This tune I wrote for Ronnie in 2015. Ronnie is Aberdeen’s most famous karate master. He is known around the world for his half a century of karate training and teaching. He has an OBE form the Queen, an Order of The Rising Sun from the Japanese Emperor and an honorary degree from the University of Aberdeen, and many other recognitions.
The tune I thought suited the Scottish warrior theme as it is in a minor key and in the style of the Scottish march with the characteristic Scottish snap. There are 16 bars in each measure which also represent the 16 Chrysanthemums petals of the emperor. :-). Did I make that up?
I recorded this track on the album A Celtic Voice which was released on St.Andrews Day, 30th of November 2018 to an unsuspecting audience. Most people still haven’t noticed 😉
I recorded the track in my home studio using a Vignoni accordion, a keyboard and an acoustic guitar. This video I made during the lockdown and released today on YouTube. 30th April 2020. I used the previous footage I had on my computer as I couldn’t go out and meet Ronnie.
The karate shots were of Ronnie performing Kata Empi, in Albyn school gym after teaching the children there one afternoon. It was just one unrehearsed take on my iPhone 7. It was never planned to be used in a music video but I felt it worked well with the overlay of the Scottish Scenery and some black and white photos I lifted from his Facebook page.
I enjoy walking outdoors with my family, and when we do get the rare chance of a nice day I like to take my camera with me. I take lots of shots of landscapes and short videos which come in handy at future dates, especially handy now we are in lockdown. The imagery of Ronnie doing the Kata in front of a backdrop of Dunottar Castle, Skatie Bay and Lochnagar worked well.
I hope you like the video and the music.
If you are a musician I’ve attached a pdf of the sheet music to this post.
