The Guitar Journal

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.
Links
www.mikedawes.com
JamPlay 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-course
Mike's Truefire courses - https://truefire.com/search/?q=mike%20dawes
Tonewood Amp 2 - https://www.tonewoodamp.com/products/tonewoodamp2
Neural DSP - Pliny plugin - https://neuraldsp.com/plugins/archetype-plini
IK Multimedia Tonex One pedal - https://amzn.to/44P0W1N
Mood Machine by Liz Pelly - https://amzn.to/3IdNlZe
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:12 Mike's Journey from Electric to Acoustic Guitar
05:59 The Evolution of Percussive Techniques in Fingerstyle
09:03 The Importance of Covers in Learning and Discovery
12:05 Collaborations and Community in Fingerstyle Guitar
15:08 Practical Tips for Intermediate Guitarists
17:58 The Art of Live Performance and Creating Moments
28:36 The Art of Live Performance
29:50 Innovations in Guitar Effects
34:23 Navigating the Spotify Landscape
40:11 The Future of Music and AI
45:54 Exciting Collaborations and Upcoming Projects

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.
Links
Km184 Neumann mics - https://amzn.to/4kDCN3S
Lexicon rack unit reverb - https://reverb.com/p/lexicon-mx200-multi-effects-rack
ProTools - https://www.avid.com/pro-tools
Valve Preamp - TL audio - https://reverb.com/item/89995273-tl-audio-dual-valve-mic-pre-amp-di
Satnam Ramgotra - https://www.satnamramgotra.com/
Maton Andrea Valeri model - https://maton.com.au/guitar/er90c/
1073 Neve - https://www.sweetwater.com/neve-1073/series
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Andrea Valeri
01:51 Celebrating 20 Years of Music
03:26 The Journey to Fingerstyle Guitar
05:23 Developing a Unique Playing Style
08:50 The Importance of Sound and Tone
12:36 Connecting with the Instrument
16:11 Recording Techniques and Studio Setup
23:38 Collaborating with Other Musicians
27:53 The Creative Process of Collaboration
29:57 Understanding Composition and Creativity
34:37 Translating Emotions into Music
37:07 The Importance of Childlike Wonder
38:41 The Role of Feedback in Music
41:35 Choosing the Right Instruments
46:26 Gear Wishlist and Musical Inspirations
49:22 Final Thoughts and Future Projects

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/4kfn4rw
Sean's Fingerstyle Jazz curriculum on Artistworks - artistworks.com/sean-mcgowan
Sean's Truefire Courses - truefire.com/sean-mcgowan
Sean's Portmanteau album - https://open.spotify.com/album/5g9nhpCjWPQpaIzmJgKik3?si=oCo_kza3SFKYN6OCojmAqA
Book: Free Play - https://amzn.to/43UxZA7
Chapman Stick - https://stick.com/
Note: Sean's Archtop dimensions: 25" scale length, 1.75" width at nut
The Performing Arts Medicine Assocation - https://artsmed.org/
Hampton HawesFour - https://open.spotify.com/album/0kTwd8JPkvKEaQ1hjYkwdz?si=EQJrTXZVShylGM_KjzRVvQ
and All Night Sessions - https://open.spotify.com/album/1VIeZWeI5KH16yzp3FvRki?si=DYiYMckMQGamUjjUfX1-8w

Herbie Hancock's book, Possibilities - https://amzn.to/45uvExZ
Sean McGowan playing "All Blues" - https://open.spotify.com/track/3zlBxWo1KrThBtmEvXOKqm?si=684e62c0a84c49e6
Wes Montgomery, The Wes Montgomery Trio - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WbUlW1uuChmQumXueDmgp?si=hdCiIdwITD-3B4vXEuVJrA
George Benson, Uptown - https://open.spotify.com/album/6haQ84o7v7VBAxC3sWH3Ml?si=mnuY1S29QhGPvjqD1R8F3w
Jesse Van Ruler - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2mslSdrZRuMJURsuyHX9NU?si=M-nBjgTqQ8yp03Sav_XTrw
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar
04:59 Journey into Fingerstyle Jazz
09:56 The Art of Solo Guitar Arrangements
15:15 Recording Techniques and Approaches
19:53 Picking Hand Technique and Philosophy
27:31 The Tactile Connection to Guitar Playing
29:01 Transitioning to Archtop Guitars
32:51 The Holistic Guitarist: A New Approach
41:25 Preventing Injuries and Cultivating Good Habits
44:50 The Human Element in Music vs. AI
46:13 Quick Hits: Personal Favorites and Recommendations

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.
Links
Adam's website - https://www.adamlevy.com/
Adam's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AdamLevyGuitarTips
Spry album - https://open.spotify.com/album/6h8cFbymARV81vhntvP4Uu?si=4kbw2LyESyO57di51W4upA
Acoustic Sketches version - https://open.spotify.com/album/2RYqOGNaAtyNusAB6XaIys?si=rzVQ_xc8SL-uET_-2waAKg
Noël Akchoté - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDA-e83rwufWKi3xpexqAhw
Accidental Courage album - https://open.spotify.com/album/5N5TQTn8IYaVieQHz5qNDp?si=_MoA-N8YQqKS5zIlw_HSRA
Adam's Patreon Channel - https://www.patreon.com/guitartipspro
Adam's Truefire courses - https://prf.hn/click/camref:1011liVve/[p_id:1101l17789]/destination:https%3A%2F%2Ftruefire.com%2Feducators%2Fadam-levy%2Fe157
String Theories book - https://amzn.to/4kpzAo0
Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies cards - https://amzn.to/4mnZiLs and a website version! https://stoney.sb.org/eno/oblique.html
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Adam Levy and His Musical Journey
03:09 Exploring Musical Focus and Genre Diversity
06:03 The Creation of the 'Spry' Album
09:09 The Acoustic Sketches: A Unique Approach
11:55 The Viability of Acoustic Guitar in Jazz
15:10 The Dynamic Range of Acoustic Guitar in a Trio
17:57 The Process of Producing Music and Its Value
20:59 Existential Questions About Music Production
29:56 The Move to LA and Reflection on Past Work
31:33 Art for Art's Sake vs. Commercialization
33:00 The Emotional Connection to Music
34:48 The Overabundance of Music in Public Spaces
36:59 The Role of Input in Artistic Creation
38:04 Upcoming Album: Household
40:54 Collaborative Recording Process
43:58 Exploring the Dynamics of Larger Bands
49:59 Songwriting Methods and Processes
53:47 The Creative Process of Songwriting
01:00:14 The Importance of Lyrics in Music
01:05:40 Reinterpreting Contemporary Music
01:10:11 Engaging with Fans on Patreon
01:15:07 The Journey of Writing and Publishing a Book

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.
Links
Sonoforma.co
Serenada, Sonoforma's flagship product - https://sonoforma.co/products/serenada
Rhapsody, The Serenade's smaller footprint little brother - https://sonoforma.co/products/rhapsody
Cadence, 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 Furniture
Can Guitar Amps Be Furniture? (7 Months Later… Yes, They Can.)

Celestion 30 speaker - https://amzn.to/42eozyk
Skeuomorphism - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeuomorph
Guitar Center CEO comments on revamping their stores - https://www.guitarworld.com/music-industry/how-guitar-center-plans-to-beat-its-competition
Stewart MacDonald DIY Guitar building kits - https://www.stewmac.com/kits-and-projects/instrument-kits/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Guitar Gear and Design
03:04 Mike Nopper's Journey in Music and Engineering
06:09 The Birth of Sonoforma
09:07 Blending Aesthetics with Functionality
12:08 Target Audience and Market Trends
14:56 Design Aesthetics and Materials Used
18:19 Sound Quality and Customization Options
22:29 The Quest for Acoustic Transparency
25:21 From Concept to Creation: The Design Journey
29:29 Prototyping and Testing: The Realization of Ideas
33:53 Innovative Features and Future Products
37:24 Community Engagement and Market Response
39:29 Navigating the Niche Market of Musical Furniture