JESU JOY OF MAN'S DESIRING - J.S. BACH - Rob Bourassa Guitar

[GreenAshR47]

played beautifully. I like it capo'd up to that key.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@GreenAshR47 Thank you very much.

[MosaicDave]

Oh my, this is so wonderful! I've played the Myra Hess piano arrangement of this piece for decades, probably thousands of times, I never get tired of it. Recently I bought my first guitar, just for the fun of trying to learn it; it's not an easy transition, so very unlike the piano as a way of forming music, a foreign and entirely different system. Really I've never seen guitar played with such coherent and beautiful expression; this is such an inspiration, thank you.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@MosaicDave Thank you Dave. This is one of my favorite pieces, so interpretation and inspiration are no problem. The piece is not guitar friendly, so it requires a bit of finger gymnastics, which sometimes takes away from the flow. I try to keep as much sustain as possible, and I am glad you appreciate it.

[abolocks]

You're soo good! Thanks for all the lessons.

[Stomo1709]

That was absolutely wonderful.

I have no words to describe what I felt while listening to your playing of this beautiful music.

Thank you.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@vevain Thanks. I appreciate that.

[riethc]

Fantastic!

[robbourassaguitarist]

@riethc Thank you very much.

[Splatter1]

Absolutely beautiful. The words help underscore the devotional aspect to this piece - your rendition was quietly powerful and touching.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@Splatter1 I love that Psalm.

[MisterBrokenString]

@robbourassaguitarist its not one dumbass

[fatdaddo]

Beautiful job, buddy!

[robbourassaguitarist]

@fatdaddo Thanks.

[oeyesea]

This is one of my favorite performances of this piece. I like this guitarists fluid, effortless playing whereas others tend to be a bit mechanical making the song sound like it comes from a musicbox, but some people might like that--to each his own. Also, the varying volume he uses is somewhat reminescent of a child skipping, giving the piece an innocent & energetic atmosphere. I'm not a skilled musician but that's the best I can do for criticism. I liked the performance very much, thank you.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@oeyesea That song is one of my favorite pieces of all time. I think it is a very expressive piece, and I continue to change it up every time I do it. I never get tired of it.

[2zwaantjes]

Fabulous. 's Worlds best composer played by 's worlds best musician. It doesn't get any better than this.

Milli.

[incongra]

That is actually stunning. I think I am correct in saying that Bach based the melody on a very old German hymn. Most guitar arrangements seen to lose that melody completely. Whereas you have kept it, the melody seems to float above your playing.

[zacharron]

Wow, wonderful rendition. Is this your own arrangment?

[robbourassaguitarist]

@zacharron Yes. I wanted more sustain than others I had heard. Thank you very much.

[marcelsjon]

:) Can't wait!!

[jameswp1946]

That is very emotional, beautifully played and I agree one of the most beautiful pieces composed. The text is entirely appropriate and part of the piece.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@jameswp1946 Thank you. This is one of my favorites.

[marcelsjon]

You will be playing in heaven for sure! God bless you Rob!!

[robbourassaguitarist]

@marcelsjon Hopefully next to you.

[squalicacum]

lose the little blue screen and it's perty good

[robbourassaguitarist]

@squalicacum It is funny that it bugs people so much. It isn't a secular song. Not much of Bach's music was, and he pointed to Christ's work as the inspiration for all of his music.

[bruwallbillich]

Wow, that was really something special!

[rbheiss]

Beautiful playing! Bravo! I also loved the quotes throughout. That's what it's all about. One of the most beautiful melodies ever composed in my opinion.

Thumbs way up!

Take care,

Rolland B. Heiss

[TravelinBri2]

Inspiring. Beautifully done.

[r2j6m87]

the best one on youtube!

[robbourassaguitarist]

@r2j6m87 Thank you so much for the kind words. There are many trees in the forrest. I like a lot of them.

[robbourassaguitarist]

@robbourassaguitarist Thank you very much.

[lpattis]

As with all of Rob's musical offerings, this was just simply delightful, and it brought a smile to my face, here in the gray fog of a pre-dawn Oregon morning. Thank you, Rob.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Nice to hear from you Larry. This is high praise from one so great.

Check out Larry's music folks, but buy one of his incredible discs, to understand what the fuss is. He is a genius.

[prinsallan]

Excellent performance on an excellent piece. Long live JS Bach, and you too.

Best Regards

-Prinsallan

[Raine419]

Only Rob can play with such passion, and put so much more into anything song he plays.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Shucks. LOL

Thank you for liking it. It is one of my favorites.

[pgampro]

Very good stuff! Is that your own arrangement? It's really enjoyable and just as importantly, playable.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Yes. I arranged it with a dropped D, and tried to get as much sustain as I could, by using different inversions.

[musiccalgary]

Superb. Merry Christmas Rob, hope 2010 is best ever for you and yours. :)

One question please, what is your tuning?

[robbourassaguitarist]

Dropped D, capoed at the 5th fret.

[thegreatsnack4]

wow, thats beautiful, I normally only like classical only played on nylon strings but this really works. Any chance on doing a lesson on this?

[robbourassaguitarist]

Sure. I'll get on it. Good idea for Christmas.

[coachdoc49]

Rob, as always, I'm in awe. Beautifully done. This should just not sound this good on steel string guitar.

[robbourassaguitarist]

That's the Zimnicki Brazilian Rosewood guitar that I always talk about. Something about that guitar is hard to beat. It sustains so well, and the tone is beautiful. I bet it would sound good with nylon too.

Thanks very much Doc.

[artpam]

*****

8^)

[MMunie]

This is one of my all-time favorite pieces, and of course your arrangement is awesome.

Hope to see one of your live performances soon.

Michael

[BirdmanWayne94]

I never thought that such pieces can be played this well on an acoustic. Fantastic is the least thing I could say! You play with tons of feelings... I'm guessing you have a really low action on the guitar?

[robbourassaguitarist]

No, quite the opposite. The action is high, but the guitar plays easy despite that, due to the neck angle. It is also joined at the 12th fret, so the tension is great, I have never played a guitar that is like this. I can choke the strings as if it were an electric.

The sustain is caused by my inversions, and the German spruce top is bright, but the Brazilian Rosewood sides and back are dark and loud.

Gary Zimnicki makes these. I like steel strings for pieces that need sustain.

Take care.

[aotsattack]

rob, great playing(as usual) great choice of music and Bible verses. I still want to talk with you about lessons. Please contact me. Wayne in Paducah,Ky

[robbourassaguitarist]

I'll call you tomorrow. Hope all is well.

[tavedek]

Beautiful!

[credit888]

That was wonderful Rob. Thank!

William

[Lansdownekid]

Beautiful rendition and playing 5*****

Harry

[plynchmusic]

wonderful arrangement, great tone, superb playing. thanks

[robbourassaguitarist]

Thank you very much.

Is this the Peter Lynch who's wonderful guitar videos I used to enjoy?

[marcelsjon]

Inspirated, Rob. I agree with your words! Blessings, Marcel

[robbourassaguitarist]

Thank you Marcel. God bless you too. I love your playing. Great work sir.

[NEgoogle]

Thanks. I appreciate the Bible verses.

[robbourassaguitarist]

It is ironic to me that people can pretend to understand the soul in a piece of music, and completely reject the author's intent and inspiration.

I have no use for Gospel singers who live like the devil, and sing about Jesus, and I have no use for the watered down, sterile appreciation, and secularization of Christian art.

One may like the music, and not the subject, but to insist that the artist divorce the two, shows an unrealistic expectation to have all cultures morph to your own ideals.

[tarkineWild]

I came for the music not for you to preach..now stop it

[robbourassaguitarist]

Bach would laugh at that.

[BPatrick1214]

That was so nice .Thank you . Bill.

[LStrachey]

beautifully done - amen too

[robbourassaguitarist]

Thanks a lot Frank. I appreciate it.

[boneyroney]

Absolutely Beautiful...I have been working on this for months, and never thought of Capoing..Keep up the good work...

[robbourassaguitarist]

I like it with the higher register. I also drop the 6th string a whole step down.

[winddance368]

Hearing you play this so beautifully is a wonderful way to start my day.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Thanks. This was the end of mine, and only a few hours before another one began.

[PhilCLG4]

Beautiful//Phil

[robbourassaguitarist]

Thanks Phil.

[dynamitesteel]

rob, magnificent playing and great sound :). Can you please upload a video of you playing Romaza? I know its not a difficult song for you, actually it must be pretty easy but I just want to see how you would play it, I am going to start playing it live soon. thanks.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Sorry, I have never heard it. I know Romanza. Did you make a typo, or is there another tune? I don't have a huge classical repertoire, so I'm sure there could be.

Thanks for the nice comments anyway.

[dynamitesteel]

Yes its romanza performed by Yepes.

[Qpidon]

Well, Rob..believe it or not : I am learning to play this at this very moment! Talk about synchronicity here....I learn to play Bensusan's version (DADGAD)..rather pretty as well. One question tough: is this your arrangement? If it is..Oh well!

Pascal

[robbourassaguitarist]

Yes, it is my arrangement. I am playing with the 6th string dropped a whole step, and I wanted to change the bass line a bit, so I could sustain the melody more.

[JulieB328]

Really beautiful, Robbie!

[staffansvahn]

Hello Rob,

Wonderful!

I wish all the best

Staffan

[Andromeda1741]

Awesome

[electricwave]

Great!

[robbourassaguitarist]

Thank you. It is one of the best melodies of all time.

[Jaspersukulele]

SWEET

[robbourassaguitarist]

Thanks.