I’m extremely thrilled to introduce my guest today, Grammy-nominated master fingerstyle guitarist Alex de Grassi. He has recorded 19 albums and in 1998, he was nominated for a Grammy for his album “The Water Garden”. The Wall Street Journal has called his playing “flawless” and Billboard hails his “intricate finger-picking technique with an uncanny gift for melodic invention.” His most recent album is 2020’s The Bridge, with Tropo Records. The Bridge is Alex’s first solo guitar recording in 17 years since Now and Then: Folk Songs for the 21st Century.

0:00 Start
0:49 Grandfather’s advice
2:10 Did your grandfather improvise and compose?
4:41 Did you have a musical childhood?
6:40 How did you transcribe fingerstyle arrangements by ear?
8:11 Did your grandfather’s technique inspire you to translate that philosophy to the guitar?
10:07 When did you write your first compositions?
11:23 How did you find yourself performing in London as a street musician?
13:27 Did you meet any famous future folk stars back then?
15:29 When did you decide to be a solo fingerstyle guitarist?
19:04 How do you create your sound?
20:06 What specific examples of guitar pieces steered your direction?
23:14 When you are composing, which comes first, rhythmic ideas, melodic ideas or harmonic ideas?
24:23 How long does it take to compose a piece?
24:52 What’s an example of a song you’ve written very quickly?
28:13 What’s your opinion of the metronome?
30:35 What are the easiest and hardest songs for you to play in concert?
33:11 Do you use music theory when you compose?
34:00 Did you study formal counterpoint?
35:51 Does your music require physical aids like acrylic nails to play?
38:04 Did you ever meet Leo Kottke and has he heard your music?
39:28 What about Bert Jansch?
41:15 Top 3 acoustic guitarists?
42:41 Top 3 jazz improvisers?
44:03 Top 3 classical composers?
44:34 What is your proudest musical moment?
47:11 What is your biggest musical regret?
48:04 When did your grandfather pass away? Did he get to hear your music?
48:24 What about your father?
49:38 What would surprise your fans about your music?
50:51 Which album or tracks would you give to a new listener to introduce them to your music?
51:42 Wrapping Up