The Guitar Journal

The Guitar Journal

menu close

EP 5: Will McNicol on Composing, Tone, and Orchestral Collaborations in Fingerstyle Guitar

/ 01:32:44/E5
In this episode of The Guitar Journal podcast, classical fingerstyle guitarist Will McNicol shares his musical journey, blending classical and contemporary styles. He discusses tone production, the evolution of fingerstyle guitar, and his "four hats" model for composition. Will and Jesse explore collaboration, community in music education, innovative teaching methods, and the psychological aspects of practice. The conversation touches on Will's Innotet project, his approach to composition, and the future of guitar design and live performance, emphasizing the value of original acoustic compositions.

Chapters
  • 00:00 Introduction to Will McNichol and His Journey
  • 03:09 The Evolution of Guitar Playing and Composition
  • 06:04 Classical vs. Acoustic Guitar Techniques
  • 09:02 The Growth of Fingerstyle Guitar
  • 12:06 The Process of Composition
  • 18:04 The Importance of Editing in Music
  • 24:07 The Four Hats of Composition
  • 30:06 Arranging for Strings and Collaboration
  • 34:06 The Collaborative Process of Music Arranging
  • 39:19 Recording and Mixing: A Journey of Iteration
  • 41:04 The Challenges of Touring with a String Quartet
  • 44:24 Balancing Business and Creativity in Music
  • 51:06 The Importance of Collaboration in Music Education
  • 53:09 Building a Community Through Online Education
  • 01:04:34 Expressive Techniques in Fingerstyle Guitar
  • 01:05:53 The Magic of Scales in Music
  • 01:10:28 Transforming Scales into Musical Expression
  • 01:14:30 The Role of Originality in Guitar Music
  • 01:16:01 Current Musical Influences and Discoveries
  • 01:24:18 Innovative Guitar Designs and Gear Preferences
Links
EP 5: Will McNicol on Composing, Tone, and Orchestral Collaborations in Fingerstyle Guitar

headphones Listen Anywhere

More Options »
Broadcast by