Research objective. The aim of the study is to determine the parameters that provide the individual performing style of the Australian guitar virtuoso T. Emmanuel. The methodological basis of the work is historical, organological and interpretive approaches that helped to identify the background and evolution of performance, as well as features of instruments and sound equipment of the Australian guitarist, the typology of individual performance styles in the communicative space. The scientific novelty of the work is that for the first time the specifics of the performing work of T. Emmanuel-guitarist are revealed and the typology of performing styles that are dominant in the musician’s thinking is determined. Conclusions. T. Emmanuel’s individual performance style began to take shape in the first years of his musical activity under the influence of American country musicians – M. Travis, H. Williams, C. Atkins, as well as instrumental rock bands “The Shadows” and “The Ventures”. Based on the style of M. Travis in technological terms (Travis-picking), as well as the style of C. Atkins, characterized by “vocal” type of melody, the availability of compositions for more listeners, T. Emmanuel expands the “sound image” of the guitar, a variety of colors due to the original percussive manner of the game, increases the dynamic «threshold». It should also be noted that the performance style of the Australian virtuoso is more free. Extensive use of dynamic, textured colors of acoustic guitar, brilliant timbre techniques, multiplied by the modern use of sound equipment - all this distinguishes the sound of T. Emmanuel’s guitar and its “sound image”. T. Emmanuel’s performance style combines two types of performance – classical and romantic. Signs of the romantic type are the lack of musical literacy (reliance on tabular thinking) and the operation of musical images; the need to communicate with the public and “a game for the audience”; expressiveness and temperament of the performance style. In turn, the construction of concert programs in terms of drama; methods of rehearsals, discipline; competent and smooth work of the playing apparatus in the best traditions of the academic guitar school speaks of the presence of the classical performance type of T. Emmanuel-guitarist.