Pearl of Strings

As all guitarists know the type of string used can make a huge difference to a performance.
It is therefore always a delight to come across a product which really makes a difference.
However, not so much of a delight when the newly released strings are currently unavailable and you have a tour pending.

This is the situation we found ourselves in recently.
Robin was in Australia having just completed a trip, and he asked me to order 6 new sets of, Cantiga New Cristal 510 CR strings, urgently.
With only 5 days at home there was little room for delay.

However, after trying all our usual outlets, the new Cantiga strings were proving difficult to obtain. The problem was that they are very new. Just being launched and, as yet, not readily available.

As these new strings really worked better than any others on his instruments he was reluctant to use anything else. In fact the analogy he used was, 'It would be like driving a Polo when you have been used to a Porsche....'

But help was at hand.
Savarez heard of our plight and immediately sent 6 sets for the forthcoming trip.



Robin was delighted, and whilst he was still away I asked him to write down his thoughts on guitar strings and why these were so important. This is what he sent:

Pearl of Strings

I am always experimenting with different guitar strings and all have
different characteristics and qualities (and defects in some cases). They also have the ability to substantially colour and change the voice of an instrument.

My two main classical guitars are made by the great Miguel Rodriguez of Cordoba, a 1980 cedar top and a 1976 'Churchdoor' cedar top. Both instruments are outstanding. I also have a 1963 flamenco by Manuel Reyes.

In my early playing days at college and with the Hill/Wiltschinsky Duo I
used Savarez Pink Card strings......these can be heard on our debut recording, 'Arrival' on iTunes. Over the years I have tried just about every available string by numerous different manufacturers.

Whenever a new string appears on the market I am eager to try it. Thus it
was with the new Cantiga strings by Savarez.

They are a revelation, possessing an unequalled resonance, sustain,
intonation and longevity and a pleasing lack of abrasiveness which is kind to the nails.
In short I consider these strings to be a quantum leap in the evolution of
the classical guitar string.
Nothing else currently available compares.

Robin Hill – 2011

I was equally delighted with the rather nice pen they also sent:



And if you are wondering what happens to all these strings once the concert has been performed, well, you may be interested in this old post, 'The Many and Varied Uses of Savarez Guitar Strings'.

A Man, A Guitar and A Song...

There are many hazards when travelling, particularly with musical instruments.

As regular readers will know, we have frequently had problems, especially with lost luggage.
Here are just a few random posts: 'A case of the Borrowed Tuxedo', 'The Robin Hill Saga' and 'No News is Good News?'

But by far the worst situation Robin has dealt with was this one, 'Missing - Miguel Rodriguez Churchdoor...'

Thankfully, we have never had the problem that Dave Carrol of the band, 'Sons of Maxwell' has had to deal with.
You can read the full story here: 'United Breaks Guitars'.
But below is Dave Carrol's musical response to the whole situation. It's worth watching, and also to remember, never come between a man and his guitar...
I wish Dave Carrol the very best of luck with any future guitars.

Microphones and Hecklers

Judging by the title of this post you may be thinking that the concert yesterday didn't go too well.
Actually, it went very well indeed.
However, (I'm sure you can sense a but coming on), for the first two pieces the microphone wasn't working.
I don't know why, a sound check had been carried out earlier in the day.
So whilst Robin struggled on stage, behind the scenes chaos ensued, as the engineers tried to correct the problem.

Luckily Robin has a magnificent guitar.
On this trip he has taken his Miguel Rodriguez Churchdoor, which is a powerful instrument.
Also, Robin is known for his ability to create a huge sound.
So all was not lost.
The audience could hear, and, after the first two pieces the microphone was fixed.
Mind you, it isn't exactly conducive to relaxing 'into' ones concert...

Just as he recovered from this incident, a passing Spanish man, outside the theatre, shouted, "Concierto de Aranjuez," into the venue, before beating a hasty retreat.
As hecklers go, it could have been much worse!

But what should a musician do in this situation?
Ignore the interruption and pretend it never happened?
Stop playing and break into 'Concierto de Aranjuez' just to show he can?
Run outside and 'deal' with the perpetrator?

Well, as it happened Robin was about to introduce the next piece, through one of his now functioning microphones, so his reaction was to say, "No microphone and a heckler - this is not my day."

It was the right thing to do.
The audience were very amused, and he received a huge laugh.
I've always thought Robin has a secret desire to be a stand up comic.

But the serious point to all this is that being a musician is so much more than just producing the music.
Audiences want to be entertained.
Yes they have come to hear the music, but appearance, and stage presence, is so important.
You have to look in control, even if at times you don't particularly feel it.

Personally, I also feel that talking to the audience is vital.
It's such a great opportunity to engage them and pass on interesting information about the music they are about to hear.
This only enhances the whole experience.

But for many musicians this can be a huge ordeal. They are comfortable whilst playing their chosen instrument, but very uncomfortable with public speaking.

Fortunately, not Robin.
He has always talked to his audiences.
He feels that playing the notes is the difficult part, (and also the part he is so passionate about), so the speaking feels easy.
Having said that, all these years of experience have made a huge difference.
He has learnt what type of conversation people enjoy.
Like anything else, preparation is important.
You need to have thought about what you want to say before you go on stage. Not wait and hope inspiration strikes whilst under the blinding stage lights.
It won't, especially if you find the interaction with the audience difficult to start with.

However, you can't prepare for every eventuality, as Robin found out yesterday. That's where years of experience plays a very large role.
Assessing the situation, and making a split second decision on how to handle it, isn't always easy.

But judging from the comments Robin has been receiving since the concert, everyone was happy.
That's good news, as after all, it is why Robin's there.
To make music and to entertain.

Acapulco Again

Robin spent yesterday in Acapulco, Mexico.
As his first concert isn't until Friday, he allowed himself some time on land, and went to visit a few familiar places.
He was, after all, only there a few weeks ago, and likes it very much.
But Robin doesn't always seek out the tourist sights.
His obsession with the guitar is all consuming.
This is one place he found in one of the back streets of Acapulco.



These guitars may not be like his Miguel Rodriguez 'Churchdoor', but it's a great photo, and a scene you are unlikely to come across in any street in the UK!

If cars are more your thing, then the Mexicans seem particularly keen on PT Cruisers.
Here is the latest delivery:



Robin is now back out at sea and will be cruising the Pacific for the next two days, on the QE2.
So that should give him plenty of time to prepare for his concert.

Meanwhile I am recovering from the early start that the new school term brings.
I'm about to make another cup of coffee to ease my way into the day, and any guilt of drinking this stimulant, has been dispelled by this recent report.

Singapore for Robin - Da Vinci Code Cracking for Me

Robin has now arrived in Singapore and is settling into his room on Crystal Symphony. His first, of two concerts, isn't for a few days, which is excellent news, as I'm sure he needs a few days to recover from the journey.
You would think he would lay down and relax for a while, but no, when I spoke to him he was repairing a nail.
Before he left America, Robin e mailed me a new piece he has composed called, 'A Passage to New York'.
Sight reading isn't really my thing, and despite Robin assuring me I would be fine with it, I feel some work is required.

Not as much as Thomas and Stuart Mitchell though.
They were intrigued by the markings on the arches of a chapel of a church featured in 'The Da Vinci Code'. Using their musical knowledge they have unlocked the notes of a piece of music that has been hidden for centuries. It's an interesting story by Richard Alleyne which you can read here.
I look forward to hearing it and many congratulations to them for their perseverance.

Meanwhile, I must get back to my own code cracking. I'm keen to hear this new piece of Robin's, especially as it's dedicated to me.
At least I have the luxury of playing through it on Robin's Miguel Rodriguez guitar. He has the 'Churchdoor' with him, but his other concert guitar is here with me.
If you happen to be in Singapore, on Crystal Symphony, don't tell him that I'm torturing his music on his precious guitar....

Miguel Rodriguez 'Churchdoor' passes the Sound Check

Robin has settled in on board ship but there has been little time to relax.
Most of the day has been spent practicing in preparation for his first concert tonight.
He decided to take his Miguel Rodriguez 'Churchdoor' on this trip and was looking forward to trying it out in the theatre.
This afternoon he went along for a sound check and although the acoustics in the theatre were very dry, the Churchdoor was completely unfazed, and produced its usual bright, vibrant and powerful sound.
Robin therefore decided to play unamplified.
He always prefers to, but sometimes it just isn't possible, you just have to try the venue out when you get there and make a decision.
Whilst running through the sound check there were actually a few people sitting in the theatre who gave an enthusiastic round of applause at the end.
Robin told them, 'That's only the rehearsal', so I hope they go back later to hear the real thing.

And Relax...

Despite the trauma of yesterday it was pretty much business as usual here. We did take time out to chat over a coffee a little more than usual, most of it conducted in a whisper as Robin was still rather hoarse from straining his vocal cords yesterday. Good job son number one was at school, I didn't want him learning any new words. (Son number two was playing with his lego oblivious of the chaos around him.)
Robin was also spoilt for choice, which guitar to play. The Churchdoor recently returned from unscheduled globe trotting, or the other Miguel Rodriguez freshly retrieved from Paul Fischer's workshop. (Incidentally, we are delighted with the refretting and renewed polish to the neck, it's sounding fantastic.)
I had my own dilemma. What do you feed a man who has just returned from 10 days of 6* luxury dining?
Answer: Home made fava soup.