I started playing guitar in Jr. High School - teaching
myself the popular folk and rock styles. After I got
out of high school, I had the opportunity to study with some
of Milwaukee's finest jazz players - there's a wonderful,
rich guitar tradition in the greater metro area. I am
grateful that people have shared music theory, harmony, and
guitar technique with me. Here are some of the songs I
enjoy playing the most.
These are the streaming versions - click on
the links below and the videos will pop-up in a new
window. Click the PLAY button on lower left to view.
In my
podcast feed, I have another
version of the featured music videos in a format compatible
with iPods and Zunes.
Amazing
Grace. This is one of the most
popular hymns in the world. In this version, In this
instrumental version, I've arranged the melody in a
bluesy context. I find it a moving piece and always
dedicate it, saying a silent prayer, to those that "once
were lost, but now are found."
Amazing
Grace: Hope, Change, and Freedom.
This lesson celebrates African American
Heritage by reviewing slavery in America, the
inspiring story of the song Amazing Grace, and what
that song has meant to different people over the
years.
Bourrée.
This piece, by Bach, is a tribute to a dance of French
origin common in Auvergne and Biscay in Spain in the
17th century. It is danced in quick double time. My
version uses a swing feel - couldn't find any Bourrée
dancers, so I have baby elephants playing.
Chicken
Shack. Here's an "old style" blues
- the bouncing rhythm has its roots in a style of organ
music played long ago. This video features some film
from the 1920's and Farmer Gray's chicken shack and egg
operation.
Greensleeves.
This haunting melody is hundreds of years old. One
legend is that it was written by England's King Henry
the XIII (1491-1547) and refers to his second wife, Anne
Boleyn.
L'Amour
Est Bleu/Love Is Blue. A song
written by André Popp (music) and Pierre Cour (lyrics)
in 1967, most know if from a recording by Paul Mauriat.
It's a powerful melody, that describes the pleasure and
pain of love.
Late
Freight. This traditional style
blues features the rumble of a steam locomotive and
freight train - no other machine created by man has
intrigued and inspired so many. The video features the
Union Pacific's Big Boy - the largest steam locomotive
to ever work the rails.
Over
the Rainbow. Where do we go to find
our dreams? Influenced by the late, great Chet Atkins, I
first worked this guitar arrangement out many years ago
and its one of my favorite pieces - an escape and
soothing release.
Rambunctuous.
An old "head tune" that generations have shared,
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines the term as
"marked by uncontrollable exuberance, unruly." I
get some help from Felix the Cat and a
1920's silent film that is now in the public domain - April Maze (part 1).
Rim
Shot We have probably all heard a
comedian tells a joke that bombs and a drummer hits a
"rim shot". I learned it as an old "head tune". In this
video, I get some help from Felix the Cat
and a 1920's silent film that is now in the public
domain - April Maze (part 2).
Rock-A-Bye
Baby Here's a peaceful song that I
play to help children sleep or to provide a quiet
atmosphere for reading or independent work. My
version has a "jazz waltz" feel, a subtle difference
that you will feel. The video features clips from
an old animation that is in the public domain.
Starry
Starry Night (Vincent). Vincent Van
Gogh was an artist ahead of his time - the vivid
impressionist style that he created still captivates the
imagination. This music video features
images from the Hubble spacecraft and distant galaxies.
Sweet
Georgia Brown. This upbeat
old-time jazz standard is a lot of fun. Many recognize
it as the theme song for the Harlem Globetrotters. For
years, I didn't think I could work it out as a
solo-guitar arrangement, keeping the melody intact,
but here it is.
What
I Did For Love. From the Musical
"Chorus Line," this instrumental guitar version
features the lyrics and a montage from the Broadway
production. It's a healing piece, about acceptance and
gratitude for things we have, things we have lost, and
things that are still with us.
When
I'm 64.I have always admired the
melodic guitar work of George Harrison. I created this
instrumental arrangement using some of the lines that
are used in the Beatles version. The video features
pictures and video clips from the movie, Yellow
Submarine.
Here are some samples of my music - I am
using medium gauge strings, round-wounds for D and G,
flat-wounds for low E and A. This is what creates the
separation between the bass lines, chords, and melodies. These are all "straight takes",
no editing and no effects other than reverb - I wanted you
to hear the way it would if we shared music in
the living room.
The mix is optimized for CD players, some
computer speaker systems may not handle the full tonal
spectrum. On a computer, these probably sound best
with headphones. Please check back soon, I will be
adding more!
I recommend using
Internet Explorer to listen to these MP3 files, other
browsers may not have the right plug-in installed. If
you don't see a small media player with the song pull-down
menu, you are missing the plug-in.
Simply pull down the top menu and select the
segment you wish to listen to. The embedded media
player will load the file you select. Click on the PLAY arrow at the left to
start listening.
You may need to click the PLAY button
twice to start the audio. When your segment is done, simply choose
another segment and click PLAY.
Contact Information:
William P. (Bill) Breitsprecher
Looking for music for your party or club? Perhaps you need
an accompanist or maybe a guitar player for a combo? I'd
love to hear from you at webmaster@clubtnt.org
To
subscribe my music podcasts, simply click the RSS icon here on
the left. Below are direct links to the music files, use these to download
to an iPod or MP3 player or if the browser you are using does
not have the required plug-in to display the media player
embedded above. Please check back - I will be adding more!
Amazing Grace (Instrumental). This is one of the
most popular hymns in the world. In this version, I've
arranged the melody in a bluesy context. I find it a
moving piece and always dedicate it, saying a silent prayer, to those that "once were
lost, but now are found."
Anji (Instrumental).
Written by British jazz guitarist David Graham, most probably know it
as "Angie," the version Paul Simon recorded (Sounds of
Silence album). This was one of the first songs I
learned (too long ago to admit) that uses a bass line, chords,
and a melody all played simultaneously on guitar.
Bill's Guitar Boogie
(Instrumental). Years ago, I used to frequent a legendary Chicago
blues club - Biddy Mulligans (now gone). The greats all played there,
including Albert Collins, Johnny Lee Hooker, Matt Guitar Murphy, and local legends too like
Buddy Guy, Lefty Diz and
Mighty Joe Young. I wrote this to recapture the raucous feel
and rhythm of the Chicago styles blues I remember from that era.
Bourree (Instrumental).
I studied classical guitar for a year in college. This
piece, by Bach, is a tribute to a dance of French origin
common in Auvergne and Biscay in Spain in the 17th century. It
is danced in quick double time. My version uses a swing
feel. I don't know if mu classical guitar teacher would
approve of the changes I have made, but I enjoy playing this
with a jazzier feel.
Chicken Shack
(Instrumental). Here's an "old style"
blues - a shuffle with a very different feel than what most
play today, very different than the "Guitar Boogie" above. The bouncing rhythm has its roots in a style
of organ music played long ago. It is a "head tune," shared
by ear, never written out.
Christmas Song/Chestnuts Roasting on an
Open Fire (Instrumental). A classic song
with a jazz feel - in my opinion, the ultimate holiday guitar
song, but don't take my word for it, please listen yourself.
Greensleeves/What Child Is This
(Instrumental). One of the most
beautiful songs ever written - the haunting melody in this
tune is hundreds of years old. I have seen it attributed
to King Henry the Eighth, however, I doubt that this man had
the sensitivity to write such a beautiful song. Its fun
to play and around Christmas time, it doubles as a carol -
What Child Is This?
Over the Rainbow
(Instrumental). Where do we go to
find our dreams? Influenced by the late, great Chet Atkins, I first
worked this guitar arrangement out many years ago and its one of my favorite
pieces - an escape and soothing release.
Rambunctious
(Instrumental). An old "head tune" that generations have
shared, Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines the term as
"marked by uncontrollable exuberance, unruly." You be the
judge.
Silent Night Medley (Instrumental).
Written in Germany on a guitar when the church's organ
broke before Christmas, this song is beautiful in its simplicity,
taking advantage of the range and voicing of the instrument. I have
tied it to a favorite lullaby as a tribute to the newborn
savior, Jesus Christ, My Lord and Savior.
Silver Bells
(Instrumental). This is one of my favorite Christmas
songs. I remember singing this at a Christmas pageant at
school when I was a child. I have based my guitar
arrangement on the memories I have from that choral
arrangement I learned in my youth.
Sweet Georgia Brown
(Instrumental). This upbeat old-time jazz standard is a
lot of fun. Many recognize it as the theme song for the
Harlem Globetrotters. For years, I didn't think I could
work it out as a solo-guitar arrangement, keeping the melody
intact, but here it is.
Vincent/Starry Starry Night (Instrumental). 2
tributes in one: Don McClean's beautiful ballot for
artist Vincent Van Gogh and master guitar player Chet Atkins.
This is what I remember from a transcription of Chet's guitar
arrangement that I learned long ago. It is still one of
my favorite pieces, fully highlighting the rich resonance that
a guitar can produce.
What I Did For Love
(Instrumental). From the Musical "Chorus Line," I
have always found this a healing piece to play. I sang
it in a high school swing choir years ago and have
incorporated the harmonies I remember in this arrangement.
I don't sing it anymore, I play it when I need to be grateful
for the things I have had, things that I have lost, and things
that are still with me.
When I'm Sixty-Four
(Instrumental). I
have always admired
the melodic guitar work of George Harrison, especially the
chord melodies that set the mood for many of the Beatle's
songs. I created this instrumental arrangement using some
of the lines
that are used in the Beatles version.
When You Wish Upon a Star
(Instrumental). A great
tune from Pinocchio, I have given it a "swing feel."
I am not sure if Jiminy Cricket could keep up with this tempo,
but I like it. This song is a lot of fun to share with children and you have
to love the positive, upbeat message.
Amazing
Grace: Hope, Change, and Freedom
Chicken
Shack
L'Amour
Est Bleu/Love Is Blue
Late
Freight
Rambunctuous.
Rim
Shot
Rock-A-Bye
Baby
Sweet
Georgia Brown
What
I Did For Love
When
I'm 64.
