Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast with Adam Rafferty

Summary, Episode 6: Interview with legendary percussive guitar innovator Preston Reed. One of the most influential and innovative guitarists of the past quarter century, Preston Reed invented integrated percussive guitar playing in the late 1980's, revolutionising the way the acoustic guitar is played and inspiring generations of musicians around the world ever since. Employing multi-voiced grooves, polyrhythmic percussion and story-telling compositions, Reed's visionary approach fully exploits the breathtaking orchestral potential of the acoustic guitar. Show Notes: In this episode of the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Preston Reed and I chat about: 3:56 How he developed his unique style in the 1980's. 5:05 The question how to play drums & guitar at the same time? 5:36 His inspirattion of Eddie Van Halen, Jeff Healy and Stanley Jordan. 7:30 How he developed a "drums first" approach. 11:11 His compositional process - sometimes inspired by mistakes and wrong notes... 18:03 His influences ranging from Beatles, Animals, Zombies to Big Bands and Film soundtracks. 20:42 Preston's experience studying classical guitar as a young player. 25:00 Techniques used - 2 hands playing one line . 26:32 All about his custom guitar built by Mark Bailey and why does he have velcro pasted to the back? 29:45 the pickup configuration Preston uses. 33:06 Preston's other (non-guitar) hobbies. 34:51 What advice would he give other guitarists? 37:00 Preston talks about his love for jazz and his CD "Spirit" recorded on an archtop guitar! 42:49 Closing track "The Last Viking"from the CD "In Here, Out There" Visit Preston Reed's Website at https://www.prestonreed.com Never Miss an Episode - Subscribe NOW!

Summary, Episode 5: In this episdode you will hear a personal interview with guitarist and composer Bill Cooley. Bill Cooley has been called "one of Nashville's most respected sidemen" by Guitar Player Magazine. He has toured and recorded with Kathy Mattea for over 28 years. Bill has also toured with Merle Haggard, Reba McEntire, and Alan Jackson to name a few. Bill has released his fourth CD, "In Search of Home," a solo guitar album that made the Editor's List for Best Music of 2016 in Premier Guitar Magazine. Show Notes: In this episode of the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Bill Cooley and I chat about: Bill's musical background and influences growing up in the 60's - from surf bands to Beatles to Leo Kottke. His guitar teachers and the meaning they had in his life. His new CD "In Search of Home" and his recording process * staying relaxed in the studio. Bill tells about his sideman experience in Nashville starting in 1985. His 28 year artistic relationship with Kathy Mattea. The creative process they use to stay fresh and alert. Bill's musical priority - conveying emotion. His guitar technique & right hand concepts. Bill talks about giving clinics at Berklee College of Music with Kathy Mattea. What would Bill tell students to do? Find out... Closing track (on the audio version of episode only) - title track from new cd "In Search of Home" You can find Bill Cooley's Website online at https://billcooleymusic.com Never Miss an Episode - Subscribe NOW!

Summary, Episode 4: In this episdode you will hear a personal interview with guitarist and composer Al Petteway. Show Notes: FGH-0004: Interview With Al Petteway - Grammy & Indie Award Winning Fingerstyle Guitarist and Composer In this episode of the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Al Petteway gives his thoughts and insights on: His wide array musical influences starting with Chet Atkins and the Beatles. His upright bass studies in college, and how it influences his guitar playing. His approach to solo guitar arranging, separation of parts, and technique. His appreciation for melodic bass players like Jaco Pastorius and Paul McCartney. The story behind his new CD, "The Collectors Passion", recorded on just an iPad and an inexpensive Roland interface. His experiences of playing with other musicians who pushed him to new heights. Thoughts on recording sessions, relaxation, mindset and spontaneity. His personal journey with aging, arthritis and continuing playing. Al's personal top 3 take-away tips for guitarists who want to improve dramatically. Closing track "Sligo Creek" from Al's new CD "The Collectors Passion" You can find Al Petteway's Website online at https://www.alandamy.com/al.html Never Miss an Episode - Subscribe NOW!

Summary, Episode 3: In this episdode you will hear an exclusive interview with Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar Master Tony McManus. Show Notes: In this episode Tony tells us what Celtic music is, his influences & background plus he demonstrates techniques on the guitar live for us. 4:53 Tony tells us what Celtic music is, where it' from & describes the spirit behind it. 10:00 Tony plays his arrangement a popular Irish tune from the band "Planxty" - demonstrates scales in DADGAD tuning. 12:16 Tony shows fiddle ornamentation with the left hand. 13:05 Tony adds a bassline to the "Planxty" arrangement. 14:00 I ask Tony to play we reminice about meeting at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society in Nashville. 15:55 Tony talks about & demonstrates a piece with deft hammer ons - "Sandizan" by Soïg Siberil . 22:39 Similarities of ornamentation in middle eastern music to Irish music. 23:45 Teaching advanced students - getting them out of their comfort zone. 24:39 Demonstration of a piece in 9/8 time. 27:03 Tony admits limitations and likes the challenges. 27:23 Tony describes Beppe Gambetta's guitar festival and how he began his explorations of Bach. 35:48 Fingernails & Technique - Tony uses nails like flatpicks. 37:39 Tony's duo with Julia Koaspern 38:50 Tony unveils a mini Mike Greenfield Guitar 40:11 I ask Tony - what things should guitarists do differently? 43:07 Tony talks about Pat Metheny's unexpected pick thickness. 44:40 Tony's talks about his CD "Mysterious Boundaries" and upcoming CD projects. 50:00 Does Tony play other styles or instruments? 51:21 Parting thoughts - his wonder with music around the world & different cultures. You can find Tony's website online at https://www.tonymcmanus.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyMcManusMusic/ Never Miss an Episode - Subscribe NOW!

Summary, Episode 2: In this episode we have student Q & A. Ben from Virginia asks... "How do you maintain a repertoire of several fingerstyle guitar pieces and also learn new tunes, arrangements and concepts?" I have 8 points that I mention in this episode, so here is a quick review. Show Notes: 8 points to help you remember old pieces and learn new ones as well: (2:52) Consider finding a small background music gig - coffee shop maybe? (4:55) Surprise! I don’t remember all my arrangements (5:58) Don’t let 1/2 baked arrangements kick around (6:38) Delegate to Youtube (7:33) How do I keep my old tunes alive? (8:39) Regarding creativity (9:24) Regarding musicianship & studying theory (11:09) Practice using old tune / new tune method. Never Miss an Episode - Subscribe NOW!

Summary Episode 1: Welcome to the new Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Episode 1. In this very first episode we have student Q & A. Gary from New Zealand asks... "How will practicing triplet based rhythms like 6/8 make my straight 4/4 time better for fingerstyle guitar?" One of the most important aspects of guitar playing is rhythm. Many players struggle with groove, so here are some ideas for you. Items mentioned in this podcast: In this particular episode you will learn: Where I learned this information How to work on your rhythm with a hand drum Body rhythm vs head rhythm Improving your touch and tone as well as time The concept of additive rhythm - "Bo Diddley beat" vs typical 16th notes Here is the Remo Kid's Djembe I practice grooves on Never Miss an Episode - Subscribe NOW!