Interview: Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel on concentration, grit, persistence and mastery

Australian musician Tommy Emmanuel is globally famous as a “Certified Guitar Player” - an honorary title which the great American country guitarist Chet Atkins bestowed on him in 1999. But his mastery of the guitar is living proof of another "CGP": his concentration, grit and persistence.
In an interview with Andrew McMillen, national music writer at The Australian, Emmanuel talks about those three qualities by demonstrating some of his hard-earned instrumental wizardry.
Tommy also demonstrates an aspect of his music that he believes is misunderstood; he explains his use of harmonics, and how he approaches the tricky task of arranging complex songs for a single guitar, such as his intricate, jaw-dropping solo covers of The Beatles songs such as Day Tripper and Lady Madonna.
To read more about Tommy Emmanuel and his remarkable life story, including his recovery from cocaine and alcohol addiction, click here to read The Weekend Australian Review's cover story, published February 25, 2023 (~14 minute read): theaustralian.com.au/news-sto...
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[@danbgt]

I’m an old retired guy. I’m also an old drummer. Played drums since 1962. I started learning to play guitar at 68 years old after I retired from my “real job”. It’s something to keep my hands and brains active. I don’t think non musicians have any kind of concept of how much practice it takes to learn to play guitar. Or any instrument for that matter. Tommy has been doing this his whole life. Literally! And it shows. No one is better. (He is also a drummer. 👍) And he keeps learning. It’s a never ending endeavor. When you think you have mastered an instrument is when have reached a point where you are completely fooling yourself. I will never live long enough to reach anywhere close to Tommy’s level. But I will keep trying!

[@tommysixstring5094]

This 100% - he is an inspiration and non-musicians have no idea

[@stephenkuzmak4501]

GOAT. He is the all time great on steel 6 string acoustic... the king.

[@rayrayray4116]

God bless you Tommy Emmanuel! Saw you and Mike Dawes play at The East Greenwich Odeum in Rhode Island. Love your story telling. Makes it all real, all comes together . Always enjoy listening to you speak

[@brandonlewisguitar]

I’ve been playing professionally for 35 years and I always find Tommy’s playing mesmerising.

[@nomad7412]

I shed a tear, because I understood what Tommy felt. So beautiful. Ty Tommy

[@pearsecoleman]

Hi tommy lovely to listen and enjoy your work long time no see

[@peterreaburn2191]

Reading your article in the Weekend Australian. I saw Tommy play in Rockhampton in Queensland. I got goosebumps watching a master at work. Tears in my eyes, knowing I was watching a genuine talent. Well written piece, Andrew!

[@lloydbowen557]

Thx Tommy. Diggers Waltz beautiful playing, story and breakdown. Love it brother...

[@catch22again]

This man is so lovely as he just wants to teach people, learn from people and entertain people but is so humble all of the time. I also love it that he loves the sort of music I love !

[@johnpierimusic]

Tommy always so generous with his fantastic knowledge and ability. Thanks Tommy, you’re the greatest. 23:08

[@tunnel7]

He is just a genius on guitar and never seems to bum a note BRILLIANT TOMMY.

[@bencalebcgp]

Truly the best in the world right now ❤

[@cottoneyejoe1able]

Thank you tommy❤❤❤❤ your in my heart! Good advice!

[@peterpowder8546]

I’ve attended two of Tommy’s guitar camps and have interacted with him up close in personal on several occasions. He always talks about perseverance. He says that if you want it bad enough, you will do it! And given the way I can play today he is 100% correct. And yes, he is one fantastic human being.

[@masqacordes]

The number One☝🏻❤️🎸 Thank you so much for this interview, I felt Tommy closer😌 Greetings from Spain

[@user-ug8oz1wu9h]

Спасибо😘💕 Привет из Улан-Удэ, Сибири,, России

[@kateconway-hickman5945]

Thank 😊 You So Much Tommy Emmanuel ❤️

[@MrGreglarry]

Tommy is a superb guitarist and a great guy.

[@emorcen]

Tommy is an inspiration to me, even though I've been making a living off playing music for years, I feel nowhere close to his skill level. That said, he has sacrificed so much of his personal life for years of practice, performing, touring away from the family that he's multiple times divorced and admitted to having depression. That is a cost that's too high for most people to make and I'd argue to not be worth it for a large majority of us

[@richardmitchell8961]

Tommy, you’re amazing…the GOAT!

[@russellsmith6881]

A true Legend in his own life time

[@Hassan_Omer]

Really good questions asked in this interview, Tommy is a God's blessing when it comes to acoustic guitar music. He should be considered a National treasure.

[@SergeUnplugged]

Legendary musician indeed!

[@jimijackson]

An underrated guitar legend. I hope he and John farnham live to 150 yrs of age.

[@BaxterThewall]

Great interview 👏😊

[@stevenburton7922]

Love the interview.....thanks for posting. And man is Tommy brilliant while being such a good guy.

[@hkhjg1734]

the harmonics lesson is straight gold. Thank you tommy

[@user-ug8oz1wu9h]

Спасибо спасибо спасибо😘💕 Привет из Улан-Удэ, Сибири,, спасибо Томми!!!!!

[@amyferebee]

TOMMY !!!!!!!

[@KidKallum]

🐐

[@pruevancoppenhagen9713]

first saw tommy at York Jazz Festival in early 90's- could not believe my ears have been a fan ever since. What happened to Andrew Firth?

[@shop970]

The real art. Is always very easy to look at . Difficult to do.

[@frishfishdish]

2x like from me!

[@robharris6874]

I`ve done a couple of TE`s course & yes they are hard but excellent !!

[@richardjacobsen2026]

National Treasure

[@mitchburgess3861]

6:55 9 pound hammer

[@AllSpace]

it helps to have being brought up into a family of musicians from a early age, and also a good automony pair of hands make chords, and scales runs easier to play than have having short fat chisel fingers