Antonio Forcione Masterclass Pt 1

Will McNicol sits down with this multi award-winning acoustic guitarist for a discussion about his musical influences, ideas and techniques.

- Will McNicol

With a relentless international touring schedule, multiple awards under his belt and being hailed by the music press as the ‘Jimi Hendrix of acoustic guitar’, Antonio Forcione is certainly a force to be reckoned with. But for all his virtuosity on the instrument, what sets Antonio apart from so many others is the diversity of his playing and compositions. Everything from West-African Kora melodies, Italian folk dances, Piazzolla inspired Argentinian tangos and Cuban songs have appeared in his performances and recordings. By immersing himself in the countries where he finds musical inspiration and surrounding himself with musicians from around the globe, Antonio has gathered a vast palette from which to draw inspiration. Antonio started his musical life not on guitar, but on drums. You’ll see from the following examples how important rhythm and groove is to Antonio’s playing. He describes his&