Final Voyage - Spiritfarer

Time to tune to that nice low C. Hope you like 6th's! XD

Last Voyage (Spiritfarer) - The Bear's Den (kabukibear.com)

Song of the Ancients - Nier: Automata

Song of the Ancients (NieR: Automata) - The Bear's Den (kabukibear.com)

Gongaga from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

So, I updated the tab this morning to indicate the capo that was missing from the original upload. This puts it in the correct key if you want to play along with the original piece!

I really had a lot of fun with this; you'll hear a lot of my typical playstyle in this one. The area in the game is not many people's favorite, but the music is great!

Gongaga Region (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth) - The Bear's Den (kabukibear.com)

Double Arrangements! Gongaga Region and Costa Del Sol

I managed to squeeze in two more before the end of the month! Both of these are from Final Fantasy VII, one from the original game and the other from the new PS5 game FF7 Rebirth.

Costa Del Sol from Final Fantasy VII
Costa Del Sol (Final Fantasy VII) - The Bear's Den (kabukibear.com)
- This is a pretty straightforward arrangement. After knocking out the Gongaga one earlier today, I wanted to crank out another before the month ended. So I went with the original version instead of the Rebirth arrangement this time around. But that other Rebirth arrangement is really good, so I might circle back to that one at some point.

Gongaga Region from Final Fantasy VII : Rebirth
Gongaga Region (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth) - The Bear's Den (kabukibear.com)
- I really enjoyed this piece. The combination of a tribal sound with bagpipe? It may be some other traditional instrument, but it was very unique. This is slightly different than the original. The pieces has a long break in the middle, with some percussive stuff and kind of abstract sounds before bringing everything back in. I thought about trying to replicate it, but I decided against it, so this one has a repeat and then goes into a final section. This is a fun one, so give it a shot.

See you in April!

Corporate Archives from Final Fantasy VII Remake

Corporate Archives (Final Fantasy VII Remake) - The Bear's Den (kabukibear.com)

This is a really lovely piece. I love how they were able to write new music for these remakes while also hinting at other pieces in the original soundtrack.

Time Flows Ever Onward from Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

Not much to say about this one...I hear the anime is pretty good and this one was suggested, so here ya go! 

Time Flows Ever Onward (Frieren: Beyond Journey's End) - The Bear's Den (kabukibear.com)

Hometown / Crysta from Terranigma

This was the piece that won the vote by the UBER BEARS over on Patreon, and I agree, it's particularly lovely. I've known this piece for years, but never could get it to work in a way that I liked. I guess, getting a little older, with a little more experience, when I looked at it again after the vote, everything just sort of "clicked," and I'm happy with the result. I hope you are too.

Hometown / Crysta (Terranigma) - The Bear's Den (kabukibear.com)

A New Direction

Dear Friends and Fans,  

I hope this message finds you well and surrounded by the melodies that uplift your spirit. It's been quite a journey since I first embarked on the mission to bridge the worlds of video game music and classical guitar, a journey made richer and more meaningful by your unwavering support and enthusiasm.  

For decades, I've been driven by a singular passion: to share the beauty of guitar music with as many hearts as possible, especially aiming to spark a flame in the younger generation. Your response, especially upon my return, has been nothing short of overwhelming. The joy and fulfillment that come from your engagement and appreciation have been my true reward.

Throughout this time, I've grappled with the best way to share my creations with you. While the introduction of a patronage model on Patreon and my website was a step to sustain this endeavor, a lingering feeling has remained in my heart – the belief that music, at its core, should be accessible to everyone, transcending financial barriers.  

Music is a universal language, meant to be shared freely, fostering connections and nurturing souls. With this philosophy close to my heart, I've made a decision that aligns more truly with my values and vision.  

I am thrilled to announce that my website will now be open to all, not just patrons. Every piece of music, every arrangement I've crafted with love and dedication, will be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.  

This decision is not made lightly, but with a deep conviction that the true value of music lies in its ability to reach and touch lives. I want anyone who wishes to embark on this musical journey with me to do so freely, to learn, to play, and to find joy in the strings of the guitar we all adore.  

To my patrons, your support has been the backbone of this journey. This change does not diminish the gratitude I hold for each of you. Instead, it's a new chapter where our shared passion for music can ripple out even further, touching more lives and inspiring more souls. With that in mind, I have reduced the prices of my Patreon tiers. Nothing has been lost; I've merely attempted to give each tier more value, for less.  This is a step towards a future where music knows no bounds, a future we can all build together. Let's continue to share, to inspire, and to celebrate the music that connects us all.  

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Here's to the melodies that lie ahead, and the stories they will tell.  

With heartfelt gratitude and excitement for the future,   

Kabuki

🎸 Exciting News for Guitar Enthusiasts and Game Music Lovers! 🎶

Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you all well and thriving in your musical journeys. Today, I'm thrilled to share a project that's very close to my heart and, I believe, could be something special for our community.

Over the years, I've had the joy of arranging over 300 pieces of music for solo acoustic guitar, drawing from a rich tapestry of sources including video games, classical compositions, beloved TV shows, and captivating anime themes. These arrangements have been a way for me to explore the depths of music that has moved me, and to reinterpret these melodies in a way that resonates with the intimate and expressive nature of the acoustic guitar.

As this collection has grown, the idea of bringing these arrangements together in a book has been simmering in the back of my mind. But here's the thing—300+ pieces is a lot, and the thought of compiling them all into one tome seems both daunting and perhaps a bit overwhelming for one volume.

So, I'm considering starting with a smaller volume, a curated selection that captures the essence of this larger body of work. I envision a book that not only presents these arrangements in a clear, accessible format but also weaves in the stories behind the music, performance tips, and insights into the arrangement process.

But here's where I need your help:

Feedback on Scope: What are your thoughts on the idea of a smaller, more focused volume to start? If you were picking up this book, what would make it most valuable to you?

Content Preferences: From video game classics to cinematic scores from your favorite anime or TV shows, what kind of content would you be most excited to see in such a collection?

Features and Extras: Beyond the notes themselves, what additional content would enhance your experience? Are there specific learning resources, background stories, or performance tips you'd find useful?  

I genuinely believe that this project can be something we build together, a testament to our shared passion for music and its ability to connect us across different backgrounds and experiences. Please feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, and any questions you might have. Your feedback is invaluable, and I'm excited to embark on this journey with you all.

Thank you for your time, your support, and for being an integral part of this vibrant community. I can't wait to hear from you!

Warmest regards,    Kabuki

Beyond the Deep Blue Sea from FFV - Duet

This is my arrangement of Beyond the Deep Blue Sea from Final Fantasy V. I had a lot of internal images and ideas as I was arranging this one, related to the ocean. The original is hypnotic but rather short, so I knew I was going to be doing a lot of composing to flesh the piece out.

The beginning sections are very close to the original, to which I then added a third section, with a singing/song quality to it. As the sailor "sings," the ocean joins in, harmonizing along. It all gets very melodramatic, so I decided to slow things down and wrote a gentle, falling modulating section to move to a warmer key. The 4th section is a re-telling of the beginning, but in a warmer, gentler, and cozier way. The piece is meant to tell a story, as the sailor thinks back to his life on the sea.

https://www.kabukibear.com/tab/285

Morning Thoughts: The Joys and Sorrows of Arranging for Guitar

I was asked, recently, if I thought it was easier to arrange music for the piano or the guitar. They both have their own peculiarities and pitfalls, but I just had some thoughts on it and wanted to share them.

Arranging music for solo guitar and other instruments, like piano, presents unique challenges that stem from the inherent differences in their structures, capabilities, and sonic range. The solo guitar, with its six strings and fingerpicking technique, demands a meticulous approach in arranging music compared to the piano's broader range and polyphonic nature.

One of the primary challenges in arranging music for solo guitar lies in its limitation regarding simultaneous notes. Unlike the piano, which allows for playing multiple notes and chords simultaneously, the guitar’s single melodic line necessitates careful consideration of harmonies, melodies, and rhythms within a confined space. This limitation often requires creative adaptations of the original piece, condensing chords or melodies while ensuring the essence of the music remains intact.

Moreover, the guitar's tonal range presents another obstacle in arranging music. The piano encompasses a wide spectrum of octaves, facilitating the representation of complex harmonies and melodies. Conversely, the guitar's range is narrower, demanding precise choices in voicings and octaves to convey the intended musical nuances effectively. Translating piano pieces to the guitar involves transposing notes and rearranging chords to fit within the instrument’s limitations while preserving the essence and emotion of the composition.

Technique also plays a significant role in arranging for solo guitar. The guitar's diverse techniques—fingerpicking, strumming, hammer-ons, and pull-offs—require strategic planning to replicate the dynamics, textures, and articulations found in piano compositions. Achieving a balance between melody, harmony, and rhythm becomes intricate, as the guitarist must navigate between various techniques to emulate the complexity of the original piece.

Additionally, the issue of polyphony poses a challenge unique to piano arrangements. The piano’s ability to play multiple independent voices simultaneously grants it an advantage in reproducing complex compositions with layered harmonies and counterpoints. Adapting such polyphonic richness to a single melodic line on the guitar demands meticulous arrangement, often necessitating compromises or creative reinterpretations to capture the essence of the music.

In contrast, arranging for piano offers more freedom in terms of range, polyphony, and expression. The instrument's expansive range allows for a broader exploration of harmonies and melodies without facing the spatial constraints of the guitar. Its polyphonic nature enables pianists to reproduce intricate compositions more faithfully, capturing the intricate details and nuances present in the original music.

Finally, arranging music for solo guitar versus piano presents distinct challenges. While both instruments offer unique opportunities for musical expression, the guitar's limitations in range, polyphony, and simultaneous note execution demand meticulous and thoughtful adaptations of compositions. Conversely, the piano's broader range and polyphonic capabilities grant more flexibility in faithfully translating complex musical pieces. Ultimately, the arranger's creativity and understanding of both instruments are pivotal in overcoming these challenges and delivering captivating arrangements that resonate with the audience.

Peaceful Days from Chrono Trigger

Hey y'all, some of you may have seen me working on this the other day. It should have been finished long before this but I spent back to back days in the ER, and I'm still feeling a bit shaky. But! I knew I could get this finished and out, so here you go!

I'm happy with it, and I'm happy you're here too! :)
Peaceful Days (Chrono Trigger) - The Bear's Den (kabukibear.com)

Practice Stream Tomorrow 11/3 @ 10am EST

Some of you mentioned how you missed the stream the other day, which was 100% my fault since I didn't give anyone any warning. So! Tomorrow! 11/3/23 at 10am EST I'm gonna do another practice/arranging stream. Need to get the FFV duet finalized and up and I was also arranging a solo version of it. Then I'm gonna look through the suggestions I got from a previous community post and see what would work as an arrangement.

So come hang out! We can practice together, and talk about life, the universe, and everything.
Kabukibear - Twitch