The Pluck Podcast

Jonathan Smith
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Music Interviews

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.

Episodes

  1. Three Dimensions of Music with Michael Kramer

    6d ago

    Three Dimensions of Music with Michael Kramer

    In episode 3 of The Pluck, Dr. Jonathan Smith sits down with guitarist and composer Michael Kramer for a wide-ranging conversation about listening, practice, creativity, and the deeper forces that shape musical life. Michael reflects on early lessons from his uncle, formative guitar teachers, the importance of taking the blues seriously, and the path that led him from rock and jazz discovery into a broader philosophy of sound rooted in body, structure, and spirit. The conversation moves through ear training, groove, harmonic thinking, flow states, and the role of serious listening in artistic development. Along the way, Michael shares insights from his work as a performer, composer, and bandleader, including how he thinks about time, feel, organization, and presence in both practice and performance. This episode is for guitarists, composers, improvisers, and anyone drawn to the mystery of how music works on us from the inside out. Chapters 00:00 Intro: Welcome to The Pluck01:06 Meet Michael Kramer02:05 Routines, family life, and starting the week03:08 Piano practice, Mahler, and memory06:45 First guitar and early encouragement09:46 Taking the blues seriously14:20 Blues, classical guitar, and early influences17:30 Hendrix, Dylan, Elmore James, and listening deeper22:10 The teachers who changed everything27:30 Learning tunes by ear and understanding shapes32:00 Discovering jazz and getting serious about music37:00 Listening as practice43:00 Flow states and music as presence50:20 Listening for joy vs. listening for analysis56:30 Breaking out of rigid listening rules1:00:30 Music, timelessness, and attention1:06:00 The three dimensions of listening1:13:30 Coltrane, perception, and changing lenses1:20:00 Beginner's mind and analytical mind1:25:10 Performance as body, intellect, and spirit1:32:00 Guitar practice through shapes and symmetry1:40:00 From physical motion to harmonic form1:47:00 Time-feel, rubato, and articulation1:55:00 Why the physical dimension still carries meaning2:02:00 Writing, arranging, and composing for players2:07:00 The future of The Pluck2:12:00 Closing thoughts If this conversation resonated with your own musical path, visit thepluck.studio for more episodes, ideas, and resources from The Pluck. You can also explore Michael’s work at michaelkramerguitar.com and stay connected with his latest music and projects. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full visual experience, or listen on any podcast platform wherever you get your shows. To join the conversation more directly, come hang with The Pluck community on Discord. Subscribe, share the episode, and help us grow a deeper community around plucked string music, creative practice, and meaningful listening.

    2h 32m
  2. Banjo Fire: Hard‑Driving Bluegrass with Anthony Howell

    Mar 25

    Banjo Fire: Hard‑Driving Bluegrass with Anthony Howell

    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 Background1:20 Social Media Consistency & Algorithm3:05 Keith Tuners Demo6:10 Banjo Anatomy (Flathead vs Archtop)12:20 How Anthony Got His 1929 Gibson TB-314:35 Early Music: Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo17:00 Alan Sibley Lessons & Support System20:10 Homeschooled Practice Grind22:35 Banjo Rolls Explained (Forward, Backward, Thumb)26:40 Weaving Melody & Rolls29:20 Special Effects (Palm Mute, Whammy Bar)34:00 8‑Hour Practice Days37:30 Bluegrass Tradition vs Newgrass Line40:55 “End of the Line” Live48:35 DIY Career: Sessions, Patreon, ToneSlabs Pick52:40 “Ground Speed” Contest Arrangement Live58:20 Self‑Criticism as a Performer1:01:30 Ground Speed Breakdown1:10:05 Right‑Hand Technique & Fingerpick Angle1:15:20 Tabs vs Ear Learning1:18:40 Banjo Practice Advice1:23:45 Highway 19 Live1:33:25 Highway 19 Writing Story1:36:00 Band Listening Dynamics1:39:00 Outro & Album Preview

    1h 51m
  3. Curiosity + Structure in a Guitarist’s Career with Jason Vieaux

    Mar 2

    Curiosity + Structure in a Guitarist’s Career with Jason Vieaux

    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. Chapters00:00:06 Opening — The Philosophy of The Pluck00:01:50 Touring Life & Maintaining Major Series00:02:42 Calendar Discipline & Practicing Early00:04:34 Preparing for First Rehearsals00:08:40 Recording vs. Performing00:17:44 Working with Non-Guitarist Composers00:38:12 Early Training & Chamber Music Foundations00:46:05 “Your Technique Sucks” — Mechanics vs. Facility00:58:46 Sight Reading as a Career Multiplier01:13:21 The Pat Metheny Record & Arranging by Ear01:30:53 Pandemic, Family, & Career Shock01:44:32 Upcoming Concerts in Sarasota and Naples01:46:40 Closing Remarks Learn More Explore more about The Pluck and Jason Vieaux: The Pluck – thepluck.studioJason Vieaux – jasonvieaux.comSubscribe 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.

    1h 48m

  4. Feb 23

    Welcome to The Pluck

    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.

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Smith
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Pluck
  • Show Website
    The Pluck Podcast