When Brandon Acker brought out his lute in his YouTube video, it gave fans an opportunity to hear an instrument that is not often featured in modern music. The classical instrument is most often associated with the Middle Ages, and Brandon began playing in a style that perfectly captured this era. However, Music Man readers will be taken completely by surprise when, halfway through the video, Brandon completely changes his playing style to bring the instrument into the modern day.
All of a sudden, Brandon began to shred on the lute, as if it were an electric guitar and he were playing the biggest metal concert of the century. The stylistic twist was astonishing, allowing listeners to hear the instrument in a whole new light, creating a strange blend of its soft, lyrical timbre with Brandon’s frenetic playing style. One online viewer even placed the piece in a genre category all its own, commenting, “more bard metal please!” on the video, which now has 3M views.
I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard Luke start to shred. It seemed like such a sound shouldn’t be able to come from the instrument. The way he blended old folk and modern metal was simply fascinating to hear. Not only was I blown away by his creativity, but also by his sheer technical skill. I couldn’t look away as his fingers flew up and down the neck of the lute at breakneck speed. His creativity and talent combined made for a truly special piece of music.
The piece was originally composed to be part of Jared Dines’ ‘The Biggest Shred In The World Collab 5.’ The video features nearly 100 musicians shredding together. When Music Man fans watch the video, they will truly appreciate how Brandon’s lute playing stands out. With the majority of other players on electric guitars and a few on acoustic and bass, the lute was an addition that captured the viewers’ attention, with one even commenting, “I wonder how many are here solely for the Lute.”
We know our Music Man fans love to see unique examples of musicianship, and Brandon’s lute playing is no exception. Not only does it highlight a classical instrument that is not often seen in the modern day, but it also demonstrates the amazing results of a musician who approaches their craft with creativity, as Brandon Acker often does. I’d like to see more modern genres and playing styles explored on the lute. Perhaps some funk? A bit of modern jazz? I wouldn’t put it past Brandon to take on these styles and make them sound just as impressive as his shredding.