Ancient Future Times: 2020 Vision

December 2019 Issue:

2020 Vision
•Ways to Help the World Fusion Movement Reduce Polarization

'Till 2020 Sale
•Recordings, Music Eduction, and Musical Scavenger Hunt

Global Guitar Summit
•12/6/19, Wu Wei Tea Temple, Fairfax

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2020 Vision

Ways to Help the World Fusion Movement Reduce Polarization

1. Fun Raising: Make a Tax Deductible Contribution

In this age of polarization, world fusion music is needed now more than ever. You can help our "fun raising" efforts to support Ancient Future's local Northern California concert season, provide seed money to bring Ancient Future to perform in your area, or support new compositions and recordings:

• Make a Tax Deductible Donation. Ancient Future was accepted for fiscal sponsorship with InterMusic SF, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, and now donations made through them on behalf of Ancient Future are 100% tax deductible to the full extent of the law!

2. Support the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings

Fun Raising A.F.A.R. Past the Finish Line

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, Ancient Future's fun fan funded recording project, has over 86 minutes of music in it so far. Another set of studio tracks that will expand the project by over 50% are already in production.

Hundreds and hundreds of hours have already gone into the composition, rehearsal, pre-production, and recording the guitar and bansuri flute tracks for Beyond Kalyan, a new piece by Matthew Montfort based on Rag Kalyan. At around 30 minutes long, it is a very expansive, emotional, and difficult to perform piece. Mindia Devi spent several weeks practicing her bansuri flute parts, and all of the composed sections and most of her improvised solos have been recorded. The next step will recording Vishal Nagar's tabla tracks.

It's time for some "fun raising" to fund payments to master musicians so that they can carve out time to practice their parts and record them. We have raised 22% of our funding goal so far. This is substantial, but averages just a little more than 2% per year, so we need to greatly speed up our fun raising to complete the project.

Please consider becoming a supporter at one of the levels below, starting at just $15. And if you are already a supporter, you can still upgrade to higher quality downloads until each supporter level is sold out. Once you become a supporter, you will receive all of the tracks in the archive (and all of the tracks that will be added in the future), and you will be eligible to buy a limited edition CD-R of the Best of A.F.A.R. So Far, which is includes all of the best tracks that will (barely) fit on a CD-R.

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future. (Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2030)

• Recording Newsletter-$15 (receive 128 kbps downloads): Subscribe @ $15.
• Download Supporter- $25 (320 kbps downloads): Subscribe @ $25.
• Limited Edition CD Sponsor- $50 (all previous plus CD quality audio): Subscribe @ $50.
• Honorary A & R Representative- $75 (all previous plus video and 24 bit audio): Subscribe @ $75.
• Donor VIP- $??: Make Additional Donation.
• A.F.A.R. So Far CD-R- $20 Additional. (SALE $15): Buy CD-R Now.

3. Make and Share Diverse Playlists

Streaming payments to artists are absurdly low, and the switch from music ownership to ad supported streaming has greatly harmed artists' ability to create new work. But there are even more problems with streaming. The algorithms are set up to suggest artists who sound like the music that the listener is already listening to. So, how are people to find out about new directions in music or music from other cultures?

After you support the artists you enjoy by purchasing their work (FUN raise A.F.A.R.), you can help to support musical diversity by making and sharing your own playlists of Ancient Future with your favorite artists from different genres. This can help to expand people's awareness, rather than narrow it. Right now, due to heavily weighted major label playlists featuring Ancient Future with New Age artists popular in the 80's, Ancient Future is predominantly suggested by streaming services to fans of New Age music. This is very limiting for the world fusion music movement. Fans of New Age music have often enjoyed world fusion music, especially the slower tempo pieces. But this isn't helping the world fusion music movement to reach people who need to be turned on to more diverse music.

Apple Music

Stream Ancient Future on Apple Music

If the above link doesn't work, search for Ancient Future directly in Apple Music. Apple doesn't have an ad supported tier, so it pays the most per stream of the major streaming companies at 65/100 of a penny net to Ancient-Future.Com Records, but that's nowhere near a sustainable payment that can support the creation of new recordings. It's much better to buy the downloads while you still can. Apple does allow you to make and share playlists. Please make public playlists with diverse artists and share them.

How to Make an Apple Music Playlist

Spotify

Stream Ancient Future on Spotify

Spotify pays a lower streaming rate than Apple, but higher than YouTube. It is still extremely low, especially for the ad supported tier, where a stream nets Ancient-Future.Com Records only 17/100 of a penny, while the subscription tier nets 36/100 of a penny. All users of Spotify can create playlists.

How to Make a Spotify Playlist

Spotify playlists featuring Ancient Future with appropriate artists can be found at WorldFusionMusicRadio.Com.

Pandora

Stream Ancient Future on Pandora

Pandora pays less per stream than Spotify on its free radio format, but more than Spotify on its subscription tier. Ancient-Future.Com Records nets 8/100 of a cent per stream on Pandora radio playlists, and 41/100 of a cent for Pandora Premium. The free version of Pandora doesn't allow user playlist creation, but you can thumbs up and down tracks. The Ancient Future station on Pandora is populated almost exclusively with tracks by artists with no world music influences at all. Please thumbs down those selections. If you hear Ancient Future on any Pandora station, please thumb it up so that more people find out about world fusion music. If you are a Pandora Premium user, you can create playlists.

How to Make a Pandora Playlist

YouTube

Watch Ancient Future on YouTube

Stream Ancient Future on YouTube Music

YouTube Music pays the lowest of all major music streaming services. For example, 1,708,584 streams of a track by Ancient Future on our own label on YouTube's ad supported service overseas netted Ancient Future only $101.16. That's less than 6/1000 of a cent per stream! Yes, thousandths of a cent! If this had not been on our own label, the artist share would have been even less. This is a travesty. Perhaps it is best to listen to YouTube Music with the sound off. Their subscription tier nets Ancient-Future.Com Records 65/100 of a cent, which is on par with Apple Music, but less than 0.02% of the reported streams in 2019 were in the subscription tier, so the higher rate is just a PR stunt at this point. YouTube Music is available in more countries than Spotify and all users of YouTube can create playlists, so for the time being we are encouraging the creation of YouTube playlists to share with users in countries where Spotify isn't available. Just remember to do your own listening on other services.

How to Make a YouTube Playlist

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'Till 2020 Sale

Recordings, Music Education, and Musical Scavenger Hunt

Purchases at the Ancient-Future.Com World Music Store directly support the artists and the music, and this sale offers bargain prices until 2020!

Five for Fifty: Five Releases Just $10 Each

• Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-20302). Signed Audio/Video E-CD-R- List $17.98. (SALE $10): Buy 1 Now.
• Planet Passion by Ancient Future( Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2010). CD- List $17.98. (SALE $10): Buy 1 Now.
• Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2017). CD- List $17.98.(SALE $10): Buy 1 Now.
• Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort (Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2008). CD- List $17.98. (SALE $10): Buy 1 Now.
• Sympathetic Serenade by Matthew Montfort (Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2012). Signed EP CD-R- List $12.98.(SALE $10): Buy 1 Now.

Music Education Sale: Get More Enjoyment Out of Music

World Music Studies for Listeners and Musicians!

Want to get more out of listening to music? Study of music traditions isn't just for musicians. For example, many listeners are attracted to the spiritual feeling of Indian classical music. But knowing the basics of tala (Indian rhythm cycles) will greatly enhance what one experiences while listening.

A great way to get started on a journey to become a better listener is to visit the education section of Ancient-Future.Com. Included are explanations of African, Arabic, Balinese, and Indian traditions along with some basic exercises to practice that require no instruments to perform. Your site surfing can even win prizes in this issue's Musical Scavenger Hunt! And as you learn more, you may wish to take a private Skype lesson to continue your studies.

Beats Book Brings Bang for the Buck



Sale Celebrates New Audio Guides and Grooves

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India by Matthew Montfort (Kentfield: Ancient Future Music, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2).

• Comb Bound Book- $46.95 (SALE $33.95): Buy 1 Now.
• Book and Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI Files- $74.95 (SALE $53.95): Buy 1 Now.
• Book & Audio Guide/MIDI Download (New Best Buy!)- $69.95 (SALE $49.95): Buy 1 Now.
• Companion MP3/MIDI Guide Tracks Download Set (New Release!)- $34.95 (SALE 24.95): Buy 1 Now.
• Companion Audio/MIDI Guide Tracks 2 Volume CD/CD-ROM Set- $39.95 (SALE $29.95): Buy 1 Now.

This classic "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all music lovers, not just percussionists.

The new downloadable companion set of MP3 audio guide and MIDI groove tracks of the exercises in the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities is set up for playback on Mac and PC computers, tablets, and smartphones. The tracks are also available on a CD/CD-ROM set. The material is presented in two complimentary formats: audio guide tracks and MIDI groove tracks.

Digital Liner Note Discounts

• Yearning for the Wind Digital Liner Notes. Download- $1.98 list (SALE $1.50): Buy 1 Now. 7 page .pdf of liner notes for Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. Features detailed explanations of the musical concepts of raga and tala behind the music.
• Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar Digital Liner Notes. Download- $2.98 list. (SALE $2): Buy 1 Now.17 page .pdf of liner notes for Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Explains the inspirations and musical concepts behind each serenade. Sheet music is included for those who want to delve deeper.

Skype Studies Sale

Study any of the musical traditions featured on the Ancient Future web site via private Skype lessons with Ancient Future bandleader and guitarist, Matthew Montfort. Recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists, Matthew Montfort teaches all styles of guitar (and other fretted instruments including ukulele, bass, mandolin, charango, and sitar) along with record production, composition, world rhythms, music theory, and repertoire for all instruments.

Skype Lessons

• 60 Minute Lesson- $75. (SALE $60): Buy 1 Now. Custom private one hour online lesson.
• 45 Minute Lesson- $65. (SALE $48): Buy 1 Now. Custom private 45 minute online lesson.
• 30 Minute Lesson- $50. (SALE $36): Buy 1 Now. Custom private 30 minute online lesson.

Gift certificates are available for online lessons worldwide via Skype and other webcam conferencing services. And for a limited time, an additional discount is automatically offered on a Skype tutorial with purchase of Matthew Montfort's book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India at Ancient-Future.Com!

Musical Scavenger Hunt

3 Ways to Win

Hunt through Ancient-Future.Com to answer the scavenger hunt questions. All of those who get any answer right win an educational digital liner note download of their choice! Get all of the answers right and also win your choice of the Audio Guide or MIDI Groove companion tracks to the world rhythms training manual, Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities.

3 Scavenger Hunt Questions

1. Name six instruments utilized in an Eve percussion orchestra.
2. What is the name of the more offbeat part of a Balinese kotèkan?
3. What is the name of an 11 beat North Indian rhythmic cycle that includes two groupings of 1 1/2 beats?

This scavenger hunt contest is open only to subscribers to the Ancient Future Times. If you are not already receiving this newsletter, please subscribe before entering. Entries accepted through January 1, 2020. Send entries to info@ancient-future.com.

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Global Guitar Summit

12/6/19, Wu Wei Tea Temple, Fairfax

Friday, December 6, 8 PM
Global Guitar Summit
Wu Wei Tea Temple
1820 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Fairfax, CA 94930
No cover. Suggested donation: $10 - $20.
Info: wuweiteatemple.com
Facebook Event

Ancient Future leader and guitarist Matthew Montfort and German fingerstyle guitarist extraordinaire Teja Gerken return to the Wu Wei Tea Temple in Fairfax for an evening of music from around the world.

Matthew Montfort is a pioneer among guitarists who have had their fretboards scalloped in order to play various forms of world music that require intricate note-bending ornaments while still being able to play chords.

Teja Gerken is known for his original compositions, many of which employ alternate tunings and two-handed tapping. His playing merges the styles of European guitar pioneers such as John Renbourn and Pierre Bensusan with the distinct sounds of American players such as Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges.

 

Future of Ancient Future

Ancient Future Times: Future of Ancient Future
November 2017 Issue:
Help Build Our Future: Join a Campaign to Save Music
•Check Out This Video Shedding Light on the Artist's Plight in the Digital Age
Free Library Concert Series Continues After the Fires
•World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort with Arabic Percussion Virtuoso Antoine Lammam or Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar
Guitar Summit at Wu Wei Temple in Fairfax
•Featuring Matthew Montfort (Scalloped Fretboard Guitar) and Teja Gerken (Fingerstyle Guitar)
Beats Book Brings Bang for the Buck
•Sale Celebrates New Audio Guides and Grooves for Gizmos

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Help Build Our Future: Join a Campaign to Save Music

Check Out This Video Shedding Light on the Artist's Plight in the Digital Age

By Matthew Montfort
I'm on the board of directors of the Content Creators Coalition, a nonprofit uniting artists organizing in favor of fair rates for music. We just released two funny new videos referencing Apple's "Hi, I'm a Mac" campaign that take aim at YouTube's tiny compensation for ad-supported streams and its takedown process for unauthorized usage that is basically impossible for artists to use.
But YouTube promptly responded with its own takedown of our inital video post! As Richard Morgan wrote in the New York Post, "While videos of ISIS beheadings somehow slipped past YouTube censors, the video streaming site didn’t have any problems finding a playful ad campaign by some indie musicians — and promptly pulling the plug on it." The video was later restored when it became clear that pulling the video had caused a backlash that was generating negative publicity for YouTube.

What This Means for Ancient Future's World Fusion Music Mission

The videos demonstrate one of the major difficulties Ancient Future has in continuing its mission in the digital age. For emerging artists and those in less mainstream genres, the tech industry's "creative disruption" has "elevated" artists from workers or small businesses to beggars. No doubt you see lots of requests from artists seeking support through tech solicitation hubs such as Kickstarter. Unfortunately, it has come to my attention that I am sadly lacking in my solicitation skills.
Ancient Future has been experiencing a shortfall between the income we need to support our mission and the income that comes in from concerts and recordings. I tried to make up the difference by working non-stop on the computer, but this ended up causing tendon problems. It has come to the point where I can't personally continue to put in all the business hours necessary just to keep Ancient Future going, much less to expand our reach, which is what is necessary to further the mission of world fusion music.
I have come to the conclusion that Ancient Future needs a team of volunteers, benefactors, and superfans in order for world fusion music to reach its potential for social change. Here are some things you can do to help!

Ways to Support Ancient Future in the Digital Age

Volunteer Positions Available

Ancient Future needs a Director of Solicitations, Begging, and Busking to help raise money for activities, apply for grants, and explore starting a non-profit organization to support world fusion music. Other open positions include Concert Circuit Creator (duties include developing a circuit of world fusion friendly presenters and booking concerts), Anti-Social Media Manager (duties include encouraging cross-cultural pro-social responses on the anti-social media without simply enriching said companies at the expense of artists), and Traditional Media Archeologist (duties include searching through the charred remains of the traditional media to locate the whereabouts of current media contacts to maintain our database of world fusion friendly media).
Anyone interested in stepping forward is encouraged to email info@ancient-future.com. The positions could eventually become paid ones once financial support is generated by a genius Director of Solicitations, Begging, and Busking.

Direct Donation to Subsidize Concerts

Like the symphony, Ancient Future's world music rehearsals and performances cannot be supported by ticket sales alone. Yet arts funding has been cut drastically, especially in the USA and in California, and the advancement and indeed survival of the art of music is at stake.
You can help support Ancient Future's local San Francisco Bay Area concert season, or with a big enough donation, provide seed money to get Ancient Future to perform in your local area. Contributions can be made online or via check payable to "Ancient Future" sent to:
Ancient Future
PO Box 264
Kentfield, CA 94914-0264
Contributions are not currently tax deductible because Ancient Future is not registered as a 501(c) nonprofit organization. But hopefully Ancient Future's next Director of Solictations, Begging, and Busking (you?) can rectify that.

Donate to the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings

Bui Huu Nhut and Abbos Kosimov Recording A.F.A.R.. Photos by Michael Braden

The concept of the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings (A.F.A.R.) is to involve fans of world fusion music in supporting the production of an archive of live and studio recordings of cross cultural collaborations. The best of these recordings will be selected to be released commercially at a "future" date, at which point they will be on their way to becoming "ancient" recordings, hence the title.
There are four supporter thank-you packages available ranging from $15 to $75, and while donations to the A.F.A.R. project are not currently tax deductible, donations of any amount are greatly appreciated! Please do what you can to support the music. Detailed information on the various supporter packages and the benefits included can be found at www.ancient-future.com/afar.html.

Live Video of A.F.A.R. Track

Watch video on Ethnocloud

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Free Library Concert Series Continues After the Fires

Arabic Percussion Virtuoso Antoine Lammam and World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort

Ancient Future's first concerts after October's devastating Northern California fires will be in areas that were very much under threat. The fires forced the evacuation of Ancient Future percussionist Antoine Lammam, who will be performing at three of the concerts. Fortunately his home was spared. Others, including supporters of Ancient Future, were not so lucky. Our hearts go out to everyone affected. The recovery will take a sustained commitment.
These free hour long educational concerts by Ancient Future at Sonoma County libraries will introduce the audience to Indian and Arabic rhythms and feature world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort accompanied by either Arabic percussion virtuoso Antoine Lammam or Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar.

November Concerts

• Wednesday November 8, 2017, 5 to 6 PM, Ancient Future Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448. Free. Info: 707-433-3772 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  
• Wednesday November 8, 2017, 7 to 8 PM, Ancient Future Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Windsor Regional Library, 9291 Old Redwood Highway Building 100, Windsor, CA 95492. Free. Info: 707-838-1020 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  

Winter Concerts

• POSTPONED: Saturday, December 2, 2017, 2 to 3 PM, Ancient Future Guitar and Tabla Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Vishal Nagar (tabla), Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. Free. Info: 707-996-5217 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  
• Saturday, January 6, 2018, 2 to 3 PM, Ancient Future Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Guerneville Regional Library, 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville, CA 95446. Free. Info: 707-869-9004 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  

'El Zaffa' by Ancient Future

Video of Arabic fusion music by Ancient Future

'Yearning for the Wind' by Ancient Future

Video of Indian fusion music by Ancient Future

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Guitar Summit at Wu Wei Temple in Fairfax

Featuring Matthew Montfort (Scalloped Fretboard Guitar) and Teja Gerken (Fingerstyle Guitar)

Friday, December 8, 8 PM, Wu Wei Tea Temple, 1820 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, CA 94930. No cover. Suggested donation: $10 - $20. Info: visit wuweiteatemple.com.
Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar, an instrument with a modified fretboard in which the wood between frets has been carved out in order to facilitate intricate note-bending ornaments. He has released two solo CDs: Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar and Sympathetic Serenade, for which he is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com.
Teja Gerken is a contemporary steel-string fingerstyle guitarist whose playing merges the styles of European guitar pioneers such as John Renbourn and Pierre Bensusan with the distinct sounds of American players such as Leo Kottke and Micheal Hedges. Known for his original compositions, many of which employ alternate tunings, two-handed tapping, percussive effects, and other extended guitar techniques, Teja will also bring Celtic, jazz, and classical styles to the summit.

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Beats Book Brings Bang for the Buck

Sale Celebrates New Audio Guides and Grooves for Gizmos

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. By Matthew Montfort. Mill Valley: Panoramic Press, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2. Comb Bound Book- $46.95 (SALE $33.95). Book and Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI files- $74.95 (SALE $53.95). New Best Buy! Book & Audio Guide/MIDI Download- $69.95 (SALE $49.95).
This classic "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all music lovers, not just percussionists.

New Guides and Grooves

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Audio Guide and MIDI Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (AF-0001, 2005. V 4.0, 2017). New Release! Companion MP3/MIDI Guide Tracks Download Set- $34.95 (SALE 24.95). Companion Audio/MIDI Guide Tracks 2 Volume CD/CD-ROM Set- $39.95 (SALE $29.95).
This new downloadable companion set of MP3 audio guide and MIDI groove tracks of the exercises in the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities is set up for playback on Mac and PC computers, tablets, and smartphones. The tracks are also available on a CD/CD-ROM set. The material is presented in two complimentary formats: audio guide tracks and MIDI groove tracks.

Audio Guide Tracks

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: MP3 Audio Guide Tracks. By Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music (2005). New Release! Companion MP3 Audio Guide Tracks Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95).
Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Audio Guide Tracks is a set of 115 audio guide tracks of the exercises in Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities that enable learning by ear.

MIDI Groove Tracks

Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. Version 4.0. By Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music (1997. V. 4.0 2017). New Release! MIDI File Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95).
Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India is a complete set of 128 MIDI tracks that playback in Standard MIDI File compatible web browsers. For greater control or for use as rhythm tracks in audio productions, load them into a MIDI sequencer app (Mac, PC, iOS, Android, etc.) to loop tracks, change the tempo, or listen to individual parts. The files come arranged for General MIDI percussion and can be remapped to other instruments using the included MIDI maps.

Workshops and Skype Lessons

60 Minute Skype Lesson. $75 (Sale $60). Custom private one hour online lesson via Skype or other video conferencing service.
Matthew Montfort offers instruction based on Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities through online lessons via Skype and rhythm workshops at conservatories, public schools, and resorts. He also offers instruction for all styles of guitar, ukulele, bass, mandolin, sitar, and other plucked instruments.

Quote

"You can view this deceptively slim masterwork from a few different angles: as a friendly yet serious appetizer on three of the most sophisticated rhythm systems on earth; a chance to work on your rhythmic sight reading; a three-culture dip with matching mp3s for your ears; a gateway to exotic spices, complete with MIDI files, for your songwriting or drumming; or a fun way to organically digest complex time signatures. No matter how you slice it, this scholarly labor of love is packed with rich flavors for those patient enough to harvest them." – E.E. Bradman, Bass Player Magazine

Ancient Future Times December 2011: Injury: HELP Needed Plus New Reunion Concert Video

December 2011 Issue:
Welcome to the Ancient Future Times
Twitter: Ancient Future Band (Ancient_Future)
Facebook: Ancient Future Fan Page • Matthew Montfort Fan Page

In this issue:

A Direct Appeal from Ancient Future's Matthew Montfort
•Recovering from Wrist and Shoulder Injury. Financial Help Needed for Medical Bills and Living Expenses.

Help from A.F.A.R. Aids Healing
•Your Financial Contribution Adds Tracks to the Archive and Supports the Music!

Holiday CD Sale
•Three Latest Releases on Sale. Money Goes to Pay for Recovery Expenses AND They Make Great Gifts!

New Youtube Video from Ancient Future 'World Without Walls' Reunion
•Live Version of 'Turkish Taffy' Recorded at Yoshi's, San Francisco

Skype Lesson Sale and Free Introductory Private Lesson in San Rafael
•Help Support the Cause and Learn Something at the Same Time!

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A Direct Appeal from Ancient Future's Matthew Montfort

Recovering from Wrist and Shoulder Injury. Financial Help Needed for Medical Bills and Living Expenses.

It is hard for a normally self-sufficient person like me to write an appeal for help, but I'll do my best.

It all started when I increased my computer usage in order to try to find a way continue as a musician in an environment in which all of my income sources, very modest though they were, became severely impacted by the economy, the collapse of the music industry, and cutbacks in the arts.

I tried to make up for these problems by increasing my promotion efforts. This was a great success in terms of the amount of publicity I generated, but had only a small effect on my income, and worse, last spring my shoulder froze due to excessive computer use. In order to continue to play gigs, I had to change how I held the guitar in order to get my arm around it. This put an extra strain on my wrist, and due to that and the high action on my scalloped fretboard and flamenco guitars, on October 12 I woke up with a very severe case of wrist tendonitis. I had to cancel most of my concerts for three months.

Due to all of this, I found myself needing to raise money to pay living expenses, medical bills, upgrade my computer system so it can work with voice commands to save my hands, and repair my guitars. Fortunately, Mariah Parker was able to help me apply for a grant from Musicares (affiliated with the Grammy's) and the Actors Fund to cover my rent for the past two months, and also the Musicians Foundation awarded a grant for me to have my guitars repaired by San Francisco Luthier Alan Perlman. Alan did a wonderful job on my guitars, both of which are in excellent shape now due to much needed repairs. Fans of Ancient Future and fellow musicians came through with some online donations, violinist Dr. Patti Weiss gifted me a copy of Dragon Dictate, and my friend Dr. Behzad Mohit helped with a grant from the Health and Nature Foundation to purchase a refurbished Intel Mac.

Thanks to all of this support, I'm left with just needing to raise money for the next few months of living expenses and medical costs while I rehabilitate myself and concerts can be booked starting in the spring of 2012. I'm hoping to do this with a combination of sales at Ancient-Future.Com, teaching and coaching, record production work, and direct donations.

Check out the rest of this newsletter for ways to support my work through subscriptions, purchases, and engaging my services. Historically, Ancient-Future.Com generated $1000 monthly from record and book sales, but CD sales today are just a small fraction of what they used to be. I'm hoping that someday soon people will develop a nostalgia for the wonderful ritual of sitting down and listening to a physical record on the best stereo in the house and really enjoying all the work that goes into producing a great recording. Physical CDs make great gifts, and deep listening parties are a great way to share time with friends. This way of sharing music is so much more personal than clicking like on Facebook.

Thanks in advance for anything you can do to help! If you are in the position to make a much appreciated direct financial contribution, click here.

Sincerely,

 

Matthew Montfort

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Help from A.F.A.R. Aids Healing

Your Financial Contribution Adds Tracks to the Archive and Supports the Music!

Recording Newsletter: $15 (receive 128 kbps downloads). Subscribe @ $15. Download Supporter: $25 (320 kbps downloads). Subscribe @ $25. Limited Edition CD Sponsor: $50 (all previous plus CD-R upon completion). Subscribe @ $50. Honorary A & R Representative: $75 (all previous plus DVD-R upon completion). Subscribe @ $75.

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings concept is to involve you, fans of world fusion music, in supporting the creation of a collection of new live and studio recordings that are available to subscribers as they are created. There are already seven expertly mixed and mastered live tracks totaling 50 minutes and 42 seconds in the archive available to subscribers immediately!

On April 1, 2011, basic tracks for two songs were recorded featuring original Ancient Future tabla player Benjy Wertheimer, Mariah Parker on santur, and Matthew Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar. Then on October 9, 2011, basic tracks for a version of 'Purple Haze' featuring Vietnamese dan bau (a one string instrument with an indigenous version of a whammy bar) master Bui Huu Nhut were recorded. To date, we've raised $2530 towards our goal of $25,000 for the project, and we are now just hundreds of dollars away from adding the first brand new studio track to the archive!

When the archive is complete, the best of the collection will be selected for release as the eighth Ancient Future release. Please sign up for A.F.A.R. now and help support the creation of this music and give Matthew Montfort some record production work he can do while recovering!

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Holiday CD Sale

Three Latest Releases on Sale to Support Healing

This holiday season, the three latest releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records are on sale for only $11 each with any other purchase at Ancient-Future.Com. Just purchase any book, CD, or make a donation to support the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, and you will have the option of purchasing any of the CDs below for only $11!

Planet Passion by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2010) $17.98 list (Holiday Sale: $11 with any other purchase): Buy Link. (>audio.)

"If the members of the United Nations formed a world-fusion band, it might look and sound a little something like Ancient Future’s re-issue of their seventh recording. Planet Passion strives to preserve the world’s vast musical heritage via international collaboration: the idea that one protects the old by creating something new. This is at the heart of fusion music and the heart of Ancient Future’s global aesthetics, too: a diverse, unified world without borders, a multicultural community, a new, reconstituted sonic reality." — Ryan Allen, LEO WEEKLY, Louisville, Kentucky

Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008). $17.98 (Holiday Sale: $11 with any other purchase): Buy Link. (>audio.)

"This unusual guitar album brings together world instruments to complement the scalloped fretboard guitar. Starting with ‘Gauri the Golden’, an improvisational piece drawing heavily on Indian raga, this is an intriguing collection of the resulting compositions. I must admit that sometimes ragas played by guitar players seem to wander on forever, changing a note here and there and weaving a kind of slow, hypnotic journey. However, this guitar work is stunning, intricate and wonderfully melodic. If you are looking for good listening and something different for your CD shelf, this is it." - J.W. McClure, VICTORY REVIEW ACOUSTIC MUSIC MAGAZINE

Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2017). $17.98 (Holiday Sale: $11 with any other purchase): Buy Link. (>audio).

"Parker and friends blend the rhythmic syncopations of Latin jazz music with the entrancing, asymmetrical meters of East Indian rhythms resulting in first-class world music. Intriguing melodies that draw musical inspirations from the tempos of Brazil, Cuba, India and Spain make for an uplifting serene yet passionate musical journey into an ideal world." - LATIN BEAT MAGAZINE

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New Youtube Video from Ancient Future 'World Without Walls' Reunion

Live Version of 'Turkish Taffy' Recorded at Yoshi's, San Francisco:
http://youtu.be/e0YyuM7YTIo

On June 7, 2011, the exact lineup of Ancient Future that performed on the band's influential World Without Walls recording reunited to perform for the first time in over 15 years at Yoshi's San Francisco, where this video of Doug McKeehan's 'Turkish Taffy' composition was recorded. Performing in the video, are Doug McKeehan (piano), Kash Killion (bass), Ian Dogole (percussion), Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), and Jim Hurley (violin).

'World Without Walls' by Ancient Future featuring Tabla Master Zakir Hussain on Capitol Records

To celebrate the reunion, Capitol/EMI Records has released the first ever digital version of Ancient Future's classic 1990 World Without Walls recording. As its name suggests, World Without Walls by Ancient Future depicts a musical world without borders. The recording features Ancient Future members Matthew Montfort (guitars), Jim Hurley (violin), Doug McKeehan (keys), and Ian Dogole (percussion), plus special guest performances by world music legend and tabla master Zakir Hussain. The inviting melodies and ingenious use of ethnic textures make World Without Walls one of Ancient Future's most accessible and broadly appealing releases ever.

While CD's are no longer available in stores, a limited number of rare collectible copies signed by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort are on sale exclusively at Ancient-Future.Com for $24.98. Proceeds go to support the cause.

Tabla master Zakir Hussain

'World Without Walls' by Ancient Future Debuts on CMJ New World and ZMR World/Ambient Charts

The World Without Walls digital reissue debuted at #34 on the CMJ New World Chart in the November 18 issue of CMJ, and at #39 on the October Zone Music Reporter World/Ambient Chart, which are very high entry positions for a digital-only release. The majority of college and public radio stations that report to these charts are still only equipped to program CD releases.

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Skype Lesson Sale and Free Introductory Private Lesson in San Rafael

Help Support the Cause and Learn Something at the Same Time!

Prices have been temporarily reduced on skype lessons and consultations for the holidays. Online correspondence lessons make a great gift!

For those residing in Northern California, a free half hour introductory lesson is available to new students at Matthew Montfort's home studio in San Rafael for the rest of the year! Just email info@ancient-future.com or call 415-459-1892 and mention this offer.