I am just attempting to learn classical guitar and find your videos to be a source of inspiration for me. When I listen to you playing I can almost hear you saying, "Play with meaning. Play from the heart. Give the music time to breathe and to speak." Such beautiful lessons!
This is the real soul of the classical guitar, the sweet and melancholic sound of the classical guitar. Some people play too fast, in a robotic way with loud but no sweet sounding guitars. But you understand music.
This is one of the best, if not the best interpretations of Julia Florida I have ever heard... and I have heard many. The tempo is spot on allowing the phrases to breathe properly. Most play it far too quickly. Great playing!
Thank you so much for all the time and work you have put in to play such beautiful music. The closest thing to your playing I can think of is being in nature itself.
What an interesting sound you've produced, Rob! I don't know whether the major factor here is your playing without fingernails and your unique right hand technique or the Aquila strings. Anyway, the sound is incredibly soft and round and is a wonderful complement to this piece about blossoming youth.
Yes, I've just listened to your beautiful version. Well done. When you are so close to a piece, it is sometimes difficult to accept other interpretations, but I'm glad you like mine, and I certainly love yours.
I always come back to this video from time to time, this is one of the most beautiful and inspiring guitar performances I've ever seen! And I also should thank you Rob, you're the one person that made me want to learn the guitar. I always thought it was sort of a "weird-sounding" instrument, but that was before watching your videos. I'm trying a no-nails technique as you do; I'm using nylon as it's my first guitar, but I will certainly try gut when I have more experience. Cheers from Brazil :)
Comment Of The Day, Erick. Thank you very much. Try tuning your guitar down a semitone, every string. It might sing better, and be kinder to your fingertips. Best wishes for your guitar journey! Rob
Ok Rob, I just ordered some Aquila 900s, and 2000’s, because I am going nailless now. I play some of the same pieces that You do and I’m looking for a change at 65:) I’ll be trying them on basically 2 guitars, one hand made in Brazil and the other- an Alhambra Luthier Rio, it has a very thin spruce top with a floating fan brace system, it has volume and projects well being concert size. The Brazilian guitar ( a Joacire) is smaller and brighter, but projects well in large churches and such. Looking forward to the change. I plan on a new cd in a year on new strings, lower frequency (A=415), and a more authentic sound. Thanks for the direction.
Wow, Chuck, you are really going for it. Best wishes! The strings are a good start, though one day I hope you try gut strings, and not the varnished variety. The latest Aquila strings are smooth, like regular nylon, but the older sets had rectified strings, which are a little rough to the touch, which the flesh loves - helps get a grip. But you are on a great adventure, and will experiment here and there with strings and technique, and eventually find what is right for you. Good luck, my friend!
@@RobMacKillop1 I know this is late, but they have the Ambra 2000 which are smooth and great if you like the sound but play with nails, and they have the Ambra 900 which use the rectified nylgut and are better for no nail playing! Also the light tension versions (the normal tension is very high on the 2000s! 101.6 total lbs so I recommend the lights which are still a little higher than normal nylons, I think around 91-93lbs)
Exquisite playing as usual, Rob! Mimmo has done a very nice job with the rayon bass strings. The nylgut strings that I have on my lute have made such a dramatic difference in the sound, compared with the nylon set it was strung with.
Cheers, Wilson. Glad you like it. Mimmo might make versions of rayon strings for lute basses sometime. That would be interesting. The balance well with the nylgut trebles.
very nice Rob..I just found out about Barrios..he`s great..it inspired me to explore his music..I just strung my guitar with 2 metal strings and have begun to learn some of his repertoire..thanks for the great video
@@RobMacKillop1 from what I understand basically because that`s just how he learned to play..he started on his father`s guitar in rural Paraguay and that was all they had..they couldn`t get good strings or even current sheet music..he never played a decent guitar until he moved to the city..by that time it was just the way he played..I`m trying to capture his sound..also I busk occasionally and I`m trying to work up some tunes that people can hear on the street
Beautiful. Julia must have been someone very special to have inspired that. The strings sound great, especially for this genre. Nylon string players have never had so many distinctly different tonal options. My plea, to any string manufacturer that will listen, is that someone produce a set of nylon strings with a single strand of fine nickel wire in the center of each string, allowing the use of a detachable, passive magnetic pickup. As long as the overall string tension remains less than 105 lbs, (with a 650mm scale length, )it should work.
You should just write to a company. They might well be interested. Sounds like a good idea. In my short time playing viola da gamba, I came across Nicholas Baldock strings, and he used to do exactly what you are talking about, but the wire was inside gut strings.
Rob MacKillop Thanks Rob .It’s good to know that someone has tried it . I’ve been somewhat obsessed with it since the frustration I experienced in the early seventies when using the original “Barcus-Berry” (aka mucus berry) to play my old Guild pear wood nylon string ,amplified ,through a Fender Fuzz Wa.(did I inadvertently start the pre “ Flametal “ movement?) P.S. The nickname “Mucus Berry” was inspired by the adhesive goo used to attach the pickup to the guitar.
Well, we runs extruder plants. What you want it is not possible.( If I have well understood, of course; i e a very thin nickel Put exactly in the center of a nylon treble). The two material are not compatible for the different stretching ratios, in first instance ; then there is the fact that you will increase the density in not even way, then it is quite impossible to have that thin wire exactly in the center of the string and then, the last, for the different dilatation coefficient. We have done a different process: magnetic micronic metal powder in the plastic. This set is called Rubino and it is magnetic sensitive, even if it do not produce a string signal.
Such a captivating and wonderful piece Rob. Your touch is sublime. This is the sort of music I'd be happy to pay good money, to go and see. Instead we have luckily TH-cam. Great strings also.
Rayon used to be made in Jedburgh! Art silk - the process used mainly in India now is not good for the environment though, real silk may not be exactly vegan but it's less damaging industrially. I like the 'ground' finish of rectified Aquila trebles. but then, I even liked the micro-wound Savarez trebles... something for bare finger short nail playing to make contact with.
We are dealing with only 0.4 Gramms of rayon in total. Is this a big problem for the environment ? Silk.... we are obliged to kill the animals, I e worms, then to employ chemicals to eliminate the serycine, then chemicals to bleaching the material and need a lot of of leaves as food for these worms.😊
Hi Rob, hope all is well. I have been playing guitar for a while now, but I would like to learn how to read music so that I can read and play for classical guitar. Do you give lessons online? Can you please provide your email? cheers,
Yes it is, by Camps, with Indian rosewood back and sides. Flamenco construction is closer to the old style of Torres and Santos Hernandez. I raised the action slightly by putting strips of card under the bridge saddle, and put on gut trebles. The guitar is for sale now, as I am cutting back, culling the herd! But it’s a beauty, and I’ll miss it. Price is £2,500. Rob
@@nexususer1108 Sometimes. Sometimes lower. I think they sound best at a lower pitch on my guitars with my technique. Just try things out - it doesn’t cost more money to try different pitches. I’ve given up thinking about standard pitch, unless of course I am playing with others who are already tuned to 440.
My student grade guitar is tuned to 412Hz to fix dead Fred. It works to some degree, however, it improved sutain on number of strings, and sounds a lot warmer. I prefer this set up than 440. 😂😊
Hear me loud and clear: Nylgut is nothing like real gut. Night and Day. Also, my current set of Aquila 900 gut has been on my guitar for 20 months. On another guitar my Bow Brand gut has been on for 8 months and counting. Buy good-quality gut, not La Bella. Make sure the contact points are smooth: bridge holes, nut grooves, frets. Detune the strings overnight by three or four winds of the tuner. The result is no hassle, low price, and beautiful tone.
@@RobMacKillop1 Thank you very much! I've been playing guitar for a long time but just now getting into classical guitar. I'll skip the gut strings for now but I do love the sound of them. I'll take your advice as soon as I can do gut strings justice. :)
I am just attempting to learn classical guitar and find your videos to be a source of inspiration for me. When I listen to you playing I can almost hear you saying, "Play with meaning. Play from the heart. Give the music time to breathe and to speak."
Such beautiful lessons!
This is the real soul of the classical guitar, the sweet and melancholic sound of the classical guitar. Some people play too fast, in a robotic way with loud but no sweet sounding guitars.
But you understand music.
This is one of the best, if not the best interpretations of Julia Florida I have ever heard... and I have heard many. The tempo is spot on allowing the phrases to breathe properly. Most play it far too quickly. Great playing!
Cheers, Douglas. High praise, indeed!
Thank you so much for all the time and work you have put in to play such beautiful music. The closest thing to your playing I can think of is being in nature itself.
Oh, thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. They are much appreciated! Best wishes to you. Rob
This is a most beautiful performance. Such a lovely tone, such superb playing.
Thank you, my friend. Glad you like it. Best wishes to you!
What an interesting sound you've produced, Rob! I don't know whether the major factor here is your playing without fingernails and your unique right hand technique or the Aquila strings. Anyway, the sound is incredibly soft and round and is a wonderful complement to this piece about blossoming youth.
I think I could listen to you play this all day. Thank you for putting another take of Julia Florida up, it's wonderful.
Cheers, Julian. Glad you like it!
I never really understood nor paid real attention to this piece until I listened to your performance . Thank you from my heart .
Cheers, Guy. It’s such a poetic piece.
Very nice video, very musical
Thank you Rob, for making a rainy day bearable. Beautiful tone.
I'm pleased. Have a nice day!
So glad I found this, inspirational and helpful as I am learning it now. Thank you.
Cheers, Peter. Good luck with it!
very good version! 😃
I love this piece and I love how you play it Rob, especially your phrasing. Julia Florida is one of the pieces I posted on my channel as well.
Yes, I've just listened to your beautiful version. Well done. When you are so close to a piece, it is sometimes difficult to accept other interpretations, but I'm glad you like mine, and I certainly love yours.
I came here to listen again. This is beautiful, Rob. I'm pretty sure that Barrios would be proud of your Julia Florida.
Thank you, Rui! That means a lot coming from you.
Beautiful interpretation Rob, thank you very much.🎸🎶🌞
Cheers, David. It's a beautiful piece.
Once again Mr. Rob, sweet sweet sound. Thanks for the treat and the review.
Thanks, Juan. Glad you like it!
Very clear interpretation Mr. Rob! Beautifully played and very nice technique!
Thank you, Nuno. Appreciated!
I always come back to this video from time to time, this is one of the most beautiful and inspiring guitar performances I've ever seen!
And I also should thank you Rob, you're the one person that made me want to learn the guitar. I always thought it was sort of a "weird-sounding" instrument, but that was before watching your videos. I'm trying a no-nails technique as you do; I'm using nylon as it's my first guitar, but I will certainly try gut when I have more experience.
Cheers from Brazil :)
Comment Of The Day, Erick. Thank you very much. Try tuning your guitar down a semitone, every string. It might sing better, and be kinder to your fingertips. Best wishes for your guitar journey! Rob
Thank you for what you do. You do it so beautifully.
Thanks, Stuart. Much appreciated!
Beginners, watch the eyes anticipating each moves making this a flawless rendition
If you can look ahead, you can be prepared.
Rob MacKillop Like aiming at something
Ok Rob, I just ordered some Aquila 900s, and 2000’s, because I am going nailless now. I play some of the same pieces that You do and I’m looking for a change at 65:)
I’ll be trying them on basically 2 guitars, one hand made in Brazil and the other- an Alhambra Luthier Rio, it has a very thin spruce top with a floating fan brace system, it has volume and projects well being concert size. The Brazilian guitar ( a Joacire) is smaller and brighter, but projects well in large churches and such. Looking forward to the change.
I plan on a new cd in a year on new strings, lower frequency (A=415), and a more authentic sound. Thanks for the direction.
Wow, Chuck, you are really going for it. Best wishes! The strings are a good start, though one day I hope you try gut strings, and not the varnished variety. The latest Aquila strings are smooth, like regular nylon, but the older sets had rectified strings, which are a little rough to the touch, which the flesh loves - helps get a grip. But you are on a great adventure, and will experiment here and there with strings and technique, and eventually find what is right for you. Good luck, my friend!
@@RobMacKillop1 I know this is late, but they have the Ambra 2000 which are smooth and great if you like the sound but play with nails, and they have the Ambra 900 which use the rectified nylgut and are better for no nail playing!
Also the light tension versions (the normal tension is very high on the 2000s! 101.6 total lbs so I recommend the lights which are still a little higher than normal nylons, I think around 91-93lbs)
@@Vyscera I’m well aware of all of that, Ben. Many thanks for sharing it, though.
Mille grazie dear Rob. Superb
Keep experimenting, Mimmo! You come up with interesting ideas that work.
Exquisite playing as usual, Rob! Mimmo has done a very nice job with the rayon bass strings. The nylgut strings that I have on my lute have made such a dramatic difference in the sound, compared with the nylon set it was strung with.
Cheers, Wilson. Glad you like it. Mimmo might make versions of rayon strings for lute basses sometime. That would be interesting. The balance well with the nylgut trebles.
very nice Rob..I just found out about Barrios..he`s great..it inspired me to explore his music..I just strung my guitar with 2 metal strings and have begun to learn some of his repertoire..thanks for the great video
Why metal? My understanding was that he was forced to use metal because gut first strings were prone to breaking and hard to find.
@@RobMacKillop1 from what I understand basically because that`s just how he learned to play..he started on his father`s guitar in rural Paraguay and that was all they had..they couldn`t get good strings or even current sheet music..he never played a decent guitar until he moved to the city..by that time it was just the way he played..I`m trying to capture his sound..also I busk occasionally and I`m trying to work up some tunes that people can hear on the street
Aquila strings are very nice. Ive had them on the Oud, I think I am going to buy them again.
That is a beautiful performance, Rob. Interesting strings!
Cheers, Jelma. Yes, the strings are good. They would be good on your 19th-century guitars too, I think. And no, I'm not on commission ;-)
@@RobMacKillop1 You ought to :-)
Wow sir!
Thank you! Glad you like it.
So good. Thanks again.
Thank you, again :-)
Beautiful. Julia must have been someone very special to have inspired that.
The strings sound great, especially for this genre.
Nylon string players have never had so many distinctly different tonal options.
My plea, to any string manufacturer that will listen, is that someone produce a set of nylon strings with a single strand of fine nickel wire in the center of each string, allowing the use of a detachable, passive magnetic pickup.
As long as the overall string tension remains less than 105 lbs, (with a 650mm scale length, )it should work.
You should just write to a company. They might well be interested. Sounds like a good idea. In my short time playing viola da gamba, I came across Nicholas Baldock strings, and he used to do exactly what you are talking about, but the wire was inside gut strings.
si james
Amen. Piezo electric amplified nylon strings sound like playing a plastic bag to me.
Rob MacKillop
Thanks Rob .It’s good to know that someone has tried it . I’ve been somewhat obsessed with it since the frustration I experienced in the early seventies when using the original “Barcus-Berry” (aka mucus berry) to play my old Guild pear wood nylon string ,amplified ,through a Fender Fuzz Wa.(did I inadvertently start the pre “ Flametal “ movement?)
P.S.
The nickname “Mucus Berry” was inspired by the adhesive goo used to attach the pickup to the guitar.
Well, we runs extruder plants. What you want it is not possible.( If I have well understood, of course; i e a very thin nickel
Put exactly in the center of a nylon treble). The two material are not compatible for the different stretching ratios, in first instance ; then there is the fact that you will increase the density in not even way, then it is quite impossible to have that thin wire exactly in the center of the string and then, the last, for the different dilatation coefficient. We have done a different process: magnetic micronic metal powder in the plastic. This set is called Rubino and it is magnetic sensitive, even if it do not produce a string signal.
very beautiful!!!💓💓💓
Such a captivating and wonderful piece Rob. Your touch is sublime. This is the sort of music I'd be happy to pay good money, to go and see. Instead we have luckily TH-cam. Great strings also.
Cheers, Brian. I don't play concerts - haven't done so for a decade or more. I can reach you all without having to leave the house :-)
Georgeous
Thanks, friend!
One of my favorite pieces beautifully played!
Cheers, John. Glad you like it!
Rayon used to be made in Jedburgh! Art silk - the process used mainly in India now is not good for the environment though, real silk may not be exactly vegan but it's less damaging industrially. I like the 'ground' finish of rectified Aquila trebles. but then, I even liked the micro-wound Savarez trebles... something for bare finger short nail playing to make contact with.
I did not know that, David. Jedburgh, eh? Who knew? Well, you, probably others too... :-)
We are dealing with only 0.4 Gramms of rayon in total. Is this a big problem for the environment ? Silk.... we are obliged to kill the animals, I e worms, then to employ chemicals to eliminate the serycine, then chemicals to bleaching the material and need a lot of of leaves as food for these worms.😊
Love this piece. Any chance for transcription for ukulele?
Not from me, Catherine. I don't think the ukulele would do it justice, and I like the ukulele.
Lovely, you are at the top
It's like mountaineering. You finally get to the top of one peak, only to realise there are bigger peaks still to climb. And on it goes...
@@RobMacKillop1 The most important: Don't look down!
Haha. Indeed!
Rob, BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!! you are the best performer in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course I am! LOL. :-)
unbelievable.
greetings from cologne
Thank you. Greetings from Edinburgh!
@@RobMacKillop1 Greetings from Finland
@@luckylicks3497 And to you also from Edinburgh!
3,053 miles from Edinburgh your music has touched our hearts again in New Hampshire, USA.
:-) I'm travelling far and wide today! Cheers, Michael!
Hi Rob, hope all is well. I have been playing guitar for a while now, but I would like to learn how to read music so that I can read and play for classical guitar. Do you give lessons online? Can you please provide your email? cheers,
Yes, I do. I have many students around the world via Zoom. My address is robmackillop@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers, Rob.
Nice, sounds like less squeak sounds, right?
Yes. One of the advantages.
Love you playing. Is this a flamenco guitar?
Yes it is, by Camps, with Indian rosewood back and sides. Flamenco construction is closer to the old style of Torres and Santos Hernandez. I raised the action slightly by putting strips of card under the bridge saddle, and put on gut trebles. The guitar is for sale now, as I am cutting back, culling the herd! But it’s a beauty, and I’ll miss it. Price is £2,500. Rob
You certainly make it sounding so sweet. I hope you will find someone to continue to enjoy it.
You inspired me to order the same strings. Do you tune them to 440hz?
@@nexususer1108 Sometimes. Sometimes lower. I think they sound best at a lower pitch on my guitars with my technique. Just try things out - it doesn’t cost more money to try different pitches. I’ve given up thinking about standard pitch, unless of course I am playing with others who are already tuned to 440.
My student grade guitar is tuned to 412Hz to fix dead Fred. It works to some degree, however, it improved sutain on number of strings, and sounds a lot warmer. I prefer this set up than 440. 😂😊
How would you compare the Nylgut strings to real gut strings? Are they fairly close without the hassle and price that come with the real deal?
Hear me loud and clear: Nylgut is nothing like real gut. Night and Day. Also, my current set of Aquila 900 gut has been on my guitar for 20 months. On another guitar my Bow Brand gut has been on for 8 months and counting. Buy good-quality gut, not La Bella. Make sure the contact points are smooth: bridge holes, nut grooves, frets. Detune the strings overnight by three or four winds of the tuner. The result is no hassle, low price, and beautiful tone.
@@RobMacKillop1 Thank you very much! I've been playing guitar for a long time but just now getting into classical guitar. I'll skip the gut strings for now but I do love the sound of them. I'll take your advice as soon as I can do gut strings justice. :)
Where did you find the Rayon basses? I cannot find them
I was beta-testing them. They are not on the website yet, but will be in one or two weeks.
what do you think about the Nylgut vs authentic gut as a flesh player?
I do prefer good-quality gut, which can sound richer and more complex.
But not varnished gut, just plain.
Poesia, e bel tocco senza unghie
Grazie Mille!
Sa weeeeeet❕
Glad you like it!
Heyyy 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you, Tony.
..this may be a lame request.,..but play Misty for mE Mr. Mackillop..
Sorry, Joyce, but I don't do requests. Plus I've never liked the song! Sorry :-)
111 comments
😌💧🫏🌟
Sounds like you don't have fingernails
That's right. That's they way many people played in the old days. See my website for more details: rmClassicalGuitar.com