Sonata 1 by C. F. Abel for Guitar in LOW A Tuning - Rob MacKillop

Trying the Aquila LOW A strings again, where every string is tuned down a 5th: ADGBEA - that B would be a C in standard configuration, but I've lowered it a semitone for Renaissance tuning. It's fun to play solo pieces with these strings, though they are really for ensemble playing. I also love the viola da gamba and its repertoire, and always wanted to try this amazing piece on the guitar. I hope you like it. Guitar by the inestimable Rohan Lowe of www.loweguitar... . More videos to come. I teach students across the globe via Zoom. Let me know if interested. If you like what I do, why not "buy me a coffee" by making a donation to www.paypal.com... All donations go to help fund my free videos, research and websites - a sadly not-for-profit venture! Rob

[@stephenlawson3161]

Very beautiful music, thank you for sharing it with us.

[@RobMacKillop1]

My pleasure, Stephen!

[@gustavegflaubert]

Fabulous M. MacKillop!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Merci, Gustave!

[@miqbri]

Rob, as a beginner, every time I struggle with tone and a thought of 'maybe it would be easier with nails' crosses my mind, I listen to one of your lovely performances and forget about it again. Beautiful playing. I know I will never achieve it but the way you play is the unreachable destination on my guitar journey.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thanks -. You might do better than you think. There are thousands of players with more virtuosic techniques than mine. I play well enough to express myself through the music. Aim to do the same, whether you play with nails or without. I’m not a top-level player, but I have my own voice, and it’s good enough for some things. Find your voice, and let the rest lie where it falls. And good luck!

[@miqbri]

@RobMacKillop1 Rob, thank you for the words of encouragement. Don't get me wrong, your technique is masterful, but what I truly enjoy and admire is how it feels like you're not fighting or bending the instruments at all. I suppose your approach over the decades allow you to play extremely expressively. There are some players who play with perfect technique but their performances can feel somewhat cold. You are one of the players whose playing just feels really personal every time.

[@RobMacKillop1]

@@miqbri Thanks…

[@Nylon_and_Gut-MatteoLaurenzi]

Magical!!

[@RobMacKillop1]

❤ Glad you like it, Matteo.

[@nelsonreymusico5635]

Maravillosa sonoridad y gran expresividad!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Gracias, Nelson!

[@artcamp7]

the low tuning is so lovely

[@RobMacKillop1]

Glad you think so. I couldn’t use it all the time, but it suits some pieces, like this one.

[@artcamp7]

Do you have this song on itunes? I have played the video a few times but would love to listen to it when away from the computer@@RobMacKillop1

[@RobMacKillop1]

@@artcamp7 No. I just learned it this week. You might find a version on iTunes on a viola da gamba.

[@KenneyCmusic]

Beautiful Rob. You're channel is one of my favorites. I play banjo, guitar, and fiddle and I love your music, and dedication. I've been learning to sight read music for my instruments so I can begin learning some of these arrangements one day. Cheers.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Kenney! Best wishes for your musical journey!

[@HarryVerey]

Very nice Rob. I do very much like low tunings on the guitar, gives it so much more depth and makes the guitar seem less of a lightweight instrument. I normally have my guitar tuned down a semitone from standard these days . I have tried using Daddario extra hard tension strings and tuning down a major third which is also quite effective. I would like to have a baritone guitar though.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Harry. I love low sounds, always have, but balance it out when playing the tenor banjo!

[@BobPerrone]

Beautifully done Rob, thank you 😊

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thanks, Bob. Glad you like it.

[@danyjr]

Beautiful music and playing, Rob. The low tuning really does bring out the best of this piece. Thanks for sharing.

[@RobMacKillop1]

My pleasure, Danny. Glad you like it! Rob

[@luckylicks3497]

Sounding great, as always! Hello from Finland

[@RobMacKillop1]

Hi Lucky! Greetings from Edinburgh!

[@superultramegarobot]

You should do videos using the low E strings, and also the high strings as well! There's almost no videos of them on youtube, and would love to hear them in yours hands :)

[@RobMacKillop1]

I’ve no intention of doing either. So it all up to you! 😎

[@superultramegarobot]

@@RobMacKillop1 Fair, appreciate your honesty!

[@fredhoupt4078]

beautiful sounds.....

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Fred. Agreed. Great guitar too, by Rohan Lowe, so it’s not just the strings.

[@michaelherndon9573]

Gorgeous as always, rob. Thank you. And just tonight. I restrung with the same strings you have here And spent the evening with Bach. These strings are a whole new experience and i'm so flat I learned about them Through you

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thanks, Michael. I’m glad you have tried the strings. You’ll find them suitable for some strings, not others. They’d be great in a guitar duo or trio.

[@wbajzek]

Did you need to modify the nut to fit these strings, or will they fit a typical guitar as they come?

[@RobMacKillop1]

They are designed to fit any guitar, no modifications required, though one guy reported the 6th was just too thick for his guitar’s bridge hole. Most people don’t seem to have that problem. No increased tension either.

[@wbajzek]

@@RobMacKillop1 thanks. I have a set but haven’t tried them yet :) perhaps I will

[@clay_geo]

​​@@RobMacKillop1would they even work on a parlor guitar or is the scale too short? (or the body too puny to resonate nicely?) I just got an old Viennese model that sounds lovely in D/drop C, but going even lower would be fun

[@RobMacKillop1]

@@clay_geo I've no idea, Clay. Let us know if you try.

[@jameslouder]

What remarkable sonority emerges from your guitar with these strings and this tuning--so solemn, so pathetic. The guitar is supposed to be the instrument of poetry and passion, but you have turned it to philosophy. Let's hear more!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Ha! I might quote you on that, James 😊