Canario on Theorbo!

Brandon Acker performing the early 17th-century piece "Canario" by G.G. Kapsberger (1580-1651). The instrument is called the Theorbo and you can find out more about it here:
• The Theorbo in 60 Seconds
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#theorbo

[@brandonacker]

Learn classical guitar with my online course! 🎸 Classicalguitar-pro.com -Your first pieces -6 hours, 53 HD videos -PDFs, Downloads, and Quizzes -Simulated recital -Access to Brandon's feedback in an exclusive Facebook group

[@Laura-el2bd]

I heard your version of the Kapsberger ‘Canario’ on the theorbo at the beginning of the pandemic and decided to take up classical guitar in my late 60’s. I am now beginning to learn that piece. Thank you!

[@thebarelyfunnyguy]

TAB FOR THIS PIECE PLS WHERE, ILL PAY I JUST NEED THE TAB PLS, CLASSIAL GUITAR IF POSSIBLE BUT IDRC, I CAN READ LUTE TAB

[@iPhoneeditor]

Are you going to play the lead, melody, or bass? Theorbo: yes

[@resourcedragon]

Even an 8 course lute gives you some lovely, lovely bass notes.

[@mattbod]

I have a good guitar transcription of this too you can pull it off with a Classical guitar a rich bass i,e. low air resonance to pull it off (the lower note on the E string pitch hummed into the body that sets the guitar vibrating thr better). Luckily I have such a guitar.

[@heikorudi6105]

@@mattbod it's not the same

[@imjustaguy4340]

I mean you can do that with a guitar just not as deep, unless you tune down

[@iPhoneeditor]

@@imjustaguy4340 the theorbo's length allows for the large wavelengths in the strings which contributes greatly to the bass properties. Even with a 7+ string guitar or drop tuning you don't quite get the same effect.

[@Dom_Smalls]

One time, I had a dream that I was in a guitar class and Brandon was the teacher. Of course, he was also fighting off an invading army with a theorbo, but he was also a very good teacher. He put down lute tablature for me to read and then said something in Mandarin. I don't speak Mandarin. I also think there was kung fu involved, but it's been a while since it happened.

[@brandonacker]

That wasn't a dream, Dom...that was last Tuesday! 琵琶规则!

[@Vesperteenytiny]

Amazing!!!

[@darrylrouch9193]

You speak Mandarin?

[@_itri_4374]

@@darrylrouch9193 fluent Google translate

[@xinyizhou7684]

@@brandonacker I speak Mandarin and I play the lute, so...let me join the class！ (｡♥ᴗ♥｡)

[@BigDHomeVideo]

Sitting here listening to this over and over made me realize that the little serotonin rush you get when you hear a nice song must have been absolutely insane to experience in a time before recorded music. Hearing this human use their hands to produce such a beautiful expression of sound in real time. And you're hearing it for the first and possibly only time. Wild.

[@Pallasathena-hv4kp]

There’s not much like live music. 🎵

[@AbnerChamate]

I didn't know Canario was written by another renaissance composer. This is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you maestro

[@antonyroach6802]

There are a lot of Canarios written by many composers, for example, Gaspar Sanz, Juan Carlos Rivera, and in this case, Kapsberger

[@malcelinho]

I was at home and suddenly I found myself on a tavern drinking ale with my buddies while looking for a new adventure

[@nataliapalacio2517]

Jajjajaja I felt the same 🤣🤣

[@nataliapalacio2517]

@A Warm Gun I played role games a few years ago and this kind of music was very often on those long nights ^^ That´s why I understand the comment of Marcelo Gadelha

[@trebmaster]

Hey, you! You're finally awake!

[@thaddeusfromsonar]

we got flerlow, halzingers, belugies, juicy time babies....

[@brokemanfishing6413]

"You shall not pass!"

[@arcitejack]

1:55 the bass hits from another world.

[@xxsusmasterxx5491]

It's the beauty of nature.

[@Dude8718]

Piano bass is still the best. I used to not like piano recordings because the low end is always cut so hard in the mix. But hesring piano in its full range.... the bass is so rich.

[@Achsje]

@@Dude8718 You might want to check out the channel Alexander Pianos. He built what is basically the theorbo among pianos: extremely elongated body, so no wound bass strings have to be used. The result is crystal clear bass notes like you have never heard before.

[@chewtaggeer]

Everyday is a day closer to the 250K sub shred reveal

[@brandonacker]

And don't forget about the 500k twin reveal!

[@Shredxcam22]

I'd love to see him do some metal stuff. He is definitely a shredder. I could see him rocking an old John petrucci Ibanez from the early 90s with the art on it

[@parkerklinck263]

@@brandonacker do you actually have a twin?

[@brandonacker]

@@parkerklinck263 Yes an identical twin who is a singer.

[@parkerklinck263]

@@brandonacker im not convinced its not just you :P

[@barbicoh]

It's crazy to think that this piece has been created more than 400 years ago. You are literally hearing history and what is music for them back then.

[@dakotahrickard]

Yeah. This should be the auto-reply for all the people that say "old music is boring."

[@dl22al10]

I can imagine you playing that in front of a King when it was written. Everyone is always trying to look ahead in music, but I feel you’re inspiring people to look at and appreciate history.

[@GreenLeafUponTheSky]

New isn’t always better. I listen to a lot of folk songs with old instruments. Rap, hip hop, etc are not my thing. And I’m only 19, so it’s not like I’m a boomer lol

[@tonyemmanuel554]

Well said my friend.

[@bilalaslam1284]

I've come to appreciate this type of music. Grew up a metalhead, but man, this piece is just magical!

[@inakiaraluze4528]

Welcome, my long lost brother in metal.

[@matthewbertrand4139]

honestly? i think it's pretty natural for a metalhead to come back and enjoy stuff like this. in addition to the obvious fact that the modern guitar evolved from these instruments, back at the time lutes and theorbos were in style, they were experimenting with many of the same things metal has come to be associated with: alternate tunings, adding extra strings to instruments, improvising solos over simple chord progressions, and the like. though it sounded very different the spirit of metal is there, and in that way metal was sort of born here, though you'd never know it without digging into it. so i don't think you're one bit out of place or out of line; let no one tell you otherwise.

[@celestialrift]

@@matthewbertrand4139 Completely agree. The same personality that's drawn to the complexity and uniqueness of metal can easily find interest in classical pieces like these. In fact, when I was younger, it was a natural evolution for me to move from the intensity of metal to the intensity of classical music - the two genres seem, to me, to be hand-in-hand.

[@trinidad2450]

Good to hear that your musical tastes have become more diverse.

[@Admiralmeriweather]

One of the most metal things ever written is Bach Brandenburg #5. Listen to the Netherlands Bach version from a few years ago

[@emorcen]

Plenty has been said about the amazing tunes, but anyone else notice the excellent framing, impeccable lighting and colours of the video? Top notch work!

[@amitailavi9512]

Collab with twoset violin?

[@brandonacker]

I'd love to!

[@dikafei]

This comment need more likes!

[@RPR-mf8of]

@@brandonacker you definitely need to that would be sick I'm a fan of both channels and i would love to see it

[@tiny5663]

@@brandonacker we need a collab for sure

[@chickenbeforeegg]

The absolute vascularity of this man

[@albertogonzalez01]

Is the right hand you know what that means?

[@brandonmcpherson8723]

We call that vasculinity

[@donHanzo]

they look like electric cables

[@peers8551]

"Il Canario" was my dear sister's favorite Renaissance dance, especially to perform! Such a stunning tune!

[@MrScrofulous]

Modern metal players - Dude, we have the sickest guitars ever Theorbo - hold my mead

[@timh.6872]

I want someone to try and electrify something like a theorbo, mostly for the lols. Huge distortion on huge scale length isn't something we've heard before and I want to hear it.

[@MrRichiarditya]

can it Djent tho?

[@hellomate639]

​@@timh.6872 build one. Don't fear learning the art. Start small and build it up over time.

[@captainloggy140]

@@timh.6872 The thing that comes closest is probably a double-neck guitar and bass, but the full theorbo possibilities of polyphony would be something

[@harrypitts15]

​@@timh.6872I'm on it. I'm currently learning to be a luthier and Brandon's videos have been really inspirational. I really want to develop a budget lute model so all of us fans here can start playing.

[@markdayneowalla]

One of my favourite "songs" of all time by one of my favourite composers, Mr. Arpeggio himself, Girolamo Kapsberger. Paul O'Dette does a fantastic version of this as well on his Kapsberger album. You definitely did this piece justice. Very nice indeed.

[@gerardvila4685]

Gorgeous. Addictive. Superb. Groovy. Dreamful. The theorbo is incredible.

[@dakotahrickard]

I LOVE this close-up video of the lute. So many videos and audio are at concert hall distance or mid-chamber distance at best. I like the perspective of hearing it nearby. I want to hear the instrument itself.

[@franksabatino7576]

My inner ear hears a duet with a Celtic fiddler, both musicians rolling along on horseback. How can Brandon's brain hold such a diversity of music, from heavy metal to theorbo? Joy and hard work must be at the heart of it. Thank you sir!

[@saitherhino4434]

I made a Bard in DnD that plays the Theorbo which was only because I discovered the instrument through you and Rob Scallon. Bards can use the 'Mage Hand' spell to have a spectral third hand, so my character kind of cheats and has an extra hand to play the contrabass. I've only used your arrangements during our games as background stuff and excited to use this one too, its got the perfect tavern setting tone to it. Keep doing what you're doing man, waiting for the next Theorbo video :)

[@DocM221]

Brandon should make a DnD album for background music, I use it too!

[@washulis]

Heh, I did my dnd bard research here as well, but I decided on the Baroque guitar instead. All instruments are amazing non the less

[@harperwin3553]

Damn thats wholesome

[@Crovax]

And you can hide a battleaxe inside that

[@zeegfajutaum8571]

Now I am crying missing my youth with my nerd friends.

[@issadanial]

And suddenly I forgot about all technologies and appreciated sorrounding me nature. Thank you for this masterpiece and passion.

[@rivqah83]

My baby niece loves this music! I’m nurturing the love of good music early! Thank you. :)

[@andrewszmauz3529]

Absolutely beautiful! I start school back up again today (Classical guitar performance major) and you have sparked a ridiculous interest in me about early music!!! Thank you!

[@CosmicHarmony58]

Hey, how much do those classes cost?

[@andrewszmauz3529]

@@CosmicHarmony58 I go to school in state (NH) and and receive state grants as well as scholarship money, so my tuition is $250. I'm pretty sure a semester tuition is around $11,000. However I don't know for certain. I also didn't take out any student loans.

[@josephcambron7060]

Dear Andrew. Are you f&$#ing insane. I got a degree in classical guitar performance in 1983. I understand the love of the instrument but you are looking at a hard life if you want to make a living at it. Virtually Nobody cares about the classical guitar. It's normal repertoire is third rate crap at best. Transcriptions are the only way to go but nobody cares about that either. The classical guitar is Way out in left field as far as anyone's interest in classical music goes. Learn jazz or Swedish death metal. Either is better than classical guitar. If you do go into it you could possibly barely scrap out a living attempting to teach unmotivated brats how to play a c chord or if you are extremely good play concerts at Podunk schools and events barely scraping out a living selling your CD of Leyenda.

[@josephcambron7060]

Hiho, apparently my rapier wit has eluded you.

[@stevenqirkle]

joseph cambron it eluded me, too. When I read your comment just now I thought “damn that’s harsh but probably true”

[@michaelwright2986]

There's a local HIP group that crowd-funded a theorbo to add to their collection of instruments. At the launch concert, they brought in a second, more experienced, theorbist. Canarios are a thing with them, and they did an especially rowdy one with two theorbos: rocked like a m-f. This is, of course, much more polished, but wonderful. Thank you, Mr Acker.

[@michaelprozonic]

the theorbo has been overlooked for far too long. Thanks to You Tube and artists like Brandon we can now all enjoy the music from the beautiful instrument

[@lukehermolaus8550]

Theorbo was regarded awesome loooong before internet era, not to mention YT...

[@Itsme.KatieG]

@@lukehermolaus8550I’m sure that’s true, but most people have never heard of it.

[@adwitiyadixit]

Petition to add Brandon in Elder Scrolls 6?

[@jessacartel5973]

If he's not in it I'm killing all the bards

[@Jakentosh]

i would give all my septim to hear brandon play

[@Terran0va_Plays]

Never heard of this instrument and I can now never unhear it. This is a beautiful instrument and a beautiful piece. Nice work.

[@kabalder]

...this is probably the most amazing thing I have ever heard. I picked up a cheap classical guitar because of this video, after having an instrument-shaped hole in my life for many years. And it's been such an inspiration to have an idea of what Dowland and Kapsberger might have actually sounded like like this. Thank you so much, Brandon.

[@somethingcreativeprobably5160]

Ahaha instrument-shaped hole. I read it twice to get it. Love that! Hope it gets filled soon!

[@shakeersaleem6508]

This guy has taught me more about guitar in two weeks than I've learned in the past two years. You're a hero bro.👊

[@ivyssauro123]

My man here got better pinky trill than most violinists!

[@donna30044]

I think I could listen to Brandon Acker playing the theorbo every waking moment. ❤

[@inakiaraluze4528]

I think my main character has leveled up in the tavern of this RPG called life just by listening to this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

[@иваннечипоренко-ю7р]

Не перестаю восхищаться красотой и полнотой звучания Теорбы, да ещё в руках такого мстера, как Брэндон Акер!......

[@gatozarin]

the flow of this piece is absolutely hypnotic

[@dianeallen5803]

Our local library just had a display of medieval instruments. The theorbo was splendid! I love this video - what beautiful music played so artfully.

[@bilal59446]

this guy just takes you to the musical journey back in the centuries. most talented person on youtube.

[@safdarrahman8609]

i get transported to the 16th century by this one. Beautiful is a small word.

[@jacquesfontaine3384]

Magnifique . Quelle musique,quel instrument et quel interprète.

[@kk-px7lu]

Is there nothing this guy can not play, just incredible skills for stringed instruments. Never fails to amaze me.

[@schuylerborden2815]

he has an amazing steady pulse, like a drummer.

[@brandonacker]

This theorbo is now for sale! CONTACT: [e-mail]

[@Gabriel-q9h7k]

Why are you selling it? It belongs in your collection Brandon.

[@Louise-qk2po]

Wow those base notes 🤩 Resonates like a dream

[@pianystrom8137]

I felt all stress melt away listening to this beautiful piece of music!. Brandon, thank you for sharing your incredible skills at interpreting tunes from times past on these fantastic instruments! It's such a joy!

[@IgnatRemizov]

It's so cool hearing a non-modern tuning! I swear it sounds a little sharp and a little flat in some places, but also completely in near-perfect harmony all the time. Truly a neat experience. Thank you for making this wonderful rendition!

[@kranmaster]

A fantastic piece, a masterful performance, and a beautiful instrument. The Theorbo has been kept alive by Krypton's lone remaining son.

[@coultermason5617]

This is the best version of this piece I’ve ever heard!

[@BananaZen7]

A musical time machine...when i close my eyes i'm in the 17th century wearing one of those white wigs, long tailed coat, puff pants, and shoes with curled up toes...ultra-compliments for lovely playing...

[@sadiemacmillan1980]

The bass notes starting at 01:56 are like the person you've been longing for unexpectedly touching the small of your back in the middle of a crowd. The whole piece brings back what must be a memory from a past life, of hedge mazes at midnight and torchlight on colonnades. I don't even believe in past lives, but this music tells me I must have been there.

[@davidgpeterson]

Metal guitarist says “My guitar has seven strings.” Brandon says “Hold my beer.”

[@mr.dapper4747]

I just love the music he plays, every time I listen I go somewhere and forget about all of my troubles

[@guicham1687]

Hi Brandon, why aren't you on spotify ? It would be great to find such lovely pieces played by you on this plateform. Thank you very much for this one, this piece is so joyful !

[@redicoyote]

My wife and I walked down the isle to this piece! Thank you for introducing us to it!

[@LukeFaulkner]

Incredible, as always!

[@ChrisDewitte1]

Ce qui est vraiment plaisant dans cette vidéo c'est l'évident plaisir que Brandon Acker a à jouer ce délicieux morceau sur cet instrument fantastique.

[@bernardinelermite1133]

Quelle aisance !... J'aime beaucoup vos ornementations, et le son "enveloppant" de ce bel instrument.

[@pietervanheerden565]

Stunning. Excellent. Just a man and his instrument. Nothing else. Nothing better. After every Brandon video i think this is the ultimate. Can't be beaten but, with every new video he just supercedes the previous ones.

[@katherinewolfe]

Oh, this is such a cheerful piece, and I love your treatment of it.

[@TheMostTruth]

One of the most beautiful compositions ever. Man you did a good job Brandon!

[@F-Man]

I bet you could tell the average layman that this is some soft rock ballad written last week, and they wouldn’t suspect a thing. Spectacular to hear music hundreds of years old that still just *works* today.

[@Lardenoy]

Merci ! Je viens d'écouter, sur le net une interview de 1999 du théorbiste Pascal Monteilhet (1955-2022) - archive sonore France Musique. Un peu mélancolique ce soir mais je constate que "la relève est assurée"...Vita brevis, ars longa !

[@rebeccacrawford5419]

Cant stop watching this amazing instrument

[@armenapkarian5017]

Man I've been waiting for a full version of this piece performed by you ever since the Rob Scallon jam, I love this, so good! Keep up the awesome work!

[@GabrielaFigueroaFlauta]

Que bonito 😊 la claridad sonora, siempre caminante, ligero como el aire fresco de la montaña.... Gracias 🍀

[@argonwheatbelly637]

You are a beautiful soul for sharing this exquisite music, and your playing reveals your dedication, passion, and intimacy of this wonderful instrument.

[@takayanagi-senseissurprise2104]

I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS COVER YES!!!

[@hannahjohnson4582]

I love they key change in the middle!😍

[@alexanderfo3886]

This piece is just such a perfect example of how modern baroque music can sometimes appear. Without knowing, one wouldn't believe it's 400 years old. Thank you so much for this wonderful performance.

[@BriggityBroocE]

Amazing. I am so glad he made use of those bass strings, I really felt those in my heart.

[@velvik]

Brandon's comment sections: 1% theorbo jokes 99% coming out of the closet

[@nadasonic6]

I'm looking for a closet to go into just so I can come out of it.. :D

[@leelinden4963]

@@nadasonic6 Good luck getting in the closet with a theorbo! ;-)

[@shiningarmor2838]

Also Vampires

[@commiekiller]

So ppl comment they are changing their sexual orientation here?

[@Hi-vf9wx]

@@commiekiller "changing" 😬

[@alocal1334]

Thats a different kind of soul than im used to but that music was alive! Thanks for sharing

[@meghnamoyra]

No words to describe this - just loved every part of it. Heaven on earth.

[@charlesaustin566]

This playing is great.. but honestly the piece is just so beautiful. It's great we still have it around today and thanks for putting up a record of it!

[@scubajay11]

Absolutely beautiful Brandon. I could listen to you play all day long.

[@marivoz]

One of my favourites of Kapsberger! Brilliant performance! Thank you!!

[@stephen3073]

Brilliant, and moving, as always, Brandon. I'm a steel-string guitar luthier, so, a different strain of musical DNA than yours, but subscribing to your channel has given me a great expansion of consciousness, and also a splendid soundtrack to work to in my shop. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts with us mere mortals!

[@mikelord9860]

Those riffs were centuries ahead of their time! The missus says, no more guitars for me, so there's no way in hell I could sneak something like that into the house!

[@attilakovacs5803]

Don't worry, mate, you can! Either you need to tell her you've got the theorbo from a friend who cannot use it at the moment because it's too big for his apartment, or because he has some workers in the house who are fixing the electricity/piping system, and he's afraid that something might happen to the instrument. The theorbo needs regular playing, so you're doing a favour to your friend. Or you can say that the instrument is important for your music work/career. By the time she realises the trick, she will have already been fallen in love with the tone of the instrument. When she expresses her sorrow over the fact that you need to return it to the owner, you might mention that your friend is actually thinking about selling it to some other guys for a very good price, but he has told you that you'd have priority and the he could give you an even better price. Then, even if she catches the bait and agrees, the maximum price you can confess to her is about a third or half of the actual price of the instrument. You'll need to figure out the rest, maybe save up your pocket money for the bigger part of the cost, otherwise the deal would be in real danger.😀😀😀

[@paulinemegson8519]

It’s not a guitar, pretty sure she didn’t mention theorbos

[@davidfusani]

Beautifully played on a gorgeous instrument.

[@rodrigodepierola]

You're killing me, Brandon! Those trills are amazing.

[@bedesco]

It sounds impressively modern to come from a 1580 dude This is a very rare piece of art, thank you

[@thomasswoodward]

Verily, thou art my favourite bard on all of the internet.

[@danielelkadi3499]

Thank you for introducing me to this amazing piece of music

[@Crovax]

That sounds majestic. Also your right hand veins were about to explode

[@lifebeforedeath1788]

I’ve only recently started learning to play the banjo, but it’s just so much fun seeing how far I can go with string instruments! I can’t wait till I can play the theorbo!

[@aedleathers]

Beautiful performance! You make it look so easy! Nice!

[@Justwantahover]

A lute is a 1500s bookshelf speaker and a theorbo is a floorstanding speaker.

[@inponderland]

When the deeper bass notes started hitting around 2 minutes, I was shook

[@kitsvn]

Amazing tune. Thank you for keeping this incredible instrument alive for us all to enjoy!

[@SamuelMooreFlamencoMusic]

Really enjoyed this performance Bandon, stunning! Thank you for sharing!

[@brandonacker]

Thanks, Samuel!

[@ezkiluzair3982]

Absolutely stunning. This is one of the highest form of art, in my opinion. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to enjoy this.

[@warmaster-1]

Truly a great musician

[@lindamclean8809]

I absolutely love this....love Brandon. ...love this instrument....so soothing 👌👌👌

[@stephen3073]

By the way, Brandon... Have you ever delved into the micro-universe of the Orpharion? I've always had a fascination with that instrument, since I saw one a couple decades ago at a Guild of American Luthiers convention. I've made quite a number of multiscale steel string guitars, and it's amusing that so many people think they're a post-modern invention, when in fact, the concept first came to light about four hundred years ago. I'd love to hear what you could do on one of these instruments.

[@EXEveryNote]

An incredibly inspired interpretation and performance of this beautiful piece!

[@JoneRuiz]

Excellent job! Beautiful production!

[@brandonacker]

Thanks, Jone! I hope you're well bud:)

[@NONAME-pd1pe]

if I'm an stringed instrument collector, this is probably the centerpiece, the holy grail of all guitars IMHO

[@nganbasGallery]

or should i say the most underrated...

[@resourcedragon]

Or even theorbo player!

[@morbius768]

what do you mean

[@OrdinaryLatvian]

Yeah, he looks very realistic. I wonder what shaders they used for the skin.

[@wolkowy1]

I don't know how, but you have managed to bring this 17th c, piece to our modern time, together with keeping Baroque's mentality and principles - all by your superb playing. Bravissimo!

[@lapocasini1246]

Beautiful. If you guys like the feel of this, I recommend checking out some African finger style guitar. It’s amazing how close this is to some of that. There’s a compilation of Madagascar guitar music called The Moon and the Bananna Tree on you tube that’s amazing. Thanks Brandon for turning me on to the sound of the Lute, Theorbo and Baroque Guitar. Been playing and listening to world music for 20 years, but have never really heard what these instruments can do.

[@SubhomoyRoy5678]

Brandon... Man.... Superbbbb.. It's sooo superb and kind of out of the world.. Love u.. God bless u..