November 2025 Challenge Response – Reuben B

[Reuben B]

This is my arrangement of “Mary Did You Know?” on an 8-string baritone guitar.

Looking forward to see the submissions. Thanks for listening!

[Michael L]

Hi Reuben, really lovely! Nicely played on a really unique instrument. The arrangement is really full and melodic. That low bass gives such a resonant foundation to it all, and the tone is so rich. I didn’t know Taylor made this guitar.

[AndréM]

Wow Reuben I love that song and the tone of your 8 .strings.
Very well performed.
Real full sound.

Merry Christmas

AndréM

AndréM

[Alan O]

Wow, that was sooo good!! I love that song and play it as well but only the chords. Your fingerstyle version together with the baritone guitar is awesome!

Alan

[JoLa]

I looooove it, Reuben! This is one of my most favorite Christmas songs, love the minor key melody! I have never heard it on a 8-string Taylor and love the sound of deep bass, it sounded really good to my ears. I suppose two of the strings are doubled, right? Your playing is so very musical, great fingerstyle skills, and a fantastic showcase! Merry Christmas 🙂

🎸JoLa

[Catherine Arsenault]

Wow Rueben that so beautiful I loved it!!

[Guido]

This is a classy rendition Reuben! The arrangement, your spotless and musical finger picking, the amazing tone of that baritone guitar, just loved everything in this piece! And finally that room you are playing in looks really cool, with the fireplace and Xmas tree!

Guido

[Juxi]

Very beautiful, Reuben! That deep bass tone is a joy every time it sounds. Played flawlessly, great performance. 👍🏽👍🏽

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Denise]

Oh, that guitar sounds and looks so beautiful. The ringing of the bass notes sounds fantastic!!
What a wonderful arrangement. I looks that it is very difficult to play.
Your fingerstyle playing is so skillfull. Bravo.
Denise

More Blues!

[Werner]

Thank you very much for this contribution. It has already been mentioned several times above that you played it excellently. And that is true, without question. Thank you very much for introducing us to this extraordinary instrument.

Merry Christmas, Werner

[John H]

Reuben,
Just saying-I love hearing you play and better yet loving hear your compositions. Very well played and moving. Lovely!

JH

[Bill]

Great arrangement Reuben, very pretty piece and nicely enhanced with the baritone guitar. Not sure if know what to do with all those extra strings, but you sure did! Great setting for your video too.
Merry Christmas! 🎄

[charjo]

I knew this would be good. You are a great finger style player, Rueben. Thumb over on the 8 string impressed me. Is that neck a little wider than the typical 6 string? Love your flexible recording set up.
John

[Wayne Nunez]

Nice smooth and great finger style playing well done friend 👍

[JoeD1]

Every thing about this was top notch…your playing, tone, 8 string baritone, video…all of it was beautiful. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Andy N]

That’s not a song I know but it didn’t matter it was just wonderful to listen too and absorb all the nuance in your playing. That’s one awesome instrument and what a full resonant sound it produces.

[sunjamr]

Nice one, Reuben! I’ve seen baritone guitars used in bands before, but this is the first time I’ve heard one played standalone so that I could hear exactly how it sounds. I suspect the playing style has to be quite different from a standard guitar, due to heavier strings, wider fret spacing, etc. Now I’m curious to hear how it would work for some standalone blues fingerstyle.

Sunjamr Steve

[math07]

Reuben,

Great setting around the tree and the fire. And I didn’t even know an 8-string guitar existed — that’s really cool, it adds a great sound. Nice performance, I really enjoyed it.

[Dieter]

Excellent playing and very interesting guitar.

Dieter

[Alan L]

Wow that’s fantastic! The melody has a nice swell and emotion, and the seamless weaving of harmony and countermelodies really bring it all together. That guitar sounds awesome.

[Manfred M]

Wow, Reuben, this 8-string baritone sounds beautiful, and you know how to play it. Perfect choice in song and instruments. And you are a player who lets both shine.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be at the beginning of next year 2026

A detailed announcement will be posted here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Martin W]

Beautifully played Reuben, never heard of a 8 string before , but that sounds superb very rich low end to it , you handle playing it finger style perfectly
This has to be one of your best , so well recorded as well .
The setting around the fire and tree fits the theme.
Happy Christmas to you .

Martin

[James B]

Beautifully played and recorded, Reuben. Most impressive all around. Bravo! 👏

James

[Author]

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