Martin Blanes rings in the Chinese New Year on a carbon tenor harp ukulele

[Emerald Guitars]

Dear all,

Our good friend Martin Blanes (Paperkitten), who would be well-known to forum members, visited us in Donegal, Ireland this week.

While he was here he recorded a beautiful traditional Chinese piece on our tenor harp ukulele, the Synergy Uke, to mark the Chinese New Year (January 28).

Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNW_8xz9Vqo

We hope you enjoy it.

Best Wishes,

Sean

Martin Blanes Synergy Uke by Alistair Hay, on Flickr

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Met Martin a few years ago at winter NAMM, great guy. He is an amazing guitar player, and an excellent ambassador for Emerald guitars.

[Fixedgear60]

Great to see Martin is well and still has his playing passion. An amazing player and instrument!!!

[Acousticado]

That was very pretty. Nice touch, Martin! Cool little instrument.

Wow! What a sweet instrument and what great music.

It's really nice to see Martin back in play. He has been a staunch supporter of carbon fiber instruments. He attended the two previous Carbon Fests where he played a variety of instruments, gave some really interesting lessons, and was a pleasure to watch and hear play.

Thanks for the video Sean.

[Doubleneck]

That was just wonderful ! Wow, breathtaking really,

I think the Uke version of the harp guitar really works well cause the base notes are not so deep and low as to be difficult to hear at the same perceived volume as the Uke notes. Now if only I could play half as well. Maybe it's the globe and library books?

Starts at $1250, not out of reach really?

Steve;

As a paragon of double-neckness you should have at least one of these.

[Captain Jim]

Beautifully played on a unique instrument.

[Jimmy Koh]

That's a very beautiful rendition of "The Moon Resembles My Heart", Martin!

I joke you guys not, my mom sang this song to my son almost every night!

Way to go dude!

[Uncle Pauhana]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Koh

That's a very beautiful rendition of "The Moon Resembles My Heart", Martin!

I joke you guys not, my mom sang this song to my son almost every night!

Way to go dude!

I loved listening to Martín's beautiful rendition of this song, and your contribution, Jimmy, has made it that much more special. That's so cool that you have a personal and cultural connection to the song!


__________

[s2y]

The price point makes me want to test the water with carbon, a uke, and harp strings. Stupid adult responsibilities.

One of the neat things about this video is that it reaffirms an ancient cultural linkage between Ireland and Spain. And here it is; an Irish instrument and a Spanish player, carbon fiber uniting the world.

[studioman001]

Great playing and a unique instrument!

[Alistair Hay]

It was a real thrill to have Martin Blanes with us last week and this video is just one of many he recorded.
Its been about 4 years since I last met Martin and its been 4 years since he played my guitars so it was a pleasure to be able to show him all the new models and how far the previous models had progressed.
Sometimes its only when I take time to explain the differences to someone that I realise just how much our guitar range has changed in a few short years.
We will have more videos to share with you in the coming weeks by this very talented virtuoso.
Alistair