The Pluck Podcast Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-pluck The Pluck is the place for all things plucked strings. We explore how working pros write, record, and play music for plucked‑string instruments—guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, harp, and more—through in‑depth conversations and real‑world examples of their craft. © 2026 The Pluck bd10685f-4ad8-5afe-9e59-12b40c8373f9 yes Welcome to The Pluck en Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:18:02 -0400 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:18:13 -0400 https://www.thepluck.studio/ https://img.transistorcdn.com/3FyEp23jGUJcBcegfem7U7AF0NsA3RSU5la-_eWPQ0I/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82ZWU1/OTNjOTMwNzRjYjJj/YTE3NDdkZTJkMjcz/OWM3NS5wbmc.jpg The Pluck Podcast https://www.thepluck.studio/ episodic Jonathan Smith The Pluck is the place for all things plucked strings. We explore how working pros write, record, and play music for plucked‑string instruments—guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, harp, and more—through in‑depth conversations and real‑world examples of their craft. The Pluck is the place for all things plucked strings. music, music education, music production, performing arts, recording arts, guitar, mandolin, banjo, harp, artists, composers, songwriters, producers, music producers, Jonathan Smith hello@thepluck.studio No No Banjo Fire: Hard‑Driving Bluegrass with Anthony Howell 2 2 Banjo Fire: Hard‑Driving Bluegrass with Anthony Howell full 0dd4b0f7-6642-46ed-b32c-4ffcfde19f9a https://share.transistor.fm/s/e0ee9fbe On this episode of The Pluck, Jonathan sits down with Mississippi banjo man Anthony Howell, a national champion known for his hard‑driving Scruggs‑based style, modern twists, and viral social media videos.​

They talk about growing up homeschooled with Mel Bay mandolin DVDs, finding the banjo through Alan Sibley, and putting in eight-hour practice days to win the Winfield National Banjo Championship. Anthony breaks down rolls, right‑hand tone, Keith tuners and that 1929 Gibson TB‑3, and where he draws the line between straight-ahead bluegrass, “newgrass,” and going too far out. He also previews his upcoming album Banjo Aficionado, plays his new single “End of the Line,” and shares how he’s building a DIY career with session work, house-band gigs, Patreon, and a new ToneSlabs thumbpick model.​

If you pick, sing, or just love hard-driving bluegrass banjo, you’ll feel right at home in this one.

The Pluck

Learn more at thepluck.studio.

Subscribe for updates and exclusive content from The Pluck.

Credits

This podcast contains recordings of “End of the Line” and “Highway 19,” used with permission from Anthony Howell.

Chapters

0:00 Intro & Anthony’s Background
1:20 Social Media Consistency & Algorithm
3:05 Keith Tuners Demo
6:10 Banjo Anatomy (Flathead vs Archtop)
12:20 How Anthony Got His 1929 Gibson TB-3
14:35 Early Music: Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo
17:00 Alan Sibley Lessons & Support System
20:10 Homeschooled Practice Grind
22:35 Banjo Rolls Explained (Forward, Backward, Thumb)
26:40 Weaving Melody & Rolls
29:20 Special Effects (Palm Mute, Whammy Bar)
34:00 8‑Hour Practice Days
37:30 Bluegrass Tradition vs Newgrass Line
40:55 “End of the Line” Live
48:35 DIY Career: Sessions, Patreon, ToneSlabs Pick
52:40 “Ground Speed” Contest Arrangement Live
58:20 Self‑Criticism as a Performer
1:01:30 Ground Speed Breakdown
1:10:05 Right‑Hand Technique & Fingerpick Angle
1:15:20 Tabs vs Ear Learning
1:18:40 Banjo Practice Advice
1:23:45 Highway 19 Live
1:33:25 Highway 19 Writing Story
1:36:00 Band Listening Dynamics
1:39:00 Outro & Album Preview

]]> On this episode of The Pluck, Jonathan sits down with Mississippi banjo man Anthony Howell, a national champion known for his hard‑driving Scruggs‑based style, modern twists, and viral social media videos.​

They talk about growing up homeschooled with Mel Bay mandolin DVDs, finding the banjo through Alan Sibley, and putting in eight-hour practice days to win the Winfield National Banjo Championship. Anthony breaks down rolls, right‑hand tone, Keith tuners and that 1929 Gibson TB‑3, and where he draws the line between straight-ahead bluegrass, “newgrass,” and going too far out. He also previews his upcoming album Banjo Aficionado, plays his new single “End of the Line,” and shares how he’s building a DIY career with session work, house-band gigs, Patreon, and a new ToneSlabs thumbpick model.​

If you pick, sing, or just love hard-driving bluegrass banjo, you’ll feel right at home in this one.

The Pluck

Learn more at thepluck.studio.

Subscribe for updates and exclusive content from The Pluck.

Credits

This podcast contains recordings of “End of the Line” and “Highway 19,” used with permission from Anthony Howell.

Chapters

0:00 Intro & Anthony’s Background
1:20 Social Media Consistency & Algorithm
3:05 Keith Tuners Demo
6:10 Banjo Anatomy (Flathead vs Archtop)
12:20 How Anthony Got His 1929 Gibson TB-3
14:35 Early Music: Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo
17:00 Alan Sibley Lessons & Support System
20:10 Homeschooled Practice Grind
22:35 Banjo Rolls Explained (Forward, Backward, Thumb)
26:40 Weaving Melody & Rolls
29:20 Special Effects (Palm Mute, Whammy Bar)
34:00 8‑Hour Practice Days
37:30 Bluegrass Tradition vs Newgrass Line
40:55 “End of the Line” Live
48:35 DIY Career: Sessions, Patreon, ToneSlabs Pick
52:40 “Ground Speed” Contest Arrangement Live
58:20 Self‑Criticism as a Performer
1:01:30 Ground Speed Breakdown
1:10:05 Right‑Hand Technique & Fingerpick Angle
1:15:20 Tabs vs Ear Learning
1:18:40 Banjo Practice Advice
1:23:45 Highway 19 Live
1:33:25 Highway 19 Writing Story
1:36:00 Band Listening Dynamics
1:39:00 Outro & Album Preview

]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:12:38 -0400 Jonathan Smith Jonathan Smith 6667 On this episode of The Pluck, Jonathan sits down with Mississippi banjo man Anthony Howell, a national champion known for his hard‑driving Scruggs‑based style, modern twists, and viral social media videos.​

They talk about growing up homeschooled with Mel Bay mandolin DVDs, finding the banjo through Alan Sibley, and putting in eight-hour practice days to win the Winfield National Banjo Championship. Anthony breaks down rolls, right‑hand tone, Keith tuners and that 1929 Gibson TB‑3, and where he draws the line between straight-ahead bluegrass, “newgrass,” and going too far out. He also previews his upcoming album Banjo Aficionado, plays his new single “End of the Line,” and shares how he’s building a DIY career with session work, house-band gigs, Patreon, and a new ToneSlabs thumbpick model.​

If you pick, sing, or just love hard-driving bluegrass banjo, you’ll feel right at home in this one.

The Pluck

Learn more at thepluck.studio.

Subscribe for updates and exclusive content from The Pluck.

Credits

This podcast contains recordings of “End of the Line” and “Highway 19,” used with permission from Anthony Howell.

Chapters

0:00 Intro & Anthony’s Background
1:20 Social Media Consistency & Algorithm
3:05 Keith Tuners Demo
6:10 Banjo Anatomy (Flathead vs Archtop)
12:20 How Anthony Got His 1929 Gibson TB-3
14:35 Early Music: Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo
17:00 Alan Sibley Lessons & Support System
20:10 Homeschooled Practice Grind
22:35 Banjo Rolls Explained (Forward, Backward, Thumb)
26:40 Weaving Melody & Rolls
29:20 Special Effects (Palm Mute, Whammy Bar)
34:00 8‑Hour Practice Days
37:30 Bluegrass Tradition vs Newgrass Line
40:55 “End of the Line” Live
48:35 DIY Career: Sessions, Patreon, ToneSlabs Pick
52:40 “Ground Speed” Contest Arrangement Live
58:20 Self‑Criticism as a Performer
1:01:30 Ground Speed Breakdown
1:10:05 Right‑Hand Technique & Fingerpick Angle
1:15:20 Tabs vs Ear Learning
1:18:40 Banjo Practice Advice
1:23:45 Highway 19 Live
1:33:25 Highway 19 Writing Story
1:36:00 Band Listening Dynamics
1:39:00 Outro & Album Preview

]]> music, bluegrass, banjo, interview, music production, music performance No Curiosity + Structure in a Guitarist’s Career with Jason Vieaux 1 1 Curiosity + Structure in a Guitarist’s Career with Jason Vieaux full a28e1a26-b30b-4c8a-a2d2-8bc0d957281e https://share.transistor.fm/s/8eef2b5d In this inaugural episode, Grammy‑winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux shares how curiosity and structure have shaped his career: managing rapid repertoire shifts, collaborating with top composers, and balancing performance with innovative recording projects. You’ll hear his approach to intentional practice and scheduling, working with non‑guitarist composers on challenging pieces, and the often‑overlooked skill of sight‑reading that accelerates learning.

Perfect for classical guitarists, composers, educators, and serious students, this conversation offers clear, actionable insights to build a sustainable guitar career that’s both creatively adventurous and structurally sound.


Chapters

00:00:06 Opening — The Philosophy of The Pluck
00:01:50 Touring Life & Maintaining Major Series
00:02:42 Calendar Discipline & Practicing Early
00:04:34 Preparing for First Rehearsals
00:08:40 Recording vs. Performing
00:17:44 Working with Non-Guitarist Composers
00:38:12 Early Training & Chamber Music Foundations
00:46:05 “Your Technique Sucks” — Mechanics vs. Facility
00:58:46 Sight Reading as a Career Multiplier
01:13:21 The Pat Metheny Record & Arranging by Ear
01:30:53 Pandemic, Family, & Career Shock
01:44:32 Upcoming Concerts in Sarasota and Naples
01:46:40 Closing Remarks

Learn More

Explore more about The Pluck and Jason Vieaux:

Subscribe to stay updated on new episodes and exclusive pluck content.

Credits

This podcast contains an excerpt of ‘Letter from Home,’ composed by Pat Metheny and performed by Jason Vieaux, used with written permission from Azica Records.

]]> In this inaugural episode, Grammy‑winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux shares how curiosity and structure have shaped his career: managing rapid repertoire shifts, collaborating with top composers, and balancing performance with innovative recording projects. You’ll hear his approach to intentional practice and scheduling, working with non‑guitarist composers on challenging pieces, and the often‑overlooked skill of sight‑reading that accelerates learning.

Perfect for classical guitarists, composers, educators, and serious students, this conversation offers clear, actionable insights to build a sustainable guitar career that’s both creatively adventurous and structurally sound.


Chapters

00:00:06 Opening — The Philosophy of The Pluck
00:01:50 Touring Life & Maintaining Major Series
00:02:42 Calendar Discipline & Practicing Early
00:04:34 Preparing for First Rehearsals
00:08:40 Recording vs. Performing
00:17:44 Working with Non-Guitarist Composers
00:38:12 Early Training & Chamber Music Foundations
00:46:05 “Your Technique Sucks” — Mechanics vs. Facility
00:58:46 Sight Reading as a Career Multiplier
01:13:21 The Pat Metheny Record & Arranging by Ear
01:30:53 Pandemic, Family, & Career Shock
01:44:32 Upcoming Concerts in Sarasota and Naples
01:46:40 Closing Remarks

Learn More

Explore more about The Pluck and Jason Vieaux:

Subscribe to stay updated on new episodes and exclusive pluck content.

Credits

This podcast contains an excerpt of ‘Letter from Home,’ composed by Pat Metheny and performed by Jason Vieaux, used with written permission from Azica Records.

]]> Sun, 01 Mar 2026 23:54:55 -0500 Jonathan Smith Jonathan Smith 6484 In this inaugural episode, Grammy‑winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux shares how curiosity and structure have shaped his career: managing rapid repertoire shifts, collaborating with top composers, and balancing performance with innovative recording projects. You’ll hear his approach to intentional practice and scheduling, working with non‑guitarist composers on challenging pieces, and the often‑overlooked skill of sight‑reading that accelerates learning.

Perfect for classical guitarists, composers, educators, and serious students, this conversation offers clear, actionable insights to build a sustainable guitar career that’s both creatively adventurous and structurally sound.


Chapters

00:00:06 Opening — The Philosophy of The Pluck
00:01:50 Touring Life & Maintaining Major Series
00:02:42 Calendar Discipline & Practicing Early
00:04:34 Preparing for First Rehearsals
00:08:40 Recording vs. Performing
00:17:44 Working with Non-Guitarist Composers
00:38:12 Early Training & Chamber Music Foundations
00:46:05 “Your Technique Sucks” — Mechanics vs. Facility
00:58:46 Sight Reading as a Career Multiplier
01:13:21 The Pat Metheny Record & Arranging by Ear
01:30:53 Pandemic, Family, & Career Shock
01:44:32 Upcoming Concerts in Sarasota and Naples
01:46:40 Closing Remarks

Learn More

Explore more about The Pluck and Jason Vieaux:

Subscribe to stay updated on new episodes and exclusive pluck content.

Credits

This podcast contains an excerpt of ‘Letter from Home,’ composed by Pat Metheny and performed by Jason Vieaux, used with written permission from Azica Records.

]]> music, music education, music production, performing arts, recording arts, guitar, mandolin, banjo, harp, artists, composers, songwriters, producers, music producers, No Welcome to The Pluck Welcome to The Pluck trailer 7a101c6f-0c65-4ed2-ace9-5eb5a3a14401 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5c5f0d8b The Pluck is the place for all things plucked strings. In this short intro, I share what the show is about, who it’s for, and why we’re digging into how the pros write, record, and play music for plucked‑string instruments—guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, harp, and more. If you work with plucked strings and want clearer, more idiomatic parts that feel good under the hands and hold up on stage and in the studio, you’re in the right place.

]]> The Pluck is the place for all things plucked strings. In this short intro, I share what the show is about, who it’s for, and why we’re digging into how the pros write, record, and play music for plucked‑string instruments—guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, harp, and more. If you work with plucked strings and want clearer, more idiomatic parts that feel good under the hands and hold up on stage and in the studio, you’re in the right place.

]]> Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:33:46 -0500 Jonathan Smith Jonathan Smith 53 The Pluck is the place for all things plucked strings. In this short intro, I share what the show is about, who it’s for, and why we’re digging into how the pros write, record, and play music for plucked‑string instruments—guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, harp, and more. If you work with plucked strings and want clearer, more idiomatic parts that feel good under the hands and hold up on stage and in the studio, you’re in the right place.

]]> music, music education, music production, performing arts, recording arts, guitar, mandolin, banjo, harp, artists, composers, songwriters, producers, music producers, No