Guitar Villains

Welcome to Guitar Villains! Today's guest is the guitar luthier Paul Reed Smith. Thanks to American Musical Supply for sponsoring the show. Use code Tyler10 for a great deal: https://bit.ly/ShopAMERICANMUSICALdotCOM Sign up for the PRS Music School Part of ticket proceeds go to Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Guitars given away to random students 8/9, international included. 0:00 - Introduction 4:15 - Paul’s supervillain alter-ego 11:20 - Burning Questions 14:30 - The YouTube effect 16:25 - “Guitars are the violins of our day” 18:06 - Paul’s thoughts on THE FORBIDDEN RIFF 24:17 - The Paul Reed Smith Music School 32:07 - Unfiltered Q&A 33:50 - Single cut or Double cut? 38:35 - How to build a truly beautiful guitar 41:01 - Paul’s opinion on other popular guitar brands 46:21 - The PRS Artist roster 51:20 - Paul screamed at Eric Johnson 52:23 - Paul’s supervillain advice Join Guitar Super System today: http://guitarsupersystem.com

Welcome to Guitar Villains! Today's guest is the St. Vincent guitar sorceress, Annie Clark. Thanks to American Musical Supply for sponsoring the show. Use code Tyler9 for a great deal. https://bit.ly/SaveOnGear 0:00 - Introduction 1:40 - Annie's opinion about Berklee and music college in general 4:15 - The REAL origin of the name ‘St. Vincent’ 7:10 - Annie’s supervillain alter-ego 11:18 - Burning Questions 17”07 - Name Those Notes 17:40 - Perfect pitch versus relative pitch 19:50 - Annie’s manual whammy bar effect 21:00 - Led Zeppelin’s influence on St. Vincent 23:36 - Annie’s favorite guitar riff she wrote 27:10 - Annie talks about the brilliance of Metallica rhythm guitar parts 30:38 - The new St. Vincent guitar approach 35:08 - “I don’t love it when the guitar sounds like a guitar” 38:36 - St. Vincent’s influence on my guitar playing 39:30 - The MusicMan St. Vincent signature guitar 45:18 - The art of improvisation on guitar 47:53 - Songwriting tips from a Grammy-winning songwriter 51:50 - Annie’s supervillain advice Check out St. Vincent on YouTube Follow St. Vincent on Instagram Join Guitar Super System today: http://guitarsupersystem.com

Welcome to Guitar Villains! Today's guest is the Tenacious D 6-string maestro, Kyle Gass. Thanks to American Musical Supply for sponsoring the show. Use code Tyler8 for a great deal. http://bit.ly/PickOfSavingsHere 0:00 - Introduction 2:55 - Kyle’s supervillain alter-ego 4:25 - Burning Questions 8:50 - Kyle’s thoughts on Tom Morello 13:20 - Name Those Notes 14:16 - Kyle’s recorder-playing prowess 15:45 - The beauty of 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures 17:30 - Kyle’s best songwriting tip 18:35 - The truth about Tenacious D’s “Tribute” 21:44 - Is rock dead? 25:49 - The best Tenacious D song 27:57 - Jack Black’s songwriting style 28: 58 - Kyle Gass is going solo 32:34 - Kyle was a child prodigy… or… he wasn’t 34:44 - Kyle’s guitar approach 36:52 - Jack Black is a vocal savant 39:55 - The knifing at a Tenacious D show 42:12 - Kyle’s supervillain advice Kyle's brand new song, 'Vaccinated' Follow Kyle on social media Join Guitar Super System today: http://guitarsupersystem.com

Welcome to Guitar Villains! Today's guest is the instantly recognizable Lari Basilio. Thanks to American Musical Supply for sponsoring the show. Use code Tyler7 for a great deal on your next purchase! http://bit.ly/GearSavingsStartHere Lari's guest solo on "Reverie" Follow Lari on YouTube Follow Lari on Instagram 0:00 - Introduction 3:40 - Lari’s supervillain alter-ego 6:40 - Burning Questions 8:34 - Name Those Notes 9:35 - What does it take to be successful in the studio? 13:04 - How does phrasing work? 17:30 - JamTrack Central is the Shrapnel Records of the YouTube era 20:59 - Lari’s unique G bending technique 24:52 - The Ibanez LB1 and its origin 32:50 - The future of social media for guitar players 35:30 - Lari quit being a lawyer to play guitar 37:10 - Lari’s Brazilian roots 39:38 - The effect of the Ibanez generation 44:20 - Lari’s supervillain advice Check out Guitar Super System: http://guitarsupersystem.com

Welcome to Guitar Villains! Today's guest is the funk master Mark Lettieri. Thanks to American Musical Supply for sponsoring the show. Use code Tyler6 for a great deal. http://bit.ly/SaveOnGearNow 0:00 - Introduction 3:15 - Collecting lanyards is an addiction 4:20 - Mark’s guitar villain alter-ego 8:27 - Burning Questions 10:30 - Name Those Notes 11:43 - Gospel moves on guitar 14:20 - Chord solos with melodic development 16:45 - When you know a guitarist by one note 18:45 - The art of baritone guitar 26:29 - Mark’s songwriting approach 27:50 - The PRS Fiore 33:15 - Tonewood is real 35:30 - The strangest tour moment of Mark’s life 37:49 - Mark likes beer 41:30 - Mark raises monarch butterflies 44:32 - The hardest and easiest thing about guitar 48:50 - Mark’s supervillain advice Mark and my video on FUNK Check out Mark Lettieri Join Guitar Super System today: http://guitarsupersystem.com

Welcome to Guitar Villains! Today's guest is the almighty Zakk Wylde. Thanks to American Musical Supply for sponsoring the show. Use code Tyler5 to save on your next purchase! http://bit.ly/SaveOnGearHere 0:00 - Introduction 3:00 - Who is the best guitarist? 5:31 - Zakk’s supervillain alter-ego 7:35 - Burning Questions 14:45 - How Zakk developed his guitar tone 22:00 - Name Those Notes 22:45 - The sacred history of the No More Tears guitar solo 24:10 - The two schools of guitar soloing 26:55 - Zakk’s approach to the recording studio 32:28 - Zakk’s use of music theory 38:25 - The future of Wylde Audio 44:50 - The feeling of playing live music 48:58 - Zakk’s supervillain advice Subscribe to Zakk on YouTube Check out Wylde Audio Check out Black Label Society Join Guitar Super System today: http://guitarsupersystem.com

Welcome to Guitar Villains! Today's guest is the guitar monster himself, Paul Gilbert. Thanks to American Musical Supply for sponsoring the show. Use code Tyler4 to save on your next purchase! http://bit.ly/AMSdeals​ 0:00 - Introduction 4:40 - Vocal melodies on guitar 7:55 - Paul Gilbert’s supervillain alter-ego 13:20 - Burning Questions 14:50 - Paul’s DIY Ibanez Roadstar RS-525 21:54 - Name Those Notes 23:17 - The history of Technical Difficulties by Racer X 27:55 - The “Paul Gilbert Lick” 38:44 - When Paul finally ‘got’ Hendrix 41:10 - Paul’s guitar tone evolution 1:00:31 - Paul played all the instruments on his new album 1:07:44 - Paul’s online guitar school 1:11:45 - Paul’s supervillain advice (rant) Paul's Website Join Guitar Super System today: http://guitarsupersystem.com

Welcome to Guitar Villains! Today's guest is the unmistakable Andy Timmons. Thanks to American Musical Supply for sponsoring the show. Use code Tyler3 to save on your next purchase! http://bit.ly/DealsAtAMS Andy's guitar lessons Follow Andy on Instagram Join Guitar Super System today: http://guitarsupersystem.com 00:00 - Introduction 1:45 - Andy grabbed Steve Vai’s guitar from him?! 6:25 - Advice for nerves playing in front of crowds or family and friends 13:34 - The epiphany of blending jazz with rock 18:02 - Andy’s supervillain alter-ego 19:55 - Burning Questions 21:57 - Name Those Notes 25:00 - Andy’s perfect guitar tone 28:05 - A bending lesson from the best bender in the business 40:50 - Andy live streams gigs every Saturday 47:03 - What makes a great guitar teacher? 57:25 - Andy’s supervillain advice

Welcome to Guitar Villains! Today's guest is the phenomenal Yvette Young. Thanks to American Musical Supply for sponsoring the show. Use code Tyler2 to save on your next purchase! http://bit.ly/ShopatAmericanMusical Subscribe to Yvette Young on YouTube Follow Yvette Young on Instagram Join Guitar Super System today: http://guitarsupersystem.com 0:00 - Introduction 2:54 - The weirdest tour experience ever 11:01 - Yvette’s supervillain alter-ego 14:53 - Burning Questions 17:20 - Name Those Notes 19:20 - Yvette’s many alternate tunings 27:05 - Yvette loves Emo 30:45 - A big conversation about the term “Instagram Guitarist” 38:50 - The “FACADE” of the music industry and the importance of management 44:37 - Yvette’s dream songwriting camp 47:22 - Yvette’s post-it note songwriting strategy 52:35 - “Guitar is a horrible instrument to start on”

Welcome to Season 2 of Guitar Villains! Today's guest is the incomparable Steve Vai. Thanks to American Musical Supply for sponsoring the show: Use code Tyler1 to save on your next purchase: http://bit.ly/ShopatAmericanMusical Check out everything going on with Steve Vai at https://www.vai.com Join Guitar Super System today: http://guitarsupersystem.com 0:00 - Introduction 2:37 - Settling the score on Steve’s “Joint-Shifting” technique 12:36 - Steve’s greatest guitar solo 17:30 - Steve’s supervillain alter-ego 19:55 - Burning Questions 21:21 - Name Those Notes 22:56 - The importance of finger tone 27:00 - Steve’s most technically difficult song to play 31:42 - Music theory versus following your ear 40:24 - Steve made me a very special promise 44:06 - Playing Bohemian Rhapsody perfectly with Generation Axe 49:17 - Steve is teaching music on a giant ship 52:34 - The most important advice I took from Steve 1:03:55 - Steve wrote a song with one hand 1:06:40 - Steve had hand surgery because of a crazy guitar chord 1:10:42 - Steve’s supervillain advice

Today’s guitar villain is Herman Li. A blistering shred god heading up the Grammy-nomninated metal band Dragonforce, Herman is so good he sometimes sounds like a video game with his extremely creative and acrobatic licks, which makes sense, because THROUGH THE FIRE AND FLAMES might be the most famous video game song in the world thanks to its Guitar Hero lore. Herman has also become a major figure in the online guitar community, with his Twitch streams amassing millions of views for their fun and unique segments and guests. This one is extremely fun, so prepare to have an absolute blast on this season finale of Guitar Villains. Intro and Herman’s supervillain alter-ego: 0:00 Burning Questions: 11:05 Name Those Notes: 12:52 S***- talking fans: 29:17 Underwater guitar playing: 34:05 Looking back on Herman’s instructional stage: 36:20 Crying Women over DragonForce: 41:49 The easiest and hardest thing about guitar: 44:02 Learning to play guitar on a livestream: 49:46 Herman’s favorite airplane album: 49:14 Herman’s dream band: 51:20 Herman’s supervillain advice: 54:08 Subscribe to Herman on YouTube Herman on Twitch Subscribe to Guitar Super System, the most popular independent guitar-learning platform on the internet: https://bit.ly/GVHL010

Today’s guitar villain is Rick Graham. Rick is easily one of the most humble guitar players on the planet, and you know what that means when the word humble is used to describe a guitarist: that’s right, they’re an absolute monster player. Rick can play things most people would think is impossible to do on a guitar, and yet his musicality is what stands out most–he’s a true maestro and an even better person, and throughout this episode you’ll understand time and again why Rick is one of the most respected guitarists on the planet, on today’s episode of Guitar Villains. Intro and Rick’s supervillain alter-ego: 00:00 Burning Questions: 07:40 How to play guitar as fast as humanly possible: 09:38 Name Those Notes: 13:57 The competitive edge of guitar players: 27:32 Rick’s music school experience: 29:48 How ‘regular jobs’ will us to unlock our destiny: 31:48 The greatest teachers all do this: 34:10 Two-note per string scale design: 36:30 The hardest and easiest thing about guitar: 41:20 Rick’s favorite airplane album: 43:05 Rick’s dream band: 45:25 Rick’s supervillain advice: 47:39 Lessons with Rick Follow Rick on YouTube Follow Rick on Instagram Subscribe to Guitar Super System, the most popular independent guitar-learning platform on the internet: https://bit.ly/GVRG009

Today’s guitar villain is Cory Wong. A groove master with a pocket deeper than Warren Buffet’s, Cory is one of the leading forces in the world of funk and is an equally competent arranger, producer, and tone aficionado. From his awesome playing in the cult band that is Vulfpeck to his solo music which just featured friend of the podcast Joe Satriani, Cory has made a name for himself through his rhythmic artistry and attention to detail as a musician. Cory also has his own podcast, called Wong Notes, so you know the two of us are gonna be right at home, on this episode of Guitar villains. Intro and Cory's supervillain alter-ego: 0:00 Burning Questions: 7:35 Name Those Notes: 10:50 The first Metallica solo Cory HAD to learn: 24:12 The transition from jazz cat to funk freak: 25:57 The importance of movement and energy as a guitarist: 26:53 What most musicians overlook: 30:20 How to be an entrepreneur disguised as a guitar player: 34:45 The Cory Wong Archetype plug-in is awesome: 38:30 How life-threatening events can inspire you: 40:15 Cory was in high school drumline–it all makes sense now: 46:25 The trope of 'less is more': 48:25 Cory's supervillain advice: 50:40 Follow Cory on YouTube Check out Cory's website Subscribe to Guitar Super System, the most popular independent guitar-learning platform on the internet: http://bit.ly/GVCW008

Today’s guitar villain is Bumblefoot. The unmistakeable wall of sound behind the bands Asia, and Sons of Apollo, Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal is one of the most creative and staggeringly good guitar players you’ll find. With his trusty double neck Vigier, containing both a standard and fretless six string neck, Bumblefoot crafts riffs and licks that will make you wonder if what you’re hearing can actually come from human fingers. With an obsession for hot sauce and a powerful braided beard that would make even John Petrucci do a double take, you’re in for a real treat on this episode of Guitar Villains. Intro and Bumblefoot's supervillain alter-ego: 0:00 Burning Questions: 9:30 Name Those Notes: 12:20 The best guitar teachers all do this: 33:00 The power of the bebop scale: 37:00 The melody is not for itself: 39:40 The hardest and easiest thing about guitar: 41:13 A fretless guitar mini-lesson: 44:15 The weirdest tour stories you’ll ever hear: 47:26 The spooky tale of the haunted stage and ghostly guitar pick: 49:15 Bumblefoot’s favorite airplane album: 52:48 Bumblefoot’s dream band: 54:04 Bumblefoot’s supervillain advice: 55:03 Bumblefoot's Website Bumblefoot's Hot Sauces Sign up for Guitar Super System, the most popular independent guitar learning platform on the internet: https://bit.ly/GVBF007

Today’s guitar villain is Misha Mansoor, a key founder of the beguiling genre of Djent and an overall machine of a guitar player. Misha is the mastermind behind the wall of sound that is the band Periphery, a signature artist of Jackson guitars and BareKnuckle pickups, the founder of the excellent Get Good Drums software, and an avid sports car enthusiast. Misha is also the founder of Horizon Devices, a company featuring some truly spectacular guitar pedals like the Apex PreAmp and Flux Echo, and now, most recently, they’re making guitar strings. With that resume, you better prepare yourself, because it’s time for this episode of Guitar Villains. Intro and Misha’s supervillain alter-ego: 0:00 Burning Questions: 6:14 Misha’s backward sense of harmony: 11:10 Problem-solving in songwriting: 15:10 Name Those Notes: 16:44 The re-release and return of Bulb: 27:35 Guitar playing from the producer perspective: 30:14 The hardest and easiest thing about playing guitar: 32:22 The most important skill guitar players ignore: 34:34 Writing music starting with a drum groove: 37:02 The problem with drum loops: 40:29 The difference between delay and echo: 42:00 Misha’s dream band: 45:59 Misha’s favorite airplane album: 48:56 Misha’s supervillain advice: 49:39 Check out Horizon Devices Check out GetGood Drums Follow Periphery on YouTube Sign up for Guitar Super System, the most popular independent guitar learning platform on the internet: https://bit.ly/GVMM006

Today’s guitar villain is Jason Richardson, a technical master of guitar playing and an equally adept composer of complex and interesting music. If you tabbed out his guitar solos, they’d look like barcodes. If someone asks Jason, "Hey Jason, how fast?" Jason simply responds "YES". We’re gonna break the speed limit and have a great time doing it on this episode of Guitar Villains. Intro and Jason Richardson's supervillain alter-ego: Burning Questions: 7:50 The best $1,730 ever spent: 11:50 How to play as fast as humanly possible: 13:40 Name Those Notes: 16:55 Blending cinematic and classical genres with metal: 26:05 Jason's new signature EBMM Rorschach Red Cutlass: 31:17 Almost dying in Austria: 41:28 Jason's favorite airplane album: 46:16 Jason's dream band: 48:25 Jason's supervillain advice: 51:30 Jason's new signature Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass Follow Jason on YouTube Sign up for Guitar Super System, the most popular independent guitar learning platform on the internet: http://bit.ly/GVJR005

Today’s guitar villain is Tommy Emmanuel. One of the most musical guitar players you’ll ever hear, Tommy has been dropping the jaws of audiences for decades with this impeccable acoustic guitar playing that sounds more like an entire band than just one person. With flawless rhythm, unreal technique and a way of playing that just makes you laugh, Tommy’s musicianship is captivating in a way that will inspire you to pick up your guitar, or, maybe, just set it down and watch. Tommy’s way of explaining things is another testament to his world class talent, so you may yourself coming back to this one over and over, on this episode of Guitar Villains. Intro and Tommy Emmanuel's supervillain alter-ego: 0:00 Burning Questions: 7:14 The sound of tuning perfection: 11:12 Name Those Notes: 15:19 Dress up, show up, and do your best: 29:09 The difficulty of instrumental songwriting: 31:10 Tommy's unique approach to guitar playing: 33:35 The hardest and easiest thing about guitar: 37:49 Tommy Hollywood is working on a movie, The Tiger Rising: 38:42 Tommy's favorite airplane album: 42:10 Tommy's dream band: 42:46 Tommy's supervillain advice: 43:35 Tommy Emmanuel on YouTube Tommy's website Sign up for Guitar Super System, the most popular independent guitar learning platform on the internet: http://bit.ly/GVTE004

Today’s guitar villain is Tim Henson. An innovator of the guitar and a no-nonsense straight-shooter, Tim has cemented himself in the guitar world as a cutting edge riff-writer, combining elements of tapping, slapping, harmonics, and rhythmic displays second to none. Fronting his instrumental prog outfit Polyphia, Tim has produced some of the most unique and fun guitar moments to fill your eardrums with, and the only thing more refreshing than his music is his no-bullshit demeanor. You’re gonna enjoy this one, so let’s kick off this episode of Guitar Villains. WARNING: Explicit content. Intro and Tim Henson's supervillain alter-ego: 0:00 Burning Questions: 17:03 Tim's Guitar Approach – Hooks and Flexes: 19:35 Blending rap and instrumental music: 23:50 A bad acid trip yields a great music video: 26:20 Name Those Notes: 30:00 Tim's love of Jimi Hendrix: 37:27 New Polyphia music: 41:06 Tim's unique guitar technique: 44:46 The hardest and easiest thing about guitar: 49:29 Tim's favorite airplane album: 54:34 Tim's dream band: 55:20 Tim's supervillain advice: 1:00:05 Follow Polyphia on YouTube: http://bit.ly/Polyphia_GV Follow Tim on YouTube: http://bit.ly/Tim_GV Sign up for Guitar Super System, the most popular independent guitar learning platform on the internet: http://bit.ly/GVTH003

Today’s Guitar Villain is Joe Satriani. Known in his truest form as a literal alien, Satriani’s music can certainly transport you to various places in the universe, and after paving the way for so many guitar players after him, Satch is still the master of the six-string sonic highway we’re all driving down. With dozens of Grammy nominations and what seems like an endless catalogue of music, Joe is constantly innovating and always inspiring in the realm of guitar, and if you know me, you know how pumped I am for this episode of Guitar Villains. Intro and Joe Satriani's supervillain alter-ego: 0:00 Burning Questions: 13:45 Name Those Notes: 29:33 Joe's latest album, Shapeshifting and his studio recording tips: 44:45 Joe's Shapeshifting gear choices: 48:35 Joe's favorite airplane album: 53:15 The Satriani title-track phenomenon: 55:03 Joe Satriani's dream band: 57:35 Joe's supervillain advice: 59:40 The brilliance of Eddie Van Halen (this podcast was recorded just hours prior to the news of Eddie's passing–I thought I'd timestamp this comment Joe made): 1:01:45 Check out Joe's latest album, Shapeshifting, streaming everywhere now: http://bit.ly/JS_GuitarVillains Sign up for Guitar Super System, the most popular independent guitar learning platform on the internet: http://bit.ly/GVJS002

Today’s guitar villain is John Petrucci. A legendary riff-writer, almighty shred-lord, dedicated gym-rat. purveyor of fine bourbon, and all-around nice guy, this bearded phenom who some believe to be a wizard or even God himself is here to spill his guitar secrets. John has recently dropped on us his second solo album entitled Terminal Velocity, which we’ll dive deep inside. I’ll also be challenging the prog prince in ways he’s never been challenged before, and I am honored to have him as the inaugural guest of the very first episode of Guitar Villains. Intro and John Petrucci's supervillain alter-ego: 00:00 Burning Questions: 9:10 Name Those Notes: 18:20 John's new album, Terminal Velocity: 33:34 John's craziest G3 story and reuniting with Mike Portnoy: 47:25 The evolution of John's guitar tone and his secret 8-string signature guitar: 55:35 John's favorite airplane album: 1:03:10 John's dream band: 1:04:23 1:05:40: John's supervillain advice Check out John's brand new solo album, Terminal Velocity, streaming everywhere now: http://bit.ly/JP_GuitarVillains Sign up for Guitar Super System, the most popular independent guitar learning platform on the internet: http://bit.ly/GVJP001