In this episode of The Guitar Journal podcast, I sit down with the incomparable Adam Levy—guitarist, songwriter, educator, and all-around creative force. You’ve likely heard Adam’s playing on Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me, or in collaborations with Tracy Chapman, Vulfpeck, or Liz Wright. Beyond his impressive credits, Adam has carved out a unique artistic voice that spans genres and mediums, from deeply personal solo records to his widely followed YouTube lessons and Patreon community.

We cover a lot of ground in this conversation: from Adam’s thoughtful reflections on genre fluidity and songwriting practice, to the surprising backstory behind his Acoustic Sketches album (recorded entirely on an iPhone), to his upcoming project Household, and we even get into some deep waters asking: Does the world need more music?

Whether you're a fingerstyle player, a jazz musician, or just someone trying to balance creative purpose with practical life, this episode is packed with Adam's insight, warmth, and humor. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Links

• Adam's website - https://www.adamlevy.com/
• Adam's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AdamLevyGuitarTips
• Spry album - https://open.spotify.com/album/6h8cFbymARV81vhntvP4Uu?si=4kbw2LyESyO57di51W4upA
• Acoustic Sketches version - https://open.spotify.com/album/2RYqOGNaAtyNusAB6XaIys?si=rzVQ_xc8SL-uET_-2waAKg
• Noël Akchoté - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDA-e83rwufWKi3xpexqAhw
• Accidental Courage album - https://open.spotify.com/album/5N5TQTn8IYaVieQHz5qNDp?si=_MoA-N8YQqKS5zIlw_HSRA
• Adam's Patreon Channel - https://www.patreon.com/guitartipspro
• Adam's Truefire courses - https://prf.hn/click/camref:1011liVve/[p_id:1101l17789]/destination:https%3A%2F%2Ftruefire.com%2Feducators%2Fadam-levy%2Fe157
• String Theories book - https://amzn.to/4kpzAo0
• Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies cards - https://amzn.to/4mnZiLs and a website version! https://stoney.sb.org/eno/oblique.html

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Adam Levy and His Musical Journey
• 03:09 Exploring Musical Focus and Genre Diversity
• 06:03 The Creation of the 'Spry' Album
• 09:09 The Acoustic Sketches: A Unique Approach
• 11:55 The Viability of Acoustic Guitar in Jazz
• 15:10 The Dynamic Range of Acoustic Guitar in a Trio
• 17:57 The Process of Producing Music and Its Value
• 20:59 Existential Questions About Music Production
• 29:56 The Move to LA and Reflection on Past Work
• 31:33 Art for Art's Sake vs. Commercialization
• 33:00 The Emotional Connection to Music
• 34:48 The Overabundance of Music in Public Spaces
• 36:59 The Role of Input in Artistic Creation
• 38:04 Upcoming Album: Household
• 40:54 Collaborative Recording Process
• 43:58 Exploring the Dynamics of Larger Bands
• 49:59 Songwriting Methods and Processes
• 53:47 The Creative Process of Songwriting
• 01:00:14 The Importance of Lyrics in Music
• 01:05:40 Reinterpreting Contemporary Music
• 01:10:11 Engaging with Fans on Patreon
• 01:15:07 The Journey of Writing and Publishing a Book