Maestro RMK, you are a rare talent who can bring out the best of things : intonation of strings, sound of the instrument, the flow of the music piece, the art of fingering, the voicings of a certain mood, etc. . .
What a beautiful instrument, I hope you enjoy it for many years to come , I'm 14 months into relearning the classical guitar again after suffering a stroke in 22, there is so much on UA-cam that my time is filled easily enough, but I try to practice for 1 or 2 hours morning and evening, slowly slowly catchy monkey
Sorry to hear about your stroke, Brian. Best wishes to you! Two to four-hours of practice is more than I've done for years. Stay with it, and you will definitely improve. Just don't try pieces that are beyond your level. That is a mistake many students make. Be sensible! And good luck!
Funnily enough, although I started some years before you I was in the army from 59 to 71 and toted a cheap classical guitar around with me , starting with the klaviscrbo method which was designed for piano but adjusted to guitar badly. I also had thetwo Frederick M Noad books which no2 had survived until today so I purchased the new virsion fro Hal Leonard, my goodness they have a huge collection. Any way I hope to be 80 this July, and play a few pieces at my "surprise" party. I had several teachers in the 90's and our little class of mature students played a four part concert at Hereford Shire Hall during a craft fair it was a wonderful feeling and we felt achievement. After my stroke having not played hardly for some years I gave ,sold, all my guitars away. Then in March last year I read that learning an instrument was good brain therapy, so started from page one again, and wow it worked my movements improved, words recovered a new man. I have watched your conversation with Bradley Akers and couldn't agree more about the modern trend for speed and gymnastics in getting to the end of a piece toot sweet, Bach is phrasing to me not a string of notes played so fast it's gone before one is able to savour the beauty and colours of the piece. You sound a happy man with a lovely family enjoy your retirement (I took early retirement in 2002 as my late wife was ill , now gone seven years) and play your music for you and your's, God Bless
@@briangable08 Sorry to hear about your wife, Brian. I’m not sure I could cope with that. My wife survived cancer, thankfully, and we have a beautiful relationship to this day - we are very lucky. Playing guitar at 80 is something I’m not likely to achieve, but you never know. You are an inspiration, sir. Best wishes to you!
Playing an instrument keeps the brain working better than all the crossword puzzles only dancing a new dance compares, not for me, I'll stick to the guitar cheers
I was in hospital for almost six months with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease. I got home last week, and am catching up on posts. Thanks for your concern! I'm feeling much better, but not cured, undergoing weekly visits to the hospital for the foreseeable future. My playing has deteriorated, but I'm slowly finding my way again, but it will take time. Best wishes to you and all my subscribers, Rob.
A rich and beautiful sound -- what a wonderful instrument! Looking forward to future recordings. It would be lovely to hear one of the Dowland chromatic fantasias on it. The 'Farewell' fantasy was the first lute piece to enchant me, via Bream's recording. A truly perfect piece.
Hello Rob! I can see that you are extremely inspired by the new guitar! Amazing instrument! Congratulations! The tune you played is beautiful!❤️❤️❤️🎼🎵🎶🎸
What a sound! How do you deal with the extra bass when you play some "classic" renaissance pieces? A capo on the third fret and playing only on the first seven string or forget the capo and play in E? (why not ) Or a sliding little saddle on the sound board?
There’s no reason to use a capo, as lutes were not all tuned to G. The length of the lute determined the pitch, and many Renaissance lutes were 63cm to 67cm, some even longer. The longer the length, the lower the pitch. This is why they used tablature, so any length of instrument could play the music, and they didn’t care about keys. The ten strings could cover the entire Renaissance-lute repertoire. I’ll be busy!
@@RobMacKillop1 Thank for the answer. If you play alone, yes . (And have the reach). But nowaday most of the R lute are in G. What if you play a piece for two lute? I mean not a voice and a ground which can be easily transcribed. A complète rewriting? I'm not searching a limit to this instrument, every one has its limit but rather to hear from you the way you would do in this case. Gorgeous instrument by the way. I would love to play one of these.
@@lledew I've never once played a lute in G...The cheaper ones are usually tuned that way, but those manufacturers don't really care about authenticity. Hardly any of the surviving original lutes are exactly the same string length. As for this 10-string guitar, there are only 7 fretted strings, so it would be easy to get a flamenco-style capo made to fit. I used to have a 10-string capo on my Ramirez-style ten string. Where there's a will!
@@RobMacKillop1 Where there's a will there's a way. I let you go back to your ten strings.If you want to revisit the whole répertoire, you need some free time. Many thanks
Beautiful instrument! What does having strings tied to the bridge rather than running across a saddle do for the sound? Also, are you able to fiddle with intonation by adjusting how they are tied?
I neglected to mention that the bridge saddle and also the two nuts are made of ebony. They therefore look invisible. This is not an innovation, more a rare alternative.
Sounds lovely Rob, as ever (the age-old problem - give a really good player almost any instrument and it will sound at its best, give me that it would sound like, er, me...). I can not find Aquila 600 strings, only 800. One of my lightly built Romanian made cedar topped classicals surviving from 2006 is strung with the Aquila Alabastro or Alchemia strings I was able to get at that time and it's awesome for tone and sheer volume. They changed the formula and now I can't get these strings at all. I have bought their Sugar which was claimed to be a replacement but absolutely no way, they are flabby toneless strings in comparison. I can't use their real gut though I have one set left I think, they don't last under my razor-sharp nails (from steel string playing). Do hope you continue to record or give recitals.
@@RobMacKillop1 that explains my problems with tuning at 460 Hz and playing 680mm scale guitars :-) I've ordered some Ambra trebles and another Alabastro Superior Tension. Hoping I just ordered the wrong thing with all their new confusing names, last time round. I like rectified/ground trebles.
Wonderful music and instrument
Glad you think so!
Maestro RMK, you are a rare talent who can bring out the best of things : intonation of strings, sound of the instrument, the flow of the music piece, the art of fingering, the voicings of a certain mood, etc. . .
Thanks, ironmantran! Sorry for late reply. I very much appreciate your comments.
What a beautiful instrument, I hope you enjoy it for many years to come , I'm 14 months into relearning the classical guitar again after suffering a stroke in 22, there is so much on UA-cam that my time is filled easily enough, but I try to practice for 1 or 2 hours morning and evening, slowly slowly catchy monkey
Sorry to hear about your stroke, Brian. Best wishes to you! Two to four-hours of practice is more than I've done for years. Stay with it, and you will definitely improve. Just don't try pieces that are beyond your level. That is a mistake many students make. Be sensible! And good luck!
Funnily enough, although I started some years before you I was in the army from 59 to 71 and toted a cheap classical guitar around with me , starting with the klaviscrbo method which was designed for piano but adjusted to guitar badly. I also had thetwo Frederick M Noad books which no2 had survived until today so I purchased the new virsion fro Hal Leonard, my goodness they have a huge collection. Any way I hope to be 80 this July, and play a few pieces at my "surprise" party. I had several teachers in the 90's and our little class of mature students played a four part concert at Hereford Shire Hall during a craft fair it was a wonderful feeling and we felt achievement.
After my stroke having not played hardly for some years I gave ,sold, all my guitars away.
Then in March last year I read that learning an instrument was good brain therapy, so started from page one again, and wow it worked my movements improved, words recovered a new man.
I have watched your conversation with Bradley Akers and couldn't agree more about the modern trend for speed and gymnastics in getting to the end of a piece toot sweet, Bach is phrasing to me not a string of notes played so fast it's gone before one is able to savour the beauty and colours of the piece. You sound a happy man with a lovely family enjoy your retirement (I took early retirement in 2002 as my late wife was ill , now gone seven years) and play your music for you and your's, God Bless
@@briangable08 Sorry to hear about your wife, Brian. I’m not sure I could cope with that. My wife survived cancer, thankfully, and we have a beautiful relationship to this day - we are very lucky.
Playing guitar at 80 is something I’m not likely to achieve, but you never know. You are an inspiration, sir. Best wishes to you!
Playing an instrument keeps the brain working better than all the crossword puzzles only dancing a new dance compares, not for me, I'll stick to the guitar cheers
Hi Rob, we haven't had any news for 7 months. I hope everything goes well...
I was in hospital for almost six months with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease. I got home last week, and am catching up on posts. Thanks for your concern! I'm feeling much better, but not cured, undergoing weekly visits to the hospital for the foreseeable future. My playing has deteriorated, but I'm slowly finding my way again, but it will take time. Best wishes to you and all my subscribers, Rob.
Extraordinary sounds!
Cheers, Ray. Glad you like it!
As always Rob a beautiful piece played beautifully. An amazing instrument !! I hope you're keeping well.
Best wishes
Sean
Thanks, Sean. Glad you like it. I’m well, thanks, just recovering from a house move! Best wishes to you, Rob
Really beautiful. Must be a joy to play.
It sure is!
nice! makes me wanna get one
Good. You can always ask him 😊
A rich and beautiful sound -- what a wonderful instrument! Looking forward to future recordings. It would be lovely to hear one of the Dowland chromatic fantasias on it. The 'Farewell' fantasy was the first lute piece to enchant me, via Bream's recording. A truly perfect piece.
Maybe one day, Steven. I had it memorised 30 years ago, but haven’t played it since. 😬
Hello Rob! I can see that you are extremely inspired by the new guitar! Amazing instrument! Congratulations! The tune you played is beautiful!❤️❤️❤️🎼🎵🎶🎸
Thanks, Attila. Glad you like the guitar and the old Scottish tune!
What a sound! How do you deal with the extra bass when you play some "classic" renaissance pieces? A capo on the third fret and playing only on the first seven string or forget the capo and play in E? (why not ) Or a sliding little saddle on the sound board?
There’s no reason to use a capo, as lutes were not all tuned to G. The length of the lute determined the pitch, and many Renaissance lutes were 63cm to 67cm, some even longer. The longer the length, the lower the pitch. This is why they used tablature, so any length of instrument could play the music, and they didn’t care about keys. The ten strings could cover the entire Renaissance-lute repertoire. I’ll be busy!
@@RobMacKillop1 Thank for the answer. If you play alone, yes . (And have the reach). But nowaday most of the R lute are in G. What if you play a piece for two lute? I mean not a voice and a ground which can be easily transcribed. A complète rewriting?
I'm not searching a limit to this instrument, every one has its limit but rather to hear from you the way you would do in this case.
Gorgeous instrument by the way. I would love to play one of these.
@@lledew I've never once played a lute in G...The cheaper ones are usually tuned that way, but those manufacturers don't really care about authenticity. Hardly any of the surviving original lutes are exactly the same string length. As for this 10-string guitar, there are only 7 fretted strings, so it would be easy to get a flamenco-style capo made to fit. I used to have a 10-string capo on my Ramirez-style ten string. Where there's a will!
@@RobMacKillop1 Where there's a will there's a way. I let you go back to your ten strings.If you want to revisit the whole répertoire, you need some free time.
Many thanks
That really is very impressive. I have to say that I'm more convinced by it than the single string lutes.
I wholeheartedly agree! I was trying to avoid pretending it was a lute.
Beautiful!
Thanks. It’s a beautiful guitar, effortless to play.
Happy for you. I really liked the sound…..
Thanks, G S. appreciated!
This is such a wonderful adventure. Beautiful to see such a unique partnership between masters of their crafts. Enjoy!
Hi Martin. Thanks for the “coffees” and your very kind comments. Best wishes to you! Rob
Beautiful music and a beautiful guitar, masterfully played - thank you!
Thank you, gam!
Done.:)
Thanks.
Lovely work on this Rob !
Many thanks, friend!
Have fun getting to know her, and long may she inspire you!
Thank you! 😎
Congrats on your new guitar, and congrats to the luthier too! It’s really refreshing to see that light and that happiness in your eyes.
Enjoy!
Many thanks, Leonardo! Much appreciated 😊
A beautiful warm sound, for what I hope is a beautiful warm retirement!
Thanks, Pete. Here’s hoping!
Beautiful instrument! What does having strings tied to the bridge rather than running across a saddle do for the sound? Also, are you able to fiddle with intonation by adjusting how they are tied?
I neglected to mention that the bridge saddle and also the two nuts are made of ebony. They therefore look invisible. This is not an innovation, more a rare alternative.
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Rudolph! Best wishes.
another masterpiece, congratulations!
It is indeed! 😊 I’m lucky to have it.
It sounds wonderful.
Thanks, Trina. Keep on cogitating! 😎
Very cool!
Glad you like it!
Wonderful sound Rob !
I agree, Gilbert! Wonderful guitar.
Such a gorgeous instrument. Congratulations Rob!
Thanks, Bernd. I agree!
That was fascinating Rob. Lovely playing and a very interesting explanation of the instrument.
Cheers, Brian. A Scottish tune from the 1620s.
Wonderful sound Rob, and great to see you enjoying it 🥰❤️😎
Thanks, Cathy. It arrived at the right time to cheer me up 😊
@@RobMacKillop1 😊❤️❤️
Beautiful playing on a beautiful instrment. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, my friend!
Beautiful guitar, sounds great.
Glad you like it!
The sound is beautiful
Glad you think so, Vanessa!
¡Bellísimo instrumento! y bellísimo sonido! Felicitaciones! Sin dudas un gran luthier! Yo espero que tú toques otras piezas, maestro!! Saludos!
Lo haré, amiga, lo haré!
@@RobMacKillop1 Gracias!
What a beautiful instrument. The tone is lovely. 😊
Cheers, Bob. I agree on both counts! 😊
Beautiful. I have a guitar made by Rohan Lowe and I absolutely love it!
I’m sure you do! 😎
Rob, you continue to inspire us. This instrument is staggering, and your playing is sublime.
@@druchumley4571 I agree about the guitar, Dru 😎 Thanks for your supportive comments. Rob
That is a thing of rare beauty, and you make it sing wonderfully.. wishing you many happy hours and years with it. ☮️ ❤️
Many thanks! So pleased you like it. A rare beauty, indeed.
Wow!
That port sounds amazing on that guitar!
Now only 39 pieces left from your book!
Haha. That was from 30+ years of playing that tune. 😊
What is the name of the song?
I mention it about 9‘20” in: Port Jean Lindsay from the Straloch lute manuscript.
Beautiful suond!
I think so too. Glad you like it! 😊
Sounds lovely Rob, as ever (the age-old problem - give a really good player almost any instrument and it will sound at its best, give me that it would sound like, er, me...). I can not find Aquila 600 strings, only 800. One of my lightly built Romanian made cedar topped classicals surviving from 2006 is strung with the Aquila Alabastro or Alchemia strings I was able to get at that time and it's awesome for tone and sheer volume. They changed the formula and now I can't get these strings at all. I have bought their Sugar which was claimed to be a replacement but absolutely no way, they are flabby toneless strings in comparison. I can't use their real gut though I have one set left I think, they don't last under my razor-sharp nails (from steel string playing). Do hope you continue to record or give recitals.
Ambra 800, not 600. Did I say 600? My brain is going!
No, David, it’s your ears that are going. I said Ambra 800 😂
@@RobMacKillop1 that explains my problems with tuning at 460 Hz and playing 680mm scale guitars :-) I've ordered some Ambra trebles and another Alabastro Superior Tension. Hoping I just ordered the wrong thing with all their new confusing names, last time round. I like rectified/ground trebles.
gorgeous instrument, and you're a braver soul than me for going with peg tuners 😂
Haha. I’m used to pegs. If they are well fitted, there is no problem if you know the technique of turn and push.
💖💖💖🦻💖💖💖
😎❤️😎