J. S. Beatles

I tune my guitar down two half-steps, from E to D, A to G, D to C, and B to A.  Recently, I found out this was the tuning McCartney used when writing Yesterday.

And I like the way Lennon started out strumming only three-string chords in the band.  I often like to strum or pluck three note chords, though for different reasons.  I like the minimal effect, a near cello form of only two strings max at a time.  And because I process simultaneous notes not only as harmonic but as progression variations from the previous notes (as I improvise or compose).  Kind of an inverse corollary of what is said of Bach, that he thought of melody as horizontal chords (i.e. arpeggios), which of course he did.

Speaking of Bach and The Beatles, they quoted him, I believe it was, three times on their records.  I don't think Bach ever quoted them, but certainly would have, if time permitted (to use the cliche' in a novel expression).

A number of people are put forth as the fifth Beatle.  I'm adding  J. S. Bach to the list.

There is always more to be working on in music.  This year, it seems, I will be drawn to working more on the piano and guitar.  Which instruments I work most on changes year by year.

On the guitar, I have been working on inner voices, (progressions of not only the top note melody and the bass line but a third counterpoint between the two).  And I have been surprised how nice it it to write and play just at-below the fret and make use of quarter tones in my pieces.