FGH 0026: Interview with Peppino D’Agostino – Transcendant Guitarist and Composer
Jan 19, 2023
Summary Episode 26:
A native of Italy, D’Agostino has made his considerable international mark as a musical artist on the guitar since he arrived in America 37 years ago. In 2017 Guitar Player listed him as one of the 50 transcendent superheroes of the acoustic guitar.
The CD, “Every Step of The Way,” was awarded by Acoustic Guitar’s People’s Choice Awards with a Bronze medal for Best Acoustic Album of All Time. His signature Seagull acoustic guitar has been voted among the ten best signature guitars by Guitar Player magazine.
To date, Peppino has recorded 19 CD’s, performed in over thirty-seven countries at international festivals and concert halls. He has shared the stage with such greats as Leo Kottke, Sergio Assad, Larry Carlton, Eric Johnson, Tommy Emmanuel, Martin Taylor, Roland Dyens, David Tanenbaum, and many more.
https://vimeo.com/790739398
(Timestamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
00:25 Introducing Peppino D’Agostino
1:49 Greetings!
2:35 Peppino’s early influences
3:53 How he listened to Santana, John McLoughlin, John Renbourn, Leo Kottke & more…
4:51 Peppino’s unconventional musical education – learning without formal lessons
5:42 How orchestras and bands drive his musical inspiration
12:18 Peppino talks about his classical guitar approach to steel string guitar
18:43 An adventure into recording a jazz rock / acoustic fusion album
20:22 Learn about Adam & Peppino’s “Sicily Guitar Retreat” September 11-15, 2023 (more info available at musicworldretreats.com)
27:14 Peppino’s 5 unexpected favorite albums of all time…
FGH 0025: Interview with Jon Gomm – Singer Songwriter and Fingerstyle Guitar Innovator
Jan 19, 2023
Summary Episode 25:
Jon Gomm is a singer songwriter considered to be one of the world’s true virtuoso guitarists possessing a unique style most elite musicians consider revolutionary.
Jon was born and continues to live in the North of England. His songs are driven by his use of one acoustic guitar to create drum sounds, basslines and twisting melodies all at the same time with no external effects. The emphasis remains on his soulful vocals and songwriting with his original material influenced by everything from Robert Johnson to Radiohead.
His live shows combine deeply personal performances allied with a natural wit, with a once seen, never forgotten two-handed guitar style, both physical and complex, producing sounds people can barely believe are coming from a humble acoustic guitar.
https://vimeo.com/678255603
(Timestamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
00:25 Introducing Jon Gomm
04:07 Jon recalls the gig with Adam
05:18 Graceland by Paul Simon – one of Jon’s earliest music inspirations
07:00 The Jeff Beck Influence
07:25 John describes his early frustration with electric
19:09 Jon talks about playing covers
20:51 Jon talks about the current pop music paradigm & asks should one compose?
25:34 Musical Segment: Jon plays his own composition “Passionflower”
32:20 Jon talks about his approach with unconventional tunings, techniques and percussion
33:34 His excitement with novel techniques – slide, flamenco percussion
34:13 Jon talks about the “Bukka White” style
34:57 Jon talks about playing electric guitar in bands at 13
35:29 Jon discovers Laurence Juber and Michael
41:31 Jon talks about gigging as a working country, metal and jazz player
43:34 How Jon is currently connecting with music emotionally
46:24 His new album which he describes as “quite emotionally intense”
52:59 Jon talks about doing music arrangements
1:02:46 Jon’s best advice for every guitar player!
FGH 0024: Interview with Thomas Fellow – First-Rate Guitarist from Germany
Jan 19, 2023
Summary Episode 24:
Thomas Fellow is a musician with an almost inexhaustible supply of innovative energy. He is a first-rate acoustic guitarist, a stunning virtuoso, and is considered one of the best musical collaborators in the guitar world.
His name is associated with the development of the pioneering education program called the “Acoustic Guitar (concert music, world music, jazz, and pop)” at the “University of Music Dresden” (Germany). He’s the artistic director of the “European Guitar Award” and he is also known for authoring the comprehensive book entitled the “FELLOW GUITAR BOOK” – which focuses on the role of the guitar as an accompanying instrument.
https://vimeo.com/790840166
35 years after his first full-length concert (at the age of 17) he has performed over 3000 concerts in more than 30 countries.
FGH 0023: Interview with Muriel Anderson – Multi Dimensional Fingerstyle Champion
Mar 03, 2022
Summary Episode 23:
Muriel Anderson is one of the more multi-dimensional guitarists on the scene today. She plays primarily nylon string but also plays a 20-string harp guitar in her concerts, frequently accompanied by a backdrop of visuals by photo-artist Bryan Allen. Her current program includes a virtual re-enactment of the solar eclipse, with music and images from around the world.
She is host of the renowned Muriel Anderson’s ALL STAR GUITAR NIGHT and is the first woman to have won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship and has performed/recorded with Chet Atkins, Les Paul, and Victor Wooten among others.
She is currently working on a music and cookbook project, and is dedicating this year to working more on behalf of the charity she founded, The Music for Life Alliance, to support music education for kids.
Show Highlights
01:35 Welcome Muriel!
02:21 Muriel talks about her new project – A cookbook with music to go with each recipe
04:32 Early Inspirations – Doc Watson, Muriel’s Family and moving to Nashville
11:45 More Influences. Paul Winter, Pat Metheny and studying classical music
18:00 Muriel’s Charity facility the “Music for Life Alliance”
21:50 Muriel Anderson’s All Star Guitar Night
26:02 Music – Muriel plays her composition “A Bakers Dozen”
28:51 CD Projects – “Eclipse” and “Nightlight/Daylight”
32:40 The Harp Guitar and travelling with it
36:38 Muriel and Adam geek out about various types of guitars
40:35 Online Teaching – truefire.com and picking techniques
49:28 Murial talks about her future ideas – traveling to europe
51:55 A Muriel Anderson Live Concert experience – Visual Concepts
53:30 Muriel Shows the Visual Effekt on her physical CD “Nightlight/Daylight”
54:19 Ending credits & podcast contact info
57:09 Music – Muriel plays her composition “Nightlights”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Hb-yYzaQc
Muriel Anderson plays “A Bakers Dozen”
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FGH 0022: Interview with Billy McLaughlin – His Historic Comeback
Feb 14, 2022
Summary, Episode 22:
For twenty years, Billy McLaughlin astounded audiences around the world with his complex and rhythmic music. At the height of his international recording and touring career, Billy was diagnosed with Focal Dystonia, a mysterious and yet-to-be-cured neuromuscular disorder that rendered him unable to play his own music.
Despite every effort to combat his condition, soon Billy’s career was over.But the long deafening silence was broken when Billy began a historic comeback.
He was doing the unthinkable – relearning his songs one note at a time with his opposite hand…
https://vimeo.com/677291408
(Timestamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
01:30 Welcome Billy!
02:37 Billy tells how he became a guitarplayer
06:32 The First Guitar and the drummer is your best friend
13:18 “Invisible Skills” – the beauty of the unflashy side of guitarplaying
15:35 Billy’s time in college and finding a good fitting teacher
22:22 Focal dystonia – How it started to compromise Billys playing
28:40 Starting to relearn the instrument with the other hand
30:20 Music – Bill plays his composition “Back from the Brink”
33:05 Billy talks about right and lefthand playing – and not praciticing too much
39:01 Livesetup, Action, Effects and Equipment
46:36 How amplifiers for acoustic guitar can rescue your expirience on stage
54:37 Billy talks about his new project “The Church of the Lost Souls”
https://youtu.be/yKbcPmmEmr4
Billy McLaughlin plays “Helm’s Place”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al035bHF51Q
Billy plays “Hold on To Forever”
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FGH-0021: Interview with English Fingerstyle Guitarist Richard Smith
Jan 18, 2021
Summary, Episode 21:
Richard started playing the guitar at age 5 and has never looked back. Focusing early on with the fingerstyle guitar of Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed, he began transcribing classical music, Jazz, the gypsy style of Django Reinhardt, bluegrass, ragtime and the blues to Sousa marches.
https://vimeo.com/501236690
Richard is a seasoned performer with thousands of performances worldwide to his credit – he’s performed in five continents – North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia solo and alongside Tommy Emmanuel, Eric Clapton, Albert Lee, Dave Peacock, Martin Taylor, Brent Mason, Gary Brooker, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, Joe Brown, Ralph McTell and many others.
(Timestamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
01:34 Welcome Richard!
02:33 Richard talks about Networking and Booking
07:43 Air Travelling with guitars – cases and backup guitars
18:35 Youtube and the entertainer video
20:24 CDs, t-shirts and packing lightly
22:53 troublesome touring stories – “going commando” and the beatles
26:53 Early influences of richard – Bert Weedon’s Play in a Day book
30:12 Learning songs correctly, listening more deeply and try to make your playing sound like the record
37:50 Richard Smiths Version of Scott Joplins “The Entertainer”
42:30 Having a musical homebase, your fist influence and how it affects everything you do – and the flexability of Antoine Boyer
49:42 “The One Thing” The Importance of keeping focused on the thing that sets you apart from others, but also try out new things to srtech as a player
59:07 The code of Spotify and how to get into playlists
1:03:39 Music “The Streets of Laredo”
1:06:36 The number one thing you would tell all young musicians to do differently – being honest with yourself and Big Jim Sullivan’s advice
1:16:57 The time, the tone and the groove – and the metronome
1:24:15 How technique influences the phrasing and the pocket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Peh5zIoxaME
Richard Smith plays “The Entertainer”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41BB_56z5RM
Richard Smith plays “Struttin” by Jerry Reed
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FGH-0020: Interview with Don Alder – National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion & Vocalist
Jul 22, 2020
Summary, Episode 20:
Don Alder plays acoustic fingerstyle guitar with a passion that has quickly earned him a reputation as Vancouver’s “best kept little secret”. Don is a world-class fingerstyle guitarist with a “wow factor” that has let to multiple endorsement deals with major manufacturers and a collaboration with Greenfield guitars to produce a signature acoustic guitar- the “Don Alder G4” model.
Don currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His unique style of playing incorporates fingerpicking with simultaneous percussion on the soundboard to create a wall of sound. He is often referred to as sounding like a four piece band. Don’s music is his own unique weave of deeply textured melody and story. Lyrical and compelling, his original songs are notes of exploration – some passionate and haunting, some hard-driven, others light and teasing. In quiet pieces or pushing right to the edge, Don’s phenomenal fingerstyle playing and rich voice captivate.
https://vimeo.com/438267665
“Alder can make a single instrument sound like a 4 piece band. The Guy’s like the acoustic Hendrix”. Picque News Magazine”
“Don is Canada’s secret fingerstyle weapon – it’s only a matter of time until everyone discovers this world class player. I am honored to have Don endorsing my guitars.” World Class Luthier, Michael Greenfield
(Timestamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
2:44 Welcome Don Alder!
4:20 Don’s earliest musical inspirations
8:34 Don gets an electric guitar in his hands for the first time
14:02 Don starts playing in bands
15:52 Don and the bass player’s onstage gun prank goes wrong
19:42 Don explains how he started playing solo acoustic guitar
22:39 Music – Don plays his composition “Fingers Fingers Fingers”
27:30 Don becomes a studio player
37:01 Don’s musical, color, touch, and his personal approach to the guitar – how to learn how to play like yourself
46:07 At a live performance people are looking for a journey, they want to walk home with an experience
52:04 Don’s advice he would like to give to more guitar players – more heart, play music not just songs and technique
53:35 A fellow guitarist seeking advice writes a song for Don Alder
57:31 Don’s message to all musicians
58:58 Don’s last message to everyone!
1:00:03 Ending credits and podcast contact info
1:03:01 Music – Don plays his composition “Haunting Me”
FGH-0019: Interview with Don Ross – National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion & Composer
Nov 20, 2019
Summary, Episode 19:
In 1988, Don became the first Canadian to win the U.S. National Fingerpick Guitar Championship. He won again in 1996, still the only two-time winner of the competition.
Don has toured regularly since 1989, across Canada, the USA, a dozen European countries, Japan, Taiwan, China, Australia, Russia and India.
https://vimeo.com/373542503
He has played live and on recording with U.S. guitarist Andy McKee, Canadian singer/guitarist Brooke Miller, Canadian guitarist Calum Graham, & Toronto bassist Jordan O’Connor. Don composes scores for television, radio and film, and does production and recording engineering for a variety of other musicians.
He’s released numerous CDs and DVDs for the Candy Rat Record label, including his new album, A Million Brazilian Civilians, on CD and see-through orange vinyl.
(Timestamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
2:49 Welcome Don!
3:52 Don’s earliest musical influences.
6:50 Don as a composer first, guitarist second.
8:40 Discovering Leo Kottke’s approach…music with humor.
9:20 Exposure to modern composers Steve Reich, Xenakis, John Adams.
10:40 Don talks about composing for film & TV.
15:44 We discuss alternate tunings and why Don Does uses them.
22:33 Why composes away from the guitar.
24:04 Music – Don plays his composition – “A Million Brazilian Civilians.”
27:33 Don’s relationship to classical guitar.
31:04 I ask Don about his live sound setup.
32:50 Keep it simple…we talk pickups, pedals and other guitar nitty gritty.
34:53 Don tells his “pedalboard on the highway” mishap story.
39:46 What are Don’s hobbies outside music?
41:25 His best advice for musicians.
44:47 The guitar tablature “trap.”
50:22 Ending credits & podcast contact info.
53:14 Music – Don plays his composition – “Seven Seven Four.”
Don’s band project is called “Don Ross – Louder Than Usual”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwRe8h1TIYM
Don Ross plays his original composition “Seven Seven Four”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPvV2gzZJ5c
Don Ross plays his original composition “A Million Brazilian Civilians“
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTIcdedfEjc
“Don Ross – Louder Than Usual” plays “Groovy Sunflowers”
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FGH-0018: Interview with Jazz and Country Master Guitarist Jim Nichols
Sep 10, 2019
Summary, Episode 18:
Jim Nichols has an unusual approach to the guitar – he uses a thumb pick and fingers to play everything from Chet Atkins style to modern jazz.
He served as master instructor for the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshops, Stanford Jazz Workshops and held clinics on both jazz and Atkins style for the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society national convention in Nashville. In addition to an acoustic duo CD with Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, and a duo CD with fingerstyle guitarist Richard Smith, Jim and his wife Morning, have 5 CDs to their credit.
Jim’s solo CD, “Jazz and Country” was chosen by Guitar Player Magazine as a “pick of the year” for ’96 and in 2001, he was featured in Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine and Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Jim and I talk about how he started playing guitar, his inspirations, and his approach to blending Chet Atkins fingerstyle and jazz guitar.
(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
2:08 Welcome Jim!
3:47 Jim talks about record companies & touring.
4:40 How Jim began playing music & uke.
6:08 Jim gets his first guitar.
6:54 Jim discovers Duane Eddys version of “Trambone” by Chet Atkins.
7:45 Flatpicks never again! Jim discovers the thumb pick and learns Chet stuff.
14:17 Jim discusses how Wes & Buddy Montgomery were not music readers.
19:41 How Jim got the jazz influence – his parents.
23:08 The benefits of learning from Chet’s recordings.
23:36 Another influence – Howard Roberts.
25:48 Jim’s approach to technique & using the thumbpick.
26:41 Jim talks about his guitar collection.
29:03 Music track from the “Jazz & Country” Album – “Freightliner Blues”
32:23 Gear chat – his versatile guitars that can cover several styles.
35:41 Traveling with guitars; Jim’s take & tips for flying.
38:17 All about Jim’s duo record with Tommy Emmanuel – “Chet Lag” (a.k.a. “Happy Hour”)
43:35 Jim’s Kirk Sand Guitar – a birthday present from his wife, vocalist Morning Nichols.
45:22 “Jazz & Country” his solo CD as a reaction to being a sideman and a dedication to Chet Atkins.
52:53 Current projects, gigs, guitar camps.
57:53 Jim’s best advice to musicians – listen attentively.
1:04:45 Jim reminds us about CAAS in Nashville in July (Chet Atkins Appreciation Society)
Jim Nichols plays “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”
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FGH-0017: Interview with Michael Fix – Australian Guitar Virtuoso
Jun 17, 2019
Summary, Episode 17:
Over the past 25 years, Michael Fix has released fifteen albums, together with several DVD’s, songbooks, singles and EPs, tours internationally each year, and has established himself as one of Australia’s finest guitarists and composers, writing evocative music for television, film and documentaries.
He’s won numerous awards for his music, and is a Maton guitar endorsee (with his own signature model guitar), his guitar workshops are in high demand all over Australia and internationally.
As a record producer working from his own studio in Brisbane, he is in great demand. He’s toured and recorded with a diverse range of artists, and regularly appears at festivals and concerts throughout the world.
Show Notes:
In this episode Michael and I talk about his philosophy, his approach to guitar, technique, stage sound and more.
(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
3:20 How Michael got started with guitar
6:21 Motivation from real life lessons
7:41 His advice – find a teacher who inspires
8:12 Danger of Youtube “only” learning
17:53 Listening to Chet, Jerry & Merle records with Tommy Emmanuel
19:18 Music Track: Tangalooma Sunset
22:10 Michael talks about his technical approach
28:21 Michael tour – the Acoustic Guitar Spectacular
32:20 His life as a composer & producer for film, music libraries and more
46:26 Michael talks about Maton Guitars & hios signature model
FGH-0016: Interview with Andrea Valeri, “The Prince of The Acoustic Guitar”
May 07, 2019
Summary, Episode 16:
Andrea Valeri is defined as the “Prince of the Acoustic guitar” and is now a veteran of many of the biggest stages around the globe. He’s toured from Australia to New Zealand, from Russia to Canada, from Europe to the African continent.
At eighteen Andrea was awarded the title of “Italian musical excellence.” He has already released 6 solo albums, the most recent Mediterraneo “(2016).
Veteran Guitarists are calling him a rising “Star of the guitar world.” Just listen to his music to find out why…
Show Notes:
In this episode Andrea and I talk about his earliest musical inspirations, his current Euro Orchestra Project, his “Tuscany Guitar Camp” and more…enjoy!
(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
3:13 Guitar was a happy accident
4:05 Andrea’s “missing finger”
5:11 How he got inspiration from TV show themes
7:27 Influences: Mark Knopfler, Paco De Lucia, Tommy Emmanuel & Michael Fix
14:09 His Euro Orchestra Project
17:07 New CD with Orchestra
21:00 How Andrea comes up with musical ideas
23:30 His musical dedication to Nicolas Tesla
28:53 Listen to Andrea play “With my Fathers Eyes” from his CD “Mediterraneo”
32:22 Andrea’s “Tuscany Guitar Camp”
45:56 His film music writing projects
47:10 Other hobbies & interests – archaeology, history, geology, Ancient Greece
FGH-0015: Interview with Stephan Bormann, Creative and Versatile World Traveler of Guitar
Apr 02, 2019
Summary, Episode 15:
Stephan Bormann is a guitarist with extreme openness and versatility. With a strong foundation in jazz, he adds creative fun and unique sounds to the music that he plays and helps shape projects with his individual style. His love of the music of America, Scandinavia, Africa and Brazil make him a world traveler on the guitar, versatile in many styles and familiar with the various facets of the instrument.
He’s the author of the well-loved definitive guitar arranging bible entitled “Solo Guitar Book” and teaching guitar at the Hochschule für Musik in Dresden since 1994, where he is a professor of guitar jazz, rock, and pop.
Show Notes:
In this episode Stephan and I talk about his musical roots in Communist (DDR) East Germany, his book “Solo Guitar Book”, his 16 string resonator guitar, and more….enjoy!
(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
3:17 Stephan’s musical beginnings in Communist Germany (DDR)
5:50 Buying records in Germany behind the wall
13:04 Stephan’s inspiration to play guitar
15:29 His jazz guitar influence
16:40 The inspiration of “Friday Night in San Fransisco”
18:33 Stephan’s “Aliquot” resonator 18 string guitar by Oliver Klaproth
22:52 Music Track “Elevation Of Love by Esbjörn Svensson”
26:19 Different guitars for different sounds
28:24 Going deep into the musical moment
31:42 Meeting his musical soulmates
36:36 His longtime projects – duo with Thomas Fellow and a duo with Cristin Class
40:00 The teaching philosohy at the Musik Hochshule in Dresden
43:37 Discovering and supporting the special talents of students
45:58 His best musical advice
46:54 About his “Solo Guitar Book”
55:22 Music Track “Don’t Give Up” – 10 String Orchestra
Stephan Bormann plays Elevation Of Love by Esbjörn Svensson:
The 10 String Orchestra:
With Cristin Class Trio:
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FGH-0014: Interview with Petteri Sariola, Virtuoso Percussive Guitarist & Singer Songwriter
Dec 22, 2018
Summary, Episode 14:
Petteri Sariola (1984) is a fingerstyle virtuoso and a singer/songwriter from Helsinki, Finland. He’s known for his fierce live performances, beautiful songwriting and percussive approach on the acoustic guitar. Sariola has been awarded with Nokia Young Talent scholarship, Honorary Prize in the Helsinki Funk Awards and been on the cover “Frets” (USA) and twice on the cover of Akustik Gitarre (DE), the biggest acoustic guitar magazine of Europe.
Petteri has opened concerts for Tori Amos (USA), Andy McKee (USA) and Rodrigo Y Gabriela (MEX), to name a few.
His brand new solo album “Resolution” has received raving reviews and it concludes a 10 year project of creating a trilogy of albums containing original compositions.
Show Notes:
In this episode Petteri Sariola and I chat about his influences, classical studies, gear, the “meaning of song” and more…enjoy!
(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
3:43 Petteri talks about his inspiration & influences – Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, Green Day & Living Color
5:05 Early on – seeing his mom on stage
6:00 His 10 years of classical studies, how it shaped him
8:07 Benefits of classical study, what it’s good for and what it’s not
15:56 His vital musical relationship with his brother
16:45 Indian solfeggio & African percussion studies
23:58 Music Track “The Clockwork”
27:00 His bands – “The Northern Governors” & “Dead Sirius 3000”
28:52 I ask Petteri about his playing approach & equipment
30:30 Network Connection Breakdown – Sorry!
30:55 New network connection – playing technique & live sound
31:29 Petteris concept regarding “the 80 possible movements” of the hands
33:45 His live sound
37:34 Using several pickups & his pedalboard & mixer
39:52 His mixer QSC Touch mix 16
43:20 Currently learning jazz chops & electronic music hip hop & techno
50:17 What music is Petteri listening to lately?
52:57 Petteri’s advice to guitarists
54:19 The importance of ballads & resisting “clickbait” flashy online playing
58:03 His vocal studies & newest CD “Resolution”
59:11 The importance & message of “the song”
1:00:11 Concerto de Aranjuez – I tell the story
1:02:11 Outgrowing older songs – and can you play them now?
1:13:18 Music Track – guitar & vocals “Howling at the Moon”
FGH-0013: Interview with Joscho Stephan – Gypsy Jazz Guitar Virtuoso
Nov 29, 2018
Summary, Episode 13:
His roots lie in Gypsy Swing music, the style pioneered in the 1930s by the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Joscho Stephan has not merely absorbed this music, but also interprets it on the highest level and is actively engaged in extending its boundaries.
He has toured Australia with top guitarists Martin Taylor and Tommy Emmanuel and has performed with his own bands (trio to quintett) on numerous important European festivals (among others in Slovenia, Italy, France, Poland and the UK) and of course on all the important Django Reinhardt Festivals.
His debut album was named CD of the month by American Guitar Player magazine (July 2000.) Acoustic Guitar magazine wrote that Joscho Stephan represented the future of the Gypsy jazz guitar tradition (May 2004.)
Show Notes:
In this episode Joscho and I chat about his early influences, current projects, guitars, picks, his online Gypsy Jazz Academy, keeping the “fire” in creativity and more…enjoy!
(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
2:11 Welcome Joscho!
3:20 His interest in different styles & his fathers influence
FGH-0012: Interview with Ulli Bögershausen – Expressive & Elegant Composer, Arranger and Guitarist
Oct 28, 2018
Summary, Episode 12:
Steeped in the tradition of the folk guitar, but constantly refined by his classical studies, Ulli Bögershausen’s playing continues to leave audiences with the best of both worlds.
His playing has been called “breathtaking in its intertwined harmonies and its unfailing timing.” His performances have been considered “as if from a fairy tale”, and his albums have been regarded as models of “sensitive string wizardry” and of “guitar music for the 21st century”. Besides touring and recording, Ulli is well known for his 16 guitar books. His collections of arrangements of famous pop songs are entitled “Personal Favorites” and “More Personal Favorites.” They continually around the world and help thousands of guitar players build their repertoire.
Show Notes:
In this episode Ulli and I chat about his classical guitar influence, technique, how he arranges, current projects, and how he is currently “hacking” Spotify 🙂 .
(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)
2:11 Welcome Ulli!
4:48 Ulli’s earliest musical inspiration – the Beatles
7:08 Ulli’s current inspirations & his Celtic explorations
7:58 Why he’s leaning away from pop tunes and heading to lullabies & Celtic music
14:46 Ulli’s technique concepts based in classical studies
17:45 His step by step approach to creating arrangements
20:20 Challenges of barre chords vs open strings
22:50 We discuss cross string melodies for flow to keep the guitar ringing.
25:29 Music – Ulli plays “In A Constant State of Flux”
28:30 Ulli’s approach to “hacking” Spotify through understanding the algorithms
35:47 Ulli’s new book and why the lessons are on Youtube – for free
37:00 What’s in his new book?
39:06 Ulli’s home based daily workshops.
40:21 His history as a jazz record producer in the 1980’s
45:15 Ulli’s experience in a band playing electric guitar
46:44 Does Ulli have any other hobbies or interests? Find out…
49:25 We talk about personal strengths and weaknesses
52:00 Finding satisfaction in one’s own music
53:21 What are his personal musical priorities?
58:27 Ulli’s best advice for guitar players
1:04 What does Ulli do every day to stay on point?
FGH-0011: Interview with Emil Ernebro – Country, Jazz, & Fingerstyle Guitar Powerhouse from Sweden
Oct 16, 2018
Summary, Episode 11:
FGH-0011: Interview with Emil Ernebro – Country, Jazz, & Fingerstyle Guitar Powerhouse from Sweden
Emil Ernebro is one of the leading fingerstyle guitar players today – offering a virtuosic blend of country, jazz and fingerstyle guitar.
Show Notes:
In this episode of the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, we chat about his early influences, current projects, his online teaching projects and his new duo EP “The Strawberry Sessions.”
(Time stamps is for audio version of the podcast.)
2:23 Welcome Emil!
3:30 Emil’s earliest inspirations & lessons
5:22 His Rock & Blues Influence
7:02 Playing with bands as a teenager
8:11 The Steve Morse & Influence
15:04 Emil’s experience with classical guitar
16:46 Discovering Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel
18:26 How his teacher recommended “Musician’s Institute” in Hollywood, CA
21:25 Emil asks me about my college experience and interviews me
27:33 Emil talks about his duo project
30:52 Music track from the “Strawberry Sessions” EP called “Blues for Georg”
33:54 About his duo with a harmonica player Philip
34:17 Duo with wife & vocalist Zandra and how they got invited to Nashville
35:55 Zandra’s reaction to great fingerstyle guitar players 🙂
FGH-0010: Interview with Sönke Meinen – Guitarist, Composer and Winner of the 2016 “Guitar Masters” Competition
Oct 11, 2018
Summary, Episode 10:
Interview with Sönke Meinen – Guitarist, Composer and Winner of the 2016 “Guitar Masters” Competition.
Sönke Meinen is one of the new masters of the guitar. His technical prowess and poetic compositions leave listeners spellbound and guitarists asking “how does he do it?”
Show Notes:
In this episode of the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Sönke discusses his studies, his custom guitar by Christina Kobler, his creative process and more.
(Time stamps is for audio version of the podcast.)
FGH-0009: How can you overcome nervousness and panic when playing solo fingerstyle guitar onstage?
Sep 11, 2018
Summary, Episode 9:
In this listener Q & A episode, my guitar student Frank asks about how to stay calm and overcome nervousness and panic while performing solo guitar on stage.
I share my 15 best tips for staying calm, focused and relaxed.
1 – 7: “Practical” points. These points address preparation as opposed to dealing with the actual feeling of panic in the moment.
8 – 15: “Mental Game” points. These address how to deal with the moments onstage when the critical, negative voice enters, your heart starts beating and maybe even hands shake.
Plus 2 in the moment additional tips actually make it 17 tips. 🙂
Enjoy!
Adam
Show Notes:
0:57 The question about nerves and performance – in Frank’s own words.
3:29: Being happy and at peace with your tone.
5:26: Having your rhythm and groove feel good – before you start playing.
7:04: Learning the Sound of your pickup.
8:14: Be sure you are in “stage 4 learning”…your body knows the piece of music.
11:30: Importance of slow practice. I still practice my concert tunes slowly…
11:57: Learning the difference between practice environment & stage environment.
13:37: When you know what people hear, you can forgive yourself…what do they hear? Flow, groove & melody.
18:27: Nervousness is a displaced reptile brain reaction, as if you are going to die.
19:30: Using meditation to overcome the inner critic & beating yourself up.
21:34: Know and feel that the audience is there to suport you.
23:18: “Meta” things like groove and tone are more important than small mistakes.
24:16: Know your music theory…playing just fingerings will make you nervous.
25:43: Breathe on stage! Does wonders for the physiology.
26:16: Play light, if your touch is getting heavy.
20:20: Get backstage and warm up before you go on.
28:40: Keep smiling do not visibly dissaprove of yourself & a personal story…
31:02: Your opening song on stage should be “bulletproof”, something you can play with zero thinking.
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FGH-0008: Interview with Robin Bullock – Celtic Guitar, Mandolin, Cittern and More…
Aug 30, 2018
Summary, Episode 8:
Interview with Robin Bullock – Celtic Guitar, Mandolin, Cittern and More…
Hailed as a “Celtic Guitar God” by Baltimore City Paper and “one of the best folk instrumentalists in the business” by Sing Out! Magazine, Robin Bullock is one of the preeminent acoustic music masters of our time.
His virtuosity on guitar, cittern and mandolin blends the ancient melodies of the Celtic lands, their vigorous American descendants, and the masterworks of the Baroque and Renaissance eras into one powerful musical vision.
Show Notes:
In this episode of the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Robin Bullock and I chat about:
2:44 Robin describes how he came to Celtic via Bluegrass.
3:29 His background, influences & starting out in the DC / Baltimore area.
7:58 Robin tells us about O’Carolan – Irish Harpist & composer (1670-1738).
11:19 Robin’s talks about his album “The Carolan Collection: An Animal Rescue Benefit.”
17:50 Robin tells us about playing the Cittern.
20:06 His start as a mandolin player.
22:20 Robin’s Bach “Mandolin Suites” Recording.
29:43 His inspiration for Bach on Mandolin via John Williams classical guitar recordings.
31:32 Robin’s dicusses his custom David McCubbon guitar.
33:11 Sample sounds from his guitar.
34:28 Robin’s tone and technical right hand approach.
40:10 “Bullock’s First Law” – stay relaxed, and all about technique.
45:07 We discuss composing and inspiration.
47:28 His stint as a bassist and rock background…
52;07 Robin’s other interets (not!)
54:06 Robin’s advice to guitar players & musicians.
FGH-0007: Interview with Guitarist Mike Dowling – American Roots, Bottleneck Blues, Ragtime and More…
Aug 09, 2018
Summary, Episode 7:
Interview with Master Guitarist Mike Dowling, Master of American Roots, Bottleneck Blues, Ragtime and More…
Mike Dowling plays bottleneck blues guitar, fingerstyle, vintage swing, ragtime, and more with grace wit and dexterity.
Mike digs deep into the musical bag of American roots guitar, favoring the melodic Piedmont style of acoustic blues masters like Mississippi John Hurt and slide great Tampa Red.
He played guitar in Vassar’s Clements first touring band and can be heard on his Grammy-nominated “Nashville Jam”. Clements called him simply, “One of the finest guitarists there is, anywhere.”
Show Notes:
In this episode of the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Mike Dowling and I chat about:
2:15 Kicking off music camp with a lost guitar thanks to the airlines…
3:27 What guitars Mike brings on tour (including his “Mike Dowling” National signature model resonator)
3:56 What Mike learned by taking a luthier Course.
5:22 What is a resonator guitar?
6:33 How he gets built in reverb with “sympathetic vibration.”
7:55 Mike demos his bottlneck playing.
12:28 Mike talks about how he started guitar at age 12 after piano lessons 1 year…up to his debut as a pro.
16:05 Getting invited & discovered by Vasar Clements.
18:17 What it was like to study jazz with the jazz guitar great George Barnes.
19:06 A little about George Barnes’ archtop guitar – with no F Holes.
24:36 Mike demos “10th comping” on guitar and his unique chord method called “rhythm by code.”
FGH-0006: Interview With Legendary Percussive Guitar Innovator Preston Reed
Aug 06, 2018
Summary, Episode 6:
Interview with legendary percussive guitar innovator Preston Reed.
One of the most influential and innovative guitarists of the past quarter century, Preston Reed invented integrated percussive guitar playing in the late 1980’s, revolutionising the way the acoustic guitar is played and inspiring generations of musicians around the world ever since.
Employing multi-voiced grooves, polyrhythmic percussion and story-telling compositions, Reed’s visionary approach fully exploits the breathtaking orchestral potential of the acoustic guitar.
Show Notes:
In this episode of the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Preston Reed and I chat about:
3:56 How he developed his unique style in the 1980’s.
5:05 The question how to play drums & guitar at the same time?
5:36 His inspirattion of Eddie Van Halen, Jeff Healy and Stanley Jordan.
7:30 How he developed a “drums first” approach.
11:11 His compositional process – sometimes inspired by mistakes and wrong notes…
18:03 His influences ranging from Beatles, Animals, Zombies to Big Bands and Film soundtracks.
20:42 Preston’s experience studying classical guitar as a young player.
25:00 Techniques used – 2 hands playing one line .
26:32 All about his custom guitar built by Mark Bailey and why does he have velcro pasted to the back?
29:45 the pickup configuration Preston uses.
33:06 Preston’s other (non-guitar) hobbies.
34:51 What advice would he give other guitarists?
37:00 Preston talks about his love for jazz and his CD “Spirit” recorded on an archtop guitar!
42:49 Closing track “The Last Viking”from the CD “In Here, Out There”
FGH-0005: Interview With Bill Cooley – One of Nashville’s Most Respected Sidemen and Guitarist for Kathy Mattea
Jul 01, 2018
Summary, Episode 5:
In this episdode you will hear a personal interview with guitarist and composer Bill Cooley.
Bill Cooley has been called “one of Nashville’s most respected sidemen” by Guitar Player Magazine.
He has toured and recorded with Kathy Mattea for over 28 years. Bill has also toured with Merle Haggard, Reba McEntire, and Alan Jackson to name a few.
Bill has released his fourth CD, “In Search of Home,” a solo guitar album that made the Editor’s List for Best Music of 2016 in Premier Guitar Magazine.
Show Notes:
In this episode of the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Bill Cooley and I chat about:
Bill’s musical background and influences growing up in the 60’s – from surf bands to Beatles to Leo Kottke.
His guitar teachers and the meaning they had in his life.
His new CD “In Search of Home” and his recording process * staying relaxed in the studio.
Bill tells about his sideman experience in Nashville starting in 1985.
His 28 year artistic relationship with Kathy Mattea.
The creative process they use to stay fresh and alert.
Bill’s musical priority – conveying emotion.
His guitar technique & right hand concepts.
Bill talks about giving clinics at Berklee College of Music with Kathy Mattea.
What would Bill tell students to do? Find out…
Closing track (on the audio version of episode only) – title track from new cd “In Search of Home”
FGH-0002: How do you remember old fingerstyle guitar pieces and also learn new ones?
Jul 13, 2017
Summary, Episode 2:
In this episode we have student Q & A. Ben from Virginia asks… “How do you maintain a repertoire of several fingerstyle guitar pieces and also learn new tunes, arrangements and concepts?”
I have 8 points that I mention in this episode, so here is a quick review.
Show Notes:
8 points to help you remember old pieces and learn new ones as well:
(2:52) Consider finding a small background music gig – coffee shop maybe?
(4:55) Surprise! I don’t remember all my arrangements
(5:58) Don’t let 1/2 baked arrangements kick around
(6:38) Delegate to Youtube
(7:33) How do I keep my old tunes alive?
(8:39) Regarding creativity
(9:24) Regarding musicianship & studying theory
(11:09) Practice using old tune / new tune method.
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FGH-0001: How will practicing 6/8 make my straight 4/4 time better?
Jul 12, 2017
Summary Episode 1:
Welcome to the new Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Episode 1.
In this very first episode we have student Q & A. Gary from New Zealand asks… “How will practicing triplet based rhythms like 6/8 make my straight 4/4 time better for fingerstyle guitar?”
One of the most important aspects of guitar playing is rhythm. Many players struggle with groove, so here are some ideas for you.
Items mentioned in this podcast:
In this particular episode you will learn:
Where I learned this information
How to work on your rhythm with a hand drum
Body rhythm vs head rhythm
Improving your touch and tone as well as time
The concept of additive rhythm – “Bo Diddley beat” vs typical 16th notes
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