For a truly unique listening experience I  offer performances on an amazing and very rare instrument - a 23 string 'Harp Guitar.'  This wonderful instrument has to be seen and heard to be believed!

 

Harp Guitars can have any combination of fretted and un-fretted strings and have been around for many centuries -  longer than 6 string guitars in fact,  and have a rich and varied but elusive history all across the globe.

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They have a sound all of their own - bigger, richer and more resonant than any 'normal' guitar - and a wider range with lower sub-basses and higher super-trebles.  The extra strings open up new worlds of musical possibilities and sonic scope.

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This instrument has a normal 6 string guitar neck, but also 7 low 'sub-bass' strings (like a Theorbo) and 10 high 'super-treble' strings which sound a little like a zither. 

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I designed this modern incarnation of the instrument myself (inspired by other similar versions) and had it made by renowned UK luthier Stuart Mewburn - a lengthy and challenging process that took nearly 5 years, but that's another story...

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I compose new and original music for Harp Guitar and that was my main reason for creating this instrument.  As a composer I draw inspiration from people, events and places I have known and tend to write in a semi impressionistic way, often trying to capture the mood or spirit of a particular place or person.

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I also play works by other Harp Guitar composers who have inspired me and also arrange existing guitar repertoire (Bach works well) and popular songs for it.

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To hear how it sounds, have a look at these videos below.