In this episode of The Guitar Journal Podcast, we’re joined by fingerstyle virtuoso Mike Dawes—an innovator known for his percussive techniques, creative arrangements, and collaborations with legends like Tommy Emmanuel. Mike breaks down how he builds layered acoustic compositions using “microtechniques,” and why arranging cover songs is both a creative exercise and a career catalyst.
We also dive into the realities of modern music distribution—how the algorithm shapes what we hear, why Spotify can feel like a double-edged sword for independent artists, and how Mike navigates the balance between artistic integrity and digital reach.
If you’re a guitarist, creator, or just curious about where acoustic music fits in a world run by platforms, this one’s for you.
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In this episode of The Guitar Journal Podcast, I'm joined by Andrea Valeri, an internationally acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist who has graced stages around the world alongside legends like Tommy Emmanuel and Guthrie Govan. With nearly 20 years of professional performance and recording under his belt, Andrea brings a unique voice that seamlessly blends thumb picking, finger picking, and flat picking techniques into something entirely his own.
We dive deep into Andrea's philosophy on tone and dynamics—what he calls the "fourth dimension" of music that you can actually hear and feel. He shares fascinating insights about his decade-long quest to achieve his signature sound, explaining how he spent years practicing 8-10 hours daily to develop the color and dynamics that define his playing today. From his early days as a rhythm player in an Italian singer-songwriter duo to discovering fingerstyle through Tommy Emmanuel DVDs at age 12, Andrea's journey reveals the dedication required to master multiple guitar techniques while maintaining that essential connection between soul and instrument.
The conversation takes an inspiring turn as Andrea reveals his ambitious plans for 2026—his 20th anniversary tour that will bring together musicians from every country he's visited over the past two decades. We also explore his home studio recording techniques (including his unique three-microphone setup that captures both the player's and listener's perspectives), his collaborations with film score legends like Hans Zimmer's percussionist Satnam Ramgotra, and why his cat Lilo serves as the ultimate quality control for his compositions 🙂 Whether you're interested in fingerstyle technique, recording philosophy, or the deeper emotional connections that make music transcend mere notes, this episode offers profound insights from a true master of his craft.
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In this episode of The Guitar Journal Podcast, I’m joined by acclaimed fingerstyle jazz guitarist Sean McGowan. Known for his rich harmonic approach and inventive solo arrangements, Sean blends classical influences, jazz sophistication, and fingerstyle nuance into a deeply expressive style all his own.
We talk through Sean’s musical journey—from discovering Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges as a teen to developing his signature technique and arranging process. He shares how he approaches solo guitar like composing for ensembles, why he sketches musical ideas away from the instrument, and how a cappella music and brass ensembles shaped his voice as a guitarist.
Sean also introduces his brand-new book, The Holistic Guitarist, a guide to wellness, injury prevention, and sustainable musicianship that’s more relevant than ever in today’s high-pressure, screen-heavy world. Whether you're a performing guitarist or a bedroom player, this conversation is full of insights that will deepen your connection to your playing—and your body.
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In this episode of The Guitar Journal podcast, I sit down with the incomparable Adam Levy—guitarist, songwriter, educator, and all-around creative force. You’ve likely heard Adam’s playing on Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me, or in collaborations with Tracy Chapman, Vulfpeck, or Liz Wright. Beyond his impressive credits, Adam has carved out a unique artistic voice that spans genres and mediums, from deeply personal solo records to his widely followed YouTube lessons and Patreon community.
We cover a lot of ground in this conversation: from Adam’s thoughtful reflections on genre fluidity and songwriting practice, to the surprising backstory behind his Acoustic Sketches album (recorded entirely on an iPhone), to his upcoming project Household, and we even get into some deep waters asking: Does the world need more music?
Whether you're a fingerstyle player, a jazz musician, or just someone trying to balance creative purpose with practical life, this episode is packed with Adam's insight, warmth, and humor. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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In this episode of The Guitar Journal podcast, host Jesse Paliotto sits down with Mike Nopper, founder of Sonoforma, a company reimagining guitar gear through the lens of high-end furniture design. Mike shares his journey from engineering and pro audio to custom fabrication, explaining how Sonoforma's elegant furniture-quality guitar cabinets bridge the gap between musical function and sophisticated interior design.
The conversation explores the philosophy behind creating guitar gear that looks beautiful in your living space while maintaining excellent sound quality. Mike details the development process of Sonoforma's flagship model, the Serenade, featuring teak hardwood construction, customizable speaker options, and thoughtful storage solutions including the somewhat contentious guitar drawer. They also discuss upcoming products like the compact Rhapsody side table amplifier and a custom pedal board.
Whether you're a guitarist tired of hiding your gear away or someone looking to elevate your home playing experience, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how guitar equipment can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
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In this episode of The Guitar Journal podcast, host Jesse Paliotto sits down with modern fingerstyle prodigy Alex Misko to explore the boundaries of acoustic guitar innovation. Alex shares his journey from classical training to developing his unique approach to the instrument, including his custom "Frankenstein guitar" with triple detuning systems and creative percussion modifications. The conversation takes fascinating turns as they discuss the balance between technical experimentation and musical expression, the role of cover songs in building an audience, and the importance of collaborative projects within the fingerstyle community.
Alex opens up about the challenges of being a touring musician, offering candid insights about mental health and the value of therapy for creative professionals. The episode concludes with thought-provoking reflections on how AI might transform the music industry and what it means to create truly exceptional music in an increasingly technological world. Whether you're a fingerstyle enthusiast, an aspiring musician, or simply curious about creative innovation, this conversation offers valuable perspectives from one of today's most innovative acoustic guitarists.
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The Guitar Journal podcast returns with a new episode featuring the extraordinary Jon Gomm, acclaimed singer-songwriter and virtuoso acoustic guitarist from Yorkshire, UK. In this wide-ranging conversation, host Jesse Paliotto and Jon explore fascinating insights into the guitarist's creative process—from developing song concepts before touching the guitar to his approach to alternate tunings and performance techniques. The discussion covers everything from the challenges of touring the US to Jon's unique method of handling online critics (hint: it involves his mom). This episode gets into both technical wisdom and some deep artistic philosophy.
Also, check out Jon demoing his arranging method by deconstructing his song "Deep Sea Fishes", breaking down how he builds complex arrangements from simple elements. It's a masterclass in fingerstyle guitar that connects Jon's remarkable ability to balance technique with authentic emotional expression.
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Join us for a chat with Trevor Gordon Hall, a guitarist and composer who's taken acoustic guitar into uncharted territory. Trevor breaks down his unique "structured spontaneity" practice approach, opens up about his recent trio work with Andy McKee and Callum Graham, and shares some real talk about making music in a digital world. We dig into the nuts and bolts of his reverb stacking experiments, his thoughts on AI in music, and what it takes to keep the creative fire burning.
If you've ever wondered how to keep your practice sessions meaningful or how to embrace new tech without losing your musical soul, Trevor's got some hard-won wisdom to share. It's a conversation that gets into the heart of what it means to be a musician today - both the challenges and the opportunities.
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(Note: Reuploaded Feb 2 with improved audio so you can hear Chris's guitar.)
Jazz guitarist Chris Parks discusses his musical journey, focusing on the Barry Harris method and its influence on his playing. He shares practice tips, explores learning fundamentals, and emphasizes community learning through platforms like Open Studio while developing individual style.
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In this episode of the Guitar Journal podcast, Juno award-winning jazz guitarist Jocelyn Gould explores her journey into jazz guitar, the importance of transcription, and the role of live experience in jazz. Jocelyn shares insights on jazz theory, right-hand techniques, and her approach to gear and tone. The conversation also touches on current listening habits and favorite jazz standards, providing a comprehensive look at the world of jazz guitar.
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Fingerstyle virtuoso Maneli Jamal joins Jesse Paliotto to share his musical journey, insights on practice routines, songwriting, improvisation, and his Fingerstyle Pro course. They explore digital collaboration, AI's role in music, and Maneli's upcoming projects.
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In this episode of The Guitar Journal podcast, classical fingerstyle guitarist Will McNicol shares his musical journey, blending classical and contemporary styles. He discusses tone production, the evolution of fingerstyle guitar, and his "four hats" model for composition. Will and Jesse explore collaboration, community in music education, innovative teaching methods, and the psychological aspects of practice. The conversation touches on Will's Innotet project, his approach to composition, and the future of guitar design and live performance, emphasizing the value of original acoustic compositions.
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In this episode of The Guitar Journal, Latin jazz guitarist Neff Irizarry discusses his journey from Virginia to Berklee, his album Cambio, and the importance of mentorship, style fusion, and transcriptions in music. Neff reflects on artistic integrity and musical connections across generations.
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Fingerstyle guitarist Adam Rafferty shares his journey from jazz roots to hip-hop influences and fingerstyle mastery. He discusses groove, mentorship, and the challenges of building a sustainable music career, with insights from legends like Tommy Emmanuel and Wes Montgomery.
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Jesse Paliotto interviews fingerstyle guitarist Emil Ernebro about his journey, influences, and techniques. They discuss blending styles, Pro Guitar education, modern recording, and tips on improvisation and practice.
For show notes and other guests on The Guitar Journal, please visit https://theguitarjournal.com/emil-ernebro
Follow The Guitar Journal:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guitarpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theguitarjournal
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/theguitarjournal
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Fingerstyle Guitar and Emil Ernebro
02:54 Emil's Musical Journey and Influences
05:42 Developing Fingerstyle Technique
08:50 The Impact of Tommy Emmanuel
11:49 Building Skills in Fingerstyle Guitar
14:58 Pro Guitar: An Online Learning Platform
18:02 Teaching and Learning Fingerstyle Guitar
28:24 The Endless Journey of Learning Music
30:14 Navigating Music Licensing Challenges
33:48 The Importance of Personal Guidance in Music Education
37:15 Recording Albums in the Modern Era
42:48 The Shift from Albums to Individual Songs
47:35 The Value of Focused Practice
52:41 The Reality Behind Effortless Playing
58:29 Creating Music You Love
59:18 Recording Electric Guitar: Simple Setup
01:00:59 Quick Hit Questions: Insights from Emil
01:02:40 Musical Inspirations: Current Playlist
01:05:44 Discovering New Musicians: The Milk Carton Kids
01:08:20 Improvisation and Risk-Taking in Music
01:11:43 The Importance of Key Changes in Performance
01:14:54 Guitar Gear Dreams: Emil's Ideal Guitar
01:25:07 Closing Thoughts and Online Presence
Jesse Paliotto chats with Tim Lerch about his journey, fingerstyle guitar, Ted Greene's impact, his new platform TimsGuitarWorkshop.com, and navigating music in the digital age. Discover insights on artistry, emotional connection, and the quest for the perfect guitar.
For show notes and other guests on The Guitar Journal, please visit https://theguitarjournal.com/tim-lerch
Follow The Guitar Journal:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guitarpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theguitarjournal
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/theguitarjournal
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Tim Lerch and His Journey
09:04 - The Impact of Ted Greene on Tim's Career
17:16 - Balancing Diverse Musical Projects
27:40 - Launching TimsGuitarWorkshop.com
34:36 - Teaching and Learning Approaches
41:27 - The Business of Music Distribution
58:25 - Staying True to Artistic Integrity
01:03:49 - The Influence of Bill Evans
01:10:24 - The Essence of Musical Restraint
01:18:44 - The Quest for the Perfect Guitar
