An Open Tunings Christmas for Guitar Book/Cd Set [Paperback]

Steve Baughman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

This is the first book ever of Yuletide music arranged for solo guitar in various "open" or "altered" tunings. In this genre of guitar music, the instrument is re-tuned to create a voicing ideally suited for each particular song. This book contains ten Christmas tunes and covers five open tunings that give voice and life to the music of the Yuletide season. The arrangements include old standards, like Silent Night and Joy to the World, and a sprinkling of more obscure tunes, such as Am Weinachts Baum die Lichte brennen. All are beautiful, time-tested songs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

An American born and raised in Southeast Asia, Steve Baughman spent his childhood in the Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur. The '60's were "in" and folk music was big, even in Southeast Asia. Like many kids of that era, he fell in love with the guitar. One day while rummaging through a part music, part bicycle shop near a Chinese fruit market, he found a dusty, probably pirated copy of Mel Bay's classic guitar method book. With that book he began the most enriching journey of his life. Steve now makes his home in San Francisco. He derives his musical style primarily from British Isles fiddlers, most significantly Martin Hayes. His album A Drop of the Pure features his extremely rhythmic and lyrical arrangements, and showcases his unique touch on the guitar.

Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786658703
• ISBN-13: 978-0786658701
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,524,908 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We are not worthy!, January 17, 2001

By 

R. MCCOSKER (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Open Tunings Christmas for Guitar Book/Cd Set (Paperback)

The preeminent teacher of the guitar is finally back with his second guitar instruction guide, the long-awaited An Open Tunings Christmas for Guitar.

Here are two important things you should know about this sublimely brilliant text with accompanying CD: (1) It can be easily studied and fully understood on its own terms, without reference to Baughman's previous guitar book, so newcomers to Baughman wonderful instruction books needn't be deterred; and (2) It's such a richly insightful, universally relevant book about musical technique that each and every string instrumentalist -- not just the guitarist -- stands to gain immeasurable new depths of polish, style, and expressiveness through its use and study. (It's a shame that the title is apt to turn off fiddlers, harpists, mandolinists, and others who will benefit as much as guitarists from the teaching of this master.)

Don't waste another minute; life is too short; order this volume right now. As to Steve Baughman: Please don't make us wait so long again for your next book. Your dedicated fans and students can't stand the wait!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Ordinary, June 9, 2001

By 

Shelley K. Childs "Disenchanted" (Roxbury X-ing, MA. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Open Tunings Christmas for Guitar Book/Cd Set (Paperback)

I love the sound of a guitar for Christmas music, and in my quest for a variety of arrangements, Steve's book stands apart from other collections that I have purchased. There is a mix of familiar and lesser known international tunes, which are not only set in an array of different tunings, but stylistically have different approaches; they don't all sound the same. As a beginner/intermediate player, I appreciate that some of the tunes I can play right away, while others entice me to improve my skills. The CD that accompanies the book will be enjoyed for the beautiful renditions of seasonal music, in addition to its instructional value.