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 Spotif...
Jul 07, 2025•54 min•Ep. 16
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 dyn...
Jun 11, 2025•58 min•Ep. 15
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 guit...
May 26, 2025•54 min•Ep. 14
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 cov...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 13
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...
Apr 08, 2025•44 min•Ep. 12
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 musi...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 11
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 J...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 10
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 won...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 9
(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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Chris Parks and His Journey 05:08 Discovering Jazz and the Barry Harris Method 10:05 Understanding the ...
Feb 01, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 8
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. Chapters 00:00 Navigating the Jazz Landscape 10...
Jan 17, 2025•40 min•Ep. 7
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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Maneli Jamal and His Journey 05:56 The Role of Improvisation in Composition 12:07 The Four Pillars of Practice 17:59 The Future of Collaboration in Music 27:02 Optimizing Practice Techniques 33:45 The Role...
Jan 10, 2025•50 min•Ep. 6
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 t...
Jan 03, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 5
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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Neff Irizarry and His Journey 02:57 The Roots of Latin Jazz and Personal Influences 05:52 Education and Mentorship at Berklee 08:52 The Fusion of Cultures in Music 11:51 Th...
Dec 27, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 4
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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Adam Rafferty and His Journey 00:48 Early Musical Influences and Beginnings 06:02 Transitioning to Jazz and Classical Guitar 12:08 The Hip-Hop Experience and Its Impact 18:02 The Unexpected Su...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 3
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/theguitar...
Dec 14, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 2
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/@theguitarjour...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 1
