As guitarists and musicians, no doubt we all get these moments. A realisation of how little we know. After tonight it seems, I’ve got a long way to go! Introducing Giulio Tampalini.
It began with an impromptu invite to dinner from a kind neighbour, who, as it turns out, is a pianist and music agent serving the local churches. Tonight he was entertaining a visitor and performer from Italy; Classical guitarist Giulio Tampalini.
I’m not comfortable at dinner parties, but tonight I had a distraction. I was expecting a fellow guitarist and comrade, but as it turns out, was instead introduced to a whole new world, and an artist and technician on a completely different plane.
Giulio Tampalini is an internationally acclaimed and highly decorated guitar player and teacher. But don’t take my word for it, visit his site at http://www.giuliotampalini.it/ for the full and complete background.
And so to the performance…
Of course, in such situations and by default, my demeanour is always one of cynicism. I could play that if I wanted to. I could do better. All such negativity was washed away in the first ten seconds.
Giulio Tampalini is no mere busker, strummer or singer-songwriter. He is the Classical Steve Vai, a master of the theory and the instrument in his chosen field.
Watching Giulio play is a guitar masterclass in itself. Rigid concepts of rhythm and lead give way to a fluid performance of the piece in its entirety. Beats are suggested, and melodies are emphasized seamlessly. Sure, I recognised the odd chord shape or scale ‘box’, but Giulio glides, and leaps effortlessly across the fretboard with an intimate knowledge of all the chords, scales, positions, intervals, and how they all relate to each other in the current musical context.
Giulio Tampalini’s touch and tone
As a lazy guitarist looking for every excuse, I’d argue technique and knowledge would be nothing without touch and tone. Giulio has honed his art to perfection in those areas too, starting with guitars from the awe-inspiring British luthier Woodfield Guitars. Let’s focus on tone for a moment.
Piano-like is a phrase used in many an acoustic guitar review, but in all my years I’ve never come across a comparable instrument, acoustic or electric. In my own modest life as a gigging/recording guitar player, I’ll be honest, just about any instrument would do as long as it played well and didn’t have any issues. It would get me through the gig. However, in this intimate scenario, the Woodfield Classical guitar was almost a second performer, with a character all of its own.
The recital, in my eyes at least, had more in common with classical violin or piano solo performances than a guitar set. Crisp, snapped lead lines. Deep, woody bass runs, the full spectrum a strummed chords to compete with a dreadnought. But all with perfect clarity, separation and wonderfully natural reverberation dancing around the room.
This was no off the shelf six-string box. This was a custom-built rare instrument of the finest quality which was obvious to the ears from the very first note.
A lesson in technique
Giulio has it all. Full and partial chords all over the neck, inversions, extensions, fingerboard knowledge to play melodies across chords, and a right-hand technique utilising all the fingers and the nails. No plectrum here. The lightest whisper to the most violent of crescendos. all masterfully delivered with God-given tools and talent only.
Of course, on occasion, Giulio would let loose on a blisteringly complex lead run, made even more impressive by the greater difficulty imparted by the Classical guitar action, upper-fret access and setup. And finally the icing on the cake, beautiful two-fingered harmonics, perfectly picked out and ringing true to jaw-dropping silence.
The consummate professional
Giulio, with all his formidable knowledge, talents and tools at his disposal, is a joy to watch. A passionate, fiery, almost violent performer at times, but with moments of beauty, of calm and all points in between. He’s humble, charming and proud of his roots. He welcomes you into the world he clearly loves with an infectious smile. And yet, for all that, he comes across as still having the mind of a student, to learn, to improve, to push the boundaries.
He’s forged a life of travelling the world, playing, learning and teaching guitar, collaborating with others. Something we all dream about.
Giulio, thank you for a fantastic evening of Music. Hope to see you again soon.
To all our readers, and anyone remotely interested in the Guitar or music of any kind. Check this guy out! Listen, watch, learn, enjoy.
http://www.giuliotampalini.it/
On Facebook.
Or visit his YouTube Channel
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Oh, marvelous! I like it!