Project Bach kick-off almost there!!!

December 2010.
The idea behind Project Bach is that I'll play and record every movement from Bach's unaccompanied cello suites on acoustic guitar.
For each movement, I will make a high quality audio recording, to be published on this website. I'll also put the sheet music up here, containing the guitar arrangement I played, in both standard notation and guitar TAB. Finally, I will make a video of each piece, and publish these on my YouTube channel.
Read all there is to know on the Project Bach page.

Back on stage (and on the streets)

June 2008.
I returned to playing on stage on june 8th, when I performed for a small but enthousiastic audience in honour of the 50th birthday of a good friend. The new composition "Tyrannosaurus Ed" was premiered there and was received very well. Playing in front of a live audience certainly lit a fire in my musical heart, making me decide to perform more frequently. So I also returned to playing as a street musician. Last time I did that was in 1991, so the first time I was very nervous to pick up the guitar in front of all these strangers. Luckily, all went well, and I'm totally hooked on playing in the streets once again. It just feels fantastic to perform your own music that way!

Reason Version 4 up and running!

November 2007.
ForestSounds Studio has upgraded to Reason version 4, which is working extremely well. Most important changes are the arpeggiator and the incredible Thor synthesizer (shown in the picture on the left). Both of them will be used a lot on the new CD. This comes at a cost, though: I'm plowing through the 400+ page manual now... But it's all for a good cause.

ForestSounds gets Reasonable

May 2007.
Equipment at ForestSounds Studio is upgraded.
Biggest change is the inclusion of virtual studio software 'Reason'.

Happy new year!!!

January 2007.
Everyone at ForestSounds wishes you a year full of love, health, happiness and music.

New CD project started!

December 2006.
Gerard Slooven has started preparations for recording a new CD. The working title for this project is "Sketch", but that will most likely change in the future. At this point, not much is known for sure about the new CD. One thing, however, is certain: it will be completely different from the last one. Where "12 Significant Others" contained only acoustic guitar, the new project will feature lots of different instruments. At this point, plans are to include acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dobro, banjo, mandoline, ukelele, recorder, piano, synthesizer, percussion, all kinds of samples, and even vocals. Also new is the inclusion of other players. While at heart it will be a solo CD, guest musicians will add some spice to the music. Stylistically the CD will be all over the place, with a much wider range of styles. Release date is still in a very distant future. The last CD took two full years to make, and this one looks like a lot of work too. But, in our tradition of open source music, we will keep you posted. Watch this site for information and updates, and prepare to be surprised.
read more...

New ForestSounds Studio website online

December 2006.
The ForestSounds Studio website has been given a completely new layout and structure.
Not all sections have been upgraded yet; these will follow in the near future. The sections that are already present are available in English. Most of them were translated into Dutch. Parts that were not translated yet, are marked as such. They will be translated in the near future.

ForestSounds Studio site takes a short break

August 2005.
Due to my recent marriage and our search for a new house, the ForestSounds Studio site will not be updated for a little while. For the next few months, I've got other priorities. But the site will be back soon, completely new and improved.
See you soon!

Composition "Duotoon" released as mp3

July 2005.
Gerard Slooven has released his composition for DADF#AD guitar "Duotoon".
It can be downloaded as a free mp3.
read more...

Gerard Slooven portrait painted by Chris Semmelink

June 2005.
Chris Semmelink has painted a portrait of Gerard Slooven, playing his Seagull Dreadnought guitar.

CD "12 Significant Others" presented to Steve Howe

May 2005.
On sunday 29th of may, 2005, Steve Howe performed a full acoustic set at De Bosuil, Weert, Holland. For more than two hours, Steve played a broad selection from his own material, some covers, and several Yes-arrangements. The concert was really fantastic, Steve was very relaxed, and everyone had a great time. After the show, a signing session was held, where fans could lure Steve into signing albums, posters, guitars (really!) etc. Gerard used this opportunity to present a copy of his CD "12 Significant Others" to Steve. Since Steve is mentioned in the credits as the main source of inspriation, it's only fair that he would receive a copy. Giving the CD almost didn't happen due to a very nervous Gerard, but Chris proved to be a good manager and gave Gerard enough confidence to step up to the signing table and hand over the CD. And so it happened: Steve is now the proud owner of the first ForestSounds Studio CD.

Composition "Akke" released

April 2005.
In april 2005, ForestSounds Studio released "Akke", a composition for acoustic guitar by Gerard Slooven. The song was written for Annelies, Gerard's sister. Annelies died of cancer in april 2005, only days after the compositions was finished.
read more...