EP 16: Mike Dawes on Fingerstyle Microtechniques, Covers as Creativity, & The Algorithm Game
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.Linkswww.mikedawes.comJamPlay course, USB stick version - This is the course material where Mike goes through the percussive techniques from the episode: https://www.mikedawes.com/products/usb-jamplay-courseMike's Truefire courses - https://truefire.com/search/?q=mike%20dawesTonewood Amp 2 - https://www.tonewoodamp.com/products/tonewoodamp2Neural DSP - Pliny plugin - https://neuraldsp.com/plugins/archetype-pliniIK Multimedia Tonex One pedal - https://amzn.to/44P0W1NMood Machine by Liz Pelly - https://amzn.to/3IdNlZeChapters00:00 Introduction03:12 Mike's Journey from Electric to Acoustic Guitar05:59 The Evolution of Percussive Techniques in Fingerstyle09:03 The Importance of Covers in Learning and Discovery12:05 Collaborations and Community in Fingerstyle Guitar15:08 Practical Tips for Intermediate Guitarists17:58 The Art of Live Performance and Creating Moments28:36 The Art of Live Performance29:50 Innovations in Guitar Effects34:23 Navigating the Spotify Landscape40:11 The Future of Music and AI45:54 Exciting Collaborations and Upcoming Projects
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EP15: Andrea Valeri on Groove, Guitar Tone, and Chasing Curiosity as a Composer
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.LinksKm184 Neumann mics - https://amzn.to/4kDCN3SLexicon rack unit reverb - https://reverb.com/p/lexicon-mx200-multi-effects-rackProTools - https://www.avid.com/pro-toolsValve Preamp - TL audio - https://reverb.com/item/89995273-tl-audio-dual-valve-mic-pre-amp-diSatnam Ramgotra - https://www.satnamramgotra.com/Maton Andrea Valeri model - https://maton.com.au/guitar/er90c/1073 Neve - https://www.sweetwater.com/neve-1073/seriesChapters00:00 Introduction to Andrea Valeri01:51 Celebrating 20 Years of Music03:26 The Journey to Fingerstyle Guitar05:23 Developing a Unique Playing Style08:50 The Importance of Sound and Tone12:36 Connecting with the Instrument16:11 Recording Techniques and Studio Setup23:38 Collaborating with Other Musicians27:53 The Creative Process of Collaboration29:57 Understanding Composition and Creativity34:37 Translating Emotions into Music37:07 The Importance of Childlike Wonder38:41 The Role of Feedback in Music41:35 Choosing the Right Instruments46:26 Gear Wishlist and Musical Inspirations49:22 Final Thoughts and Future Projects
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EP 14: Sean McGowan on Fingerstyle Jazz, Crafting the Music, and The Holistic Guitarist [New Book]
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.Links🔥🔥🔥The Holistic Guitarist, Sean's New book: https://amzn.to/4kfn4rwSean's Fingerstyle Jazz curriculum on Artistworks - artistworks.com/sean-mcgowanSean's Truefire Courses - truefire.com/sean-mcgowanSean's Portmanteau album - https://open.spotify.com/album/5g9nhpCjWPQpaIzmJgKik3?si=oCo_kza3SFKYN6OCojmAqABook: Free Play - https://amzn.to/43UxZA7Chapman Stick - https://stick.com/Note: Sean's Archtop dimensions: 25" scale length, 1.75" width at nutThe Performing Arts Medicine Assocation - https://artsmed.org/Hampton HawesFour - https://open.spotify.com/album/0kTwd8JPkvKEaQ1hjYkwdz?si=EQJrTXZVShylGM_KjzRVvQand All Night Sessions - https://open.spotify.com/album/1VIeZWeI5KH16yzp3FvRki?si=DYiYMckMQGamUjjUfX1-8wHerbie Hancock's book, Possibilities - https://amzn.to/45uvExZSean McGowan playing "All Blues" - https://open.spotify.com/track/3zlBxWo1KrThBtmEvXOKqm?si=684e62c0a84c49e6Wes Montgomery, The Wes Montgomery Trio - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WbUlW1uuChmQumXueDmgp?si=hdCiIdwITD-3B4vXEuVJrAGeorge Benson, Uptown - https://open.spotify.com/album/6haQ84o7v7VBAxC3sWH3Ml?si=mnuY1S29QhGPvjqD1R8F3wJesse Van Ruler - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2mslSdrZRuMJURsuyHX9NU?si=M-nBjgTqQ8yp03Sav_XTrwChapters00:00 Introduction to Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar04:59 Journey into Fingerstyle Jazz09:56 The Art of Solo Guitar Arrangements15:15 Recording Techniques and Approaches19:53 Picking Hand Technique and Philosophy27:31 The Tactile Connection to Guitar Playing29:01 Transitioning to Archtop Guitars32:51 The Holistic Guitarist: A New Approach41:25 Preventing Injuries and Cultivating Good Habits44:50 The Human Element in Music vs. AI46:13 Quick Hits: Personal Favorites and Recommendations
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EP 13: Adam Levy on Songwriting, Musical Curiosity, and Making Albums
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.LinksAdam's website - https://www.adamlevy.com/Adam's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AdamLevyGuitarTipsSpry album - https://open.spotify.com/album/6h8cFbymARV81vhntvP4Uu?si=4kbw2LyESyO57di51W4upAAcoustic Sketches version - https://open.spotify.com/album/2RYqOGNaAtyNusAB6XaIys?si=rzVQ_xc8SL-uET_-2waAKgNoël Akchoté - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDA-e83rwufWKi3xpexqAhwAccidental Courage album - https://open.spotify.com/album/5N5TQTn8IYaVieQHz5qNDp?si=_MoA-N8YQqKS5zIlw_HSRAAdam's Patreon Channel - https://www.patreon.com/guitartipsproAdam's Truefire courses - https://prf.hn/click/camref:1011liVve/[p_id:1101l17789]/destination:https%3A%2F%2Ftruefire.com%2Feducators%2Fadam-levy%2Fe157String Theories book - https://amzn.to/4kpzAo0Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies cards - https://amzn.to/4mnZiLs and a website version! https://stoney.sb.org/eno/oblique.htmlChapters00:00 Introduction to Adam Levy and His Musical Journey03:09 Exploring Musical Focus and Genre Diversity06:03 The Creation of the 'Spry' Album09:09 The Acoustic Sketches: A Unique Approach11:55 The Viability of Acoustic Guitar in Jazz15:10 The Dynamic Range of Acoustic Guitar in a Trio17:57 The Process of Producing Music and Its Value20:59 Existential Questions About Music Production29:56 The Move to LA and Reflection on Past Work31:33 Art for Art's Sake vs. Commercialization33:00 The Emotional Connection to Music34:48 The Overabundance of Music in Public Spaces36:59 The Role of Input in Artistic Creation38:04 Upcoming Album: Household40:54 Collaborative Recording Process43:58 Exploring the Dynamics of Larger Bands49:59 Songwriting Methods and Processes53:47 The Creative Process of Songwriting01:00:14 The Importance of Lyrics in Music01:05:40 Reinterpreting Contemporary Music01:10:11 Engaging with Fans on Patreon01:15:07 The Journey of Writing and Publishing a Book
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EP12: Can Guitar Amps Be Furniture? Mike Nopper Says Yes.
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 Serenada, 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.LinksSonoforma.coSerenada, Sonoforma's flagship product - https://sonoforma.co/products/serenadaRhapsody, The Serenade's smaller footprint little brother - https://sonoforma.co/products/rhapsodyCadence, Sonoforma's custom pedal board "coming soon" - https://sonoforma.co/products/cadence🔥 Reddit Links - these are the forum links where Sonoforma went viral! 🔥Can guitar amps be furniture?From Concept to Creation: The Journey of Crafting Sustainable Guitar FurnitureCan Guitar Amps Be Furniture? (7 Months Later… Yes, They Can.)Celestion 30 speaker - https://amzn.to/42eozykSkeuomorphism - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkeuomorphGuitar Center CEO comments on revamping their stores - https://www.guitarworld.com/music-industry/how-guitar-center-plans-to-beat-its-competitionStewart MacDonald DIY Guitar building kits - https://www.stewmac.com/kits-and-projects/instrument-kits/Chapters00:00 Introduction to Guitar Gear and Design03:04 Mike Nopper's Journey in Music and Engineering06:09 The Birth of Sonoforma09:07 Blending Aesthetics with Functionality12:08 Target Audience and Market Trends14:56 Design Aesthetics and Materials Used18:19 Sound Quality and Customization Options22:29 The Quest for Acoustic Transparency25:21 From Concept to Creation: The Design Journey29:29 Prototyping and Testing: The Realization of Ideas33:53 Innovative Features and Future Products37:24 Community Engagement and Market Response39:29 Navigating the Niche Market of Musical Furniture
New Zealand