I recently interviewed up and coming fingerstyle guitarist Merel can Hoek. What’s great about Merel, besides her music, is that she’s making it happen in large part to her own actions. She started learning guitar at age 13 and soon after that composing her own music. She posted her recordings online and the positive feedback spurred her on to pursue a career as a musician. Merel has released her own EP titled “Pieces of Nature.” With all of the advantages of technology available to most of us, there really is no excuses to pursue your dream if you want it bad enough.
Press the play arrow to hear a song Merel shared with me for this interview:
Podcast: Download
Here’s the interview with Merel …
1. Where did you record “Pieces of Nature” Did you produce it yourself or did you work with a producer, and if so, how did you find the right one for you?
MvH: I recorded it all by myself in my home-studio. That was quite a challenge but I learned a lot of it. It also was a lot of fun doing it! Pieces of Nature was a digital release but my next CD will be physical and digital. I’m also planning to record that CD in a professional studio.
2. You were invited to “The International Fingerstyle Guitar Festival” (very cool) that you plan on performing at in 2012, how did the invitation come about?
MvH: The organizer of the festival contacted me and asked me if I wanted to perform. I’m really excited about it; it seems like a great festival. Many famous guitarists like Don Ross and Sungha Jung performed there. It’s a great opportunity and I’m really looking
forward to it!
3. I’ve read that you fell in love with fingerstyle guitar when you saw Tommy Emmanuel. What about fingerstyle inspired you vs. other styles or techniques?
MvH: That you can have an entire composition on one guitar. I saw Tommy Emmanuel performing the classic Blue Moon and I got really inspired. You have so many possibilities on just one guitar and you can also play much more refined. I can use all my creativity or ideas because you’re a solo-artist. You can do whatever you want. Also, I personally can play with much more feeling on an acoustic guitar then on an electric guitar.
4. I’m always interested in how accomplished musician got started playing … so when you first picked up a guitar what did you do, use, and practice?
MvH: When I was 13 years old I started with playing the guitar. My dad plays the guitar so that’s how I got interested in playing the guitar. When I was 13 I bought a keyboard but I always played my guitar. 2 years later I started with fingerstyle and then I became really enthusiastic. I wanted to learn all the popular fingerstyle songs and I was really motivated. I really practiced and played a lot. I also used YouTube for some lessons but I mostly just covered songs. That’s how I learned my techniques that I use in all of my
songs.
5. Are you still sponsored by an American luthier? If so, can you share which one and what about their guitars do you like?
MvH: Yes, I have an endorsement with Stiehler Guitars. They’re building my OOO Cocobolo/Engelmann spruce guitar with a bevel. I haven’t played on a Stiehler before, I currently only play on Taylor acoustics. So I’m really curious. The builder told me that the guitar is going to sound better than a Brazilian Rosewood guitar!
6. Did you ever take guitar lessons? Do you sing or plan to?
No, I’m self-taught. I had a few lessons for a very short while but I didn’t like it. I wanted to play guitar in my own way. I like learning by myself. I do not sing, all my music is instrumental. Just me and my guitar. But a collaboration with a singer in the future would be possible!
7. You also put together your own compositions, do you have a process? Is it based on a song in your head or playing around on the guitar? Or something else?
MvH: I don’t really have a process. The melodies just come when I’m playing around. When I’ve created a new melody that I like I’m going to work that out. So the inspiration is really important, the first melody makes the song. That inspiration can come from regular stuff like a beautiful morning but also a new alternate tuning or an amazing
artist can give me inspiration. Making my own music is really my passion.
8. For beginning guitarists, from your experience what do you recommend they concentrate on and also not waste time practicing?
MvH: Concentrate on what you want to learn, because that’s what keeps you motivated. Don’t rush it and don’t play songs that are too difficult. So it stays fun. Stay motivated and enthusiastic, because that’s what music is about.
9. Merel, what is you’re understanding of music theory? Do you use it in creating your music and what do you advise for beginning guitarist to learn?
MvH:I know some theory but I don’t frequently use it. I use my feeling and my ears. I rely on that. That’s how I compose and play music. When I compose I just rely on what I hear and what I think sounds well together. But as a beginner I can recommend it, it’s always useful in the future. But in my opinion I think creativity is the most important thing in music.
10. How big was it for you having YouTube to get feedback on your music and give you the confidence to pursue your career in music further?
MvH: Very big! YouTube helped me a lot, I got feedback on my songs and I got fans. People liked my work and that encouraged me a lot to do it really serious. At the moment I’ve composed over 14 songs. I reached a lot of people through YouTube and I got invited for concerts because of that. All those opportunities I got wouldn’t be possible if I wasn’t sharing my work on the internet.
For more about Merel and her music, visit:
MerelvanHoek.com
Merel’s YouTube Channel
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