Individual transcriptions from Richard's vast music repertoire provide an accurate music platform from which to build your own collection of favorite tunes. Each transcription includes standard notation and tablature in PDF form. Study notes with technical descriptions and history of the tune are also included.
Each title is $12. When ordering, select the song titles from the option menu on the paypal button, then the selection(s)will be sent to you via email.
"Daughter of Pete's Feet"
Written on a 6-string, "Daughter of Pete's Feet" employs more of a restrained yet edgy slide technique with a bit of rhythmic syncopation, coupled with a three over two beat quarter note feel midway through the piece. It is a study of using hammer-ons and pull-offs in an open tuning (Open D from low to high D A D F# A D). The song title was literally triggered by another title, "Pete's Feet", setting up the foundation for this piece of music. "Daughter of Pete's Feet" is Track 8 on Thumbsing (GillaZilla Records 2004). It aired on NPR's All Songs Considered in June 2004. While on a 2008 tour of New Zealand, Richard performed this piece during his live interview on "Good Morning" on National Television New Zealand.
"Wazamataz"
"Wazamataz" was written with the intention that it should be played with a feeling as happy and spirited as possible - almost like a cheerful dance on the edge, stopping the piece as quickly as possible by releasing the last note rapidly. Although the tune should be played precisely as the notation indicates, the performance of the piece can vary to a degree when considering the dynamic depth, punch, and restraints needed to bring this song to life. Captured live at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville during the 2002 Muriel Anderson All Star Guitar Nights' tribute to the legendary guitarist Chet Atkins, "Wazamataz" is available on the 10th Anniversary Concert DVD from Mel Bay. It is played in Standard Tuning, key of E with the capo on the 2nd fret. "Wazamataz is Track 2 on Thumbsing (GillaZilla Records 2006)
"Have You Ever Seen a Rainbow at Night?"
"Have You Ever Seen a Rainbow at Night?" originated in the town of Picton, New Zealand following a concert at the Picton Little Theatre. Trapped inside the venue by a horrendous thunderstorm, as the promoter was entertaining Richard with stories from the islands, he picked up a classical guitar that was hanging on the wall and began plunking away on the opening lick which developed into a motif for this piece. Offers Richard, "Regarding the tempo of this piece - consider using a metronome to find a range where the piece may exist in a comfort zone for your own level of playing. In other words, for this tune I felt that a metronome click setting of 120 allowed the music to fall in the pocket for my taste. It also felt like this tempo was where the tune itself lived. " This piece is a study in ghost notes, use of the right-hand ring finger during the fingerings, and detail to the left-hand hammer on's and pull offs. "Have You Ever Seen a Rainbow at Night" is Track 3 on Thumbsing (Gillazilla Records 2004)
"Du Mond Blonde"
Written in Open C Tuning, "Du Monde Blonde" contains a number of techniques such as the elements of restraint, vibrato, hammer-ons, slides,open string transfers, development of a theme, harmonic usage, and tempo change. In addition to those elements, is the shifting of grouped fingerings between string positions, the fluidity of movement available from passage to passage, the use of a main theme an octave above the main motif, and fretting hand finger stretching. "Du Monde Blonde" is Track 10 on Voluntary Solitary (GillaZilla Records 1994)