As amateurs we have always been intrigued by the whole process of recording, and were often asking our tutors and other professionals what was entailed. We were lucky enough to know someone who, not only had the expertise & knowledge of sound engineering, but was also a professional guitarist and teacher. After much hesitation and indecision, we finally asked him if he would be prepared to help us with the project of producing a CD of our own. Little did we know at that stage how long it would take before we finally took delivery of our finished product.

The most obvious initial plan was to decide on our programme and learn all the chosen pieces to a standard worthy of recording. The 14 tracks took a good year and more, before we felt able to perform them with confidence.

Then there was the matter of where to record – in a studio or in a church? Each we were advised had its own advantages as far as the sound production is concerned. In the end the decision was made to record in a little church that our sound engineer located for us – somewhere with wonderful acoustics and perfect ambience which we hoped would be conducive to some good playing! The guitars we played for the recording are made by the English luthier, Earl Marsh.

Once we’d arranged to hire the church our venture turned into something rather frighteningly real! 3 days were spent there – long hours of very repetitive playing and admittedly at times rather fraught.

Much relief followed the recording session until we realised that a cover was now needed for the CD! Recognising the value of friends with different skills, we asked another to design the cover for us. She very soon came up with a design that we liked, and, using photos that yet another friend had taken the previous year, we thought we were almost there. However, getting from the design to the printing stage became a series of hurdles to cross and not without difficulties, although mostly due to our lack of knowledge of the process.

So 2 years on from the seed of an idea we now have our CD which we hope will be enjoyed. It’s been a steep learning curve but the outcome is very rewarding. Would we do it again?!?!...................