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: Abi ..read more

Catch up with singer-songwriter Naima Bock in this bonus Acoustic Guitar Sessions episode. We enjoy an impromptu performance of a new song—“Showers”—then discuss Bock’s roots in Brazilian and British folk music and get a rundown of her guitars and gear. Listen to her album Giant Palm and visit NaimaBock.com to learn more. 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 a ..read more

We caught up with Alejandro Escovedo ahead of the release of Echo Dancing – his latest album in a legendary, genre-expansive career. Escovedo candidly discusses how painful personal experiences inform his songwriting, how he first picked up the guitar, why he prefers to play acoustic, and what makes Austin, Texas a great town for songwriters. Support the show: Listen to Part 2 on Patreon to learn about the guitars and gear Escovedo tours with, his memories of touring with John Prine, and how music can get us through hard times. Make a donation on PayPal Give a rating and review Additional Re ..read more

Catch up with London-based indie folk duo Flyte in this bonus Acoustic Guitar Sessions episode. We talk first and favorite guitars, writing for two voices, and enjoy a performance of “Chelsea Smiles” from their latest album. Visit Flyte’s website to hear more of their music. 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 ..read more

How does competition fit into the creative process? We're joined by Abby Posner, Rachel Garcia, and Thu Tran for a candid roundtable discussion all about songwriting competitions. Explore the highs and lows of participating in these events, how to pick which song to enter, and the impact contests can have on a guitarist's career.  Additional resources: Listen to Part 2 on Patreon. Visit Abby Posner’s website and watch the video for "Get Loud" - her 2023 USA Songwriting Competition grand prize winning song. Her latest album is Second Chances. Visit the Singer and the Songwriter's website ..read more

Like so many musicians of a certain generation, our guests started playing guitar in large part because of the Beatles. Today, Laurence Juber, Mimi Fox, and Tim Sparks each take a different approach to arranging, adapting, reharmonizing, and reimagining these tunes. Tune in for a lively roundtable discussion, chock-full of inspiring musical examples, all about playing the music of the Beatles on acoustic guitar. Additional resources: Access Part 2 of this episode on Patreon. Visit Laurence Juber's website. Watch his Acoustic Guitar Sessions performance and pick up a copy of DADGAD Guitar ..read more

From the Newport Folk Festival to art museums in Norway and every open mic, stadium, and radio station in between – if it’s a gig, Pieta Brown, Christopher Paul Stelling, and Sean Rowe are ready for it! This roundtable of well-traveled acoustic guitarists has played tons of shows across the globe – and are here to share insights, stories, laughs, and ideas to get you ready to play out, too. Additional resources: Listen to Part 2, where our guests share gig horror stories and advice for guitarists just starting out. Visit Pieta Brown's website and watch this Acoustic Guitar Sessions video for ..read more

Catch up with one of your favorite bluegrass bands! Sara Watkins, Sean Watkins, and Chris Thile discuss breathing new life into classic tunes, what their kids really think of their music, and a whole lot more. This episode is sponsored by ToneWoodAmp, a magnetically attached game-changing multi-effects device for acoustic guitars. Get reverb, delay, and more—no amp required! Learn more at tonewoodamp.com. Additional resources: Access Part 2 of this episode on Patreon. Listen to Celebrants via Amazon, Bandcamp, or others. Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers teaches you how to play guitar like Nickel Creek ..read more

In this roundtable discussion, Diego Figueiredo, Gwenifer Raymond, and Yasmin Williams share their unique perspectives on composing for solo guitar. Through conversation and inspiring demonstrations, our guests explore the differences between improvising and refining a piece, techniques for making one guitar feel like a full band, and more. This episode is sponsored by ToneWoodAmp, a magnetically attached game-changing multi-effects device for acoustic guitars. Get reverb, delay, and more—no amp required! Learn more at tonewoodamp.com. Additional resources: Listen to Part 2, where our guests ..read more

While both our guests are lauded for their electric guitar chops, this episode is all about playing unplugged. Join Eric Johnson and Gretchen Menn for a wide-ranging conversation exploring ego, joy, musical growth, and how to get good tone. (Hint: it's about a lot more than gear!) Thanks to ToneWoodAmp for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about their magnetically attached, game-changing multi-effects device for acoustic guitars at tonewoodamp.com — get reverb, delay, and more, no amp required! Additional resources: Check out Eric Johnson's website. Read this interview with Eric Johnson, wh ..read more