Martin Simpson Guitar Tabs, Tab Books, Tablature Sheet Music, Videos, DVDs, Lessons</font>

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 - Making Connections in Open Tunings - DVD
In this lesson, Martin looks at various tunings he uses as part of his signature sound and compares them in relation to each other and to standard tuning. He also demonstrates how to wrap your head around applying your knowledge you have of tunings you are familiar with to new tunings. Martin's take on Open Tunings and how they work is an absolute must for any guitar player! Martin also touches on some of his unique right and left hand techniques while teaching you 5 of his signature tunes. Some of the topics Martin discusses on this DVD include: Martin's Explanation of DADGAD; The History of DADGAD; Chords in DADGAD; What DADGAD has in common with Standard Tuning and movable chords; Martin�s left hand technique tips; Hammer on /Pull off/Push off licks; Gsus4 Tuning; Fluidity Exercises; The Mixolydian Mode; Banjo, Blues and Modal Magic; Csus4add9 Tuning; Making Connections Between Tunings.
(72 min)................................................................................Price - $29.95

Jazz Guitar Chords & Arpeggio Patterns - Stacy McKee - This unique book includes 300 jazz guitar chord formations and matching single note arpeggio patterns in a quick reference format that no one has ever done before! Cross indexing makes this manual extremely easy to use and regardless of what style of music you play, we know you will find this to be a valuable, "must have" addition to your library. Stacy McKee was the featured guitarist with "Les Brown and The Band Of Renown" and for a limited time only, we will include an exclusive copy of his book FREE with your first order!
==> Click here to see the Stacy McKee Chord Melody Solo Collection <==

Fingerstyle Guitar - New Dimensions & Explorations - Vol III - DVD
Included in this volume are: "Medley: Dixie/Old Man River" - Martin Taylor, "Medley: The Banks of the Bann/Bantry Girl's Lament/Jock O'Hazeldean, Charlie's Boogie" - Martin Simpson "Man of Steel Blues, Subtropical Stomp" -Bob Brozman, "Julia La Belle" - Larry Coryell, "Clap, Second Initial" -Steve Howe, "The Siege of Delhi" - Martin Carthy, "Acoustic Spirit, Acoustic Funk" -Peppino D'Agostino, "The Southern Grove"- Martin Simpson & Bob Brozman, "Samiotisa, Oniro" - Tim Sparks, "Colin's Meadow" -Martin Taylor & Gordon Giltrap, and "Byker Hill" - MartinCarthy, Dave Swarbrick.
(60 min). Biographical booklet included.........................................Price - $24.95

Martin Simpson - Teaches Alternate Tunings - DVD
A Systematic Approach to Open and Altered Tunings. In this DVD Martin teaches: how the important tunings relate to standard tuning and each other, available chord forms in each tunings, covers open G, D and C tunings, DADGAD tuning, and suspended 4th modal tunings. He uses diagrams, examples, on screen graphics and close-ups.
(60 min) Booklet included. Fingerstyle...................................Price - $19.95