Free Song! Angels We Have Heard on High

Tomorrow (November 17th) is the official release of LDS Fingerstyle Guitar Hymns for Beginners! To celebrate, here's another free arrangement from the book:

Angel's We Have Heard on High - http://bit.ly/2ghmOg4

Silent Night - FREE Download

The launch of "LDS Fingerstyle Guitar Hymns for Beginners" is just ONE WEEK AWAY! Here's another preview song from the book:

Silent Night - http://bit.ly/2eGeP6i

Enjoy!

Away in a Manger - free download

During the month of November I'll be giving away one free Christmas guitar arrangement per week to celebrate the November 17th release of my new book (only two weeks away!), "LDS Fingerstyle Guitar Hymns for Beginners."

This week's song is "Away in a Manager."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Enjoy! :)

It's Official!

LDS Fingerstyle Guitar Hymns for Beginners will be released on November 17, 2016. To celebrate, I'll be giving all mailing list subscribers one free Christmas song arrangement from the book each week during the month of November.

Guitar Tab Basics

While chords are the basis of rhythm guitar and typically the first skill new guitarists work to acquire, learning guitar tab notation can open up the world of melodies and solos. Like the piano (and unlike the flute), the guitar is capable of playing melodies and harmonies simultaneously. Classical guitarists use standard notation, like pianists:

But many guitarists have discovered that it is much easier to learn to play using tablature:

The disadvantage to guitar tab is that it typically lacks rhythmic notation, whereas standard notation has rhythm values (half notes, quarter notes, etc.) This makes it impossible to site read an unfamiliar song. However, the tab system can work quite well for familiar pieces. It is much easier to learn than standard notation and always specifies exactly which fret and string should be played (an optional feature of standard notation). It's ideal for playing in alternate tunings, and it can be written using rudimentary tools. If you look for guitar tabs on the Internet, you might find something like this, which can easily be produced with a text editor like notepad:

e|------0-----------0-------5-5-2---3---3-----|
B|--3-----3-0---3-----3-0-----------------3---|
G|--------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------|

While standard notation only has 5 horizontal lines and is an abstract representation of the notes to be played, guitar tab is picture-based and consists of 6 lines--one for each string. In the example above, the guitar strings are named, but this isn't always the case. If the lines aren't named, standard tuning is assumed. The strings on a guitar tab stave are upside down, with the highest-pitched string ("e") at the top and the lowest-pitched string ("E") on the bottom. The best way to see how it works is to hold your guitar horizontally upside-down next to the guitar tab staves, like this:

The numbers in guitar tab represent frets, not fingers. 0 means "open string," so playing the following passage requires only using the right hand:

e|-----------------0--------------------|
B|--------------0-----0-----------------|
G|-----------0-----------0--------------|
D|--------0-----------------0-----------|
A|-----0-----------------------0--------|
E|--0-----------------------------0-----|

The passage below begins with the first (highest) string on the first fret:

e|--1-0-0-0-------------------0---------|
B|----------3-3-3----1-1-1-1------------|
G|--------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------|

You can also play multiple notes at the same time:

e|--0-0-0-0-------------------0---------|
B|--1-1-1-1-3-3-3----1-1-1-1--1---------|
G|----------0-0-0----2-2-2-2------------|
D|--------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------|

When I created the arrangements in Easy LDS Fingerstyle Guitar Hymns, I combined the best of both worlds and included notes and tab to provide musicians with a good balance of playing ease and rhythmic reference.

Cover Art for My New Book!

The cover art for my new book has arrived! My wife took the photo of the Saint George Temple. She's talented like that.

This book is going to feature simpler arrangements than my previous LDS fingerstyle book. The songs will be in easier keys and have fewer notes, but still sound great! I wanted to create something that was even more accessible than the arrangements I previously made. That way there is an option for those who are just starting to play in this style. Once the material in this book has been learned, it will be a lot easier to play the arrangements in Easy LDS Fingerstyle Guitar Hymns.

Did I mention that all of the Christmas songs from the LDS hymn book will be included? I'm planning to release it in time for the holidays.

Why I Love Playing Guitar

I bought my first guitar when I was 29 years old. There was a Christmas sale at the music store, and on a whim I decided to give it a try. I spent six months trying to teach myself without much success, but as soon as I got a teacher the process of learning went much faster. I started strumming and singing my favorite songs, and I also started learning how to play simple tab arrangements. I even learned how to read notes.

One of the reasons I wanted to learn to play guitar was so I could play around the campfire. I've had the opportunity to play church and popular songs at several ward events and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. A capella singing is nice, but accompanied singing is nicer -- especially with songs that aren't 100% familiar to the audience.

The guitar is an incredibly versatile instrument. I can play soft or loud, reverently or with energy. I can vary tone and color and speed and I have a variety of instrument choices (electric, acoustic, classical, etc.) It's a very affordable instrument that doesn't take up much space, and thus can work in a dorm or apartment situation. Minimal maintenance is required, and it works well for a large variety of musical tastes and styles. It also doesn't require extensive knowledge of music notation to be able to start playing well, as tab and chords are both picture-based rather than abstract like standard notation.

When I first released "Easy LDS Fingerstyle Guitar Hymns," I noticed that some of my newer students struggled a little with the material. So I decided to create a book to help improve my students' tab skills one step at a time. The book is called "Fingerstyle Fun: 50 Progressive Guitar Solos for Beginners," and it is available -- along with my basic guitar course for beginners - at http://www.serenitymusicschool.com

4th of July

Happy Independence Day from www.ldsguitarbook.com! Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend.

The Benefits of Music

Music has some pretty amazing benefits. It makes mundane tasks more exciting, reduces stress and anxiety, inspires, uplifts and motivates. Of course, the wrong kind of music can have the opposite effect, but it's clear that music and emotions are closely connected. There's even an entire profession (music therapy) devoted to healing through music.

In my experience, the benefits of being a music listener are amazing -- but the benefits of being a music maker are even better. Making music helps brain development, raises self-confidence and can improve cognitive abilities in non-musical areas.

When you combine these benefits with the hymns of the LDS church, you get spiritual benefits as well. There is a reason we use hymns in worship settings. They convey powerful gospel messages directly to human hearts.

By developing musical abilities, you allow yourself to be an instrument in the hands of God -- sometimes quite literally. You can serve in church music callings, visit hospitals and care centers to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those in need of comfort. You can be a much-needed source of light to those who are walking through darkness.

Not everyone chooses to make a living through music, but we can all use music to make a better life.

Exciting Announcement

I have started working on a new LDS Fingerstyle Guitar book featuring 75 more hymns (including ALL of the Christmas songs from the hymn book), and I'm thinking of using my wife's recent picture of the St. George temple on the cover. The process of putting a music book together is quite involved. It will likely require several months of intense work and then a lot of waiting before it will be available for sale.

I love arranging hymns, and each of my books is a labor of love. I'm excited about this one for several reasons. First, it features some great songs that I didn't have room to include in my last book. Second, I've learned a lot about the publishing process and believe it will go more smoothly this time. Third, I'm going to make these arrangements even easier to play (without sacrificing quality).

Here is a behind the scenes look at my process:

1. Choose hymns (complete)
2. Create a base Sibelius template for each arrangement (complete)
3. Create front material and table of contents (complete)
4. Create draft arrangement of each hymn (in progress)
5. Finalize each arrangement
6. Add fingering and chord diagrams
7. Prepare cover art
8. Paginate book and send draft manuscript to printer
9. Review printed copy and make adjustments
10. Send final copy to printer
11. Create practice tracks
12. Update web site
13. Send final book to distributor

I'll post periodic progress updates and announce a release date as it gets closer to completion!

Guitar Music in Worship Settings

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has its own unique musical traditions. Some might call our worship music boring, but the truth is a little more nuanced. The purpose of music in the LDS church is to invite the spirit, not take its place. It is as much for contemplation as entertainment.

There are clear policies about music outlined in the church handbook. These include the exclusion of brass instruments from being played in sacrament meeting. Obviously drums and electric guitars and other instruments generally associated with rock and roll are also inappropriate for this setting. However, many decisions about music and instrumentation are left up to local and regional leaders.

I have personally never attended a sacrament meeting that included a guitar performance. I'm not sure I ever will, although I have heard of it happening in some wards. My guitar teacher played beautiful nylon string guitar hymn arrangements, and his bishop occasionally invited him to play in sacrament meeting. I have brought my guitar to church a few times to perform reverent music for a primary class, but I have not been asked nor have I sought the opportunity to perform in sacrament meeting. I understand that there are certain associations with guitar music that make it seem a bit questionable for some leaders. Fortunately, I also play piano, so I have been able to play that instrument in sacrament meeting. Interestingly, both guitar and piano can be played very reverently or very irreverently, but I defer completely to the judgment of ward leaders who follow the direction they've been given by their leaders and the promptings of the spirit in such matters.

For me, playing guitar hymns is usually done in private or in a guitar lesson setting. It is not necessary for me to play for a large audience to enjoy and feel the spirit of the songs. Like David, who played the harp while watching his father's sheep alone, I can be edified and taught and have my testimony strengthened by cherished hymn melodies. Each performance is like a prayer ascending to heaven, and an opportunity to express my love and gratitude for Jesus Christ.

Strengthened Testimonies Through Music

Words are powerful, and I love to hear true doctrine. But true doctrine accompanied by music sinks even more deeply into my heart than the spoken word alone. The hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped form the core of my testimony.

I didn't learn to play an instrument when I was young, but when my children were little I felt it was important to fill my home with hymns. Church music was my primary motivator for learning both piano and guitar. I love being able to make my own music, and I love being able to express my emotions and love for Jesus Christ through song.

Filling my home with hymns and primary songs has brought me immense joy. It's fulfilling to find (or create) an arrangement of one of my favorite hymns for guitar. But life gets busy, and I don't always take the time to play.

One trick I learned several years ago, and that I share with my guitar students, is to store my guitar on a stand rather than in a case. At one point I found myself playing piano on a regular basis but neglecting my guitar, because playing piano required very little effort whereas playing guitar required first removing it from its case, which hardly seemed worth the effort if I only had a few minutes to spare. There is a psychological concept called "activation energy" that says if you want to accomplish something, make it as easy as possible to start.

When was the last time you played one of your favorite guitar songs? What music speaks to you, and what is it trying to say? How have LDS hymns strengthened your testimony?

The Story Behind the Book

The publication of "Easy LDS Fingerstyle Guitar Hymns" was a long road. It began in 2006, when I saw an inexpensive guitar at the music store and decided to buy it on a whim. Thinking I could teach myself to play the instrument, I struggled for 6 months on my own before getting frustrated and deciding to find a teacher. Under his direction I made rapid progress. One day he told me there was going to be a recital. I sat down at home and arranged an instrumental version of "Silent Night." When I played it at the recital, my guitar teacher was impressed. Until that moment I had never before attempted to arrange my own music. But I liked it.

As my guitar skills began to improve, I started spending a lot of time at the music store. I really wanted to be able to play instrumental LDS hymns, but all of the books that were available were far too difficult for me. So I started making my own arrangements. The first song I arranged was, "Be Still My Soul." It was also the first arrangement I wrote down (rather than just memorizing). It just came to me somehow, and I'll always be grateful that it did, because it showed me what was possible.

A few years later I was talking to a friend about my desire to write a guitar book. I had arranged more songs by then, and I was learning how to use a software program called Sibelius that allowed me to create publisher-quality arrangements. But I knew very little about copyright laws and publishing, and I wasn't sure how to create a book. My friend advised me to do the creative work and worry about the rest later. It was the best advice he could have given me.

Several months later I finished arranging 25 of my favorite hymns for guitar. I went to the LDS church web site and found a copyright permissions form. About two months after that, they informed me that 17 of the hymns I had chosen were in the public domain. It turns out that about 2/3 of the hymns in the LDS hymnal are in the public domain. Armed with this new information, I selected 75 songs and went to work. It took about 2 months to arrange them all, but I still had questions about the publishing process. One day I realized that if I generated PDF files from my music program and combined them, I could upload them to a print-on-demand publisher (Lulu.com was the one I chose). The next challenge was cover art. I hired a designer and after reviewing a few different options, I chose one and ordered a proof copy of the book. Getting the print publication just right involved a bit of trial and error, and I also continued to refine my arrangements -- adding chords, fingering, and arranging practice tracks. From start to finish, the process of creating "Easy LDS Fingerstyle Guitar Hymns" took about 7 years: 6 years of talking and experimenting and learning, and a year of actual work. I woke up an hour early for 6 months in order work on it, and in the end it was worth the effort.

Thank You!

Last week I got some great news from my distributor. Deseret Book has decided to carry "Easy LDS Fingerstyle Guitar Hymns" in their stores! It's been a little over six months since this book was released, and it's been wonderful to see it being received so well in the marketplace.

For those who are looking for a way to play beautiful and accessible LDS guitar hymn arrangements, "Easy LDS Fingerstyle Guitar Hymns" is the ideal solution. It is unlike any other LDS guitar book on the market.

Thanks to everyone who has been a part of this continuing journey.

-Gerry