Charles Tunstall
Charles Tunstall will perform a program of guitar music from the Renaissance to the present on Thursday, Jan. 26, at Tusculum College.
“Charles Tunstall’s World of Guitar” will be presented at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Thomas J. Garland Library and feature a variety of styles including classical, sacred, folk, popular songs from the 1960s and Broadway show tunes.
Tunstall, reference and instructional services librarian at Tusculum, has more than 50 years experience in playing guitar. His program will introduce the audience to classical (nylon-string) guitar and pieces from several periods and provide an understanding of the acoustic style of music and playing. The versatility of the classical guitar will be demonstrated by presentation of a number of different playing styles, various voicings, chords, playing techniques and discussion about leading guitarists.
Primarily self-taught, Tunstall has had a large number of individuals who have mentored him. Though preferring to entertain as a solo act, he has played in a variety of bands over the years.
Skilled on several types of guitars, his main focus is in finger-style playing on the classical nylon-stringed guitar. He came from a country-bluegrass background and now enjoys playing and learning music from a variety of periods.
His guitar idols include Christopher Parkening, Chet Atkins, Rick Foster and Charlie Byrd, and he has personally met Parkening and Byrd.
Admission to the program is free and refreshments will be served. It is an arts and lecture credit program for Tusculum students.