Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring Rob Bourassa

[garymichael1950]

There are two "dislikes". I know why. Because there is not an "Over My Head" button.

[carbomarcello1]

very like :-)

[kaalqnk]

Thank ROB, God bless you!!!

[micheloderso]

Wundervoll!!

[GreenAshR47]

Nice job. You get a beautiful sound from that guitar.

[phiberoptikcable]

That was just awesome!

[robbourassaguitarist]

@phiberoptikcable Thanks so much.

[jmurphify]

do you have any classical training?

[robbourassaguitarist]

@jmurphify No. I listened to Segovia as a kid almost every night. I also listened to my little 45s of Brahms and Bach, which were mostly waltzes and from Bach fugues. I Listened to a lot of classical music, and played cello.

I really never liked the rigidity of most classical guitarists. It is usually a pompous attitude about the music that gets me, but ideologically, they are usually very far away from the men they idolize.

[anoptikon]

One of my favorite classical pieces of all time. Thank you for posting it. I didn't miss the cross in the background. A very nice touch; so fitting and reverent. Did you set the camera to catch it perchance?

[robbourassaguitarist]

@anoptikon I don't remember if I did. I sure don't hide it. I am a Christian, and so was Bach, and the subject matter of the piece was Christ, so that certainly makes it a good back drop.

[realraven2000]

excellent version. paced just right lovely dynamics - this really lives the way you play it.

[Creamyguitar1956]

Do you have any nails on your right hand? I can't keep them and am tired of trying. If I switch from classical to steel string they are gone IMMEDIATELY....haha

[robbourassaguitarist]

@Creamyguitar1956 Yes, I fortunately have very strong natural nails. I think the fact that I never used false nails or polish like some players do has kept them healthy.

I have learned not to get them wet before I play. I also don't let anything touch them that would soften them. I only shave my neck as you see, but I am very careful not to let shaving cream touch them, because if it softens the beard, it only makes sense that it will soften the nail too.

I do eat Jello.

[Ozarkwoods]

Rob excellent playing!

[724375939]

Esta es de mis preferidas.

Dios te siga bendiciendo

[dookiepetrucci]

great but too fast

[robbourassaguitarist]

A chamber ensemble could play it more slowly and get away with it, but I would not have enough sustain on the guitar for my liking.

[crabb50]

Truly fantastic sound!

[gavin1895]

Oh... great :-)

[VBSouthpaw]

Sounds Great!

What kind of strings?

[robbourassaguitarist]

I don't remember. Maybe D'Addario. I use 10 to 52, with a wound G that I always have to buy on the side as a single.

[gobhef]

just the e is dropped to d right

[robbourassaguitarist]

Yes, that's all.

[gobhef]

sounds angelic

[robbourassaguitarist]

Thanks, I had a devil of a time playing it. LOL

[fridrikur]

Great arrangement. One of my favourite all time songs or hymns. Happy new year to you Rob!

[nbgwho]

It's a lovely rendition, love the guitar--is that vintage?

[robbourassaguitarist]

Thanks,

That guitar was built by Gary Zimnicki in 1993. It sounds like a D'Angelico, and plays great. It is my favorite guitar in the world.

[Mellomel]

Gotta love that! great version to a wonderful song!!!!

[lw216316]

beautiful, Rob. tks 4 posting.

Jesu is our joy !

[robbourassaguitarist]

I don't usually use drop D tuning. I just used it for this arrangement I made. The normal classical guitar arrangement is in standard, but I had trouble getting the sustain in all of the notes I wanted, so I did my own arrangement.

Thanks sir.

[spenserspenser25]

Wonderful.

[gobhef]

thats a differnt version i love it , thankyou

[pho2]

excellent , well done , very nice , thanks for posting.

[FuzzyLogic0101]

That was a great decision to use that guitar. Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring sounds wonderful played on it!

[robbourassaguitarist]

I should have used a better mic. That is a loud resonant archtop though, so I thought I could do with the camera mic.

[procyoncmi]

Really a fantastic arrangement. Love your little ornaments.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Thanks,

I had just finished performing this at Greenfield Village one night, and as I walked through the Village afterward, I heard the song on the carillon. It had much more sustain that the guitar arrangement I had done, so I went back to the drawing board and added as much sustain as I could, which required the use of my thumb, as well as a drop D tuning.

[procyoncmi]

I appreciate the extra information - it really is a fine recording! Could you possibly private message me and tell me a little more in-depth about how one arranges works?

[JesseGuitar07]

nice one-:)

jesse

[robbourassaguitarist]

So is your study in D by Sor.

[tomanderson92]

tomanderson92 Your playing reminds me a lot of Christopher Parkening. I am getting ready to record a tape of hymns for classical guitar this March. I am greatly encouraged by your videos.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Christopher Parkening is a super player. I wish I could sound half that good. Thanks for the kind words and I hope it goes well with the album. I did an album of hymns about ten years ago. It was quite the task.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Thanks a lot. I appreciate the compliment.

[voivod206]

Wow, this is great man. I am a guitarist too, I've never seen this played that way before, it really sounds awesome.

[mrsmops2]

Very nice! I really enjoyed hearing it.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Ambrosemusic. I came home tonight and wanted to listen to your tunes again and found out that you had closed your account. You are a great engineer. I hope you didn't get upset that someone gave you a low rating. That happens a lot. I really think you have a future as a producer engineer. Keep it up.

[NapoleonRage]

Thanks for that. :D Yeah I do get bumbed out a little bit sometimes. I started a new channel though. Thanks for the encouragement!

[ambrosemusic]

The perfect holiday song!

[dontaggravation]

Just wonderful--love the sustain and love to hear you play

[winddance368]

Beautiful. Love to hear you play.