Put your listening skills to the test in this step-by-step guide to emulating Nick Drake’s tone and style! After this video, you’ll have the tools you need to play in Nick Drake’s style!
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Before I go any further, I want to thank Josh Turner for his incredible video on Nick Drake’s tone and style. You can watch his video here.
In addition, the Vinyl Rewind episode on Nick Drake provided tons of useful information about Nick’s life and recordings, which helped make this video. You can find that episode here.
Besides chatting about the 5 steps to replicate Nick Drake’s iconic tone and style, you’ll have the chance to hear about one of the incredible transformations that is happening inside the Tony’s Acoustic Challenge community.
This week, you’ll hear from Brandon K., a guitar geek that used the power of reflection and evaluation to get excited about his progress and process in TAC.
Finally, I have my acoustic guitar news you can use! This week, you’ll hear about developments with Dead Horses as well as Iris Guitars and Guild Guitars.
As always, you can catch Acoustic Tuesday at 10 am every Tuesday in these four places:
- Acoustic Life YouTube channel
- TAC Guitar Instagram Page
- Get show notes emailed directly to your inbox.
- Listen to audio-only below or in iTunes
like how goalie tony continually nods in agreement to the points made.
I have been a Tac member for 16 months. Although I am a slacker when it comes to lessons I do practice every day.
I bought my first quality guitar after 100 of practice. and set a goal of 500 hours for my next purchase. After annoying ever guitar salesman in San Diego counties. I saw your review of guitars and while searching out a Laravee I stumbled on a Furch OMC SR Master Series and to my eye and ear blew all the Martins and Taylors in my price range away, (no Laravee’s could be found.) After watching your Video I had the confidence to purchase a little known builder. And I can not put it down. Thanks for the tip on Furch guitars. Oh, and the initial of my last name is F which matches the inlay on the head stock. Thanks you thank you thank you.
Shamefully all guitar geeks are wondering if Sarah’s guitar was OK after the fall ;( Seriously wish Sarah a full & speedy recovery!
First I have heard of Nick
I’m going to agree with Josh, small-body guitar.
I was always under the impression that he played a Guild large body.
Been a Nick Drake fan since the ’70’s. One of my favorite songs is Northern Sky.
small body
the subject of what kind of guitar Nick Drake played, I believe it was a Spanish guitar with nylon strings – hence the less bright sound of the string. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that either in a documentary or at least a photo. I went from Spanish to acoustic when I was around 20 and now at 60+ I’m coming back to the nylon string sound.
Long time Nick Drake fan..37 years..someone put the needle down on some Nick Drake vinyl at a friend’s house and I felt the universe open up.. his songs have gotten me through everything and something about his voice is like Medicine. Fave song : Black Eyed Dog.
I think the small body guitar sounded more Nick Drakish
I was introduced to Nick Drake relatively late – maybe 20 years ago or so with the compilation album “Way to Blue”. I love that album and it’s hard to pick a favourite, even hard to pick my top three but I’ll say: One of these things first, Time has told me, and Cello song. (Time has told me one of those things should be first, but what the cello:)
Ooh I love Nick Drake. Such subtly beautiful songs that draw you in. Pink Moon is great of course but I love the song Northern Sky. Was hoping to do Pink Moon one day with the LJC, originally as a tribute to the penumbral eclipse last year! The deconstructed piano, though sparse and kinda fleeting, really gets me. Thanks for featuring a lovely, underappreciated artist. ❤️
Hi Tony,
Just discovered Nick today, wow!! The Cello Song is amazing. I can’t wait to dig it and listen to more of his great sound. His voice is a little reminiscent of John Mayer’s. What do you think?
I thought of Jack Johnson but maybe if you mix Jack and John you get a sound close to Nick. Whatever it is I can’t believe I never heard of Nick Drake before this. He is fantastic!
Great show Tony. I have been a TAC member now for a little over a month. I am now at a place with my guitar that I never thought I would see. Love the diverse subjects for A-Tuesdays. I’m in for the long haul. Blessings, Bill
I had a chance to listen to Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon” album on YT. I liked “Things Behind The Sun” best. I liked the lyrics and the chord progressions and appreciated listening to his finger work. But while listening to Nick’s voice, I couldn’t help but feel at times like I was listening to Donovan, another British recording artist that was active in the same time period. Did anyone else familiar with Donovan (especially the older recordings) get that feeling?? I got that feeling in just about every song on the album. I’m not trying to suggest in any way that Nick was mimicking anyone, his music is definitely his own. I’m just saying that I feel the 2 artists show similar voices and styles. I’d like to hear what you think Tony. Cheers everyone!
Another informative and entertaining episode Tony. Those guys reminded me of I think it was Quiets Riot that had a hit song, “Bang Your Head”, lol. I had never heard of Nick Drake so I will check him out. That is what I really like about your program where I can be introduced to artists that I may have never heard of i.e. Kaki King, Molly Tuttle, Dead Horses, Mike Dawes. Love your show, keep up the outstanding work! I don’t know how you do it every week–coming up with guitar geekyness for all us guitar geeks. Take care and guitar geeks unite!
Tony
Maybe a Guild m20? Small body, Mahogany. What do you think?
I’d like to get a Furch. I thought Jason Mraz with a Furch would be good–he is Czech. I Czech playing a Czech-made instrument would be good (I’m 1/4 Czech).
Hey Tony,
Thanks for bringing Nick Drake to my attention. I listened to his Pink Moon album during my 3 mile walk yesterday and came home with at least two strong impressions. First, I was struck by how his music made me think of Richard Thompson’s work. (This might be a superficial impression, since both artists are out of my lane, but there it is.) The second is that his vocal quality is a good pairing with his guitar sound: neither is what you would consider typical for a great vocalist or a guitar hero, but the sounds seem very comfortable together. Each song had an authentic quality to it, and even though Nick has a clearly identifiable sound, his songs did not sound alike. I think that is a special quality for any singer/songwriter to achieve. Thanks for opening a new musical door for me.
Didn’t know Drake before the famous ads, but was immediately pulled into his excellent tone and beautiful compositions. Awesome episode!
I have been a Nick Drake fan for years and this has given me a renewed desire to learn how to play his music. Thank you
I never heard of him before now…. but I am in Australia.
thanks for telling me. His music sounds great.
Great show and I enjoy the information on the You tube link and being Turned on to Nick Drake . But where do I get that cool hat on Tony’s desk BE NICE and Play Guitar
Know Nick Drake from 2003. My favourite song is Pink Moon. I,ve tried sounding like him, but alas, not easy. So I listen mainly to his songs, and do my own thing….