Fingerstyle Guitar!

In this episode - Fingerstyle Guitar . . .

In a previous podcast, we shared our experience at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, where we attended a concert by the accomplished fingerstyle guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.

Suppose you've never seen Tommy in concert. I promise - you will never look at a guitar the same way again! And believe what you are seeing and hearing is possible. Every inch of his guitar gets plucked or pounded to propel the beat, scratched to imitate symbols, driven with a rhythmic thump, thump, thump to lead with the bass, and magic fingers that tickle the strings to drive pure harmonic tones. So, please don't pass it up when you can see him live.

During a local performance by Tommy Emmanuel at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA, on December 14, 2022, we were introduced to Mike Dawes, an exceptionally talented and creative guitarist renowned for his impressive fingerstyle technique. It was a delightful surprise!

Born in England on November 20, 1983, Mike developed an early passion for music and started playing the guitar at 13. His uncanny talent and dedication led him on a remarkable journey in the guitar world. With his unique approach to the instrument, Mike quickly gained recognition for his intricate fingerstyle arrangements and captivating performances. He is celebrated for his ability to blend percussive techniques, harmonics, and melodic lines, creating a rich and dynamic sound that pushes the boundaries of what's possible on the guitar.

Mike rose to fame in 2013 with his solo acoustic cover of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" on YouTube, earning millions of views and showcasing his talent in the guitar community. Since then, Mike Dawes has continued to build a strong presence in the music industry, captivating listeners with his original compositions and inventive covers of popular songs. To date, he has released several highly acclaimed albums, including "What Just Happened?" (2013), "Era" (2017), and "Shows and Distancing: Live in the USA" (2021). His music encompasses various styles, incorporating folk, rock, and jazz. One of his best covers is Jump, by Van Halen.

Mike has toured extensively with renowned musicians such as Justin Hayward from The Moody Blues and Tommy Emmanuel, solidifying his reputation as a standout in the guitar world.

In addition to his solo career, he is an active collaborator and session musician, working with various artists across different genres. Mike continues to inspire and influence aspiring guitarists through his workshops, masterclasses, and online tutorials, sharing his expertise and unique approach to the instrument. Mike Dawes continues to push the boundaries of the acoustic guitar and captivate audiences worldwide with his extraordinary musicality.

Check him out on Spotify, and if you get a chance, don't miss seeing him in concert. You will be amazed and delighted.

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Comments

The Yellow Legal Pad

In this episode, the Art of Refiring July 1st is staring me in the face, less than two weeks away. For years, retirement seemed like something that happened to other people. Suddenly, it's on my calendar. I've been thinking a lot about the dreaded "R-word" lately. Not because I'm worried about having enough to do. Quite the opposite. What fascinates me is this strange paradox: Why does retirement make so many of us nervous, while having a job—even one that regularly drives us crazy—somehow feels comforting? Let's be honest. Most of us spend years complaining about meetings that should have been emails, reply-all disasters, impossible deadlines, and that one coworker who insists on microwaving leftover fish in the breakroom. Yet when the idea of walking away finally arrives, we hesitate. I think I've figured out why. A career isn't just a job. It's a highly structured coping mechanism. For forty-plus years, somebody else has basically decided what I...

The Big Rip and the First Tee

The telescope (Celestron) sits quietly under its cover, temporarily blinded by Southern California's annual meteorological hostage situation – June Gloom. Somewhere above that thick gray ceiling, photons that began their journey before humans appeared are streaming across the cosmos, only to be intercepted by a marine layer that seems to have veto power over astronomy. Instead of observing the universe, I find myself imagining – The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) by physicist Katie Mack. According to modern cosmology, the universe may eventually end in a Big Rip, a Big Crunch, Heat Death, Vacuum Decay, or some other catastrophe that sounds suspiciously like a rejected heavy-metal album title. Astrophysicists spend their careers calmly discussing the possibility that reality itself could suddenly cease to exist because a quantum field had a bad day. It's a remarkable way to start a Saturday morning. One moment you're contemplating the ultimate fate of spacetime...

Epictetus, Ego, and Acronyms

In this episode, Destroy Communication, One Three-Letter Acronym at a Time This week, I want to explore a deeply relatable, universally feared workplace character: the "know-it-all." Now, I’m not pointing fingers here. If we are being completely honest, we have all played this role. We've all uttered some version of, "Yes, absolutely, that aligns with our strategic objectives," while our internal monologue is screaming, "I don't even know what the objective is, let alone the strategy." What got me thinking about this was a chapter in Ryan Holiday's book, Wisdom Takes Work . Holiday leans on a powerful piece of Stoic truth from the ancient philosopher Epictetus: "It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows." It's a brilliant quote that strikes right at the heart of the human ego. You can't learn what you already know, and you certainly can't learn what you pretend to know to save face. Though to be ...

The Places You'll Go . . .

Well, the time has arrived. Yes, July's drawing near, And somehow I've managed to last seven years! I've analyzed forecasts and studied the trends, While spreadsheets multiplied without seeming to end. We've planned for the sunshine, the storms, and the load, while Mother Nature kept changing the code. But through all the numbers, the forecasts, and charts, the best part of Cenergy's always been hearts. The people beside me, year after year, Made even the toughest challenges clear. To the bright, talented folks reading this today, The future is yours now—you're well on your way. And unlike my era, here's the key: You’ll work with AI just as smooth as can be. The reports that took hours may take only minutes. The models you build with intelligence in it. The data will flow faster than ever before, While AI handles tasks that are mostly a bore! But here's my advice as I head out the door: Technology changes, but people matter more. AI can predict, calcula...

On The Fly

Search This Blog