The Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout with Adam Rafferty – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

• http://www.peppinodagostino.com/
• https://www.youtube.com/user/peppinodagostino
• https://www.facebook.com/PeppinoDAgostinoGuitar
• https://twitter.com/pdagostino
• https://www.musicworldretreats.com/

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here

Subscribe via:

iTunes

Stitcher

Google Play

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.

Jon's Links:

• Jon's Website
• Facebook
• Youtube
• Instagram
• Twitter

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here

Subscribe via:

iTunes

Stitcher

Google Play

Spotify

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
• 52:14 Andrea’s best advice to musicians…

• http://www.andreavaleri.com/
• Andrea on Facebook
• Andrea on Youtube
• Andrea on Instagram

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist he

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.

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

• https://stephanbormann.de/
• Stephan Bormann on Facebook
• Stephan Bormann on Youtube

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here

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.

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”

• http://petterisariola.fi
• http://facebook.com/petterisariolaofficial
• http://instagram.com/petterisariola
• http://youtube.com/petterisariola
• http://twitter.com/petterisariola

About the Podcast

Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask

Learn my solo arrangements and get private video guitar coaching & feedback from me studywithadam.com

Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page

https://www.facebook.com/fingerstyleguitarhangout/

Find the podcast online  at http://www.adamrafferty.com/podcast and also at http://fingerstyleguitarhangout.com/ 

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 in July 2000. In May 2004 Acoustic Guitar magazine wrote that Joscho Stephan represented the future of the Gypsy jazz guitar tradition.

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
• 4:08 Joscho’s early classical guitar lessons
• 5:00 His interest in improvisation
• 5:17 Discovering Django Reinhardt
• 9:38 His philosophy “music is a language”
• 11:26 We talk about his online school http://gypsyguitaracademy.com
• 16:12 Joscho gives me (and us) a lesson on 6th chords
• 21:00 I ask Joscho use the left hand pinky…or just 3 fingers, and why?
• 27:52 Picks – what’s best for Gypsy Jazz Guitar?
• 30:28 Joscho talks about his Juergen Volkert D Hole guitar
• 33:09 His latest direct to disc (as in vinyl) recording
• 36:10 How the audience’s presence affects the bands sound
• 37:50 MUSIC TRACK – Joscho, Tommy Emmanuel & his band play “Blues for Tommy” 
• 41:08 Joscho’s “other” playing styles
• 43:38 What’s in Joscho’s guitar collection?
• 45:16 He talks about his recording of “Hey Joe” on the “Guitar Heroes” CD (800K youtube views!)
• 48:23 Joscho’s combination concept for music projects
• 50:18 What are Joscho’s hobbies outside music?
• 51:38 How he started collecting vinyl LP’s
• 53:42 Joscho’s convertible & enjoying it
• 53:26 We talk about staying healthy & in shape on the road
• 56:42 Staying “on fire” regarding creativity & attitude
• 57:39 What advice can Joscho give musicians about practicing, rehearsal & stage performance?
• 59:40 Practicing technical things vs performance skills, trying new ideas.
• 1:06:03 Discovering new music online & going to other concerts to listen
• 1:12:30 MUSIC TRACK – Joscho, Stochelo Rosenberg & his band play “Blues for Stochelo”

Joscho’s Links:

• https://www.joscho-stephan.de/
• http://gypsyguitaracademy.com
• http://www.joschoshop.com/
• Gypsy Jazz Academy Youtube Channel
• Joscho on Facebook

About the Podcast

Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask

Learn my solo arrangements and get private video guitar coaching & feedback from me studywithadam.com

Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page

https://www.facebook.com/fingerstyleguitarhangout/

Find the podcast online  at http://www.adamrafferty.com/podcast and also at http://fingerstyleguitarhangout.com/ 

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 🙂.

• 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?
• 1:06 Ulli’s simple studio setup.
• 1:11 Music – Ulli plays “At the End of the Day”

Ulli’s Links:

• Website: http://www.boegershausen.com/
• Ulli on Youtube
• Ulli on Facebook
• Ulli on Spotify

About the Podcast

Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask

Learn my solo arrangements and get private video guitar coaching & feedback from me studywithadam.com

Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page

https://www.facebook.com/fingerstyleguitarhangout/

Find the podcast online  at http://www.adamrafferty.com/podcast and also at http://fingerstyleguitarhangout.com/ 

Emil Ernebro is one of the leading fingerstyle guitar players today - offering a virtuosic blend of country, jazz and fingerstyle guitar.

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.”

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 
• 40:27 What is Emil musically exploring now?
• 42:50 Emil’s and I discuss online teaching & his work at http://www.proguitar.com
• 53:25 Emil’s best advice to aspiring musicians & guitar players
• 1:01:22 Music Track “Emigrant Visa” – Emil Ernebro Solo Guitar (video below)

• Website: http://www.emilernebro.com/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/loveforsteelstrings
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emil.ernebro/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilernebroguitar/
• ProGuitar: https://www.proguitar.com/

About the Podcast

Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask

Learn my solo arrangements and get private video guitar coaching & feedback from me studywithadam.com

Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page https://www.facebook.com/fingerstyleguitarhangout/

Find the podcast online  at http://www.adamrafferty.com/podcast and also at http://fingerstyleguitarhangout.com/ 

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?

In this episode of the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Sönke discusses his studies, his custom guitar by Christina Kobler, his creative process and more.

• 2:02 Highlights of his visit to the Ullapool Guitar Festival
• 4:31 Sönke describes his style
• 6:43 His origins with classical, and exploring steel string after 8 years
• 8:44 Studying with Reentko Dirks and the Dresden influence
• 14:21 Sönke’s experience studying composition
• 16:11 His approach to creativity and technique
• 21:09 Writing music at the piano
• 23:00 His comfort with nylon strings for melody
• 24:08 His Christina Kobler “Crossover Model” guitar 
• 26:34 Music Track: Perpetum Mobile (Solo Guitar)
• 30:52 His duo with violinist Bjarke Falgren
• 33:05 The new duo album “Postcard to Self”
• 34:40 The recording process for the CD and videos
• 36:54 His guitar vocal duo with Anna-Lucia Rupp
• 39:05 Other music – his swing band experience with Phillip Weichert / Baroque playing
• 41:03 Sönke’s #1 musical goal
• 44:53 What music Sönke is listening to these days?
• 46:50 Sönke takes issue with typical “Youtuber Guitarists”
• 50:36 Upcoming tour dates in China, Germany, Austria
• 54:53 Music Track: The Breeze and The Curtain (Duo with Bjarke Falgran, Violin)

 
Sönke’s Links:

• Website: http://www.soenkemeinen.com/
• Sönke on Youtube
• Sönke on Instagram
• Sönke on Facebook

About the Podcast

Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask

Learn my solo arrangements and get private video guitar coaching & feedback from me studywithadam.com

Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page https://www.facebook.com/fingerstyleguitarhangout/

Find the podcast online  at http://www.adamrafferty.com/podcast and also at http://fingerstyleguitarhangout.com/ 

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!

Show Notes:

0:57 The question about nerves and perfoemance – in Franks 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.

About the Podcast

Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask

Learn my solo arrangements and get private video guitar coaching & feedback from me studywithadam.com

Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page https://www.facebook.com/fingerstyleguitarhangout/

Find the podcast online  at http://www.adamrafferty.com/podcast and also at http://fingerstyleguitarhangout.com/