Members Howard Emerson Posted March 9, 2004 Members Posted March 9, 2004 Hi all,A 1920's Sovereign concert guitar (13 & 1/2" across the lower bout), 5 mics and open C tuning. I hope you like it, for a little guitar. It's not mixed yet, but it's okay for a take home. I wrote this about 2 years ago, and it's going on my next cd. http://www.graceworksmusic.com/music/HEmerson/ Best regards,Howard Emerson
Members orsino Posted March 9, 2004 Members Posted March 9, 2004 Lovely Howard. I could listen to you play ALL day. Thanks for sharing.
Members nigel1228 Posted March 9, 2004 Members Posted March 9, 2004 You ALL inspire me, at the same time, however, I feel guilty for not getting better and not playing as much as I want!
Members nigel1228 Posted March 9, 2004 Members Posted March 9, 2004 BTW Howard, the tune is beautiful, the guitar sounds awesome and your palying, well your playing is just sublime!
Members confuseitall Posted March 9, 2004 Members Posted March 9, 2004 Howard, that was great, thanks for sharing.
Members 54merk Posted March 9, 2004 Members Posted March 9, 2004 Howard,Thanks for that beautifully played song. I really enjoyed how you started with a short simple melody, and with small, subtle changes, built an entire song around it. And as always, your spare style is matched perfectly to the song, with every note present for a reason.
Members Howard Emerson Posted March 9, 2004 Author Members Posted March 9, 2004 Thanks all! Truth be told I have to keep it simple because I'm a better writer than I am a player...........but simple is good. If people can walk away humming a melody and it stays with them, I feel that is just as important, and maybe moreso, than everyone going away saying what a great technician. Regarding this song in particular, I was really pleased that 3 separate people sent me emails referring to the song as very 'Americana' feeling. This is particularly interesting as when I wrote it, it was sounding like an Irish Waltz, though I did play it faster when it was first written. The Tina of the title, is Tina Monteleone, wife of my good friend John, the archtop and mandolin builder. She's from Dublin, Ireland, and I figured all instrumentals need a good name, so................ Thanks for all the nice comments, guys! I'll keep you posted as the cd progresses. Best regards,Howard Emersonhttp://www.howardemerson.com/ Come visit!
Members tompetty Posted March 9, 2004 Members Posted March 9, 2004 Very nice...I bookmarked your site (I'm at work)...I'd like to pick up your cd...any problems with me being in Canada??
Members redstevo Posted March 9, 2004 Members Posted March 9, 2004 Its a lovely tune - subtle and evocative - can hear a string pad and a little percussion with it as a setting. Cheers
Members Howard Emerson Posted March 9, 2004 Author Members Posted March 9, 2004 Originally posted by tompetty Very nice...I bookmarked your site (I'm at work)...I'd like to pick up your cd...any problems with me being in Canada?? Hi Tom,No problem being in Canada at all. If you can use Pay Pal, then it's easy. If you want to go through my PO box, just make sure you send US funds in the form of a postal money order or the like. It's been a long time since my first cd, but it's still been selling well nonetheless. I can't wait to finish this new one expand my 'catalog':-) Take care,Howard EmersonPS- Do you know Bob Evans? He's in Regina, Saskatchuwan (sp). He's got a nice site, and he just took first place in the Winfield this past fall. We're both going to be featured in the next Fingerstyle Masters Anthology III from Mel Bay that is coming out soon.
Members Howard Emerson Posted March 9, 2004 Author Members Posted March 9, 2004 Originally posted by redstevo Its a lovely tune - subtle and evocative - can hear a string pad and a little percussion with it as a setting. Cheers Hi Stevo,My producer said the same thing exactly. He envisions an Irish snare drum, the thin one doing rolls during the 'chorus' of the song where it builds. Let's see what the budget will allow after I've gotten all of my parts down:-] Thanks for praise! Best,Howard Emerson
Members orsino Posted March 9, 2004 Members Posted March 9, 2004 If you'll indulge me for a minute, I'd like to make a point. Yes, melodically it is a simple tune, but what Howard has accomplished from an artistic standpoint is far from simple. Exquisite phrasing and dynamics and heartfelt playing is NEVER simple. It's the hardest thing to do IMO. I've listened to this recording a number of times now and it just gets better. I contend that this recording is deceptively "simple", and I for one will not be fooled Mr. Emerson.
Members 54merk Posted March 9, 2004 Members Posted March 9, 2004 Originally posted by orsino If you'll indulge me for a minute, I'd like to make a point. Yes, melodically it is a simple tune, but what Howard has accomplished from an artistic standpoint is far from simple. Exquisite phrasing and dynamics and heartfelt playing is NEVER simple. It's the hardest thing to do IMO. I've listened to this recording a number of times now and it just gets better. I contend that this recording is deceptively "simple", and I for one will not be fooled Mr. Emerson. Tom could not be more correct, IMO. What Howard does sounds simple but is anything but. Many players, including myself tend to overplay so I am truly amazed whenever I listen to Howard's economical style. He is really too modest about his playing and really demonstrates what can be done with less. Amazing playing. I really look forward to the upcoming CD.
Members Howard Emerson Posted March 9, 2004 Author Members Posted March 9, 2004 Originally posted by orsino If you'll indulge me for a minute, I'd like to make a point. Yes, melodically it is a simple tune, but what Howard has accomplished from an artistic standpoint is far from simple. Exquisite phrasing and dynamics and heartfelt playing is NEVER simple. It's the hardest thing to do IMO. I've listened to this recording a number of times now and it just gets better. I contend that this recording is deceptively "simple", and I for one will not be fooled Mr. Emerson. Hi Tom and 54, Thanks for the wonderful comments, and yes, I have to admit, you're right: What I do isn't always simple and it does take a lot of work to play less and make it count. I learned early: When in doubt, leave it out. It really is a good rule to follow. You'll be amused to hear the cd when it's done, because in between a lot of the tracks will be 'orphan licks': Little phrases that started with some promise, but never became songs of their own. So they will have a place as 'well placed noodles', actually something I think I learned from my dad, who's a world class piano player. Best regards, Howard Emerson
Members TaylorFishin' Posted March 9, 2004 Members Posted March 9, 2004 I can tell you first hand that Howards playing is very deceiving.After seeing the video clips and hearing Howards music, I contacted him through his web sight about lessons.I thought his playing sounded great and would be easy to learn. Boy, was I fooled!Howard has been teaching me a few of his songs by video tape for the last couple of months. I have one completed and about 2/3's of the second one down. Its all in his right hand and internal clock. He has extraordinary right hand technique and his timing is impeccable. I've had to work hard to retrain my right hand to play his music. Its been well worth it though. I feel my playing has improved over the last couple of months. His advise and technique has carried over into my other songs and I feel they have also improved. It's still, very much a work in progress. I hope Howard doesn't mind me saying this; If any of you are interested in learning Howard's style and music, give him a shout and get started taking lessons by video tape. He records the tapes just for you and your abilities. He has a way of explaining while he slowly plays that eliminates the need for tab. If you need to refresh, just rewind the tape! Like anything else, you will only get out what you put in. But one thing for sure, Howard takes it serious on his end! He's helped my playing. Scott
Members S~R~O Posted March 10, 2004 Members Posted March 10, 2004 TaylorFishin'...I too am taking Lessons from Howard and I'm only 1/2 way through my 1st tape..and some of the right hand picking is a little trickey for these old beat up hands, but I'm getting some where cause it's starting to sound like the song:D Howard Great sounding MP clip...of courseWhen is the CD available???
Members Howard Emerson Posted March 10, 2004 Author Members Posted March 10, 2004 Hi Steve,I hope to have the cd ready to ship by late May. It depends on a lot of things, of course, but I have the best intentions naturally. By the way, it will be called "A Tale To Tell", which is going to be one of the songs on which I sing....... Thanks for asking and I'm glad you enjoyed the clip! Regards,Howard
Members StringChucker Posted March 10, 2004 Members Posted March 10, 2004 Howard, just curious, what's the scale length on your Sovereign? Thanks. StringChucker
Members Howard Emerson Posted March 10, 2004 Author Members Posted March 10, 2004 Hey String,The scale on my Sovereign is 24 & 7/8"+. You were probably thinking it had to be a long scale to tune the bottom down to C, but no................ I used to keep my '54 00-18 tuned to open G w/ low C and it was shorter yet (24 & 3/4"). Also, on the Sovereign, I'm not using heavy strings, but in fact it's strung with Martin 80/20 lights (.054-.012) Take care,Howard
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