Vol State News 06/20/2008
Volunteer State Community College
Music Department instructor William Tiger Fitzhugh is the author of a new book about classical guitar.
Instructor’s latest gig is playing by the book
Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, riverboats, clubs, homes and even the historic Ryman Theater; William Tiger Fitzhugh has played guitar in gigs all over Tennessee and across the nation. He teaches music at Volunteer State Community College, but he still finds himself plucking the strings in all sorts of situations.
“I did a wedding once where for the recessional they wanted the song Rocky Top,” Fitzhugh said. “They had orange and white pom-pons under the pews, which everyone shook at the bride and groom.”
It’s the life of a working musician.
“I’ve always thought of myself as a craftsman more than an artist,” he said. “I like to think of myself as a blue collar musician.”
Well, now that blue collar musician is also an author and the topic doesn’t seem very blue collar at all. Fitzhugh has just published “Classical guitar for the steel-string guitarist” with Hal Leonard publishing, one of the biggest music publishers in the world.
“I was really happy to get them as a publisher. The book started as a project while working on my master’s degree and I just kept working. It’s geared towards people who already play guitar, but not classical guitar.”
Fitzhugh specializes in challenging people with new forms of music. At Vol State he tries to get the rock and country guitar players interested in jazz and world music.
“I like trying to broaden people’s horizons and introduce them to different styles.”
He used his work with students to help develop the book. The instruction focuses on the same songs taught in seven different levels of complexity. The book includes everything from pictures of how to hold your hands to a CD of Fitzhugh playing the various versions of the songs.
Fitzhugh went to the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston for three years before taking a self-described 17 year vacation. He finished his bachelor’s degree and received his master’s degree from Austin Peay State University.
And while the teaching and music book authorship keeps him busy, he still relies on the gigs to make a living.
“I just always think that every gig I play is the last one in my life,” he said. “And then the phone rings.”
For more information about the Music Program at Vol State visit www.volstate.edu/arts/music or call 615-230-3202.
