Description

The Music of Trees album (2020) features 10 solo guitar compositions and includes a download code and a 12 page booklet.

The idea for this project came to me in October 2018 when I had a few days alone with my guitar on the Outer Hebrides. I was working on a piece called ‘The Willow’ and had the idea to write a suite of pieces about different trees.

I named my 2019 gigs ‘The Music of Trees’ and began to include facts about the trees and talk about my experiences with trees.
As the ideas for the compositions developed, I researched the folklore and medicinal properties of each tree by reading books including ‘The Hidden Life of Trees’ by Peter Wohlleben and Walking with Trees’ by Glennie Kindred.

The last 5 tracks (Elm, Yew, Scots Pine, Ash & Hornbeam) were all written during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2019. Despite losing most of my income during this time, I am grateful that it allowed me to focus on writing and developing my ideas as well as learning how to record myself at home.

Having a reason to spend time alone in nature with my guitar has been very fulfilling and rewarding and I’m already thinking about which trees to write about next. There is something very magical about being with a tree – connecting, listening and waiting for musical ideas to come.