This is the first of the notes for the original compositions on my CD, "One Man, One Guitar"
I chose Test Patterns first because it was the first instrumental I composed that I actually felt worked as a composition. Before Test Patterns I dabbled in song writing creating mostly boring songs with lyrics that were either morbid or trite, typical teenage longings and ranting. I actually performed these songs at open mikes and the few coffeehouse performances I booked for myself. Oh, the horror!
About this time I discovered Kicking Mule Records and their various fellow record labels that released albums of fingerstyle guitarists of the time or rereleased blues recordings from the 30's and 40's along with some tablature of the music. I found I really enjoyed the music the guitarists were doing, both past and present and I immersed myself in learning how to fingerpick during my spare time. I also bought every solo blues or solo instrumental guitar album I could find and listened to them over and over and over.
I thought if I could play Anji like Paul Simon, The Fisherman like Leo Kottke and Ditty wah Ditty like Blind Blake my life would be complete. So I studied the recordings and the tablature when it was available, or wrote out my own. I also began to have musical ideas of my own and began to archive my ideas on reel to reel tape and later cassette tape. (I still have these tapes but I am not sure I want to listen to them anytime soon.) At some point some of my musical ideas morphed into Test Patterns. I knew I was on my way when I played it for some friends and they said, "Wow, you can really play guitar."
That put me on a life long quest of learning, composing and performing.
The name Test Patterns came from the TV screen that was on all the local stations when they ceased broadcasting around midnight or so. This was before cable TV. It also was a play on words because the piece was a test of my composing knowledge and playing ability at the time and it is basically a series of pattern variations.
I teach Test Patterns to many of my students because it is a fun piece to play. For me it remains a great warm up piece to play when I go on stage without time or a place to warm up.
The tablature for Test Patterns is available. If you are interested please send an email to brianwendt@aol.com. Also please sign up on my email list for info on future concerts and my soon to be released CD.