John Stowell's Amazing Picking Technique

John was over to the studio to do an online workshop a few months ago and I took the opportunity to ask him to show us what his right hand was all about. Thank you John for solving the mystery!

[shayneswenson]

I took some lessons from him years ago and he’s the human embodiment of “jazz zen”

[cygnustsp]

I have terrible dexterity in my left hand so rarely attempt solos, but I get complimented on my right hand all the time. Sometimes when I'm playing guitar too.

[marcolandolfi]

The beauty on the guitar: everyone plays his way!

[liecht]

Listening to the sublime guitar of John Stowell is a privilege and a medicine for the spirit. His harmony has a healing effect on the soul. I hope to enjoy the music of this wise man, teacher and great music man for many, many years.

[totallyunmemorable]

My first John Stowell cd was The Banff Sessions. While looking at the pictures inside I was struck hard by a sense of deja vu. It took me a minute but I then realized that John was sitting for photos on the steps at the entrance to the upstairs apartments of the old flat iron building where I used to live in Seattle, right under my apartment! I then (somehow) contacted John and asked how in the world that came about. Turns out that when I moved out of my tiny 14x14 apartment (across the street from the famous music venue the Tractor Tavern in the Ballard historic district), John's record company moved in.

Pretty cool story, huh?

[johnorr]

John Stowell is so evolved. He came to my house in Warrenton Oregon 25 years ago for l lesson, with insight, technique, and humility. It would be a a life’s work to grasp his inimitable stylings. Now I grasp more but still have a ways to go.

[geogi_bodies]

John Stowell is absolutely ingenious. I had the pleasure of attending a couple of his masterclasses. Such unique touch and approach to jazz guitar.

[jorgetenamusic]

Wow, zero tension and such a unique touch. Two marvelous and kInd masters. Thanks Tim and John!

[shallyshal]

Definitely one of a kind. And one of the nicest people I have ever met

[DetroitFettyghost]

Wow. Extremely amazing economy of motion. I love it.

[datdeerdude]

Wow what a sweet and warm sound coming from his right hand

[SticksAandstonesBozo]

Most incredible instrument ever made. So many millions of unique ways to use and play it.

[aadityakiran_s]

Ah, I always wondered if this guy used a pick or just his fingers. Thanks for this.

[Bordres]

What a cool guitar, interesting how it gets that mellow jazz guitar tone..

[MGTV]

nice... i caught it....when he is using the pick, he is also striking the next string down with the fingernail of his index finger to give a harmonic tone. very sweet technique...

[KayvanAbbasi]

Wow that was really interesting.Thanks for sharing!

[Hamppzah]

WHAT. I've never seen that right hand technique and it really blew my mind!

[barrysebastian]

Oh man! Thanks for that close up glimpse… I’ve never actually seen John’s technique like that. Just mind boggling to me. And the icing … John sounding like John on your Tele😄👍. You guys are truly masters👏🤯.

[Gwynstborn]

Thanks for getting right to the picking. This was fascinating

[eddieisfiction]

That is such a cool way to hybrid pick. I should consider how to replicate keeping a pick into one finger. Interesting.