New Sheet Music for Guitar by Robin Hill - Arrangements of Bach & Pachelbel

After Robin's many years as both performer and composer it is not surprising that huge amounts of both hand written and printed scores abound around our home. For anyone associated with a musician it will probably be no surprise to hear that this music can turn up in the most unexpected places. A Fandango in the Freezer for example...

But in our case much of the music is either original compositions or arrangements.
We have a vast archive of guitar duo, solo, orchestral, guitar & flute etc.etc. There are literally hundreds of pieces of music.

So it is with great excitement that I can announce that we are gradually going to release these arrangements as digital sheet music.

The difficult part was deciding where to begin, so, we have opted for a selection of two very well known classics and an original piece by Robin.

'Canon' by Johann Pachelbel. Arranged by Robin Hill

Pachelbel's 'Canon' is such a beautiful piece of music it isn't surprising it is so popular. Although some arrangements for guitar of this classic are available Robin felt he would like to create something new which would be idiomatic for the guitar.

It is 7 pages long and contains some new, original material and has been well received in concert.
Our edition includes both standard notation, with fingering, and also tablature.
You can find it here.

'Prelude No.1' from 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Robin Hill

Originally in C major Robin has transposed and arranged this piece into the more guitar friendly key of E major. 'Prelude No.1', from 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' is 5 pages long and includes fingering and tablature. You can find it here.

'Return to Islay' By Robin Hill

'Return to Islay' is an original composition inspired by a visit to the beautiful Hebridean Island. The piece reflects the island's simple, natural beauty and has proved a very popular, and often requested, concert item.
You can hear Robin playing Return to Islay here and the sheet music can be found here.

'The Guitar Gymnasium' by Robin Hill

Or to give it its full title, 'The Guitar Gymnasium, A Mental and Physical Workout, Designed to Develop Flawless Technique.'
I have written about this book before, 'Performance and Practice,' and 'Musical Practice Tips.'

It is available instantly here, or from the warehouse here.

We will be adding to this catalogue of available pieces over time so please check back regularly.

Samba, Bossa Nova and the Joy of Latin Homework

It has been very nice to have Robin home for a few weeks but he has not been idle.

He has been working hard on an alternative show which he has been asked to organise, featuring himself, plus an extensive band.

The pieces are varied, ranging from original compositions to arrangements of standards, which have all been given the 'Hill' treatment. There's everything from latin/jazz to swing and even some rock.

One piece, an original composition, is called Brasilia.

This is in a bossa nova style featuring guitar, bass, flute, clarinet, alto & tenor sax, trumpet, trombone, Latin American percussion and even a cuica. All resulting in a rather fabulous latin/jazz feel.

'Dolor de Muelas', which has recently been nominated for an award, is a piece in a samba style which has also been given the 'Big Band' treatment.

Arrangements have also been done for a number of well known pieces such as 'Can't Buy Me Love', 'Bach Prelude', 'Fragile', 'Here Comes the Sun', 'This Masquerade' 'Classical Gas' and many more, all naturally heavily featuring the guitar.

Amongst this musical extravaganza will also be a few pieces from Robin's solo guitar repertoire.

The whole show will be taken for a test drive before too long, and we will be searching for various musicians at some point.
But be warned, Robin is known for writing rather tricky trumpet parts, you only have to listen to 'Celebration' in the sidebar to see what I mean...
You can read more about Force Ten here.

Paul Griffin is responsible for hitting the very high notes on the trumpet. Based in New York, Paul was the product of a very musical background. His father Chris was one third of Benny Goodman's 'Biting Brass' trumpet section, and Paul himself played at John F. Kennedy's funeral.

I wonder if we can coax Paul back out on the road. That would be some show....

Pugwash Puganini Hill

We have had a very exciting weekend.
Many months ago son number two was promised a puppy.
He's too young to remember the whole 'puppy' experience and was desperate for his own small furry friend.
Having established that this wasn't just a passing phase we finally relented.
So, here she is, introducing:

Pugwash Puganini Hill




She is a delightful little girl, a cross between a Pug and a West Highland White, therefore known as a Pugland.
Having taken delivery of her on Saturday she has managed to make herself very much at home, and win over all the Hillhouse members, human and furry.

In fact as I type, at a rather unusual angle, she has fallen asleep on my knee.
Fortunately she has a big, confident personality, despite her size, as she has a lot of different noises to get used to.

So far, luckily for us, she is very happy with the sound of the guitar.
There was a momentary hesitation with the violin, but she has now got over that.
And she appears perfectly at ease with the harmonica and the tambourine, (yes, all played regularly here at Hillhouse.)
We haven't subjected her to the drums yet, much too loud for those little ears.

So watch this space.
Traditionally every pet we have ever introduced into our home has had a piece of music composed for them.
Pugwash Puganini will be no exception.
Expect something big.
Although small she is full of character, and her Dad's smitten...

New Release on CD Baby 'Eyes That Talk To The Sky'

Today I can announce that a new CD has been released on CD Baby.

'Eyes That Talk To The Sky' is now available on CD Baby, with iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, and many others to follow shortly.

This is a very different album, comprising of all original Robin Hill compositions, which have been inspired by Robin's fascination with the island of Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island.

As long as I have known Robin he has been intrigued by this curious and enigmatic place, which is reflected in this recording, by lyrical and emotional guitar compositions.

It's the sort of CD that you should put on, sit back, and relax...and after the last few days here at Hillhouse, that is exactly what I shall be doing this evening.
Go over and have a listen to the clips and I hope you enjoy!

'The Incredible Lightness of Being' - Robin Hill

'The Incredible Lightness of Being', which is track 8 on, 'Robin Hill's Eklectica', was composed by Robin, specifically for the quartet.

The piece begins with a solo guitar introduction and a fine example of the tremelo technique, which is fluent and rhythmic, setting the tone for the whole piece.
After the introduction there is a change of tempo, commencing with the guitar, which plays a demanding and energetic semiquaver sequence, 'moto perpetuo', which continues throughout the rest of the piece.

Gradually the other instruments are introduced, starting with the piano.
As the marimba joins in I'm afraid the extract then stops, but the piece goes on to culminate with all four musicians playing together.

I have always found this piece very intriguing.
It draws the listener in and mesmerises with it's constantly evolving repetition in a very satisfying way.
An ideal piece of music to sit back, close your eyes, and let the music take you wherever you want to go.

It often reminds me of timelapse photography of city life, where the sound of traffic and people going about their busy lives is removed, and replaced with this much calmer and hypnotic soundtrack.
Listen for yourself and come up with your own conclusions.

Meanwhile here at Hillhouse, Robin is enjoying his time at home, whilst preparing for his next trip.
Today his mission was connected with school.
Son number two has been enjoying animal/wildlife week.
Whilst Robin was away a letter was sent home asking if any parent would like to take a pet in to show to the children.
I volunteered Robin, and then let hom know, by email.
Today was the day.
He got up early to take Miss.Bimps (our chocolate labrador) out for a run in the hopes that it would take the edge off her enthusiasm.
Son number two was very excited.
Off they went.
It was a huge success. The class of 4 and 5 year olds loved her, and, she was very well behaved.
The most amusing part in these situations are always the questions session.
There were the usual, "How many walks does she have?", "Why Miss.Bimps?" (see other entries on Mozart's dog...), but most amusing, "How many dogs are there in the universe?"
To which Robin replied he didn't know, and one small boy added, "I think there's about 100."
Robin was so pleased he was here to carry out this parental responsibility. One of those occasions that would have been very sad for all concerned if he had missed it.

Robin Hill's 'Eklectica'

A new CD is now available from CD Baby and within the next few weeks will also be accessable from all major digital distribution stores.

I'm actually quite envious of any of you unfamiliar with these pieces, which will be most of you, as some of them are original compositions!
You are in for a real treat.
Robin has collaborated with three other musicians to provide an eclectic mix of classical guitar, jazz piano, and, even some electric guitar and electric sitar.

For now, go over and have a listen, and over the next few days I'll tell you a bit more about each piece.

Here's the link: Robin Hill's 'Eklectica'.

Robin Hill's New Site - Download Sheet Music for 'Return to Islay'

We are very pleased to announce the launch of a new site today, 'Robin Hill', which has many exciting features.

You can access this blog, read all about Robin in his biography, look at a few pictures in the gallery, watch some videos, and, feel free to leave a message in the guest book!

One of the most exciting aspects is the store.
For more than 30 years Robin has arranged, and composed, many pieces for solo guitar, duo guitar, guitar and flute, orchestra and original compositions.
We have literally hundreds of scores to hand.
So, we have decided to gradually add them to the site, so any aspiring guitarists can download the piece of their choice, and start some serious practice.

This will be a gradual process and I'll update as we go along and inform you of any new pieces we have added.

We have started with one of Robin's most popular solo guitar pieces, 'Return to Islay', so the sheet music is now available to download. In fact, in various parts of the world, people have already done so!

We are often asked if Robin's music is available in tablature form. So, due to popular demand, he is arranging each piece, so you will have normal notation, with fingering, and tablature.
That's why the pieces will be appearing gradually, but you can't play them all at once anyway...

As I have severe technophobic tendencies, I would like to add that all this couldn't have been achieved without the help of our friend, Andre.
So thank you Andre!

Notes on a Recorder to Notes on a Scandal

Robin has been consumed by composition.
Not for the guitar, or, the piano.
Not for a band or electric guitar.
But for the recorder.

Son number one innocently remarked that he may like to play 'Over the Sea to Skye', in the school concert, with his friend.
"I'll do an arrangement for you then", was Robin's reply.

Two hours later we had a fantastic arrangement, and a 'Von Trapp' family moment, as we played through the piece.
As we only had one descant recorder in the house I had to dig out my old tenor recorder and we were then able to play through the piece.

Robin wasn't satisfied so off he went again to make some alterations.
By the time he reappeared the piece had now gained triangle and sleigh bells....
Son number one was beginning to look very worried.

Who knows what the outcome will be...

Meanwhile, while Robin went back to his music, I read an interesting and detailed account of the Joyce Hatto fiasco, by Mark Singer.
You can read Singer's, 'Notes on a scandal' here.

Robin Hill and Travis Bean...Rewind to Fast Forward

Whilst taking a break from his guitar practice, Robin found an old cassette, which brought back a lot of memories.
It was the recording of a jam session, in 1984, with one of his bands, 'Hooper', in which Robin is playing his aluminium necked Travis Bean guitar. (As played by Stanley Jordan).
The band members were:

Robin Hill - Electric guitar
Julian Gregory - Violin
Peter Willmott - Bass
Tony Relph - Drums
Vinnie Parker - Keyboards

With the exception of Tony Relph, who very sadly died a few years ago, all the other band members are still actively performing. In fact Julian Gregory and Peter Willmott are both members of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and Julian Gregory is also a member of the progressive rock band, 'Strangefish'.

There were four tracks on this particular cassette and we decided to put one on the blog today.
Whilst the sound quality isn't good, you have to remember it wasn't designed to be released, and has been taken from those old fashioned things called, 'tapes'. However your ear will adjust quickly.

All the tracks are Robin's compositions, and the one you can hear today, is called, 'Fast Forward'.
What I found interesting as I listened, and as Robin explained the piece to me, was that whilst the basic themes and structure were pre-composed, there was much space for improvisation.
As the piece progresses you can hear the virtuosic interplay between the violin and the electric guitar, which is all improvised.
Robin plays a theme and Julian replies.
Robin plays faster, Julian plays faster.
All held together with bass, drums and keyboards.

It would be very exciting to record this piece again using the equipment that is now available.
But for now, I hope you enjoy, Hooper playing 'Fast Forward'. Whilst I repair a problem you can find it in the player situated in the side bar.

George Bernard Shaw and Musical Composition

Musical composition is a strange thing.
This is what George Bernard Shaw had to say about it:

"The fact is, there are no rules,
and there never were any rules,
and there will never be any rules of musical composition except rules of thumb;
and thumbs vary in length, like ears."
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

We have recently been hearing some fantastic music coming from the studio, and music room, and for the last few days it seems to have all been at a rather fast tempo.
For example, 'Caprice No.7 by Luigi Legnani', which I put on the blog the other day, to remind yourself click here.
But also the instantly recognisable style of Bach.

The mind is a complex and amazing organ which somehow has the ability to flit from one piece to another, remembering thousands of notes as it goes.
This was brought home to me, as I listened from afar, but then an unfamiliar sound reached my ears.

I recognised it as 'distant composition', a calm, quiet, slow and peaceful piece of music had forced its way into Robin's consciousness and was trying to get out.
It was such a different style to the pieces he has been playing for a few days that I was a little surprised.
So I asked him about it.
The response was, "It's like a sorbet to refresh my mind."
I know exactly what he meant!

Rain Stops Play?

I'm afraid it will be very brief this evening.
Time seems to have run away with me.
Sports day went off very well and we only got drenched for the last half and hour......

Now Robin is back to his recording. Although I hear the sound of distant composition - so I think some idea must have forced its way into his consciousness and temporarily taken over.

Normal service, from both of us, should hopefully resume tomorrow!