CV

“Will McNicol is a master teacher. He has the uncanny ability to get me to relax and brings out the best in my playing. In every lesson there are at least 2 “Aha” moments where a new idea, a new fingering or a deeper understanding of the guitar is illuminated. The breadth of his knowledge of guitar is amazing but Will is also one of the most humble and kind people I have ever met.”

— Bruce, student based in California

PROFILE

Classically trained since the age of six, Will has gone on to become UK Acoustic Guitarist of the Year (2011) and a Fellow of Trinity College London for his playing and compositions. In 2014 Acoustic Guitar Magazine included Will in their list of 30 Great Guitarists Under 30 from around the world, and in 2021 was named as One of the Best Acoustic Guitarists in the World Right Now by Guitar World Magazine.

He has released multiple albums of original material, and has performed up and down the UK and abroad headlining his own solo shows, running workshops and masterclasses. Touring highlights include three extensive tours of China, multiple headline tours around Germany and the UK, performances in Italy, France, USA, Norway and Zimbabwe.

As a composer Will’s music is influenced by styles from all over the world, and he has relished the challenges presented by commissioned work for film and dance, along with collaborating with other musicians such as drummer Luke Selby and the Scottish string quartet, Innotet. No stranger to writing for other instruments, Will has had orchestral work premiered by UK orchestras and string players, with the acoustic guitar always playing a prominent role.

His performances and compositions have been described as “beautifully flawless”, as he swaps between nylon and steel string guitars to show the sheer variety of tone guitars can offer. Also an in-demand and respected tutor, Will has given workshops in performance and composition at festivals including The Ullapool Guitar Festival, has led the International Guitar Festival's Advanced Fingerstyle Course and London Guitar Summit, hosts an annual residential workshop in France, and runs his own workshops and masterclasses around the UK and abroad.

Will’s tutoring places a heavy emphasis on supporting students to develop their own sound on the guitar, whilst encouraging creativity with a foundation in enjoyable and healthy practice. His higher-education tutoring experience includes being a specialist undergraduate principal study tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, providing one-to-one sessions for students at Plymouth and Newcastle University, along with group sessions and workshops.

As a writer, Will has a best-selling book on expressive fingerstyle guitar technique published by Fundamental Changes, and has contributed to the London College of Music’s acoustic and classical guitar syllabuses.

EXPERIENCE & EDUCTAION

- Trinity College London (2007 - 2011)
  FTCL in Guitar Recital (2011), LTCL in Guitar Recital - Distinction (2009), ATCL in Guitar Recital - Distinction (2007)
- University of Plymouth (2007 - 2011)
  2nd Class Honours (Upper Division) - BA Product Design with Music Credits
- Corfe Hills School (2003 - 2007)
  A Levels: English Literature - A, Three Dimensional Design - A, Music - B
- Founder of The College, an online learning platform and community for acoustic guitarists
- Principal Study Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland since 2021
- Tutor of guitar at Bryanston School since 2012
- Specialist drop-in tutor for Plymouth University and Newcastle University
International Guitar Foundation
- Advanced Fingerstyle Courses (week long)
- London Guitar Summits (3-days)
Brittany Guitar Workshops
- Annual Residential Acoustic Guitar Workshop (4 days)
One-Day Workshops
- Annually in London, Ripon and Blandford Forum
Guitar Festivals
- Ullapool Guitar Festival Workshops
- Fingerstyle Collective Festival
- IGF East
- Freepsum Gitarre Festival
- Giengener Gitarren Festival
International
- Multiple workshops on tour in China, Italy, Germany, and others.
Selected Tours
- Germany (2022 & 2023) 2-week tours alongside Sönke Meinen
- China (2017, 2018, 2019) 2 and 3 week tours
- Italy (2018, 2019, 2023, 2024)
- Multiple UK Tours (since 2013, represented by Electric Harmony booking agency)
Selected Festival Performances
- Freepsum Gitarre Festival International Guitar Festival, Giengener Gitarren Festival, Celtic Connections, Fingerstyle Collective Festival, Harare International Festival of Arts, Ullapool Guitar Festival, Larmer Tree Festival, Port Eliot, Purbeck Folk Festival, and more.
Noted Support Slots & Collaborations
- Antonio Forcione, Clive Carroll, Mumford & Sons, Martin Simpson, Pierre Bensusan, Clive Carroll, Jon Gomm.
Solo
- for more info please click here.
Will McNicol with Innotet
- for more info click here.
Will McNicol & Luke Selby
- for more info click here.
The Rising
- for more info click here.
- One of the Best Acoustic Guitarists in the World Right Now 2021 (Guitar World Magazine)
- Worldwide 30 Under 30 Best Acoustic Guitarists 2014 (Acoustic Guitar Magazine)
- UK Acoustic Guitarist of the Year 2011 (Acoustic Magazine)
- Bournemouth Advanced String Player of the Year 2007
- Cup for Best Overall Performance at Bournemouth Music Competitions Festival 2007
Will McNicol is the best guitar teacher I’ve had. He really cares about the progress you’re making and will put effort into preparing material outside of the lessons. He has lots of patience and is incredibly encouraging. It was really useful to pick his brains about composition and have him organise my ideas. Having lessons with Will really broke down some of the barriers I had with writing on the guitar. I now feel confident in developing my compositions on my own, which has been invaluable in my development as a musician. - Heather, student at RCS
Working with Will during my time at RCS was a great opportunity to develop my creativity as an arranger and composer. His enthusiasm about music, guitar and teaching is truly inspiring. - Miguel, Student at RCS
For more years than I care to remember, I’ve been a “bedroom guitarist”, never advancing from an intermediate standard and too shy to play in front of people. On a friend’s recommendation I thought I’d give Will’s Skype lessons a try. Will is incredibly encouraging and full of advice on how to improve. In the past few months my playing has improved no end – I’ve taken on new repertoire, styles and techniques that I never would have tried. To anyone in two minds whether to take the plunge or not, go for it – you will not regret it. - Martin, UK
I so appreciate your teaching and guidance. I feel grateful to learn from you — not all great players are great teachers, too, but you excel in both realms. Thanks! - Sam, USA
For me, this was the best musical experience I had ever had - Martin, Student of Advanced Fingerstyle at the London Guitar Summit
The care and attention to detail you put into the entire package is on a par with the care and attention to detail that you put into your own playing and compositions. That you manage to do so while remaining so modest, generous and approachable makes me feel so lucky to have met you and discovered your musical universe. You are one of a kind, man! - Marc, Student of Brittany Guitar Workshops