The renowned guitarist breaks down one of his most iconic and inspired compositions, Sunburst — revealing how to play it with feeling, authenticity, and awareness.
For almost 40 years, Andrew York’s Sunburst has stood the test of time as a beloved work of musical art for guitar. Now, you can learn it yourself — straight from the composer.
York dives deep into every part of the piece, explaining how to bring out the melody, negotiate the harmonic shifts, and play the piece with an awareness of the purpose of all its component parts. In the end, you’ll play it with the depth of emotion and artistry it deserves.
Learn how to balance the melodic voices of the piece
Discover the rich influences York drew upon to write the piece
See how subtleties of technique can help you play the piece more authentically
Andrew York is an internationally-revered guitarist and composer with a career that spans decades, and an artistic vision that transcends our notions of genre and style.
A graduate of USC, York spent 16 years with the famed LA Guitar Quartet, from which arose the 2004 GRAMMY-winning collaborative album Guitar Heroes, a tribute to great guitarists of all genres. York also became a prolific composer, writing more than 50 original guitar pieces for either a solo artist or an ensemble.
His works have been performed by John Williams, Sharon Isbin, and Jason Vieaux (whose rendition of Sunburst appears on his 2015 GRAMMY-winning album “Play”), among other classical guitar luminaries.
Preview our curated selection of courses below. With lessons covering fundamentals, technical training, style and interpretation, you won't find a more enriching learning experience anywhere else.
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