Andy McKee

About Andy McKee

Andy McKee is one of the most influential fingerstyle guitarists of the modern era. Born in Topeka, Kansas, his 2006 YouTube videos — particularly Drifting and Rylynn — became viral sensations before viral was even a common concept, amassing tens of millions of views and introducing an entirely new generation to the art of fingerstyle guitar.

Playing Style

Andy's technique is a masterclass in innovation:

• Alternate tunings — Nearly every piece uses a unique open or custom tuning
• Harp harmonics — Creating cascading chimes by lightly touching strings above the frets with the right hand while plucking below
• Percussive elements — Tapping the body and strings as rhythmic counterpoint
• Tapping — Two-hand tapping that transforms the guitar into a full arrangement

Signature Techniques

What separates Andy McKee from his peers is his ability to make the guitar sound like an entire ensemble. His right-hand harp harmonics technique, combined with open tunings, creates a lush, ethereal sound reminiscent of a grand piano or orchestral harp.

Notable Works

1. Drifting — The piece that launched a thousand fingerstyle careers
2. Rylynn — A heartfelt tribute to a friend's daughter, built around DADGAD tuning
3. Ebon Coast — A rhythmically complex piece exploring DADGAD's depth
4. Hunter's Moon — Showcasing his mastery of harp harmonics
5. For My Father — An emotional composition showing his lyrical side

Influence

Andy McKee's viral success on YouTube fundamentally changed how fingerstyle music is shared and consumed. He inspired countless guitarists worldwide and helped establish YouTube as a serious platform for music discovery. His fingerstyle guitar tutorials and live performances continue to draw millions of views each year.