Alan Barnosky | Acoustic Guitar

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Alan Barnosky is a guitarist and songwriter based in Durham, NC. He is a regular contributor for Acoustic Guitar magazine, and performs as a solo songwriter, as a guitarist with the bluegrass four-piece Counterclockwise String Band, and as a bassist with the folk outfit Chatham Rabbits. His two studio albums have garnered attention from IndyWeek and The Bluegrass Situation and received a top 10 spot on the Folk DJ Chart. He also provides private lessons in-person and on Zoom.

Favorite Album: The Best of Doc Watson: 1964–1968

Favorite Song to Play on Guitar: "Panhandle Rag"

Favorite Guitar You Own/Dream Guitar: Huffman Guitars #109

Related Discography:

Lonesome Road, self-released, 2020
Old Freight, self-released, 2017

Articles by Alan Barnosky

Alan Barnosky demonstrating flatpicking on acoustic guitar

Learn the Fundamentals of Flatpicking on Guitar

What is flatpicking on guitar? Here's everything you need to know when it comes to learning flatpicking on guitar. We've also included tips on the best gear for flatpicking, too.

pickin guitar lesson classical bluegrass

Classical Bluegrass? Learn How to Flatpick a Matteo Carcassi Etude

Matteo Carcassi’s 25 Etudes, Op. 60 are a rite of passage for the advancing classical guitarist. Learn how to flatpick this classic on acoustic guitar.

Reimagining a Fernando Sor Etude as a String-Crossing Guitar Workout

This guitar lesson breaks down the mechanics of string crossing and applies it all to a classical guitar etude by Fernando Sor to help build up picking-hand precision.

How to Flatpick Like Roots Legend Norman Blake

Norman Blake is one of the great unsung heroes of 20th-century folk music. Here's a look at his life, music, and what you can learn from his guitar playing.

Doc Watson in 1994 playing his guitar and singing into a mic at a concert

Tips for Tackling the Flatpicking Bluegrass of Doc Watson and Clarence White on “Footprints in the Snow”

From the January/February 2022 issue of Acoustic Guitar | By Alan Barnosky The 1964 performance by Doc Watson and Clarence White together at the Newport Fol... Read More...

‘Home Sweet Home’: Try a Flatpicking Workout Inspired by a Banjo Classic

Try this flatpicking acoustic guitar workout for "Home Sweet Home," inspired by the banjo classic.

“Salt Creek” Bluegrass Flatpicking Guitar Lesson

A common question advancing flatpickers have is how and when to play up the guitar neck. The old favorite "Salt Creek" gives a good example of how to do it.

Alan Barnosky Flatpicking Guitar Lesson video still

Learn to Play ”Leather Britches”: A Classic Fiddle Tune, Arranged for Flatpicking Guitar

Despite its popularity among fiddlers, “Leather Britches” is less known with flatpickers—surprisingly so, as it is fun to play and lands well on the guitar.

”Beaumont Rag”: How to Play Tony Rice’s Take on a Classic Fiddle Tune

Many guitarists flock to Tony Rice because of his jaw-dropping leads. However, Rice’s epic solos are only a small element of what made his music so special.

Learn a Beautiful Open-G Guitar Arrangement of ‘Sally Ann’

Dudley Hill was a beloved guitarist in the Pacific Northwest with great rhythm and time. Here's how to play his version of the tune "Sally Ann" on guitar.