“Where
there is music there is hope”
If one
had to choose a single aphorism, of the many associated with Robert Fripp, this
is probably the key line. It informs everything he does as a writer, performer,
band member and teacher. That last description is also significant. Of all of
Robert’s diverse work, it is Guitar Craft that he describes as 'my proper
work in life’.
So it
comes as no surprise that, when choosing what aspect of his life to present in
his first book, it is Guitar Craft that was, without hesitation, chosen as the
subject.
Begun in
1985, Guitar Craft and the Guitar Circle has welcomed over 3,500 musicians –
including former King Crimson members Trey Gunn and Bill Rieflin.
“Music
creates the musician”
The
Guitar Circle collects much of Robert’s Writing on the subject across decades
of diaries, introductions to seminars and courses, online writing and more, to present a
comprehensive guide to developing a relationship with the guitar, with music,
with the individual musician and working with others.
It won’t
teach readers how to ‘play in a day’, a week, or even a year. It might,
however, help an inquisitive musician to develop a personal discipline/approach
to playing the guitar that will accompany that musician for life.
“Three
capacities of the excellent player: to solo; to accompany; to be silent.”
The book
also encompasses the Four Pillars Of Ethical Conduct: Honesty, Responsibility, Equity,
Goodwill
Straightforwardness
+ Transparency translate as Honesty.
Accountability
+ Owning-up equate to Responsibility.
Fairness
+ Distributive justice we understand as Equity.
Common
decency we recognise as Goodwill.
Principles
which Robert Fripp insists are met in all his work including within the music
industry, an industry most often noted for ignoring all Four Pillars and, just
as frequently, music itself.
The Guitar Circle is unlike other books by
contemporary artists on guitar playing and music.
“In
strange and uncertain times, a reasonable person might despair.
But Hope is unreasonable, and Love is greater even than this.”
