Sometimes It Pays To Be Bold

Interview with Mr. Adam Perlmutter, Editor of Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Today’s post is an “email” interview I was fortunate to engage in with Mr. Adam Perlmutter, Editor of Acoustic Magazine, a premier publication in the world of acoustic guitars and guitarists.

First, my standard disclaimer: I hold no financial interest in Acoustic Guitar magazine nor its associated publishing house, String Letter Publishing, nor its associated websites and the products sold there. In fact, it’s the other way around, I subscribe to and support the magazine, and often purchase the products and services offered there and at its associated businesses.  While I have a policy of not explicitly endorsing specific brands on this page, I’ll let readers draw their own conclusions from that. Further, I didn’t request any restrictions on Mr. Perlmutter regarding promotion of these brands (and in fact encouraged that, since it’s kinda his job!).

To avoid the awkward “tell us about yourself” question, I asked and received his approval to share the following biographical links and excerpts:

Adam Perlmutter holds a bachelor of music degree from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and a master's degree in Contemporary Improvisation from the New England Conservatory. He is the editor of Acoustic Guitar and a longtime contributor to other Stringletter Media publications, including Strings, Ukulele, and Classical Guitar. 

Adam Perlmutter | Acoustic Guitar

Adam Perlmutter Named Editor of Acoustic Guitar NOVEMBER 19, 2019

Adam Perlmutter, long-time contributor to Acoustic Guitar magazine, has been named Editor, succeeding the magazine’s founder, David Lusterman, effective immediately.

Adam Perlmutter Named Editor of Acoustic Guitar | Acoustic Guitar

Acoustic Guitar is a monthly magazine published in the United States since July/August 1990 by String Letter Publishing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_Guitar_(magazine)

So, here we go:

Q. (Me!) In my SubStack, aimed mostly at beginning (especially older) acoustic guitarists, I stress the importance of a competent guitar instructor and a local guitar shop for advice and repairs to their instrument. What are some ways an industry publication such as Acoustic Guitar supplement, but not replace, these local services?

A. (Mr. Perlmutter) There’s such an abundance of quality instruction these days, both for learning and maintaining or repairing guitars, through online videos and magazines, but it’s true that there’s no substitute for in-person guidance. That said, a publication [like] AG offers plenty of great supplemental content in its print and digital editions, website, and online store.

Much of the content is instructional, plenty of it aimed at beginners—take Chord by Chord, for instance, a recent video series that explains how chords are built and fall on the fretboard, plus how to use them in progression. And each issue includes a handful of songs that students can learn with their teachers. In particular, the Campfire department, which features accessible arrangements of mostly old and popular songs, is terrific for beginners.

As for advice and repairs, AG offers unbiased reviews of a select assortment of gear at accessories at all price points, which can help connect students with the equipment that will best serve them. And in our Ask the Expert column, luthier and repair artist Martin Keith fields reader questions about their guitar woes. This information certainly does not replace a good setup or repair by a skilled tech, but it does arm readers with the knowledge of problems to look out for on their instruments.

Q. I spend some time in my posts on music theory from the perspective of its utility as a “language” among musicians (not just other guitarists) playing together, rather than pure theory. What are your thoughts on the role of basic music theory for beginners?

A. I’d definitely recommend studying theory for players at all levels, including beginners. Knowing at least the names of the notes on the fretboard, the relationships on the circle of fifths, the most common scales and modes, and chord construction is helpful for all guitarists, not just in better understanding their instrument but in being able to communicate freely with other musicians. I often hear of readers feeling that theory is inessential or intimidating, but if I may offer a shameless pitch, in her book and video guide The Way Music Works, AG contributing writer, guitarist-composer, and educator Gretchen Menn offers a clear and straightforward approach for learning and applying these fundamentals—while making a strong case for their essentialness.

Q. Beginning guitarists may have a range of outlooks, from the timid to the bold, on when to play for or with others, from family and friends, to open mic nights, to playing with a church band or other group. What would be your suggestions for when and to what extent to “go public”, at least to some degree? Thoughts on how to deal with criticism, constructive and helpful, or otherwise, when taking this step?

I think the decision of when to perform in public is very personal and depends on one’s own comfort with the instrument and willingness to receive feedback, whether good or bad. An informal setting like a strum-along, where a single guitarist is not completely exposed, can be a safe way to experience playing live for the first time, and jamming in a private setting with another guitarist or small group of musicians can also give beginning musicians a good sense of whether or not they’re ready to play in public. Receiving harsh criticism can be difficult for even the most confident guitarists. I’d recommend always taking such input with a grain of salt, but exploring it in an emotionally detached way, if possible, to see if you can use it to better your musicianship.

Q. With some optimism for easing of the restrictions of the current pandemic, what role can Acoustic Guitar magazine play in encouraging folks who may have taken up the guitar recently to continue that journey?

A. Well, even with the restrictions, I feel that the magazine has encouraged players to connect with their guitars in ways they hadn’t before, perhaps diving deeply into new styles, tunings, or instruments. And at the same time the magazine has seen new beginning readers, many of them adults, who have come to the publication through resources like that Chord by Chord series. I sincerely hope that in learning about the wide range of expression inherent to the acoustic guitar—through the magazine’s instructional departments, song content, and gear coverage, as well as hearing from celebrated acoustic players—beginners and guitarists in general will be inspired to continue their journey with this wonderful instrument.

[End]

I offer my sincere thanks to Mr. Perlmutter for his willingness to engage with this small (but growing!!) corner of SubStack! The genesis of this was one of his frequent “Letters From The Editor” columns where he often invites reader feedback, usually in the form of a question to readers about what they’ve been doing and an invitation to let him know. I (Boldly!) decided to email him to tell him about this newsletter and was very pleasantly surprised when he responded with a gracious offer to do this interview. What a fabulous way to turn words to action!! I find it hard to believe that very many editors of a magazine with tens of thousands of subscribers, and an internet presence in the hundreds of thousands would bother, but Adam’s willingness to engage is a reflection of his approach to the magazine and to his readers! Bravo!!

Thanks to all of my regular subscribers and readers, and the folks who’ve recently arrived! I try not to spend a lot of time on stats, but appreciate the interest that likes, comments and subscribers represent!!

Cheers, and keep playing!!

Michael Acoustic