Some of you have heard my recordings, or have seen my video lessons released through Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop. Others may own some of my books of guitar arrangements published by Mel Bay Publications. Still others may know me personally, or not have a clue as to who I am. Whoever you are, my goal is to provide something of value to you who have found your way here.
On Guitar Playing
On the subject of guitar playing in general I'd like to offer these comments.
My goal is to exploit the unique characteristics of the guitar, those that distinguish it from other instruments. I use vibrato and sustained notes, hammer-ons and pull-offs, string snapping, slides, grace notes, harmonics, unison notes, and string bends. I combine these techniques with arpeggios and cross-string picking, counterpoint, and walking bass lines.
I use a thumb pick to give strength to my bass lines but gave up using finger picks at the urging of Stefan Grossman. I believe that the musical phrases should be played rubato (with rhythmic flexibility) probably because of my background in a cappella singing. The trick is to play freely, to let the music breathe, altering speed, attack and dynamics, as appropriate, in the tune.
Here's a suggestion for improving your vibrato technique. Try working the fretted string back and forth perpendicular to the fingerboard, using only the fretting finger without the palm of the left hand as an anchor in back of the guitar neck. Mastering this difficult technique can enhance one's playing greatly.
About My Guitars
El McMeen and Larry Pattis are proud to be members of the family of Artists playing Martin guitars. Their musical achievements were featured in the January 2002 issue of the Sounding Board, published by C.F Martin & Co.
About My Guitar Strings
On the subject of strings I use ELIXIR strings on all my guitars. ELIXIR is a trademark of W.L. Gore and Associates.
About My Amplification System
I use the B-Band system (AST-- Acoustic Soundboard Transducer) for guitar amplification.
El McMeen Guitar Books Published by Mel Bay.
(Available through the El McMeen Store.)
- Mel Bay's Complete Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar Book (Mel Bay 95217)
- El McMeen--Solo Guitar Serenade
- El McMeen--Playing Favorites
- El McMeen--Acoustic Guitar Treasures (Mel Bay 97883)
El McMeen's Recordings
El McMeen's Musical Transcriptions
My transcription of "Danny Boy"
My transcription of "My Mary of The Curling Hair"
My transcription of "Carolan's Cottage"
El McMeen's Guitar Tuning
Check out my chord chart in CGDGAD tuning.
Contact El McMeen
Got a specific question about fingerstyle guitar playing? Send me an email.
