Chet Atkins has said that she is a good friend and a great guitarist deserving of national recognition. A quote from the late, great Les Paul … “Just one hell of a great player … a great personality and what I like is the touch that Muriel has on the guitar, the way she plays it like we all wish to play.” With praise like that from such guitar icons and pioneers, I just had to find out more about Muriel and her music.
She is one of the premier fingerstyle and harp-guitarists and the first woman to win the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. Her playing styles include classical, bluegrass, folk, jazz, and flamenco. She was kind enough take some time from touring the USA and Internationally to answer some questions …
1. What is it about Classical music that drew you to study it at DePaul University after playing jazz, folk, bluegrass, etc?
Actually, initially classical was the only way to study guitar at college. I was really more interested in Bluegrass and other styles at the time, but then I heard the music of Christopher Parkening on the radio and couldn’t believe how beautiful was his tone and phrasing. I sought out DePaul because the guitar instructor Leon Borkowski had studied with Parkening and could give me insight on how to capture that sound. I discovered a wealth of detail in shaping the tone and phrasing, especially in the chamber music class.
2. How did you get to meet and play with Les Paul?
I was playing on the Steve and Johnnie live radio show on WGN Chicago when they told me “You have a caller on line one. It’s Les Paul.” At first I thought it was a friend playing a joke until he came on live radio and said he enjoyed my music and invited me to guest on his show if I was ever in NY on a Monday night. I did several times and later presented an All Star Guitar Night® in his honor at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. We co-hosted the show and it was great fun!
2a. And how about Christopher Parkening and Chet Atkins?
I felt honored to be able to take master classes with Christopher Parkening who was such a big influence. He teaches now at Pepperdine U. I met Chet in Chicago after taking mandolin lessons from Jethro Burns at Guitar Works in Evanston. One day I played “Nola” on the guitar for Jethro. He said, “You’ve got to meet my brother-in-law when he comes to town.” Jethro and Chet married identical twin sisters. Chet became a big inspiration both as a person and as a musician.
3. Do you have a favorite guitar? What is it and why do you love it?
I have three favorites. My steel string parlour guitar built by David Taylor (in east Tennessee) has the most beautiful tone and is really my voice. It’s precious to me, so I don’t often take it on the road. I have been enjoying my new 21-string harp guitar built by Mike Doolin. It has a beautiful rich tone and it’s fun to play with the super-treble strings as well as the sub-basses. Also the flamenco guitar, a birthday present from Leo and Raughi (Tierra Negra). They designed the instrument and had a limited number built in Spain. I was surprised that so many styles of music come out so nicely on a flamenco guitar and it is the main instrument I currently tour with.
4. I’m a big fan of key lime pie so when I saw it on your recipe page I had to try it … excellent. In your travels, is there place in the world with your favorite foods … if I venture a guess … Italy?
Ha! Yes, there are two. Italy certainly, to the point that last time I scheduled extra time in Tuscany to learn some of the language and cooking by helping out in the kitchen everywhere I went, asking questions and videotaping the cooks! It was great fun and I got a real taste of the culture. France has the most attention to detail in flavor and certainly some of the best food in the world. I especially enjoyed the crepes in Brittany and get my flour (blé noir) shipped to me to make the savory buckwheat crepes. I have to say that I also have enjoyed some of the most interesting and tasty food in Japan. Which reminds me: I have a couple more recipes to add to my “recipes from the road” page on my website.
5. You also put on workshop/clinics to help others learn. Is there some aspect of these events that you really enjoy? Also, is there a common theme as far as what people want or need to learn to really improve their playing skills?
There is not really a common theme because there are so many ways to explore the guitar and to express yourself. Both private lessons and workshops have to be individualized to find what can most help a person grow and to allow the guitar to enhance their life. I’ve found most musicians like me enjoy sharing their relationship with the instrument with students, and seeing the moments when their music suddenly rises to another level.
6. Your Music for Life Alliance charity had a big night on July 22 in Nashville with All Star Guitar Night®. What will the proceeds from the night do for the benefits of your charity?
We have three organizations slated to receive recognition and grants to help continue their programs. Also, some of what the MFLA does is to connect people and companies directly with organizations like Little Kids Rock and the James Burton Foundation, who both received a load of amps and guitars at the All Star Guitar Night. You can find a list of worthy organizations in various cities to support directly on Music For Life Alliance.
7. Muriel, are your accomplishments something that you’ve always set out to do since you first picked up a guitar? … Was it a plan? A dream come true? A little of both?
It was before I picked up a guitar that I knew I’d do something that would affect a lot of people in a positive way and that it would be through the arts. It’s only with the help of a lot of great people like the folks at TrueFire, Brad and Ali, and my MFLA volunteers, Al, John and Russ, that this is coming to be. I don’t give them enough credit for all they do.
8. Do you know guitar/music theory? Do you feel that it is important to learn for beginning guitarists?
Yes, I have a general knowledge of how music works. Hal Leonard published a few of my instructional/theory books. I don’t think it’s important for all beginning guitarists to learn all types of theory; that depends on what kindles their curiosity and interest in the instrument and also what types of music they most want to play.
9. A lot of guitarists start off hearing their favorite artist and are inspired to play like them. What advice would give to those that hear you play and say “I want to play like Muriel?”
I’d be really flattered if someone said that, although over time that should evolve into playing like you, with your personality and your music merging into one. Move your body when you play in a way to allow the music to infuse throughout your person. Don’t be afraid to try out new things, create new ways to play and always keep the love of the music alive.
For more about Muriel and her music, visit:
MurielAnderson.com
YouTube
ReverbNation
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