The guitar was completely out of my life at that time due to a total loss of memory and what was suggested as a tool for amplifying my creative interests was the computer. At that time the first one that I purchased was a small Apple. In fact it was only 127 K; but did provide what was needed for the moment. I used it for getting lost in graphics with MacPaint as well as some of the other basic built in programs. After a while I began to gain interest in software designed for music; simple; efficient; nothing too serious; just something to play with when needed. It worked; it helped to create an active relationship with music once again; even though it had absolutely nothing to do with my earlier career.
When I finally decided to retrain myself as a guitarist one of the first things that happened was my experience of the guitar synthesizer; provided by Tom Glenn; who was over at Roland at that time. Since I had been using synthesizers with Warner Bros. Records through 1975 and '76 it was a reunion with an old friend; this time with a slight difference; it was now interfaced with the guitar itself. Of course in 1981 midi "tracking" on the guitar was quite less precise than it is today; none the less, it served its purpose by creating a deeper interest in the process itself. I kept the Roland G -707 and continued its use throughout the 80's and the 90's; solving any of its tracking problems through editing on the computer itself. As the computers began to upgrade, so too did the results. "Seven Sketches" are some of the best of those results. Totally private moments that were done with no expectation.
I thought it would be rewarding to share some of these moments; hopefully as enjoyable for others as they've been for me.
- Pat Martino
