Learn To Play Guitar With Martin Simpson

Martin Simpson

    Martin Simpson was born in Lincolnshire, Northern England, played his first paid gig at fourteen, became professional at seventeen, and since then has become known as one of the most widely admired acoustic guitar players in the world. He has played with such musical luminaries as Richard Thompson, Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention as well as working in the Albion Band and for 10 years as collaborator with June Tabor. More recently he has shared stages with Steve Miller and David Lindley, as well as recording with Ronnie Earl, Bob Brozman, Ed Gerhard, and a Chinese pipe player.

    His solo guitar performances showcase his mastery of the guitar as well as his far-ranging repertoire. Martin achieves a very clear bell-like tone with his Sobell Model One guitar (crafted by Northumberland luthier Stefan Sobell), on which he is using medium gauge strings. He adds that it's his favorite guitar. Martin's dynamic solo guitar performances are legendary, showcasing his mastery of the acoustic guitar as well as his far-ranging repertoire.

    Simpson emphasizes that his approach to arranging traditional Celtic tunes in fingerstyle form comes more from the realm of songs than from the instrumental tradition. In other words, most of these pieces he arranges for guitar normally have words. The songs he arranges speak of many topics, including love gone wrong in both the upper and lower classes of early 19th century Scotland.

Martin Simpson - Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals - Vol 1 - DVD
Arrangements In Alternative Tunings. Martin Simpson has pioneered the use of altered tunings to bring out the widest possible harmonic range of the guitar, and each of the songs on this DVD features that special sound. You'll learn three Scottish airs in dropped-D tuning: Rosie Anderson, The Shearing's Not for You and Bogie's Bonnie Belle. Then, on to an altered G tuning for two traditional American tunes, the evocative Pretty Saro and the spectacular Long Steel Rail. For the latter Martin teaches his unique guitar frailing (most commonly used by clawhammer banjo players), combining it with hammer-ons and pull-offs in a stunning display of guitar virtuosity. Finally, you'll learn one of his powerful original compositions, Santa Cruz. Martin reveals his ideas about guitar musicianship and chord theory; how to get good tone; techniques for moving up and down the neck' the uses of movable scales and chords, hammers and pulls, harmonics. This DVD will inspire guitarists of all levels and styles!
(75 min) Booklet included / Fingerstyle..................................Price - $29.95

Martin Simpson - Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals - Vol 2 - DVD
Creating Your Own Arrangements. Working in alternate tunings, Martin covers a broad spectrum of songs. He plays, sings, and analyzes Jock O'Hazeldine, a Celtic air in dropped D, showing how to find the basic melody and then fill out the arrangement to make the tune more "elegant." Banks of the Bann has its melody in the bass, and you'll learn how to embellish it and then move it into the higher octaves. He finishes with a complex and beautiful carol, In the Bleak Mid-Winter, again played in dropped D tuning. This lesson with one of the acoustic music world's most expressive guitarists will teach you some gorgeous instrumentals and show you how Martin arrives at his distinctive settings and harmonizations so that learning guitarists can develop their own unique arrangements!
(60 min) Booklet included / Fingerstyle..................................Price - $29.95

"The Cuckoo Bird"

Martin Simpson - Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals - Vol 3 - DVD
Developing Style and Repertoire. Get ready to dig into more of Martin Simpson's beautiful and compelling guitar arrangements in alternate tunings. He begins his third DVD lesson with Donal Ogg and My Generous Lover, tunes that highlight the richness of 'G sus.4' tuning. Betsy The Serving Maid is first sung unaccompanied, then Martin teaches the basic melody on guitar. He gradually adds bass notes, harmonies, chordal structure and percussive beats, finishing with a full performance of the tune. One of Martin's showstoppers is his spectacular rendition of The Cuckoo Bird, featuring a mountain minor banjo tuning. He slows down this driving Appalachian tune to analyze his unusual and dynamic right hand picking style. This one song is guaranteed to keep you busy for months! Finally, Martin turns his discussion to DADGAD, using the Irish fiddle tune Miss McClouds's Reel to illustrate how you can build a guitar instrumental using this popular tuning. This lesson, along with the others in this three-DVD set, will open up a world of possibilities for anyone who wants to develop a distinctive solo repertoire, improve technique and create beautiful guitar arrangements!
(60 min) Booklet included / Fingerstyle..................................Price - $29.95
All 3 DVDs (Martin Simpson - Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals) on sale for $69.95!

Martin Simpson Guitar Tab Books, Instruction DVDs, Solos, Arrangements, Video Lessons

Martin Simpson