The Acoustic Asylum

In today’s podcast episode, we have a quick rule of the Asylum: do not just go through the motions. You should make the effort to make sure every single note shines. I’ll show you some examples of how to liven up your strumming and playing.   I talk about some easy ways you can experiment and practise to bring your music to life. It’s all about enjoying your playing, but also finding a way to add that wow factor. Give it a listen and discover how you can make your playing sound better!   If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/   Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Today, we’re talking about a cool, fun technique you can do on the guitar: bass runs. Bass runs are a great way of linking chords together and making them sound much more melodic and interesting.   In the episode, I show you some simple examples of how to try this out. I use two chords to show you how to easily link them, and talk you through how to play this at home. Take a listen and give it a go!   If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/   Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

In today’s episode, I’ll talk about making 2026 the best year for you on the guitar. It’s great to have a plan for the coming year, however, I want to talk about what you’ve achieved in the past year and how you’ve progressed.   Chances are, in 2025, you practised a hundred hours, and you’ve got to take some time to take stock. Did you master a chord change? Did you learn a barre chord? Did you learn a song? All of these are worth celebrating. Take a listen to hear how to take stock of your past year and how to carry on into the new year!   If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/   Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

With the arrival of Christmas, Santa’s elves are getting busy. While they are skilled at all kinds of fun toys, they are not the best luthiers, i.e., they’re not the most skilled guitar builders.   So to avoid getting a patchy guitar from Santa’s workshop, I’m offering some advice on how to pick a proper guitar. Take a listen and hear all about my experiences with Santa’s elves.   If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/   Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!  

I’ve spoken before about the Gatekeeper of the Acoustic Asylum. The Gatekeeper represents a lot of what’s out there in the guitar world. So today’s episode is all about beating the Gatekeeper as he tries to take your dreams and crush them.   The best way to defeat the Gatekeeper is to become the best guitarist you can be. One way you can do this is by working out melodies as a way of honing your skills. In the episode, I offer you some tips and tricks on working out melodies and honing your skills to develop your guitar superpowers. Take a listen and unlock your superpower!   If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/   Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!  

If you’ve followed my lessons and podcast for a while, you’ll know about my T.E.S.T. method. Today we’re going to talk about one of the key elements of the method – Time Management. So many people struggle with it, often they don’t have a practice routine.   In the episode, I give you some advice on how to tackle this common issue. You can create a “to-do” list, which will really help you organise what you need to focus on. This will help your practice be more structured and productive. Take a listen for detailed advice!   If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/   Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Today, I'm bringing you a fantastic interview with Tomas Michaud. Tomas is a flamenco guitarist who has some great advice to offer on all things guitar. In the episode, we talk about Tomas’ continued journey of learning as an established and incredible tutor and guitarist. Tomas offers some excellent tips on how to avoid getting too fixated, but still stay motivated. We also chat about fun topics such as the reality of touring, the beginning of the guitar journey, going off on tangents, favourite chords, and more! Take a listen and enjoy! If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/ Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

In today’s episode, we’re talking about a rule of the asylum, which is using the magnifying glass. A lot of people learn songs by practising the whole song. However, if you’re struggling with a song, it’s a really good idea to break it down. I talk about how to break down a song, giving you several examples of how to simplify learning a song. It’s all about working on the individual parts that make up the whole of the piece. This will highlight any underlying issues, so you can fix them. Take a listen and enjoy! If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/ Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about David Gilmour and a very interesting quote of his. A lot of people think they might have anything in common with David Gilmour, but there's a reason it's worth learning about your guitar heroes.    You don't need to be as famous as David Gilmour to express yourself on the guitar. There's so much you can do! I'll show you a couple of examples of what you can jam. It's a great way to have fun and express yourself. Take a listen and enjoy!   If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/   Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum! 

Today, I want to talk about your guitar. It’s all about making sure the guitar you play is comfortable for you. Ideally, the best way to find the best guitar for you is to go to a physical guitar shop and try several guitars.   It’s important to remember that it’s all about your fingers, your body, and what you like the feel and sound of, without thinking about brand names or what others think. Take a listen to the episode to find out the tips and advice I have for finding the best guitar for you!   If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/   Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!  

In today’s episode, I talk about the worst way to practise or learn a song and how to avoid this. Time is limited, and you don’t want to end up feeling like you’re wasting it, struggling to learn a song. When you’re learning a new song, you really want to break things up into smaller sections to learn.   This is where the 10x Method really helps. In the episode, I talk about how to use and apply the method to streamline the process of learning a song, so you don’t forget what you are learning. Take a listen and improve your process!   If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course, which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/   Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Today, I'm bringing you a super fun interview with Robert Lunn. In the episode, we had a great chat on some really important topics, including why playing gig-ready, simple yet stunning arrangements of songs is so important, how to keep the passion when learning songs, and how Robert created a wonderful piece which started off as an exercise to just learn some new software! Robert is a great chap, so I hope you enjoy (and listen to the end for a funny story from Robert). Take a listen and enjoy! If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/ Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Today’s episode is all about my recent trip, discovering music when you travel, and taking breaks from the guitar. When you travel, music is everywhere. It’s really fun discovering different street musicians and even taking trips down memory lane when you hear your favourite songs. Travelling for me often means stepping away from the guitar, but this can also be beneficial. There are even studies that show that spreading out your practice can help you learn better. On the other hand, new environments and experiences can also help fuel your motivation! Take a listen to the episode and enjoy! If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/ Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

In today’s episode, we have a great interview with Andy Schneider. We had a chat on a whole variety of topics, such as getting ready to play live, bluegrass jamming, how to get started with the blues, and why playing with others is so powerful! Andy's a super nice chap to chat to, and I found that after this interview, I couldn't help but go have a good ol' jam of my own. I hope Andy and this interview inspire you too! There’s a lot to enjoy here, especially if you've dreamt of playing live but haven't done so yet. Take a listen and enjoy! If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/ Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Today’s episode is a fun story about Paul Simon and his way of playing. As a guitarist, Paul Simon does his own thing, and he does it really well. His sophistication, style, and the different elements of his playing often go unrecognised thanks to his incredible songwriting skills. So in today’s episode, I discuss the different facets of Paul Simon’s skills as a guitarist, a songwriter, and a singer. One of the most beautiful things he talks about is the guitar being a source of comfort for him. I show you some little tunes you can play too when you turn to your guitar for comfort. Take a listen and enjoy! If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/ Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!  

In today’s episode, we continue with another special interview, this time with Brian Sherrill of Active Melody. Brian is one of the coolest guitar players and best online teachers, who’s blues playing is brilliant. In the episode, Brian and I talk about the journey, the process of guitar playing, and the really important mindset shifts that a lot of guitarists need. Brian talks about his own journey with guitar, how he became a guitar teacher, and the things he finds key to guitar playing. He discusses how to go from scales and technique to making real music. The common frustrations faced by beginner guitarists, and what to work on to master the basics of chord changes. At the end of the episode, I pose a fire-round of questions to Brian about guitar playing. Take a listen and enjoy! If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/ Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!      

In today’s episode, I talk about the benefits of technology and the importance of not letting it take over. I think AI can be a great tool, but it’s never going to play the guitar for us. I chat about one of my favourite films, Terminator 2, and the interesting message we can take from it.   One of the main reasons that some of these technologies and apps don’t stick is that they are trying to take over the process of learning, and nothing can do that. I talk about why this is the case, the key parts that can’t be skipped or replaced in the learning process, and the things that AI still can’t do. Take a listen and enjoy!     If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/   Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!

Today’s episode is a special one. It’s an interview with Jamie Andreas who has a unique way of talking about technique and has been a huge influence on my own teaching. In the episode, Jamie talks about how she started playing guitar, discovering classical guitar, and her own experience of teaching guitar. She discusses how she developed her teaching approach and how important it was for her to be able to teach anyone guitar. She discusses how to approach chords, the importance of keeping your fingers relaxed, and more. Listen to the episode and discover Jamie’s incredible journey, experience, and expertise. If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/ Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!    

In today’s episode, I dive into six fretboard breakthroughs that changed everything for me. If you struggle with learning the fretboard, then this will help you change that. Learning the fretboard can be fun, and it can open up so many doors in your playing. Over the years, I’ve developed six specific techniques for teaching students the fretboard. In this episode, I discuss some of these, including fretboard hopping, playing real jams, memory-building tricks, the scavenger hunt, and more. Take a listen and learn all about how to conquer the fretboard. If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/ Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!  

In today’s episode, I talk about a new rule of the Asylum, which is being the King or Queen of the Jungle. This is inspired by The Lion King musical, which has a classic hero story. In terms of guitar playing, every guitarist goes through this journey.   In the episode, I talk about how guitar playing can take us to a different dimension, the transformation we undergo as guitarists, and how beneficial this can be. I describe the hero’s journey for those who aren’t familiar with, how to not let doubt creep in, and how to take the next step on your journey. Take a listen and enjoy!   If you enjoyed this podcast, you can get my free “guitar secrets” video course which will help all beginners or those who are “stuck”. Get the course for free, exclusively at - https://fingerstyle101.com/secrets/   Like this episode? Your reviews for this podcast mean the world to me, so please let us know what you thought about the Acoustic Asylum!