ISBN 9781619119840.

Acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist El McMeen has arranged beautiful music for guitar from the harp, song, pipe andhymn traditions. Utilizing the evocative C-G-D-G-A-D guitartuning, the author describes the appeal of each tune presentedand notates the arrangement in detailed tablature and music. The arrangements are a result of a process of experimentation -with ornamentation and counterpoint lines playing in differentkeys and registers. Emphasis is placed on creating and preserv-ing the flow of a piece, sensitivity to accenting, and avoidingany 'jarring' elements, while at the same time following theauthor's Three-second rule (a guitarist must do something in-teresting every 3 seconds of a solo to sustain the listener'sinterest.) Each tune contains brief performance notes and, insome cases, lyrics. To aid in the performance of these songs,this book has a Low-C Chord Chart. The pieces included have very diverse origins, yet they have two common elements - they were not originally composed for the guitar and they are certain to be treasured!

FORMATTED FOR TWO-SIDED PRINTING: Internationally acclaimed acoustic guitarist Ellsworth ("El") McMeen has been arranging hymns and other spiritual music for guitar for over 30 years. He started in standard guitar tuning, but moved away from that tuning into various so-called "open" tunings. He has been called the "King of CGDGAD tuning," in light of his prolific arrangements and compositions in that lush and evocative tuning. This major work of spiritual music contains 26 guitar settings of hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs, all lovingly arranged for solo fingerstyle guitar in the CGDGAD tuning. This book contains a chord chart for the aid of the reader. El is included in the Digitaldreamdoor listing of the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists. https://tinyurl.com/GreatestGuitarists Many of El's recordings are described here: https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElMcMeen

The audio sampler contains excerpts from these 10 songs, all in CGDGAD tuning:

1. Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
2. In Christ There is No East or West
3. Jacob's Ladder
4. Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho
5. Kingsfold (Tune: "Star of the County Down")
6. Poor Wayfaring Stranger
7. Praise to the Lord
8. Simple Gifts
9. This Is My Father's World
10. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Tune:
"Water is Wide")

El's double-length recording called "Gospel Guitar Treasures" can be found here: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/elmcmeen7

Internationally acclaimed guitarist Ellsworth ("El") McMeen has done over 220 solo fingerstyle guitar arrangements and compositions in the last 30 years. He has numerous recordings, books,
and DVD lessons and has concertized throughout the United States.

Of his work, he has selected for this voluminous book
60 pieces with his favorite melodies. (Among them is an instrumental
he composed for his wife, called "Song for Sheila.")

The music is diverse in genre and mood, but each piece is compelling in its own way.
Included are folk tunes, a classical piece, hymns, a patriotic song,
ancient Celtic harp music, lullabies, El's favorite Christmas song
("In the Bleak Midwinter"), El's favorite Irish jig ("The Kid on the Mountain"),
laments, love songs, and Irish airs.

El is included in the Digitaldreamdoor listing of the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists.
https://tinyurl.com/GreatestGuitarists Several of his recordings are referenced here:
https://elmcmeen.bandcamp.com/

The audio sampler contains all or part of the following selections, in the CGDGAD tuning
except as otherwise indicated. (When El has recorded some of this music, he has used a capo,
usually at fret II or IV, for tonal atmosphere.)

1. America the Beautiful
2. Be Still, My Soul
3. Be Thou My Vision
4. Carolan's Concerto
5. Carolan's No. 179
6. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
7. Give Me Your Hand
8. Hector the Hero
9. In the Bleak Midwinter
10. Jerusalem (Drop D)
11. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
12. Kid on the Mountain
13. My Mary of the Curling Hair
14. Niel Gow's Lament for the Death of His Second Wife
15. Rose of Allendale
16. Song for Sheila

Evocative, harplike, fingerstyle guitar arrangement in Drop D tuning (DADGBE) by guitarist El McMeen of a Christian hymn. El is included in the Digitaldreamdoor listing of the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists. https://tinyurl.com/GreatestGuitarists Many of El's recordings are described here: https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElMcMeen El's recording of this song in CGDGAD tuning is contained in his album called "Gospel Guitar Treasures" at this site: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/elmcmeen7.

Contemporary, flowing and harplike fingerstyle guitar arrangement in an open tuning (CGDGAD) of this classic song, arranged by guitarist El McMeen, who is included in the Digitaldreamdoor listing of the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists. https://tinyurl.com/GreatestGuitarists Many of El's recordings are described here: https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElMcMeen.

Rich fingerstyle guitar treatment in Drop D tuning (DADGBE) of a classic Christian song. Arranger is guitarist El McMeen, who is included in the Digitaldreamdoor listing of the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists. https://tinyurl.com/GreatestGuitarists. Many of El's recordings are referenced here: https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElMcMeen.