Alan Barnosky

We had a great turnout for the Foundations of Acoustic Lead Guitar workshop, and it was a ton of fun to put the materials together and lead it! If you weren't able to make it, a video recording of that workshop and an instructional PDF is now available for purchase. $15 gets you a link to the video and the PDF - find it in the store at this link.

These materials can be provided included for no extra charge if you wish to take private lesson. Learn about private lessons here.

I'm excited to announce that I'll be leading a live guitar workshop, called "The Foundations of Acoustic Lead Guitar." The workshop is in collaboration with Pinecone, taking place Wednesday May 19, 7-8:30 pm ET. Registration is now open! Sign up now to make sure your spot is secured. Follow the link for more info. Below is a short description of the workshop

https://pinecone.org/events/foundations-acoustic-lead-guitar-workshop-alan-barnosky

All skill levels welcome 

Take the mystery out of solos and instrumentals by digging into the foundations of acoustic lead guitar. This workshop is for guitarists of all levels who wish to improve the general sound and feel of their playing. Participants will learn how to make melodies and lead lines sound more musical and interesting with techniques like sustain, rhythmic pulse, open strings, harmony notes, slurs, dynamics, and more. A classic song will be introduced as an example, followed by demonstrations on how to develop a compelling lead for that song, and then explanations on how the approach can be applied to other songs and situations. The focus will be on bluegrass and folk styles but can easily be transferred to any acoustic genre. Notated exercises and examples will be provided for all participants. 

Alan Barnosky is a guitarist and songwriter based in Durham, NC. He is a regular contributor for Acoustic Guitar Magazine, and hosts the Monday night Beer & Banjos music series at The Pit in Durham. He performs as a solo songwriter, as a guitarist with the bluegrass four-piece Counterclockwise String Band, and as a bassist with the folk outfit Chatham Rabbits. His two studio albums have garnered attention from IndyWeek and The Bluegrass Situation and received a top 10 spot on the Folk DJ Chart.

The new issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine remembers Tony Rice, with a write up by Molly Tuttle, and interviews with Bela Fleck, David Grisman, Chris Eldridge, and more. I contributed a transcription and write up of Tony Rice's version of Beaumont Rag. Find it all at acousticguitar.com:

https://acousticguitar.com/beaumont-rag-learn-tony-rices-take-on-a-classic-fiddle-tune/

It is such a treat to do these write ups and lessons for Acoustic Guitar. This issue features one of my favorite guitar records, a rare 1976 release by Dudley Hill. I happened upon it while browsing at a record shop a few years ago. It makes me wonder what other great records are floating around out there just waiting to be heard! A very big thanks to Scott Nygaard, Ellen Marx, and Joseph Decosimo who all helped bring this piece together. Check out the write up and video lesson here:

https://acousticguitar.com/pickin-learn-a-beautiful-open-g-guitar-arrangement-of-sally-ann/

I've had another column come out in Acoustic Guitar Magazine, featuring my arrangement of Earl Scrugg's approach to Home Sweet Home. Check it out: https://acousticguitar.com/home-sweet-home-try-a-flatpicking-workout-inspired-by-a-banjo-classic/