One of my most popular videos, España Cañi by Pascual Marquina is a classical music standard, though not for guitar! Originally written for orchestra there are few transcriptions for guitar solo. I made this at the request of the phenomenal flamenco and bolero dancer Gabriela Granados.
This is the premiere performance in 2011 in Springfield, Massachusetts and filmed on point and shoot camera. Who knew it would take off!?
My arrangement has changed in a few places since 2011, but the energy and excitement of the music remains central to the realization. It combines classical and flamenco techniques into a serious solo. You can find scores (tab and standard notation) in my website STORE.
A brief video demonstrating how one can practice a “lick/run” using rhythmic variations and groupings. The music is from Tango En Skaï by Roland Dyens.
Here’s a video of the complete piece (with lots of variation):
Many who follow me on socials have learned about my love of coffee, specifically espresso. In 2008 I had the pleasure of traveling to Sardinia and Bologna, Italy for concerts. On this trip, I noticed that espresso tasted quite differently than in the US, and it did not cause the negative effects on my body that I was accustomed to. Since then I have delved into the exploration of espresso!
I recall visiting the home of Maestro Pepe Romero for a New Year’s Eve Party, and seeing his counter tops covered in espresso machines, at least 6! He told me most of them were gifts from his students who knew that he and family loved espresso. Soon after he was in Boston for concerts, and we stopped for an espresso on the way back to the airport. He told me espresso was very important to musicians and especially guitarists. He did not say why, and I did not question him. He’s Pepe Romero and he was preaching to the choir!
My newest addition to our espresso family is the Stradiveri by the Italian company La Pavoni.
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The first biography of John Cage!
I read this book in early 2012 as I was starting my journey of arranging Cage’s Six Melodies for violin and guitar. Though many of the ideas were quite new to me, I found the writing accessible and the ideas exhilarating. Many of the concerts I had experienced as a student at the New England Conservatory made much more sense!
From Amazon: James Pritchett describes just what it was Cage did and why and how he did it. The book is centered around extensive descriptions of the most important works and compositional techniques, including in-depth explanations of the role of chance and indeterminacy in Cage’s music. Dr Pritchett also considers the relationship of Cage’s musical thought to his interests in such diverse subjects as Eastern philosophy and religion, Marshall McLuhan, and anarchism (among many others). This book thus makes the essential introduction to Cage’s musical world.
The Mysticism of Sound and Music: The Sufi Teaching of Hazrat Inayat Khan
Hazrat Inayat Khan (1882-1927) wrote one of the most influential books on music and sound that I have experienced. Recommended to me when I was an undergraduate by the late New England Conservatory educator/provost and sitar player Peter Row, the book delves into the power of sound as experienced through the Sufism and music of South India. It is not enough for me to say it has had an effect on my approach to music and life. I think of it daily with every tuning of my strings. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This is a video I made as part of a group lecture given for the 2021 Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) on the subject ‘Developing Successful Practice Habits’ on Friday, June 25, 2021. Music: Lullaby For Children Of The New World by Ricardo Odriozola
Watch Aaron’s latest video ‘Steps and Leaps’ for guitar and electronics by Tom Flaherty. Inspired by the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing, it includes percussion, effects, and a few other things.
Video by Aaron and art work by Agustín Castilla-Ávila. Premiered for the New Music Gathering on August 16, 2021. In-person premiere on August 27-28 at the Windhover Center for the Performing Arts, Rockport, Massachusetts
Steps and Leaps (2019) by Tom Flaherty was composed for the 50th anniversary of the first human landing on the moon, its title inspired by Neil Armstrong’s first words from the surface of the moon, “One small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind.” The music brings to my mind the beating hearts, ticking clocks, interlocking actors, rising tension, and release into weightlessness that I associate with that first lunar landing.
“Steps and Leaps” is dedicated to Aaron Larget-Caplan
I made this video for the 2021 Guitar Foundation of America Conference as part of a group lecture on Practice Habits. It focuses on the integration of the use of a Practice Calendar into our daily practice. The video is 5min. What do you think? Do you have a way of keeping yourself organized?
In June and July, I was very lucky to speak with some wonderful people for radio and podcasts about my recent releases, being a classical guitarist, inspiration, and collaborating with composers.
Guitar Around The World with Kevin Collins • July 13, 2021 • Listen Now
Contemporary Guitar Blog with Trevor Babb • June 27, 2021 • Listen Now (YT)
What Do You Want To Do? with Leonard Caplan • June 12, 2021 • Listen Now (YT)
Guitar Around The World with Kevin Collins • June 8, 2021 • Listen Now
Kevin Collins is a classical guitarist who directs Red Barn Music School in Northampton, Mass. and has a deep history of performing throughout the world. His new radio show, ‘Guitar Around The World’, is dedicated to the guitar and features a new artist each week, including historical figures like Oscar Ghiglia!. Each show features discussion on various topics from guitar to arts in society, and includes music.
Trevor Babb is a fellow Colorado native and guitarist who is based in Rhode Island. His young show, ‘Contemporary Guitar Blog’ is on YouTube and features guitarists from around the world. In-depth questions and discussion about one of my favorite topics, new music, makes this show a must for guitar enthusiasts.
Leonard Caplan (no relation) is a producer, teacher, and music lover. His show ‘What Do You Want To Do? is on YT and features artists, people in business, writers and more. The show explores inspiration and how one got to where they are in their field. I’ve known Leonard since 2007, he has interviewed me for various shows over the years, and his style is relaxed and focused. A wonderful introduction to many areas of creation. I talk about my journey from electric guitar as a child to classical guitar. Music sample: Asturias by Albéniz.
Top–>Bottom: Kevin Collins and Aaron, Trevor Babb and Aaron, Aaron and Leonard Caplan
