Dominic Miller - Ask Dom about specific tracks or albums

Q: My question is about 'David'. Every time I listen to it I am amazed at its power. What is the story behind this song? How did you write it? What inspired you to write it? - from Aida

A: I am glad you like this one. 'David' was the last tune I wrote for 'First Touch'. 'David' is the name of a friend of mine who died in the summer of '95. His wife called me the next day and asked if I could write him a tune. I said I would without thinking and the result is this tune which I wrote without that same afternoon without thinking. It's almost as if it wrote itself. I was just there. I think this is the quickest I have ever composed anything. Usually I like to take my time trying all options with a piece. This one came out the way you hear it. It was written and recorded, as you hear it in less than an hour. I feel 'David' is the tune that was the last piece in the jigsaw for 'First Touch'.

Q: About a month ago I first saw you on an episode of Studio Jams. How you came up with the two instrumental songs 'Rush Hour' and 'Otis'. They are a couple of the best instrumental songs I have ever heard and I am wondering if you can tell me, what inspired you to write those two particular songs? - from Samuel

A: 'Rush Hour' was originally written and recorded as a kind of power acoustic track. I like playing with styles like this. Playing it on the Jam sessions is really how it should always have been i.e. with a rhythm section, so I really enjoyed the process of going for it in this way. 'Otis' was written for my son by the same name. It's quite a simple structured jam.

Q: I’d like to know if you’ve used alternative tunings in any song. I have been able to play 'Eclipse' using standard tuning, even if I am not quite sure, because some clusters in it made me think of some dropped string. Second, did you play with fingers or pick? Third, did you use an Ovation with nylon or steel strings? Fourth, in which tracks did you use two guitars (or more) and where is it only one guitar? Finally, are you thinking to publish transcriptions of your music? - from Pierfrancesco

A: Wow, that's a lot of questions! I will do my best: On 'Eclipse' I used normal tuning. On 'Looking For' I used DADGAD, on 'Rush Hour' and 'February Sun' I used a dropped D and on 'Ten Years' I used a dropped C. The guitar I played was a P-Project electric nylon string made in Japan. The only tunes that aren't two guitars are 'Eclipse', 'Ten Years' and 'David'. All the tunes are played with fingers. I prefer the sound. In the last few years I have been playing with fingers and without nails. It's a warmer sound. Less bright. I have been very influences by South American music, particularly from Brazil (Egberto Gismonte, Jobim etc), Venezuela (Antonio Lauro) and Argentina (folklore music, not necessarily tango). I am still influenced by American, Spanish and Arabic music and of course I am influenced by the music of J.S. Bach. He is the original genius. I haven't published 'First Touch' for guitar but a lot of people ask me so it is maybe something to think about.

Q: Please can you tell me the tuning of your guitar on 'Ten Years' on the 'First Touch' album? - from Christopher

A: The tuning I use for 'Ten Years' is normal except the low E string drops to a C.

Q: I've not had the chance to hear you play live yet but I was wondering as some of your songs are quite short do you play around with the arrangement to space them out for the gig? Also what was the time signature for 'Truco'? - from Chris

A: It is true we make the arrangements longer in concerts. This is to show or play with different variations. I don't see the need to do this on record because I only want to say what is relevant. For some reason my tunes (or stories) are quite short. Even I get bored with too many words (or notes). I am glad you asked me about 'Truco'. I am proud to say it is all in 4/4. The first stab you hear is on 3 and...

Q: I am always moved (sometimes to tears) when I listen to 'Last Song' from 'Second Nature', the best word I have to describe it is "tender." I would ask you what you were thinking about when you wrote it, but if I am correct, it was written by Sir Elton John. A lot of how a song sounds also has to do with how the musician who is performing it interprets and plays it. What does the song mean to you? - from Deb

A: The reasons for doing this song are very personal and very sad. I am glad you get something out of it.

Q: A friend of mine just gave me 'Second Nature', (very good by the way), and I was thinking: 'The Last Song', do you play that solo or is there a second guitar? - from Phillip

A: This is played on two guitars. I have since worked out a version for solo guitar.

Q: My favourite song from 'Second Nature' is 'Foi Boa'. What is it about? - From Nina

A: I am so glad you like 'Second Nature' and I am happy to tell you 'Foi Boa' is my favourite track too. That was the first one I recorded. It is about the experience of meeting someone you love and would like to know and love more and more knowing you might never meet again. It's about the subject of a memory of something like love being more meaningful than the action. It's about longing.

Q: On Sunday evening I listened to 'Second Nature' and again extremely enjoyed 'If'. It's a really fantastic song. It makes me feel being close to the ocean since I listened to it last year when I was in Italy. The feeling I had then is a very lasting experience... I always remember the smooth movement of the waves. - From Alex

A: I am glad you like 'If'. The tune was originally meant to mean 'If I could love someone it would only be you'.

Q: I have a question about the 'Second Nature' album. I think I listen to it more than any other CD because it makes me feel so relaxed. My favourite piece is 'Quiero Decirte.' I was just wondering what it means in English and what inspired you to write it. Beautiful music. - from Anna

A: I am glad you like 'Quiero Decirte'. It was actually the first tune I wrote for the album. I means "I want to tell you". It's about wanting to tell someone you love them but are too embarrassed or not ready.

Q: I bought 'Third World' a week ago and I like it very much, it's very emotional and interesting, the music I'm searching for and find. I'm practising 'Letter Unsent' by ear. These riffs really make me imagine someone singing on that track. Would you please tell me the story behind that unsent letter? - from Andris

A: I am glad you like this tune. Actually I also imagined this one as a song because I was originally singing the melody. Most of my tunes start out this way. But in the end I made it an instrumental. It is not difficult to play. I hope you enjoy it.

Q: My question, what ever inspired you to write such a beautiful song as 'Forgotten Dream' on 'Third World'? It's like no other I've ever heard. I'd like to know what was going through your head at the time. - From Bonnie

A: 'Forgotten Dream' is exactly what it says on the label. I woke up one morning with a unique feeling that I had had some amazing beautiful, but sad dream but couldn't for the life of me remember what it was or who was in it. So I documented this feeling or emotion in the only language I really knew how. Music.

Q: I have read that you feel better able to express yourself in instrumental music than lyrics. I was pleasantly surprised to hear on 'Third World' the song (with lyrics) 'Denver Sun'. I am curious about this song and the lyrics. I believe the liner notes give credit to William Topley for "vocals". Did you write the lyrics and what was is like for you to put lyrics to your music and publish it? - From Deb

A: William Topley is one of my best friends. Being an intimate kind of album I wanted to include a 'friend'. The lyrics are his and the music mine. It deals with the life of a musician on the road meeting a particular girl whenever he is in that town. I find it very romantic. Sounds like a cliché idea but it's both sad and beautiful.

Q: I got 'Third World' two weeks ago and I like it very much. My favourite is 'Devil's Punch Bowl'. How did you come to this title with the Devil in it although it's such a wonderful piece of music and what does the title really mean? - from Kerstin

A: The title 'Devil's Punch Bowl' signifies a particular area on the A3 road about 40 miles south of London. There is some mystique surrounding this region. Kipper lives near there and I recorded this tune at his place. On my way home I was trying to think of a title whereupon this one came to me. Perhaps not very interesting, but you did ask.