Classic Banjo Studies

I've uploaded a new page to my classic banjo site - http://www.classicbanjorm.com/studies.htm - with a dozen or so videos. Trying to promote the classic banjo to new players.

New YouTube site

I have too many youtube accounts, so why create another - to bring them all together, of course. And here it is http://www.youtube.com/user/RobMacKillop

Ukulele Publications

I've signed a contract with Mel Bay Publications for my four fingerstyle ukulele books. Hopefully they will be out in time for Christmas. Each book will come with a CD.

Details of all the books on my uke site: http://www.fingerstyleuke.com/

First Recording

I can't believe I found this on youtube - the first recording I ever made. It is a single from 1977 by a band called The Drive. It was touted as Scotland's first punk single, which it clearly wasn't! More Stonesey than the Clash. I play slide guitar on it. I was aged 17. The band was put together by my then brother-in-law, who wrote the embarrassing lyrics and was the singer. We did a couple of gigs as the punk scene blossomed, but we did not really fit the zeitgeist of the time, and soon split.

So, here it is. No images, unfortunately, just the soundtrack. I tried tracing the single online, and found to my astonishment that it is available for over 100 dollars, and is regarded as a collector's item. That made my laugh out loud.

Got the Blues

My friend, Vikki Elliott, came round for a blues jam. She is a great young blues singer, and asked me to accompany her at a forthcoming gig in Portobello near Edinburgh. We ran through a few tunes a couple of times, then video'd them for youtube. Lots of people are surprised I play blues, but it's all blues to me, no matter what the period or style.

Here is our version of Empty Bed Blues:



I also have a couple of new instruments on the way - a tenor banjo - a Vega F-series from the 1910-20 period - and a Torres copy by Michael Thames. Actually, it is more influenced by than a close copy, but it will have a turnavoz installed - a brass funnel around the soundhole, stretching to the back of the guitar. It is based on Miguel Llobet's guitar, and Tarrega had a tornavoz in his guitars as well. Very much looking forward to it.

Happy Christmas

I had a party for my students. My daughter didn't want to be left out, so she said she would learn guitar so that she could take part. That was only three weeks before the party. I think she did very well indeed!

Catching up

I've been busy of late and have neglected my blog, so here goes...

I've uploaded a few more videos - see website or youtube channel for BalcarresGuy. I've received a small mountain of emails equiring about my technique, many people asking for a video focussing on my right hand. So, here it is:



I hesitated making such a video because there are so many videos on youtube discussing technique - usually badly - and my technique is unorthodox, I was scared of sending students down a road they might regret later. But after thinking it through I thought, 'Why not?'. People can make their own mind up. So, there it is.

I recently bought an upgrade for my recording equipment - a Fostex FR2 LE recorder which does Broadcast Wave File standard, and the Rode NT4 stereo mic. I haven't used on the videos yet as I am still getting used to the set up, and the H2 is quick and easy to use. My hope is to get CD-recording quality at home, and maybe make a couple of discs in time. My intention is to make the basic recording at home, including edits, then send the files to get mastered in a pro studio. My early experiments have revealed that I can get a good sound, but every time I record the sound is slightly different. So, I have to work at getting a consistent sound.

More later...