I compose original instrumental music on acoustic guitar. I started to play when I was about 14 years old.  I am self taught and utilize a unique finger-style approach.  Over the past couple of years, I began experimenting with a more percussive element.  Lots of slap/stop, harmonic tapping techinques.  I think the most exciting part of this kind of playing; is that I am not confined to any theoretical parameters.  I just dive into this thing--and I love it!!!

The music is a cross-genre of styles, with hints of new age, world, meditation, spiritual, adult contemporary, blues, folk, Latin, Brazilian, Spanish, Indian, African, Asian, Middle Eastern, classical, rock and of course the occasional heavy metal influence. I'm am very eclectic, rarely listen to mainstream music and always think outside of the box...

I've been told the music is lulling, soothing and quite relaxing- at least, that's some of the material>>> The newer music launches into a very different direction.  Someone recently sent me an email and here's their wonderful quote:

" Marc grabs onto a groove and turns it every which way but loose.  He plays with conviction and passion."   That quote really reminds me of why I feel in my soul, that my gift is to play music.  He also went on to draw strong comparisons to the late-amazingly talented Michael Hedges.  "This guy is like Pat Methany (ala New Chautauqua), Harvey Reid and Keith Jarret; all rolled into one.  He's completely original." 

With comments like that, I know what my purpose is for; on this great planet of ours...

I call it thought-provoking, adult contemporary. It's very therapeutic for me. I get really engrossed in the things I write about. My songs and titles are a snapshot of where I was; during that time of my life.

Some of my musical influences come from: Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Randy Rhodes, Zach Wilde, AC/DC, Yorma Kaukonen, Leo Kottke, Jimmy Hendrix, Cream, Eric Clapton, Santana, Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eagles, Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queens of the Stone Age, Seal, Dave Matthews, Tim Reynolds, Grateful Dead, Phish, Steve Kimock, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Alice in Chains, Mad Season, Smashing Pumpkins, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Soundgarden, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nine Inch Nails, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Type O Negative, B.B. King, U2, James Taylor, John McLaughlin, Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Nora Jones, Natalie Merchant, Beck, Dead Can Dance, Counting Crows, Midival Punditz, Duke Ellington, Tony Bennet, Elton John, Billy Joel, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Michael Hedges, Jeff Buckley, Peter Gabriel, Pete Yorn, Soul Coughing, Stone Temple Pilots, David Gray, Coldplay, Blind Melon, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Jars of Clay; to name only a few. LOL!

I play a Martin DC-1E, dreadnought, Venetian cutaway.  I used to use
Martin Marquis strings, 80/20 bronze, medium specs. .013-.056. 

In January '05, I switch to D'Addario Phosphor Bronze strings.  They are the heaviest strings that Martin will allow.  Their specs. are as follows:
1st-.014, 2nd-.018, 3rd-.027, 4th-.039, 5th-.049, 6th-.059. 

My reasoning is for tone, harmonics, resonance, sustain and durability.  I had a lot of custom work done on my guitar and felt that going to this gauge would offer an even greater benefit.  It has worked out quite well. 

Many people ask me what "tuning" is my guitar set in?  I've always kept it really simple and have yet to experiment with the many possible alternate tunings. 
My guitar is tuned down one whole step; which translates from:
E, A, D, G, B, E to D, G, C, F, A, D.

Songs are written either with no capo, up to capo on the eighth fret, so far. I also will tune the low "D" string down to a low "C"; which creates the coolest "drone" effect. 

Some other tunes utilize a drop "D."  Once the "E" string is down an octave to match the "D" string; I just place the capo anywhere and get wacky.  I find this to be a nice change from the usual standard 440 tuning format.

If you've made it this far in my notes, I thank you so much for taking the time learn about who I am and what I do.  Please continue to click through the site, for more info...