Tommy Emmanuel

Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist, who's worked as a session player and won awards for his solo recordings. He is one of the finest acoustic players working today. In 2019, MusicRadar named him as one of the 10 best acoustic guitarists in the world.

Latest articles by Tommy Emmanuel

Portrait of Australian virtuoso guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, photographed in Bath on January 13, 2017.

"When you practice the skills enough, one day, just like magic, the skills turn into music": Tommy Emmanuel's thumbpicking masterclass

By Tommy Emmanuel published

Video lesson: Tommy Emmanuel takes us through the basics of how to use a thumbpick so you can play your own version of Elizabeth Cotten’s Freight Train

Lessons
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Thematic Development, and the Bridge of “T.E. Ranch”

By Tommy Emmanuel published

Learn more about thematic development from acoustic maestro Tommy Emmanuel.

Lessons
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How to Fingerpick Like Chet Atkins

By Tommy Emmanuel published

Learn how to fingerpick like Chet Atkins from a Chet Atkins-certified guitar player!

Musical Tips & Advice
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Modifying a Picking Pattern to Accentuate a Melody

By Tommy Emmanuel published

Musical Tips & Advice
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Tommy Emmanuel's Guide to Hand Independence, and More on Chet Atkins' “El Vaquero”

By Tommy Emmanuel published

Lessons
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How to Play My Rendition of Martin Taylor’s “One Day”

By Tommy Emmanuel published

This month, I’d like to present my rendition of a beautiful song called “One Day,” which was written by my very dear friend Martin Taylor. (What a perfect name for an acoustic guitarist!)

Lessons
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Tommy Emmanuel Lesson: Composing Singable Melodies, and “It’s Never Too Late,” Part 1

By Tommy Emmanuel published

As a composer, I strive to write melodies that have a special appeal and will “stick” in both my head and heart.

Lessons
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Tommy Emmanuel's Guide to Travis Picking Chord-Melody Lines, and How to Play “T.E. Ranch”

By Tommy Emmanuel published

Lessons