Learning Resources
Michael’s music was truly “beyond boundaries.” He was ahead of his time, and his approach to composition, the guitar and performance was like none other. Michael drew inspiration from many, and inspired scores more to continue in his exploration beyond the limits of guitar music.
These learning resources are for fans of Michael’s music who feel motivated to take a deeper dive into learning the tunings and techniques Michael used in his music. These posts, videos and lessons have been generously created by several musicians and teachers who have studied Michael’s music for thousands of hours and have a deep understanding of his music, and a passion for getting it right.
This is the start of a knowledge base—more videos, lessons and how-to content will be added regularly in the years to come. SUBSCRIBE to the Taproot newsletter to be among the first to know when new learning resources are posted.
Core Contributors
John Stropes is a leading authority on finger-style guitar. Through his research, analysis, transcription, teaching and performance of finger-style guitar, he has brought focus to to the genre. His publishing company, Stropes Editions, Ltd., has set a new standard for written music for the guitar and guitar education.
Andy McKee is an American fingerstyle guitar player who has released six studio albums, two extended plays, and one live album to date. He is one of the world’s finest acoustic guitarists. Andy is passionate about Michael’s music, which he cites as one of his major inspirations as a guitarist.
“Why tune the guitar the same way all the time? For security? There’s already been so much written for standard-tuned guitar.”
— Michael Hedges
Playing Michael’s Music
Many guitar players say they’ve learned such and such a Hedges tune with nothing but the tuning. Even something as complex as “Aerial Boundaries.” But when asked questions such as, “So, you got the upstroke with the thumb in measures 45 and 46 while the other two voices are going?”, or, “So, you got the right hand pinky muting on the upstrokes in the bridge on ‘Jitterboogie’?” they’re not quite sure what to say.
Michael’s music is so rich and full of brilliant nuances which are essential to the music’s execution that you’re not likely to get it all without a perfect transcription. And while his live performance videos can help, there’s more going on than you can see. You are likely to pluck out what your ears and hands are ready for, but not necessarily the full depth of what’s really there. As Michael once said about learning to play other people’s music, “…the path to yourself may be through others.”
Now Available for Streaming – The Artist’s Profile: Michael Hedges
This rare 1998 documentary remembers remembers Hedges through his own words interspersed with rare footage from a July 1996 outdoor concert with bassist Michael Manring. Now available for online streaming.
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The Slow Series: Layover
In 1983, Michael Hedges’s friend Randy Lutge filmed him playing several of his songs slowly, so that others might more easily learn them. Watch him play “Layover” in this format.
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The Slow Series: Two Days Old
In 1983, Michael Hedges’s friend Randy Lutge filmed him playing several of his songs slowly, so that others might more easily learn them.
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Michael Hedges & the Harp Guitar
In 1984, Michael Hedges walked into a San Francisco guitar shop and discovered his next musical pursuit: an acoustic relic from the 1920s called a harp guitar.
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Michael Hedges Lyrics
Find your favorite Michael Hedges lyrics – a library of his released vocal tracks.
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Michael’s Live Sound System Requirements
Learn about what was required to achieve Michael’s incredible live sound.
...Resources from Stropes Editions, Ltd.
In the 1990s, John Stropes worked closely with Michael Hedges to create detailed transcriptions of his music – inventing new notations to accommodate his unique style. The resources below have been used by thousands of guitarists to learn Michael’s music.
In the coming months and years, Stropes Editions, Ltd. is planning to release more transcripts of Hedges tunes for Michael’s fans, as well as an instructional video series for specific techniques and songs. Subscribe for updates so you’re among the first to know when they’re available.
“The Double Planet” available from Stropes Editions, Ltd.
In August 1987, I was delighted to welcome Michael Hedges back to Milwaukee for the second American Finger-Style Festival. His career was burgeoning and there was a palpable excitement in the air both for his concert and teaching. And he was ready...
Michael Hedges/Rhythm, Sonority, Silence Book
Michael Hedges/Rhythm, Sonority, Silence was originally released in 1995. The acclaim it received upon first release established its place as a seminal document that created a new standard for printed music for fingerstyle guitar. The book was re-...
Titles/Tunings Database by Stropes Editions Ltd.
A new tuning database for several artists, including Michael Hedges. Search by title, album or tuning, and use tones to tune up your guitar, right on the page!
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Transcriptions by Stropes Editions ltd.
Browse transcriptions of Michael’s music by John Stropes. “Because It’s There” “Hot Type” “Ragamuffin” “Ready or Not” “The Happy Couple” and “Two Days Old”
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Michael Hedges/Rhythm, Sonority, Silence
Michael Hedges/Rhythm, Sonority, Silence was originally released in 1995. Given the enduring influence of Michael Hedges’ music, Stropes Editions, Ltd. re-issued this groundbreaking volume in 2020. The acclaim it received upon first release established its place as a seminal document that created a new standard for printed music for fingerstyle guitar.
In the book, transcriptions of “Aerial Boundaries,” “The Naked Stalk,” “Eleven Small Roaches,” “Layover,” “Bensusan,” and “Rickover’s Dreams” are augmented by autobiographical material and essays on composition, electronics, and tunings written by Michael Hedges.
Resources from The Next Generation
Learning resources from a new generation of players who are taking Michael’s music to the next level through their own study, compositions and playing. This series is in currently in development and will include regular releases of new articles, how-to videos, lessons and more from several contributors, including Andy McKee and Andrew Gorny. Subscribe for updates so you’re among the first to know when they’re available.
A Tribute To Michael Hedges
In this tribute to Michael Hedges, Andrew Gorny performs 27 covers, and shares about his upcoming release.
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Discovering Michael’s Music
Andy McKee shares the story of how he discovered Michael’s music. Plus, a video of Andy recording Ragamuffin.
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Music that Moves Your Soul
Calum Graham shares the story of how he was introduced to Michael’s music. Plus, a video of Calum playing “Dirge” with Michael Manring.
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The Definition of Impossible
Andrew Gorny on how he started learning to play Michael’s music, and where it’s taken him. “Nailing all of the notes is one thing. Getting the techniques right is another….”
...“Only by becoming acquainted with your own self can you gain the composure to write original music.”
— Michael Hedges
