We have a late-breaking opportunity of special interest to local fingerstyle players of all levels of ability and accomplishment. A hole unexpectedly opened up in Hiroya Tsukamoto’s tour schedule, allowing him to be able to arrive in Bellows Falls early enough to offer an hour-plus masterclass before his matinee concert.
These are the official words:
“Award-winning composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter Hiroya Tsukamoto will demonstrate fingerstyle techniques (playing with the fingers in place of a pick), including chords and basic theory. In this workshop Hiroya will cover how to practice on a daily basis to improve your skills. He breaks down different elements of music such as tone and rhythm and explains how to apply them to a regular daily practice routine.”
Wisdom on scales, thumb placement, tunings, improvisation, and more to help improve and expand your playing… presented with kindness and patience and easy laughter by one of the best fingerstyle players in the world. That doesn’t happen every day.
Class starts at 11:00 AM on Sunday, September 26, and is strictly limited to ten participants. The cost is $30. Advance registration / payment is strongly recommended. If there are still openings on the day, walk-ups will be welcome. This masterclass will take place at 33 Bridge Street in Bellows Falls. Masks and social distancing required.
Who else is in the fingerstyle pantheon? Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. Robbie Krieger of The Doors. Lyndsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac. Steve Hackett of Genesis. Jazz legend Wes Montgomery. Bluesman Albert King. Derek Trucks. Jeff Beck. Stanley Jordan. Bonnie Raitt. George Thorogood. Chet Atkins!
Hiroya is currently one of the best in the world’s fingerstyle heap: He took second in the 2018 International Finger Style Guitar Championship. International. That’s a lot of top-notch players.
Born and raised in Japan, Tsukamoto was awarded a scholarship to Berklee College of Music. In Boston, he formed the group Interoceanico with musicians from different continents, including Latin Grammy-winning Marta Gomez; that ensemble released three acclaimed records. Hiroya has also released four highly regarded solo albums.
Tsukamoto leads concerts of his eclectic and immersive fusion of folk, jazz, and world music internationally, including multiple appearances at the Blue Note in New York City and on Japanese National Television.
“The fingerpicking is delicate, fluid, and beautifully detailed.” — Acoustic Guitar Magazine
“… chops, passion and warmth. Zealously recommended.” — Jazz Review
For more information about the concert he’ll be giving after the masterclass, see www.stage33live.com/2021/09/hiroya-tsukamoto-2021/
