A video lesson for my arrangment of Blackbird is now available in the Acoustic Tonic Music store.
The lesson includes a transcription of the arrangement, a 30 minute video lesson and a reference performance video.
Find details about the arrangement here.
Level: Int/Adv Tuning: Standard Tuning
Includes Transcription + MP3
Good King Wenceslas always struck me as a bit odd when I was a kid. I liked the tune. But the lyrics seemed a bit different from other Christmas carols in that they didn’t seem to specifically reference Christmas itself.
“Away in a manger … “ , “Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new born king”, “O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth. “. Those sort of carols are pretty obvious.
But “Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen …”? We didn’t even know what the Feast of Stephen was. For me, it always brought up an image of him watching people eating.
Interestingly, Good King Wenceslas was originally published in a collection of carols for Easter, not Christmas. It is only over time that it has become so closely associated with Christmas instead. Thank goodness the Feast of Stephen is on December 26, so there is at least a proximity connection.
Tempus adest floridum
But setting aside the original connection to Easter, for me there is a much greater issue I wrestle with when I have too much time on my hands.
The lyrics for Good King Wenceslas were written in the mid-19th-century. But the tune itself is taken from Tempus adept floridum, a 13th-century Finnish carol.
If I play an instrumental version of the song – ie. without the lyrics – am I really playing Good King Wenceslas? Or am I actually playing Tempus adept floridum?
This sort of existential angst always gives me a headache and provides an excellent excuse to reach for the eggnog and rum.
Happy holidays, everyone.
Includes Transcription + 40 minute Video Lesson + Reference Video Christmas Time is Here is an original arrangement of Vince Guraldi's seasonal classic originally featured in A…
This is one of my favourite songs for the Christmas season. The title says it all. (Transcription + 30 minute Video Lesson)
An excerpt to display about Good King Wenceslas
An original Bob Evans composition celebrating a slippin’ and a slidin’ on the fretboard.
Includes a transcription, 30 minute video lesson, and reference performance video.
Tuning: Standard
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Vince Guraldi’s seasonal classic Christmas Time is Here arranged for solo guitar.
Tuning: Open G
Level: Intermediate
Scott Joplin’s 1899 classic that put ragtime music at the forefront of popular music at the turn of the 20th century.
Tuning: Standard
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
An original instrumental arrangement for solo guitar of Paul McCartney’s classic, Blackbird.
Includes transcription, 30 minute instructional video with playing tips and a reference performance video.
From the album 4 On 6 – The Beatles for Solo Guitar”.
Tuning: Drop D
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
One of my favourite tunes for the Christmas season. The title says it all.
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
A moody piece suitable as a soundtrack to accompany images of camels on sand dunes in silhouette against a sunset.
Tuning: Standard
Level: Intermediate
Perhaps the most popular traditional Christmas carol that isn’t about Christmas.
Features full transcription and high quality MP3 (320kbps)
Tuning: standard
Level: Intermediate
A tongue in cheek take on two iconic carols from the standard Christmas music catalogue.
Tuning: Drop D
Level: Intermediate
A relentless bass line paired with a sparse legto melody line. Did someone say chocolate and peanut butter?
Tuning: Standard
Level: Intermediate
A classical piano rag written by one of the Big Three composers of classical ragtime – Joseph Lamb. Arranged for the six string piano, of course.
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
Level: Intermediate
Sensation – A Rag
Includes Transcription + MP3
Before Big Brother had the internet to keep track of you he had Santa Claus.
Read more …Tuning: Standard
Level: Intermediate
The ultimate guitar based Christmas carol.
Tuning: Standard
Level: Intermediate
My imagining of how Christmas carols might have been played in Dave Brubeck’s home.
Tuning: Standard
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
A classic ballad of resisting press gangs.
Tuning: Csus2 (CGCGCD)
Level: Intermediate
Includes Transcription
One of the most popular of the traditional murder ballads.
Tuning: Drop D
Level: Intermediate
Includes Transcription
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