Acoustic Guitar

Latest Episodes:

Meet the Acoustic Guitar Teaching Artists Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Five awesome Teaching Artists—Isa Burke, Lisa Liu, Mamie Minch, Sean McGowan, and Thu Tran—want to help you grow as a guitarist!

They're sharing engaging insights and invaluable guitar wisdom each and every week in the Acoustic Guitar Patreon community. To celebrate the launch of this new series, we hosted a live hangout with the TAs. It was a whole lot of fun and featured songs, stories, and a window into the musical lives of these great guitarists. We hope you enjoy this replay of the event!

Join the Acoustic Guitar Patreon Community at the Supporter tier (or higher) to get the Teaching Artist benefits. That’s one new video lesson each week, plus virtual concerts and regular roundtable discussions with the TAs. You’ll also get instant access to the TAB and notation in our Song of the Month club, invitations to participate in live monthly workshops, and more.

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Courtney Hartman Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

Guitarist and singer-songwriter Courtney Hartman discusses her evolution from flashy flatpicker to introspective songwriter, the staying power of old-time music, her relationship with Bourgeois Guitars, and shares insights from teaching music.
Additional Resources:

Visit Courtney Hartman's website.
Learn to play her arrangement of “Cumberland Gap”
Join our Patreon community for access to more podcast episodes, lessons, and workshops.

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast theme music is composed by Adam Perlmutter and performed for this episode by Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers.

This episode is hosted, directed, and edited by Joey Lusterman and produced by Tanya Gonzalez. Executive producers are Lyzy Lusterman and Stephanie Campos Dal Broi.

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast is produced by the team at Acoustic Guitar magazine, including:

Publisher: Lyzy Lusterman
Editorial Director: Adam Perlmutter
Managing Editor: Kevin Owens
Creative Director: Joey Lusterman
Digital Content Director: Stephanie Campos Dal Broi
Marketing Services Manager: Tanya Gonzalez

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Get Recording Ready Sep 25, 2024

Show notes

It's easier than ever to grab a guitar and a microphone and hit record—but how can you get the most out of your recording session? We sat down with Joe Gore and Molly Miller, both guitarists and studio pros, for a conversation about how to prepare.
Thanks to G7th for sponsoring this episode. Learn about the Performance 3 and the other ranges of G7th capos at www.G7th.com.

Additional resources:

Listen to Part 2 on Patreon.
Visit Molly Miller's website.
Visit Joe Gore's website and watch his video lesson for Acoustic Guitar on developing rhythmic independence in your thumb.
You might also like our "Get Gig Ready" and "Why Should I Plug In?" podcast episodes.
Check out "A Guide to Getting Started with Home Recording" by Doug Young.

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast theme music is composed by Adam Perlmutter and performed for this episode by Joe Gore—entirely on his 2014 Kris Barnett classical guitar. The percussion is thumps and taps on the body. There’s some home recording processing, like added subharmonics for the bass and compression/EQ for the percussion.

This episode is hosted by Nick Grizzle and E.E. Bradman, produced by Tanya Gonzalez, and directed and edited by Joey Lusterman. Executive producers are Lyzy Lusterman and Stephanie Campos Dal Broi.

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast is produced by the team at Acoustic Guitar magazine, including:

Publisher: Lyzy Lusterman
Editorial Director: Adam Perlmutter
Managing Editor: Kevin Owens
Creative Director: Joey Lusterman
Digital Content Director: Stephanie Campos Dal Broi
Digital Content Manager: Nick Grizzle
Marketing Services Manager: Tanya Gonzalez

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Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore Aug 28, 2024

Show notes

We catch up with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Dave Alvin while they’re on the road touring their new album, Texicali. Great collaborators and friends, our guests reflect on writing and playing together, defying genre expectations, acoustic guitars, and (most importantly) having a good time.
Support the show:

Additional Resources:

Visit Dave Alvin's website.
Visit Jimmie Dale Gilmores’s website.
Learn to play Alvin's "King of California" in the May 2007 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine.
Learn to play "Dallas" by the Flatlanders in the November 1996 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine.

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast theme music is composed by Adam Perlmutter and performed for this episode by Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers.

This episode is hosted, directed, and edited by Joey Lusterman and produced by Tanya Gonzalez. Executive producers are Lyzy Lusterman and Stephanie Campos Dal Broi.

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast is produced by the team at Acoustic Guitar magazine, including:

Publisher: Lyzy Lusterman
Editorial Director: Adam Perlmutter
Managing Editor: Kevin Owens
Creative Director: Joey Lusterman
Digital Content Director: Stephanie Campos Dal Broi
Digital Content Manager: Nick Grizzle
Marketing Services Manager: Tanya Gonzalez

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My First Guitar Encore Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

We launched the Acoustic Guitar Podcast two years ago and the show has grown a lot in that time, thanks to listeners like you! This re-release of our first-ever episode includes Part Two which previously had only been available to our Patreon supporters.

In this episode, we share stories of first guitars. Tune in for renowned musicians Eric Bibb, Bruce Cockburn, Courtney Hartman, Richard Thompson, Badi Assad, Sharon Isbin, and Tommy Emmanuel; heartwarming, inspiring, and surprising tales from the community; plus previously unheard recordings of Doc Watson and Michael Hedges; and Dick Boak demonstrates the first instrument he ever built, long before his storied career with C.F. Martin & Co began.

Additional resources:

Learn more about the artists who shared their stories in this episode:
- Badi Assad, Eric Bibb, Dick Boak, Bruce Cockburn, Tommy Emmanuel, Courtney Hartman, Sharon Isbin, Richard Thompson.
If you want to keep your first (or second, third, or 30th!) guitar in top playing condition, check out the Acoustic Guitar Owner’s Manual and Acoustic Guitar Care & Maintenance guides.
Join our Patreon community to access bonus podcast episodes, exclusive live workshops, and more.

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast theme music is composed by Adam Perlmutter and performed for this episode by Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers.

This episode is hosted by Nick Grizzle and Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers, produced by Tanya Gonzalez, and directed and edited by Joey Lusterman. Executive producers are Lyzy Lusterman and Stephanie Campos Dal Broi.

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast is produced by the team at Acoustic Guitar magazine, including:

Publisher: Lyzy Lusterman
Editorial Director: Adam Perlmutter
Managing Editor: Kevin Owens
Creative Director: Joey Lusterman
Digital Content Director: Stephanie Campos Dal Broi
Digital Content Manager: Nick Grizzle
Marketing Services Manager: Tanya Gonzalez

Special thanks to our listeners who support the show on Patreon.

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Music Therapy & Guitar Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

Does playing acoustic guitar provide benefits beyond the joy and satisfaction of making music? Join music wellness specialists Michelle Qureshi and Ian Wilkerson to learn about a range of music therapy experiences and explore the physical, emotional, spiritual, and clinical benefits of playing and listening to acoustic music.

Thank you to Strings By Mail for sponsoring this episode. Explore guitar strings and special offers at stringsbymail.com.

Additional Resources:

Michelle Qureshi is a classically trained guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, Reiki Master, practicing yogi, student of Shamanism, and presenter of sound experiences. Learn more at michellequreshi.com.
Ian Wilkerson is a board certified music therapist, breathwork coach, guitarist, singer-songwriter, and the founder of Bay Area Music Therapy.
Read the "Possible Mechanisms for the Effects of Sound Vibration on Human Health" article referenced in this episode.

Support the show:

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast theme music is composed by Adam Perlmutter and performed for this episode by Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers.

This episode is hosted by Nick Grizzle and E.E. Bradman, produced by Tanya Gonzalez, and directed and edited by Joey Lusterman. Executive producers are Lyzy Lusterman and Stephanie Campos Dal Broi.

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast is produced by the team at Acoustic Guitar magazine, including:

Publisher: Lyzy Lusterman
Editorial Director: Adam Perlmutter
Managing Editor: Kevin Owens
Creative Director: Joey Lusterman
Digital Content Director: Stephanie Campos Dal Broi
Digital Content Manager: Nick Grizzle
Marketing Services Manager: Tanya Gonzalez

Support the show

Shana Cleveland | The Acoustic Guitar Podcast Sessions Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

Catch up with singer-songwriter (and La Luz lead guitarist) Shana Cleveland in this bonus Acoustic Guitar Sessions episode. We talk shredding, open tunings, playing guitar outside, and enjoy a performance of “Quick Winter Sun” from her latest album, Manzanita.

Support the show:

Join our community on Patreon, where you’ll find bonus podcast episodes, exclusive guitar workshops, and plenty more great perks.
Make a donation on PayPal
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (This helps other guitarists find the show and helps us. We really appreciate it!)

Support the show

James Elkington & Nathan Salsburg | The Acoustic Guitar Podcast May 29, 2024

Show notes

Guitarists Nathan Salsburg and James Elkington discuss collaboration, instrumental composition, unusual guitar fragrances, and their new album, All Gist.

Thank you to Strings By Mail for sponsoring this episode. Explore guitar strings and special offers at stringsbymail.com.

Additional Resources:

Order All Gist on Bandcamp.
Visit James Elkington's website.
Read our 2018 "Guitar Talk" interview with Elkington.
Watch our 2018 Acoustic Guitar Sessions video with Salsburg.
Learn to play Nathan Salsburg’s “B.B.” - a melodic instrumental with an unusual origin.

Support the show:

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast theme music is composed by Adam Perlmutter and performed for this episode by Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers.

This episode is hosted by Nick Grizzle, produced by Tanya Gonzalez, and directed and edited by Joey Lusterman. Executive producers are Lyzy Lusterman and Stephanie Campos Dal Broi.

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast is produced by the team at Acoustic Guitar magazine, including:

Publisher: Lyzy Lusterman
Editorial Director: Adam Perlmutter
Managing Editor: Kevin Owens
Creative Director: Joey Lusterman
Digital Content Director: Stephanie Campos Dal Broi
Digital Content Manager: Nick Grizzle
Marketing Services Manager: Tanya Gonzalez

Support the show

Katherine Priddy | The Acoustic Guitar Podcast Sessions May 08, 2024

Show notes

Catch up with folk singer-songwriter Katherine Priddy in this bonus Acoustic Guitar Sessions episode. We talk family, guitars, touring with Richard Thompson, and enjoy a performance of “Father of Two” from her latest album The Pendulum Swing.

Support the show:

Join our community on Patreon, where you’ll find bonus podcast episodes, exclusive guitar workshops, and plenty more great perks.
Make a donation on PayPal
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (This helps other guitarists find the show and helps us. We really appreciate it.)

Support the show

Tips on Tone Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

You've probably heard the old adage that "tone is in the hands." But what does that really mean? And what makes tone good? We asked 14 prominent acoustic guitarists to weigh in, and got 14 unique responses. You'll want to listen with a notebook in hand, because this episode is a treasure trove of practical advice, musical examples, insights, and exercises to try.

Thanks to Henriksen Amplifiers for sponsoring this episode. For demo videos and more information, visit www.HenriksenAmplifiers.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Additional resources:

Learn more about our guests: Abigail Dowd, Amber Russell, Chris Pierce, Eric Skye, Jason Vieaux, Lisa Liu, Maddie Witler, Pete Madsen, Raye Zaragoza, Ron Jackson, Sarah McQuaid, Sean McGowan, Tim Bertsch, and Valerie Turner.
Read "15 Acoustic Guitar Pros Share Tips on Tone" from the January 2017 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine.
Check out our popular Weekly Workout series for interesting technical workouts that will get your fretting- and picking-hand fingers working in different ways.

Our intro music for this episode was the Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1, performed by Sean McGowan.

This episode is hosted by Nick Grizzle, produced by Tanya Gonzalez, and directed and edited by Joey Lusterman. Executive producers are Lyzy Lusterman and Stephanie Campos Dal Broi.

The Acoustic Guitar Podcast is produced by the team at Acoustic Guitar magazine, including: