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 Hawes
  • Four - 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