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Help us publish a book of 60 painstakingly transcribed solo guitar pieces by our friend guitar legend and Pentangle co-founder John Renbourn
by Mike Walker in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This proposed 250+ page A4 book will contain transcriptions in tablature and staff notation for 60 guitar solo pieces by world renowned fingerstyle guitar innovator and composer John Renbourn. They have been created or collected and edited by Mike Walker co-founder & tutor for Renbourn Guitar Workshops and member of the Bert Jansch Foundation's Bert Transcribed Group . Renbourn Guitar Workshops was started by John Renbourn and many of the transcriptions in this proposed book have been created or approved by John Renbourn himself.
There will be 2 ediitions. A lay flat A4 spiral bound workbook and a collectors' hardback deluxe limited edition also A4 size. The spiral bound edition will sit easily on desk or music stand.
We gratefully acknowledge the kind permission, support and blessing of John Renbourn's family which have made this project possible.
The collection is drawn from 15 years of teaching and transcription work and will include many pieces which have not been published before or are currently unavailable in print, spanning Renbourn's 50 year career from 1965 to his death in 2015. It is also recognition of the fact that it's 60 years since the release of his first solo album, 15 years since John started Renbourn Guitar Workshops with Mike & Irene Walker and Rémy Froissart, 10 years since John's death and finally a recognition that he would be 80 years old now were he still with us.
There are new transcriptions of old favourites which have not appeared in print before, revised transcriptions of some which have been published but are no longer in print, and some which have never been recorded or published before.
This is the first part of a larger project which grew out of a conversation at the first Renbourn Guitar Workshops event in 2010. Over a glass or two of wine John, Rémy and Mike - discussed the possibility of creating an archive of tabs with which John was happy, to back up his intention to focus on teaching. After John Renbourn's untimely death in 2015 Mike set about trying to complete the project as planned. This set of 60 transcriptions spans the 60 years since the release of John's first solo album but is still only reflects one aspect of the musical legacy John left us. In parallel with the initiative by Newcastle University to preserve all Renbourn's original manuscripts in a digital archive, this book is intended to provide present and future generations of guitarists with insights into John Renbourn's contribution to steel string fingerstyle guitar playing.
John, Mike and Rémy
By supporting this crowdfunder you will not only be buying a book but also enabling the development of further publications from this body of work helping us fulfill a commitment to John Renbourn and perpetuating John's musical legacy. Examples of further volumes at the planning stage include a collection of Renbourn songs and a collection of pieces for 2 guitars. Your donation would be funding the time and effort to produce these in the future as well as providing you with a musical treasure trove of guitar instrumentals.
The publication of this collection relies on this crowdfunder initiative reaching its target. If it fails to do so then the money you pledge will be returned to you so there is no risk. Once we reach our target the book will be printed and shipped in March 2025 (possibly before if we can do it.)
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"Mike Walker and his team at Renbourn Guitar Workshops have done a commendable job maintaining John’s exemplary standards, and their major new collection of the solo instrumental works puts the primary focus upon the recorded versions of the pieces where they exist. For the most part the transcriptions presented offer ‘the notes played on the record’ and, as such, this book will be of immense benefit and inspiration for many future generations of guitarists. The compositions themselves have an important place in the solo guitar repertoire: their close study and joyful playing will provide many rewards and surprises."
Dr. Mick Wright, Head of Studies for Guitar, International Centre for Music Studies,(ICMuS) Newcastle University, UK
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“A significant milestone in the preservation and celebration of the compositions by this medieval magician. This jazz-tinged jouster. This Celtic, folk-blues Journeyman.
This book will surely serve as a beacon for guitarists spanning the generations. For the players who know John’s work intimately and for those yet to discover his music. What a joy!!”
Dariush Kanani, guitarist and friend of John Renbourn
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"Mike and Dr Mick and friends have worked together to transcribe many of Dad’s compositions and to build a digital archive so that ever greater numbers of people can have access to his music. Dad would be so delighted, and also I think deeply touched. And now there is a book!!"
Jessie Alcaraz, née Renbourn & Joel Renbourn
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"As for the layout of the pieces in this collection, it is extremely clear, both for the tablatures and for the scores in standard notation, and offers appreciable ease of working for a music that is often difficult from a guitarist's point of view. The parallel presentation of the two forms of writing makes it easy to switch from one to the other, which is useful for readers of both forms when it comes to ensuring that their interpretational work is correct. Covering John's entire career from his first album in 1965 to his death in 2015 this is a real goldmine for the many guitarists around the world who love his music!"
Rémy Froissart, guitarist, teacher, friend and colleague of John Renbourn
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"I'm delighted to see that John's earlier guitar pieces have been included in this masterwork, in particular my favourite 'Down on the Barge.' I recall, back in the early 1970s asking him if he could still play it. He plucked a few tantalising opening bars, shrugged, smiled inscrutably and then the moment was gone. Over the years it became a bit of a long running joke between us and he would drop little snippets into Ship Of Fools' soundchecks and send a knowing look in my direction – I probably heard it all piecemeal, but not in its entirety; he was almost dismissive of the engaging charm a lot of those earlier tunes held . So it's particularly gratifying to see that, along with a lot of John's other guitar music. the forensic fingers of Mike Walker have wielded their magic and revealed them for us in both notation and tablature – I'm really looking forward to having a crack at them."
Steve Tilston, guitarist, songwriter, friend and colleague of John Renbourn
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I was privileged to accompany my lifelong friend John Renbourn on what sadly turned out to be his final few gigs. He was still writing diary notes and music notation at every opportunity in hotels, café breaks and backstage to the very end.
It was around this time that John would often stay over at Wizz and Sandy’s place. After a glass or two of wine he loved to retire to the dusty attic emerging the next day usually with yet more carefully composed notes and afterthoughts.
“You two must come to Crete this year (2015), You’ll love the food and wine and the genial company but you might have to do a bit of guitar tuition!”
We did go of course and bittersweet it was without John.
With diligence love and devotion Mike, Rémy and the team have produced a collection that will be studied played and revered today and by future generations.
Wizz Jones, guitarist, songwriter, friend and colleague of John Renbourn
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John’s Renbourn’s long-time friend and guitar-picking pal, Mike Walker, has worked tirelessly to transcribe and typeset this collection of innovative music, largely from John’s recordings. The complex, rich textures woven into the notes on the fretboard are illuminated by Mike’s deep understanding of John’s voice as a composer, improviser, and performer. If J.S. Bach or Erik Satie had such a friend with this understanding of their repertoire, playing, and interpretations over many years it would be the ultimate go-to source. Such is the case with Mike’s book. Heart, soul, and a deep understanding of the sixty pieces have come into alignment and I believe Renbourn is looking on with his classic “thumbs-up" seal of approval!
Clive Carroll, guitarist, composer, friend and colleague of John Renbourn
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