2024
the year in review
january
EXPRESSIVE FINGERSTYLE GUITAR TECHNIQUES // TONY MCMANUS IN THE COLLEGE
The year started with me releasing my first teaching book, published by Fundamental Changes. Amazingly it reached the top of multiple Amazon charts on release, and hearing how it’s been helping players all over the world makes all the work that went into it hugely rewarding. You can learn more about the book via the video and link below.
“I teach guitar in a private music school , and have to say this book is far above the usual learning and performance books available. The author describes excellently the important techniques to master for learning, but also shares his own philosophy on tone, style, and emotion while playing and how to achieve it. In my opinion this information is a brilliant inclusion to the necessary technique skills . I’ll be using this book with my students.”
— LYNNE, VIA AMAZON
We also had the absolute pleasure of starting the year with none other Mr Tony McManus giving an utterly inspiring guest appearance at our monthly College Zoom Meet. A true great.
FEBRUARY
ONE DAY WORKSHOP DOWN SOUTH // GUESTING FOR MARTIN TAYLOR MBE
February saw me convene with some fabulous musicians for my annual one-day workshop “Down South” in Blandford Forum, Dorset. It was a lovely day of music making in celebration of the launch of the new book. The Saturday next year is sold out, but still some spaces available for the Sunday if you fancy joining the fun!
I also had the pleasure of being invited to be a guest at Martin Taylor’s Happy Hour Hang Out on Zoom. It was a fabulous time spent in the company of a lovely collection of his Patron supporters. Martin’s one of the best around of course, and was an utterly gracious host. You can check out some highlights from the session below.
march
PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOP IN ITALY // NOT ONE BUT TWO GUESTS IN THE COLLEGE
In March I hopped on a plane back to a place that has become something of a home-away-from home for me - Pieve di Cento in Italy. As always, huge thanks to Giulio & Giulia for making it happen. I returned to the most beautiful theatre they have there - Teatro Alice Zeppilli, and this time it was made even more special as my dear friend, Jule Malischke was also over, and we shared the stage together.
March also saw The College welcome not one but two special guests. Martin Taylor, being the gentleman that he is, returned the favour and hopped onto Zoom for us, as did the wonderful Janet Noguera. Two exceptionally inspiring musicians who provided the most wonderful music and conversation for us.
APRIL
A TOUR AND RECORDING WITH SÖNKE MEINEN
Any time spent alongside my dear friend, and brother-from-another-German-mother, Sönke Meinen, is time well spent! It was a pleasure to welcome him over to England for his first gigs and workshop over here. We travelled the length of the country, starting up in Tom Sands’ neck of the woods (Yorkshire), popping over to The Lakes to spend some time with Roger Bucknall of Fylde Guitars, then snaked back down South. It was a wonderful old time, and we found some time to do some recordings of our duets as well. You can check those out below.
MAY
THE BRITTANY WORKSHOP // BELFAST GUITAR NIGHT
May saw some more travel, firstly back to our beautiful workshop venue in Brittany for my annual residential. Fabulous times were had amongst great friends and wonderful musicians. It’s the best sounding space for a workshop, full stop, which made our few days together all the more special.
Then, back onto a plane and over to Northern Ireland for the Belfast Guitar Night, hosted by the utterly brilliant Gary Lutton. The Crescent in Belfast is a great venue, and we even had a little pre-gig workshop as well. Lovely times indeed.
JUNE
A DUET WITH HEATHER CARTWRIGHT // GIGS FOR NINEBARROW
June saw myself and Heather Cartwright team up for a duet recording of my tune, The Musketeer’s Approach. Heather’s a wonderful player, and she spun a magical guitar two part around this tune which I absolutely love. It was great being able to collaborate on a proper recording of it.
Then I fulfilled my annual role of being part of Ninebarrow’s utterly wonderful set of Walking Holidays here in Dorset. Jon and Jay of Ninebarrow are two of my favourite people - not only exceptional musicians - but brilliantly innovative in what they work on. And their Walking Holidays are a true testament to that. Unique in so many ways, and beautiful gigs to top it off. They sell out quickly, and far in advance, but if you like the idea, you can learn more via the video and link below.
JULY
PRACTICE TIPS // A NEW ARRANGEMENT // ALICE ALLEN IN THE COLLEGE
July saw two additions to my YouTube Channel. First was a video where I dig into the evergreen topic of practice. Always worth talking about, and it was nice to share some thoughts (inspired by the great John Williams, no less!)
Then I managed to complete something of an epic arrangement - my take on Joe Hisaishi’s utterly beautiful, Merry-Go-Round of Life. A proper passion project and I’m very pleased with how it all came together.
July also saw a member of Innotet join us in The College - Alice Allen - cello extraordinaire! Always nice to welcome the occasional non-guitarist to these meets as getting different perspectives is always so valuable. She was sublime, naturally, and shared so many great thoughts and some divine playing.
AUGUST
VOLUME TWO RELEASED // ONLINE LISTENING PARTY
August was a big one as we saw the release of Volume Two with Innotet. An album years in the making, and one that was so deeply gratifying seeing come together. I spent many enjoyable hours working on the various design elements, producing videos, shipping CDs, vinyl, and Collector’s Editions. But of course, the real joy was hearing the music so elevated by the people involved. Seonaid, Innes, Patsy, Alice, Andrea, Touraj and the team at Vertere, Miles. Adam - the lot of them. A proper dream-come-true project for me, and one that I feel represents me and my music better than any.
I also tried something different this time - an online listening party. A wonderful bunch of you joined myself and members of Innotet for a thoroughly enjoyable hour listening and watching videos. Such fun - I must try it again for future releases!
An enormous thanks to each and every one of you who supported the album - it really means a lot.
SEPTEMBER
THE MCNICOL CLAN WELCOMES A NEW MEMBER
September was a life-changing one. We welcomed Albie into the world and the month was a blur of sleepless nights and nappy changing! A joyous adventure, and somehow I found the time to write another little lullaby. It seemed only right as Arthur got one! I wrote it so it could be played as a duet with Arthur’s, so you can watch and listen to both versions below.
And finally, The College welcomed Mr Trevor Gordon Hall as a special guest. A true gentleman who was so generous with sharing so much about his approach to music making. One of those sessions where you can’t wait to pick your guitar up and get playing - just so inspiring. Thanks, Trevor!
OCTOBER
MY FIRST COVER FEATURE // GETTING NERDY ABOUT NAILS // A CHAT WITH TOM SANDS
October had me on the front cover of a magazine for the first time - all rather exciting. Fingerstyle Guitar Journal is a wonderful publication, and I had one of the most enjoyable interviews with the editor, Bill Pilburn which features in the magazine.
October also saw me release a video on a particularly rock and roll topic - nail care. It comes up more than I ever thought it would when I first started learning to play! This video look s at the whole ping-pong ball technique I use, and how it changes things from a tone perspective when compared to natural nails.
My dear friend Tom Sands found time to have a jolly good chat with me about the new album with Innotet. Lots of behind the scenes stuff shared in that video, should you be interested.
NOVEMBER
SNOW ON THE RIVER RELEASED // TOP TIPS FOR HARMONICS // CHRIS WOODS VISITS THE COLLEGE
A very special album came out in November - Snow on the River by Oscar McLennan. A collection of utterly beautiful pieces of music, wonderfully arranged by Martin Tourish. I provided guitar throughout, and it was a delight to be involved, You can listen and buy the album on band camp by clicking the image above.
November also saw me try out a new format of video for YouTube where I dive into some top tips for techniques. It went down rather well, and very happy to hear from people who got a lot from it. As such, I’m definitely keen to keep this series going next year, and folks have already been making suggestions for techniques for me to cover in future instalments.
My dear friend, Chris Woods, popped along as a Special Guest in The College. Chris and I go way back, and it was high time he came along to share his thoughts on playing, answer a few questions and share his brilliant compositions.
DECEMBER
COMPOSITION COURSE // A FESTIVE ARRANGEMENT // ANDY MCKEE ROUNDS OFF OUR SPECIAL GUESTS FOR THE YEAR
December saw my release a substantial online course digging into the topic of composition in a big way. It’s my passion, and it was great to finally formalise all the ideas I use in my own compositional work in a step-by-step way. You can check it out via the image above.
To round off our special guests in The College for this year we welcomed a true legend of the contemporary acoustic guitar scene - Andy McKee. The cherry on the cake for our Zoom Meets and I’m very grateful to Andy for spending so much time sharing his music and outlook. Inspiring stuff, that’s for sure.
And finally - a little Christmas arrangement. Every year, my dear friend, Roger Bucknall of Fylde Guitars asks for a little festive contribution for his newsletter. I felt it was the perfect opportunity for me to explore an arrangement of one my favourites. I hope you enjoy it.
And there we have it - that was 2024! An amazing year for so many reasons, and I’m exceptionally grateful to all of you for being a part if it. A special thanks to those who support my work on Patreon - that’s a wonderful little community and all helps so much.
Here’s to another great year in 2025, and I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
W