In this episode of The Guitar Journal Podcast, we’re joined by fingerstyle virtuoso Mike Dawes—an innovator known for his percussive techniques, creative arrangements, and collaborations with legends like Tommy Emmanuel. Mike breaks down how he builds layered acoustic compositions using “microtechniques,” and why arranging cover songs is both a creative exercise and a career catalyst.We also dive into the realities of modern music distribution—how the algorithm shapes what we hear, why Spotify can feel like a double-edged sword for independent artists, and how Mike navigates the balance between artistic integrity and digital reach.If you’re a guitarist, creator, or just curious about where acoustic music fits in a world run by platforms, this one’s for you.Linkswww.mikedawes.comJamPlay course, USB stick version - This is the course material where Mike goes through the percussive techniques from the episode: https://www.mikedawes.com/products/usb-jamplay-courseMike's Truefire courses - https://truefire.com/search/?q=mike%20dawesTonewood Amp 2 - https://www.tonewoodamp.com/products/tonewoodamp2Neural DSP - Pliny plugin - https://neuraldsp.com/plugins/archetype-pliniIK Multimedia Tonex One pedal - https://amzn.to/44P0W1NMood Machine by Liz Pelly - https://amzn.to/3IdNlZeChapters00:00 Introduction03:12 Mike's Journey from Electric to Acoustic Guitar05:59 The Evolution of Percussive Techniques in Fingerstyle09:03 The Importance of Covers in Learning and Discovery12:05 Collaborations and Community in Fingerstyle Guitar15:08 Practical Tips for Intermediate Guitarists17:58 The Art of Live Performance and Creating Moments28:36 The Art of Live Performance29:50 Innovations in Guitar Effects34:23 Navigating the Spotify Landscape40:11 The Future of Music and AI45:54 Exciting Collaborations and Upcoming Projects

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