Tag Archives: Malcolm MacFarlane

Big Guitar Weekend

October 30, 2011

Next weekend is Big Guitar Weekend, Scotland’s guitar event of the year. Housed in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (map here) and directed by Allan Neave, it comprises courses, master classes and concerts.

The artists involved can be seen on the event’s dedicated website. Those involved include, Paul Galbraith, Pavel Steidl and Haddington’s own Malcolm MacFarlane. You can see a photo-stream of some of the people and places involved here.

Sadly, I’m going to miss most of this as I’ll be preparing for the launch of this:

The attendant website, www.loveburns.co.uk goes live on 5 Nov.

Community, Lesson Content, Practice, Technique

Malcolm MacFarlane Masterclass

September 18, 2010 1 Comment

The Haddington Bridge Centre Music Project is offering a unique and free opportunity for young people, aged 12-25, to take part in a guitar master class on Sunday 26 September, 2.30-4.45. The class will be run by acclaimed guitarist Malcolm MacFarlane. A seasoned performer and recording artist, Malcolm also teaches at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama.

Here is a poster which you could pass on to those you feel might benefit from this opportunity: Malcolm MacFarlane Masterclass

Improvisation, Listening, Live Events, Practice, Recording, Technology, YouTube links

Loops and Glitches

April 15, 2010

Haddington-based guitarist, Malcolm MacFarlane has released an interesting, download only, album of live improvisations with effects and looping technology. It’s entitled, Loops and Glitches and you can find out more here.

Here he is in a performance of All Of Me alongside Adam Bulley from last year’s Fringe:

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/7ETaOkjEUCs?rel=0" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

… and in a filmed practice session, soloing in Herbie Hancock’s Canteloupe Island:

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/4bZCs3qs30U?rel=0" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

… and in a 2003 performance of ICE with the Scottish Guitar Quartet (note the elegant, efficient left-hand work at 1:09):

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jjbe6nuoLUk?rel=0" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Blogging, Concerts, Ensembles, Improvisation, Listening, Live Events

Scottish Guitar Quartet

April 6, 2009

Haddington’s own Malcolm MacFarlane let me know of a couple of forthcoming Scottish Guitar Quartet gigs:

Fri, 24 April, 8pm, The Lot, 4 Grassmarket, Edinburgh Tel: 0131 668 2019

Sun, 26 April, 8pm, City Halls (Recital Room), Glasgow Tel: 0141 353 8000

Concerts, Live Events, Wider Connections

Guitar @ The Fringe

June 20, 2008

Here is a list of links to concerts in the Fringe featuring solo guitar, guitar duo, guitar in mixed ensemble & guitar/vocals. These links will take you to their entries in the fringe programme – giving details of dates, times, prices. Many of these artists have their own websites where you can hear samples of their playing.

Many of these gigs take place at The Acoustic Music Centre – follow the link to view their complete programme.

Andy McKee & Don Ross (two virtuosi of acoustic guitar – normally original material)

Adam Bulley & Malcolm MacFarlane (Malcolm is a Haddington-based jazz guitarist)

Antonio Forcione & Adrian Adewale (Italian guitar virtuoso with brazilian percussionist)

Bert Jansch (legendary folk guitarist)

Billy Jones

Cafe Cadenza mercurial trumpet & recorder virtuoso John Sampson with guitarist/vocalist Stewart Hanratty

Camera Ritmata (jazz ensemble featuring former Knox lads Simon Thacker (guitar) Paul Kirby (piano)

Neil Wilson – Classical Guitar & World Music

Spyros Dendrinos

Luca Villani

Abigail James (music by Scottish composer, Eddie Maguire – for flute/guitar/piano)