an earthy, sensual, even disreputable folk music and elevated it into a sophisticated form of high art.

Piazzolla wrote most of his tangos for a quintet that consisted of bandoneon, piano, violin, electric guitar and bass. The bandoneon was developed by Heinrich Band in the 1840’s. Although invented in Germany, it quickly made its way to Argentina and became synonymous with the Argentine tango.

The Bandoneon

I hope you enjoy this one which is called “Sensuel”, and I think it is.

If you would like to explore the rhythmic and enticing rhythms and music from Latin America please let me know, next time we get together.

Cheers.

Leigh

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Posted by: Glenelg Guitar Studio | July 8, 2013

FANTASTIC GUITAR EXAM RESULTS

photoexamWhat a great effort by 17 of our students, aged from 8 to 60 years, who recently undertook practical assessment with the Australian Guild of Music and Speech. Assessment was done across all guitar styles of Electric, Acoustic, Bass and Classical.

Students take exams through the Guild for a variety of reasons. Some are starting on a pathway to a career in music, some are doing it as part of their school based education but many are simply using it as an achievable structure to gauge their progress. You can start at any level or age and move along the graded learning pathways that offer easily achievable goals that will accelerate your learning.

I think it’s a great way to enhance your learning of the guitar, especially for younger players. Many parents have told me of their child’s increased confidence, not just with the guitar playing, but with life skills generally.

If you think it may suit you, or need more information, ask me next time we get together.

Congratulations to everyone…..Leigh

JUNE 2013 RESULTS
STEP ONE

Noah D’Arcy 90 Distinction
Tim Mitchell  95 Distinction
David Nott 90 Distinction

STEP TWO
Toby Mackereth 85 A Honours

STEP THREE
Robert Allen 91 Distinction
Tori Buchanan 92 Distinction
Jackson Bungey 92 Distinction
Nick Mangos 80 B+ Credit
Claire Mattner 88 A Honours
Sam Tierney 93 Distinction
Wolf Unglaube 87 A Honours

GRADE TWO
Neo Gerogiou 86 A Honours
Ian Pope 83 B+ Credit
Jack Tierney 94 Distinction

GRADE THREE
Pete Mitchell 92 Distinction
Robyn Pope 88 A Honours

GRADE FIVE
Sam Miller 90 Distinction

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Posted by: Glenelg Guitar Studio | May 18, 2013

“House of the Rising Sun” recorded 49 years ago today

Hi Everyone,

On this day in 1964, the Animals recorded “House of the Rising Sun” in just one take!

The Animals’ rendition of the song, which starts with the famous Electric Guitar A minor chord arpeggio, is recognized as one of the classics of the 1960’s British Invasion. Music Writer Lester Bangs labelled it “a brilliant rearrangement” and “a new standard rendition of an old standard composition.”

It ranked number 122 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. It is also one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and was placed at number 240 on their Songs of the Century list.

In 1999 it received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award and besides critical acclaim, it has long since become a staple of oldies and classic rock radio formats. A 2005  poll ranked it as Briton’s fourth favourite number one song of all time.

Actually the song was not new, just the way that the Animals played it. Bob Dylan had recorded it 3 years earlier in 1961 and the oldest known existing recording is by Appalachian artists Clarence “Tom” Ashley and Gwen Foster, who recorded it for Vocalion Records in 1934.  Ashley said he had learned it from his grandfather, Enoch Ashley. More information on the origins are here.

I play a somewhat different version, also recorded in one take, so if you like it please share it around and/or leave a comment.

If you want to learn either version let me know next time we get together.

Cheers.
Leigh

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Posted by: Glenelg Guitar Studio | April 24, 2013

Amazing Grace – Chet Atkins style

Hi Everyone,

I was fortunate enough to play this version of Amazing Grace at my brother Brenton’s funeral, on this day 12 months ago.

Since that day I have had requests to record it, so here it is.

If you like it please share it around and/or leave a comment.

Leigh

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Posted by: Glenelg Guitar Studio | April 1, 2013

Cherry Blossom Festival

Hi Everyone,

In Japan at the moment Cherry Blossom festivals are taking place all over the country.

The Japanese turn out in large numbers with family and friends,at parks, shrines and temples to hold flower-viewing parties and celebrate the beauty of the cherry blossom.

I hope you enjoy my version of the beautiful  ‘Sakura’ which translates as ‘Cherry Blooms’.

If you like it please share it around and/or leave a comment.

Leigh

6 Comments

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