plucking at the strings of fortune
Al date…000019
Al Bampton
Leeds based musician, guitar teacher and music tutor
Διά τὸ θαυμάζειν ἡ σοφία.
Or “Wisdom begins in wonder” to you and me, unless there are any ancient Greeks hanging about out there.
My favourite saying, which I believe is a statement first uttered by Socrates.
Question everything folks.
it works.
Have good days – Al.
Al date…000018
Al Bampton
Leeds based musician, guitar teacher and music tutor
Hi there.
I’m back, Been a long time since we rock’n’rolled.
I’m playing at El Born again in August with the wonderful Kate and Lisa. aka The Deuce Katz.
Great crowd as you can see from the picture below.
Just about worked out how to use WordPress again. Took me two days to access the account.
Al date..000017
Al Bampton
Leeds based musician, guitar teacher and music tutor
Hi there,
okay, the 15th to the 17th of August brings up the fiftieth anniversary of the most famous festival of all time – Woodstock. For me that is a bit special.
I was only eight when it took place and on the wrong side of “The Pond” as the Atlantic is often referred to but Woodstock’s impact on my life was extremely significant.
I was lucky enough to attend many festivals in the seventies and early eighties and while I saw many incredible bands no line line up came close to Woodstock’s.
My interaction with the festival was through the film which was shown regularly late on Friday nights at The Cottage road cinema in Leeds. I must have watched it at least twenty times.
There was no internet, no YouTube, no tabs and no electric guitar tutors back in the day so I came home from the film simply inspired by the music and played for hours.
I couldn’t copy Richie Haven’s rhythm on Freedom as I couldn’t remember what he did but I felt the power. Once home I just bashed the merry hell out of my guitar. My rhythm technique isn’t at all like his but my power is down to him. Thanks Richie.
As well as Richie Havens I got to see Hendrix, The Who, Sly and the Family Stone, Jefferson Airplane, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Joan Baez, Ten years After, Joe Cocker and many many more sensational acts.
Nothing blew me away more than Santana though. Back in the seventies world music didn’t really register in England and it will seem laughable now but I had never seen or heard congas played in a band. Wow, Santana turned my world upside down. The rhythm was life changing for me.
I suspect that it will have been forgotten in another fifty years which is the way of things. We will all be long gone.
I only hope the musicians, if they exist will have something like Woodstock to inspire them.
Rock On
See ya — Al.
Al date..000016
Al Bampton
Leeds based musician, guitar teacher and music tutor
Hi there,
Here are a few pictures from last Thursdays gig with The Deuce katz. We were lucky enough to get to play on the big stage in Millennium Square. Cracking night. Click on the pictures if you wish to enlarge them.
See ya — Al.
Al date..000015
Al Bampton
Leeds based musician, guitar teacher and music tutor
Hi there,
AB – Guitar tabs has just taken delivery of “Midnight” by Joe Satriani.
This is a cracking piece if you want to get your head around two handed tapping. If you are new to tapping and are not sure where the notes are coming from I would advise brushing up on your theory knowledge. It’s all in the chords.
If you want to download a free PDF of the tab click on this link — Sheet Music This will take you directly to the sheet music and tab page on my website. For the home page click the following link — alBampton.com
Skype lessons are now available
There is plenty more to come.
Have good days.
See ya — Al.
Al date..000014
Al Bampton
Leeds based musician, guitar teacher and music tutor
Hi there,
AB – Guitar tabs has just taken delivery of “The Scientist” by Coldplay.
I have transcribed Chris Martin’s piano part for the guitar. This has been a very popular tab with my pupils over the last decade or so. If you want to download a free PDF of the tab click on the link below the video.
If you want to download a free PDF of the tab click on this link — Sheet Music This will take you directly to the sheet music and tab page on my website. For the home page click the following link — alBampton.com
There is plenty more to come.
Have good days.
See ya — Al.
Al date..000013
Al Bampton
Leeds based musician, guitar teacher and music tutor
Hi there,
I am really looking forward to this one. It will be good to see James and Judith performing again and it will be Gabrielle’s first full appearance having joined her brother Oliver last time.
If you click the link below you will be able to have a listen to James and Judith who are part of a larger ensemble called The Moon Shyners.
https://moonshyners.bandcamp.com/track/coalminers
Al Bampton’s Sunday Evening Project
East of Arcadia (Meanwood)
James Raftery and Judith Watts
Gabrielle Stapleton
Al Bampton
Sunday 9th of December
7.00 pm
Be there or be somewhere else and enjoy whatever you end up doing.
See ya — Al.
Al date..000012
Al Bampton
Leeds based musician, guitar teacher and music tutor
Hi there,
Another cracking gig alert, they are coming thick and fast at the moment and long may it continue.
I will be joined by the Latin American band Mestisa and the acoustic duo Siren and Strings on Sunday the 14th. This is a really strong line up so hopefully they will get the audience the gig deserves.
If you haven’t come across Mestisa yet check out the video below.
This is rather nice as well. Siren and Strings performing Fleetwood Mac’s Songbird.
Like I said, this is a really strong line up. I for one am looking forward to it.
Al Bampton’s Sunday Evening Project
East of Arcadia (Meanwood)
Mestisa
Siren and Strings
Al Bampton
Sunday 14th of October
7.00 pm
Be there or be somewhere else and enjoy whatever you end up doing.
See ya — Al.
Al date..000011
Al Bampton
Leeds based musician, guitar teacher and music tutor
Hi there,
okay, I have finally uploaded my second theory video on to the YouTube channel AB – Music Theory
As the quick witted amongst you will note the video below is the first video and not the newly uploaded second. Intrigue?
This is because I truly believe that it is best to start any project at the very beginning. With music this is of paramount importance.
The first video deals with the five things I believe people should get their head around before the journey begins.
Hopefully the following video will be of use to you.
Video number 2 can be found on the channel so click here if you are interested. AB – Music Theory
It deals with how to easily work out the sharps needed for all the Major keys that require them.
A huge thank you to Lauren for the picture used for the video thumbnail. The young lady has just taken and passed the ABRSM grade VIII theory exam. Spot on Lauren you nailed it and all the best with your music course in York. Al’s world will miss you.
While we are at it my ABRSM grade V theory students achieved 97%, 96% and 92%. Vintage year. Well done guys you have been a pleasure to teach.
If after watching the video anybody has any comments feel free to drop me a line.(Comment as you wish)
I started teaching when I was fourteen and having now taught people for forty three years the one thing I have learnt is that we all can and will get better at what we do.
I am a better teacher than I was but not as good as the one I will be.
See ya —- Al.
Al date..000010
Al Bampton
Leeds based musician, guitar teacher and music tutor
Hi there,
Cracking gig alert. I am playing with Kate Riley and Lisa Gillingham (aka the Deuce Katz) this coming Sunday down at East of Arcadia. I love performing with these two partners in crime. Matthew Evans will be stepping back in the limelight for a set as well. It’s been a few years since I have heard him so we are excited.
Al Bampton’s Sunday Evening Project
East of Arcadia (Meanwood)
The Deuce Katz
Matthew Evans
Al Bampton
Sunday 30th of September
Be there or be somewhere else and enjoy whatever you end up doing.
See ya — Al.