This was the first instrumental guitar song I wrote way back in 2005. I was a professional teacher and working rock musician at that time (around 28 years old) and I was inspired by Gustavo Santaolalla’s instrumental work on his Ronroco album and The Brokeback […]

“What an extraordinary legacy the Oscar-winning composer (James Horner) has left – a huge library of work that drove and deepened some of the finest mainstream films yet made.” — The Guardian James Horner belonged to the elite group of Hollywood composers: Hans Zimmer (my […]

[Update: I can’t find this on the the official score. So it seems as though this piece of music was created specifically for the Batman v Superman trailer — which is still very cool. However, I have arranged (what I believe) is the central theme […]

“Be so good, they can’t ignore you.” ― Steve Martin A friend of mine had posted that quote on Instagram, and the timing was impeccable. It was exactly what I need to hear. For a few months I’ve been trying to take the next step […]

I love Rob Simonsen’s music. He’s truly a composer for this era. His music has a distinct dreamyness to it, and it’s perfect for the indie genre of movies that he’s most known for.  I first created a guitar arrangement for Walk in the Trees […]

“Don’t be afraid of doing nothing.” -Clint Eastwood’s advice to Scott Eastwood on screen presence. Sage advice from Clint Eastwood. If you’re a long time reader of this blog, you know my philosophy of minimalism and simplicity when it comes to music. The same holds […]

“Before I got married I had six theories about raising children; now, I have six children and no theories.” ― John Wilmot What can I say about fatherhood — that is not the typical (but totally true) things that every new parent says? Many of […]

Insurgent: How to play The Message for guitar I’m always on the lookout for compelling free material for Intellimusica. It’s a great way to introduce new readers to my guitar method at no cost to them. Also, I especially need my (free) songs to be […]

A music mentor In the mid 2000’s I was playing bass in a rock band. Despite some regional success, this band wasn’t going make it. It wasn’t for a lack of trying. We were very good — but the blown up music industry hadn’t yet […]

I love Better Call Saul. Dare I say it, I think it’s even better than Breaking Bad. Bob Odenkirk is the very definition of a ‘je ne sais quoi’. I could watch this guy play any character. [He was equally good in 2014’s oscar nominated, Nebraska.] […]

Cymatics (from Greek: κῦμα “wave”) is the study of visible sound co vibration, a subset of modal phenomena. Typically the surface of a plate, diaphragm, or membrane is vibrated, and regions of maximum and minimum displacement are made visible in a thin coating of particles, […]

The ambient, dream-pop score of the 80’s set, White Bird in a Blizzard was created by Robin Guthrie, famously of the (ambient, dream-pop) band, the Cocteau Twins.  Even though I’m playing this chorus, delay and reverb soaked song on a nylon-string guitar, it still sounds […]