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With a classical and eclectic guitarist repertoire, John Francis performed at the Coutts Museum of Art Tuesday during a noon hour Brown Bag event.
Francis is well known in the Wichita music scene, functioning as the director of the Wichita Guitar Society.
Francis often performs with 11-string classical altoguitar and 10-string classical guitar.
He played a six-string during the Brown Bag with a classical tinge.
He explained the extra strings provide extra base.
“I’ve been playing guitar going on 40 years now,” he admitted. “My strong point is composition and I like to mix things up a bit.”
The first song Francis chose to perform was titled “Anthem.” He said the song did have lyrics, but he has yet to find the right singer for the song.
“It’s only a few months old,” he added. “And as you know music evolves.”
The tuning for the start of the session was two steps below regular tuning exhibiting Francis’ interest in alternative tuning styles.
“I will work my way up to regular tuning by the end of the show,” he said.
The second song in the session was a piece Francis composed for his wife called “September Rose.”
“I figured it was about time I wrote a song for her,” said Francis.
A song requiring celtic tuning was next on the set list. Francis said the celtic tuning allows the guitar to be heard in a fashion similar to the harp.
“This one’s not even done,” chuckled Francis as he introduced his fourth piece. He explained he had been playing around with tuning once again and composed this dry blues piece about the less fortunate entitled “Desert Holiday.”
“This next one is a more established tune,” he said.
“Gliding” was a celtic themed tune. Francis followed the wispy tune with a story of his brother building baby cradles. He had written a lullaby to honor the trade called “Castle in the Clouds.”
“This is a little boogie woogie,” Francis said referring to “Mr. Cool.”
The fast paced piece is generally a hit with the youth, he explained, because he plays part of the song on the fret board itself. Taking the tuning to standard settings, Francis played “Marco’s Bicycle By the Sea” for the crowd.
“I write a lot of sambas,” he said, continuing with the rhythmic tune. The last original piece, “Coral Sunset,” had a unique rhythm.
“It evolved in a totally different way,” he said.
Christmas music ended the session with songs that included “Sheep Safely Graze,” “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” “Greensleeves,” and “Silent Night.”
With a classical and eclectic guitarist repertoire, John Francis performed at the Coutts Museum of Art Tuesday during a noon hour Brown Bag event.
Francis is well known in the Wichita music scene, functioning as the director of the Wichita Guitar Society.
Francis often performs with 11-string classical altoguitar and 10-string classical guitar.
He played a six-string during the Brown Bag with a classical tinge.
He explained the extra strings provide extra base.
“I’ve been playing guitar going on 40 years now,” he admitted. “My strong point is composition and I like to mix things up a bit.”
The first song Francis chose to perform was titled “Anthem.” He said the song did have lyrics, but he has yet to find the right singer for the song.
“It’s only a few months old,” he added. “And as you know music evolves.”
The tuning for the start of the session was two steps below regular tuning exhibiting Francis’ interest in alternative tuning styles.
“I will work my way up to regular tuning by the end of the show,” he said.
The second song in the session was a piece Francis composed for his wife called “September Rose.”
“I figured it was about time I wrote a song for her,” said Francis.
A song requiring celtic tuning was next on the set list. Francis said the celtic tuning allows the guitar to be heard in a fashion similar to the harp.
“This one’s not even done,” chuckled Francis as he introduced his fourth piece. He explained he had been playing around with tuning once again and composed this dry blues piece about the less fortunate entitled “Desert Holiday.”
“This next one is a more established tune,” he said.
“Gliding” was a celtic themed tune. Francis followed the wispy tune with a story of his brother building baby cradles. He had written a lullaby to honor the trade called “Castle in the Clouds.”
“This is a little boogie woogie,” Francis said referring to “Mr. Cool.”
The fast paced piece is generally a hit with the youth, he explained, because he plays part of the song on the fret board itself. Taking the tuning to standard settings, Francis played “Marco’s Bicycle By the Sea” for the crowd.
“I write a lot of sambas,” he said, continuing with the rhythmic tune. The last original piece, “Coral Sunset,” had a unique rhythm.
“It evolved in a totally different way,” he said.
Christmas music ended the session with songs that included “Sheep Safely Graze,” “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” “Greensleeves,” and “Silent Night.”
