Ron Smith, a graduate of the doctoral program at UC Berkeley, will demonstrate certain techniques of guitar playing and composition from the past century or so that are not found in orchestration texts. The discussion will explore topics of techniques idiomatic to the guitar such as alternate tunings, cross string techniques, harmonics and percussive uses of the instrument as well as less conventional methods of sound production with the instrument. Further discussion will include using the guitar in mixed instrumental ensembles and guitar with electronics.

Ron has been commissioned by CNMAT to compose a piece for guitar and computer. His piece will make use of the CNMAT/GIBSON guitar tools (Max/MSP based) that were developed in connection with CNMAT's research relationship with Gibson guitar.