“The Art of Solo Guitar” Concert and Workshop On January 19th, 2025
On January 19, 2025, I’m thrilled to bring a unique evening of music and learning to The Downstairs in Ithaca, NY with my event, “The Art of Solo Guitar.” This interactive experience will be an exploration of the beauty and versatility of solo guitar, combining a workshop and concert to celebrate this rewarding musical art form. The event will run from 6 PM to 8 PM and promises to be both inspiring and educational for musicians and music lovers alike.
Here is the Facebook event page.
The evening kicks off with a 30-minute workshop, designed to cater to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. I’ll be sharing insights and techniques from my years of experience playing solo guitar. Following this, there will be a 15-minute Q&A session and a short break before concluding the night with a solo guitar concert featuring material from my upcoming album, “Sunday Brunch,” alongside new arrangements and salsa tunes to promote our upcoming interactive concert.
If you’re curious about the art of solo guitar or simply want to enjoy a memorable evening of live music, this event is for you! To check out the album, listen on spotify, itunes, or bandcamp.
Workshop Preview
The workshop portion of the event is the heart of the evening, focusing on the unique challenges and joys of solo guitar performance. To give you a sneak peek, here are some excerpts from the handout I’ve prepared for attendees. This six-page guide is designed to help participants follow along without taking notes and serves as a resource for future practice.
1. Learning the Melody
The melody is the soul of any piece of music. When arranging for solo guitar, understanding the melody’s structure is crucial. For instance, in Jingle Bells, the melody can be broken down into numbers: 333, 333, 35123. This corresponds to scale degrees in any key. This approach makes it easier to transpose the melody to keys that are more guitar-friendly, ensuring a smooth and expressive
performance.
2. Combining Bass Notes and Melody
One of the first steps in mastering solo guitar is playing the melody alongside the bass notes. For example, in a song like “America the Beautiful,” you can create a composite graph to align the melody and bass notes, ensuring that both elements flow seamlessly.
3. Choosing the Key and Voicings
Selecting the right key is essential for making a solo arrangement accessible and expressive. Keys like E, A, D, and G are guitar-friendly and allow for the use of open strings. Additionally, choosing chord voicings that enhance the melody without overshadowing it is a skill every solo guitarist should develop.
4. Techniques for Stylistic Interpretation
Different styles of music call for different approaches. A solemn piece might benefit from arpeggiated chords, while a lively tune could call for rhythmic strumming. Techniques like Travis picking or harmonizing the melody with diads (two-note combinations) can add depth and character to your performance.
5. The Role of Silence and Rhythm
Silence is as important as sound in music. In solo guitar, where dynamic range can be limited compared to other instruments, knowing when to pause or play softly can create a powerful emotional impact. Additionally, rhythm is king—playing in a rhythmically compelling way sets up forward motion and
engages the listener.
6. Improvising in a Solo Context
Improvisation is a cornerstone of solo guitar performance. Techniques like trading lines and chords or using diads for harmonic interest can add variety and spontaneity. Arpeggios, chordal accents, and rhythmic interplay can further enrich your solo guitar improvisations.
Q&A and Break
Following the workshop, there will be a 15-minute Q&A session, where attendees can ask questions and delve deeper into the topics discussed. Whether it’s about technique, repertoire, or the creative process, this is a chance to gain personalized insights.
After a short break, it’ll be time for the highlight of the evening: the concert!
Concert Portion
From 7 PM to 8 PM, I’ll perform a selection of solo guitar pieces, blending the music from my upcoming album, “Sunday Brunch,” with newer arrangements and salsa-inspired tunes. The concert will showcase the versatility of solo guitar and the joy of bringing different genres to life on a single instrument.
Setlist Highlights
- Jazz Standards: Tracks like “Beautiful Love” and “Sophisticated Lady” will highlight the elegance of jazz, with arrangements that capture both melody and harmony.
- Blues and Pop: Tunes like “Before You Accuse Me” and “Something” will bring a soulful, familiar warmth to the evening.
- Latin Rhythms: Salsa-inspired pieces like “Manteca” and my own Latin jazz arrangements will add vibrant energy, connecting to our upcoming interactive salsa concert.
- Original Compositions: I’ll also perform pieces like “Sunday Brunch” and “Kalahari Trek,” offering a glimpse into my creative process.
Reflections on a Past Success
This isn’t the first time I’ve hosted an event like this. In 2018, I presented “The Art of Solo Guitar” at the Foundation of Light in Ithaca, and it was a resounding success. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing how the workshop deepened their appreciation for solo guitar. Here is a video of my performing an original called “Family Time” at that concert.
What made that event special was the sense of community and shared learning. Guitarists of all levels found value in the material, and the concert portion was an inspiring demonstration of what’s possible with solo guitar. I’m excited to bring that same energy and enthusiasm to this upcoming event.
Why Solo Guitar Matters
Solo guitar is a unique art form that challenges musicians to combine melody, harmony, and rhythm
into a single, cohesive voice. It’s an incredibly rewarding pursuit, offering creative freedom and the opportunity to connect deeply with listeners.
For audiences, solo guitar performances provide an intimate musical experience. The absence of other instruments allows the nuances of the guitar to shine, creating a direct and personal connection between the performer and the listener.
Join Us on January 19th!
Whether you’re a guitarist looking to expand your skills or a music enthusiast eager to enjoy a memorable evening, “The Art of Solo Guitar” has something for everyone. Here is the link to the facebook event page.
Here’s the event details at a glance:
- Date: Sunday, January 19, 2025
- Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
- 6:00 PM – Workshop
- 6:30 PM – Q&A and Break
- 7:00 PM – Concert
- Location: The Downstairs, Ithaca, NY
- Tickets: $10 at the door
Join me for a night of music, learning, and celebration as we explore the art of solo guitar together. Mark your calendars, and I’ll see you there!
