Just posted a couple of mellow tunes on my Alto. One is an original called "Through My Eyes", and the other is the traditional tune "She Moved Through the Fair". Since getting the Alto, I've only used it in combination with the Grand in duets and our vocal songs. Now I'm finally getting a chance to explore it on solo pieces, and I just can't get enough of it. More soon. Enjoy and best to all - Matt
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgwjMKlwmgM[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDhVcCv7myk[/youtube]

Here's one more for ya! This is "Mystic's Dream" by Loreena Mckennitt. I was having timing issues, so I'll probably re-post it later. Lots of fun, anyway. -Matt

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKtmfHXl3Dw[/youtube]

Enjoyed all three. Thanks for posting!

Oh yes. Nice sounding instruments indeed. I really liked that alot. Great playing! Well done, sire!

//J

Quick question. What PU is on that thing? ACTV-2 or Stickup or....?

//J

Very nice Matt ... nice and smooth. You can tell you spend a lot of time playing! And I dig the cat eye markers!

Thanks, guys. To answer StickJan, the pickup on mine is the ACTV2. With the already sparkly nature of the Alto, the ACTV2 makes it cut through like a laser. But, as my Stick purchasing affliction surfaces yet again , I'm already wanting two more Altos; one with the Stickup and one with the PASV4. No cure in sight for me, I'm afraid.

Great sounds on all of these Matt,

Your musical instincts are perfect for the Alto Stick. Thanks for posting!

Much appreciated, Greg. Though I'm still finding my way on the Alto, I've discovered that it really pushes me to play songs where the melody is integrated with the chord arpeggios, much like a classical guitarist would pluck the low notes of a chord with the thumb and interweave the melody on the other strings. Because the lows of the standard Stick are gone, I find myself playing more interdependent things where both hands are involved in one statement, as opposed to the more strict independent technique on the standard Stick. I always loved "non-linear", harp-like waterfalls of chord clusters and arpeggios where the melody is tucked inside. Guitarists like Pierre Bensusan and Adrian Legg were my favorites at this kind of playing. Before I ever got my first Stick, my dream was to use it in this manner. Now the Alto is making it happen for me. I still do love the independent style and use it often on my Grand, but I think I'm finally walking down the road that was meant for me.

Great vids Matt, you make it look effortless. You play with a tremendous soulfulness, where the techniques and instrument sort of become transparent and the music and emotion are the focus- the most important quality an instrumentalist can have I think.