5 LEVELS OF IMPROVISATION (ft. Matteo Mancuso)

[@BennyVibes]

Not very often do you get someone so outstandingly talented and down to earth willing to share.

[@courtneysmith6082]

I was thinking the same. I don’t even play guitar, but I was thinking hey I can learn shapes. Ergo, I can be an expert player. 😂

[@greg1569]

he's an italia kid. People here tend not to be so full of themselves like in the us

[@producergiorgio]

He's sicilian :)

[@1galmalka]

And he express himself very well in english

[@ventreal4292]

@@greg1569sounds like you’re kind of full of yourself based on your comment

[@JoeBlimey]

Matteo Mancuso: When genius and humility meet in one place.

[@tripives1858]

Check out Tim Henson with Polyphia too.

[@JoeBlimey]

@@tripives1858 Yes, he's very talented. If Vai can play with them, enough said, right?

[@sergeysmyshlyaev9716]

Humility, but no unnecessary self-deprecation (unlike AH).

[@deanronson6331]

@@sergeysmyshlyaev9716 Self-deprecation, if there ever was any, never diminished Holdsworth's output in any way. I'd rather take his modesty than Miles's arrogance and his dishonesty. He occasionally appropriated tunes by his band members as his own for royalty purposes.

[@poppya54]

He is undoubtedly among all the world's guitarists for his skill but he is the best above all for his humility.

[@adamh9271]

Unbelievable how good he is

[@johnthursfield3056]

'It's not the note you play that's the wrong note - it's the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong.' Miles Davis

[@Dollarkat]

100% true.

[@handyc77]

Yes. That's not rocket science. Every is relative. How can you react to one note without the next one? Unless that's your intent. But of all the things Miles has said, this is rudimentary. Everyone should say it to everyone

[@Dollarkat]

@@handyc77 do you play?

[@valebliz]

@@Dollarkateven if he does he’s clueless

[@Dollarkat]

@@valebliz haha, I believe so.

[@BrettBernier]

Seeing Paul go into absolute fan-boy mode is amazing. I'm right there with him. Incredible musician

[@LucaMusicBeats]

❤😅true

[@trisinogy]

I know my fellow countryman Matteo is a gift to the world and music has no borders nor boundaries, but let me be proud of how beautifully and graciously this young and talented Italian has taken the music world by storm. It’s a joy to watch him shine!

[@1kTroopKoopas]

He's a bit like Messi. Among the best, and humble about it. Which is surprising for both an Argentine and an Italian 😅

[@AdamJohnSwenson]

It's incredible how knowledgeable he is, great chops, and can communicate so well in a second language!

[@SEGREDOSPROIBIDOS1]

This kid’s phenomenal, so lyrical and expressive. Of course his arpeggios, fast licks and so on are really impressive but he really stuns me when he plays slow. It’s magical.

[@matto9734]

This was basically going from your local club at friday night to the stratosphere and then leaving our milky way in 35 minutes... I saw Matteo live in Berlin/Germany and he - and his 2 combattants - are taking you places you never thought they exist. I am 65 now and I know Jazz, Rock, Classic and pretty much everything else in between but... I never saw anyone with his skill set and ability to "effortlessly" go anywhere he wants to. And it never is mindless shredding, there is always a train of thoughts/emotions and a story he´s telling - absolutely beautiful and amazing! Btw - great chemistry between you both.

[@saboooon]

I love how uplifting the guitar community is. Two dudes who cannot help but feel joy at playing the instrument, who totally have a passion for sharing their knowledge and holding nothing back. Cheers

[@michaelyolch79]

EMOTION is what separates Matteo from the crowd. Even when playing his fastest runs, they’re still EMOTIONAL. His humility is just icing on the cake. 🎸🎂😃

[@WhiskerBiscuit1]

It's that beautiful tone he uses, too. I love it!

[@johnlemon874]

That sounds... very subjective and dehumanizing to others.

[@ceili]

Emotion is completely subjective

[@Mojojojoe]

There's no emotion in air vibrating, it's all subjective based on your culture and upbringing. I just find Mancuso's note choices tasteful

[@Kouros-t6d]

@@ceili of course you can also emotionate yourself with crap but this is because of poor culture and education, extreme metal or extreme shredding emotionate people that could be better suited for a car race than Music.

[@chrisjones1075]

I love the smile on Paul’s face as he’s listening to Matteo play. Just pure artistic joy and respect.

[@TheKingsGarden1]

He's sound is joyful and relaxing

[@navigatingmadness180]

This guy's playing is one of the few players i hear that literally makes my eyes water. So tasteful, so much emotion, so much technique.

[@FL85106]

It reminds me of when Eric Clapton spoke about Jimmy Hendrix and the ”wall” he could never overcome to reach Jimmy’s level. This young man has skills that come around once every 100 years or so. Paul’s expression only confirms that fact.

[@JammingLikeBushido]

Matteo's got it all, man. His fast licks and arpeggios are fire, but it’s when he slows down that the magic happens. The dude’s already one of the top guitarists on the scene, and with how he keeps leveling up, the future’s gonna be unreal. He’s technical, lyrical, original, insanely talented, and still so humble. What more could you ask for in a young artist?

[@Mike-qi4ne]

😊😊😊😊

[@dougshankle7946]

This kid is a once in a lifetime type of player. Just incredible.

[@henrys-music]

Bro is simply the guitar hero we needed ❤

[@BertWald-wp9pz]

One thing that I find fascinating is that so many famous musicians now interact with the high end KZbin educators. It is a wonderful synthesis of mutual respect and a new level of accessibility and interaction through mass media. Well done Paul. Definitely one of the greats with Rick Beato, Tim Pierce and a few others. Also as a 66 year old lifetime guitarist I love the new generation of Matteo and Asato. There is something stylistically consolidated drawing on the great guitarists from Reinhardt, Benson, Page, Carlton, Di Meola, Vai, Johnson and more so the guitar is still evolving. Very exciting and I feel much gratitude.

[@fastjazz]

Matteo is a once in a generation talent - true musicianship, he understands and has mastery of blues, jazz and classical vocabulary and fluidly moves thru all of it. Astounding really to have such technical virtuosity and innate musical feel.

[@bioca6328]

Matteo is already today one of the best guitar players on the world scene. Can’t imagine what he can do in the future, continuing to improve day bu day. He is technical, he is lyrical, he is original, he is extremely talented and he is humble. What can you look more for in a young musician?

[@stephenhmar8246]

he's really great but Guthrie is the final BOSS

[@piermariamontalto6563]

@@stephenhmar8246 but he's getting there

[@paul_bliven]

@PaulDavids This is my favorite type of interview with a musician. They sit with their instrument and talk while playing examples.

[@hesch-tag]

The guy has it all, the technique, the feel, the soul, the taste, the musicality and the imagination. Besides that he is a very humble and friendly guy. I saw him in Eindhoven at a guitar festival (most probably the day after he visited Paul) and he had time for everyone during and after his masterclass. Signing autographs, being photographed and answering questions. Lovely video as always, Paul!

[@BS-gj5ot]

Matteo is not only an amazing guitarist but seems like the most humble, chilled out dude you could ever meet. You can tell he is highly intelligent also. (This also pretty much describes Paul Davids also).

[@moni7T]

Hi Paul, I've been listening to your guitar playing and following along for several years now and you're my biggest inspiration. I recently lost much of my hearing and lost all motivation to play music, but your recent videos have made me pick up the guitar again. Thanks! ❤

[@richardhunt809]

What he said about knowing not just the note names but their relationship to the key is such a crucial concept.

[@ErinBarrera-jh3ji]

That's how I play. I've no clue about any of the notes. I just play from the soul. I know how they sound and where I want to be.

[@StopWars420]

​@ErinBarrera-jh3ji thats not what he said. He said you should know all the notes relationships in the scale. Not just the names.

[@cantemirash]

Matteo is not only his right hand technique, he is much more, and Paul was very good on showing other aspects of Matteo bravery and not ask him about his picking. Well done. Matteo is so humble but such a great talent. It’s the Yannick Sinner of guitar playing. 😊

[@elvisanyanwu3141]

Man, what a player. This man is a beast. Thank you Paul for bringing Mateo on to your show.

[@GUIDESPERSPECTIVE]

90% of the people that watch this video will be lost at Level 2. This was amazing. Thanks Paul for bringing this alien to your show.

[@jeckobandit69]

it's at least 3 years that millions of people around the world acclaim Matteo Mancuso.

[@Yo-xr7lj]

Level 1

[@FranciscoAndrepg]

Matteo Mancuso is like some kind of a God that comes down to Earth and is going to reset the way how to play a guitar. What a lesson! Thank you so much!

[@MuiltiLightRider]

I don't know if I've ever not been blown away by Matteo's playing. His sense of melody is just out of this world

[@sammel773]

His fingers are a channel for his soul, that’s what makes him special.

[@JohnZornAscended]

Tone and emotion are the best with the fingers. In my opinion.

[@ohmzen9695]

I have been telling people about Matteo for over 6yrs now.. And all my friends were like yeah.. he's pretty good. I'm like NO bro... you don't understand. He's more than just shred and sweeps. Watch his fingers! He's the best of all guitar genres in one! Classical right hand, Jazz melodies and shreddy sprinkles on top.

[@franckdebank]

No bro you still don't understand ...😂 This is much more than that

[@ohmzen9695]

@@franckdebank Exactly!

[@franckdebank]

@@ohmzen9695 Not exactly this is way more over our heads.😂

[@tonydjangolopez]

If you needed to show your friends Matteo's fingers, they're probably deaf 😅

[@ohmzen9695]

@@tonydjangolopez Yeah.. I think their ego's made them deaf! 🤣 My friend is a very good Jazz player.

[@sirtogii5216]

The talent Matteo has is beyond silly. Incredible to listen to and watch

[@trigmachine]

absolute genius, amazing tone, sublime phrasing... I could practice for another 25 years and still not come close

[@AndreLuisGoncalves-vk1qe]

Man... I seriously cried with joy in this video, especially when Matteo showed how he uses the "wrong notes". That was beautiful to see! Matteo is not just an unbelievable player, but also an amazing teacher! Thank you both for this. This video is life-changing.

[@pierpaolosciola2697]

The part relating to the wrong notes alone is worth all the beauty and depth of this video for me. The example is masterful. You are transported to an elsewhere that is beyond everyday reality, almost into a parallel universe. How fresh and new for someone who has listened to so much music in his life. Of course you have to know how to play very well before you can afford to make mistakes. Picasso was a good figurative painter before he revolutionized the world of painting. Miles Davis himself understood that "mistakes" could be an enrichment and an edge. More wrong notes, please.

[@krob5375]

The amount of knowledge and application Matteo has stored in his memory bank at his age is super impressive. I'm blown away every time I watch him play.

[@hermancharlesserrano1489]

Matteo’s right hand, man alive, what touch…and such effortless voicing, just beautiful

[@elmolewis9123]

A lesson of a lifetime for someone ready and able to embrace it.

[@spryrecords5418]

Truly exceptional and unique! Aside from being a musical phenomenon, Matteo has a great aura. He is calm, composed and very eloquent. I would have loved to seeing him meeting Alan Holdsworth... Bravissimo!

[@nino369]

Yes, Matteo is fast! But what impress me more are the notes choices. He plays musically, beautiful phrases, impeccable tempo, deep harmonic insights.

[@giuseppecavallaro2059]

Great interview, thx for it. Demonstrated the importance of studying guitar harmony and improvisation. Matteo is magic player, polite and really nice guy!

[@Addahasan]

I am an improviser myself. This was a masterclass I cannot get around my head with. Most of the stuff got over my head. Crazy amazing. Thank you Paul from bringing such an awesome player and share his knowledge with all.

[@mattmalmsteen3112]

Love Matteo, his talent and humility is quite astounding. His picking style is the most impressive to me

[@bondandlearn]

The only music lesson anybody truly needs. The rest is about practice. Thanks Matteo for highlighting these general principles of music! Your sincerity is second only to your musical talent!

[@expresidentfortune]

...when 'he's just making it up on the fly' sounds better than anything I can write in advance, absolutely brilliant, and a very good interview too. What a great guy Matteo is. Well done Paul, subscribed!

[@JimmyGkavano]

This is awesome! Mancuso is phenomenal, I feel the same as when I came across Guthrie for the first time! Also, the joy on Paul's face when he can't believe that all this is happening! Thank you, Paul for this Mancuso mini interview-lesson!

[@sebastiaanvanhooydonk2841]

This is by far the best improvisation tutorial on the internet. Thanks

[@jasonbrooks5828]

Matteo is a pure joy to watch. All of what he says is old knowledge, but his technique is just on another level.

[@Woodstock271]

What a wonderful guest to have on your show, Paul! Matteo is out of this world good. Super emotional yet well schooled, schooling goes out the window after the soul and mind and ear, takes over your fingers. It’s fun to watch him try to break down what he’s doing while you know he never thinks about it anymore. Virtuosos aren’t very good guitar teachers. They’re so far beyond that. My guitar teacher some 40 years ago wasn’t a virtuoso so he still knew exactly what he was playing. And I learned it. Playing in bands now, I decided to teach guitar as a hobby and extra money. Decades later, my guitar playing became so natural and personal, I didn’t know exactly what I was doing anymore. I can’t teach “feeling”, I can’t teach “off-timing”. You can’t teach unwritten subtleties or subliminal notes that wouldn’t work played slowly. That’s for the individual to develop on their own over time. It’s fun to watch Matteo describe basically what he’s doing but more fun to watch him just doing it. I doubt any guitarist not on his level (myself included) really got much out of this lesson. It’s more about what’s possible if you really put in the time.

[@DenizCoskun-yg4my]

This video is such a valuable gift to the guitar community. Thank you Paul! Thank you Matteo!

[@James_Blazer]

His right hand technique is fascinating. One of the best guitar Players at the moment

[@hager4381]

I love that all the youtubers do each others shows...or vids together....the guitar community right now is so strong.

[@JulienMARY]

Dear Paul, Thank you,. You are inviting masters, from whom you extract the bet of their vision and make it accessible. It's pure gold.

[@bernie_smith]

I saw Matteo with Drift Lab a short while ago at the Band On The Wall in Manchester, UK. A great night! Thank you both for this very helpful video.

[@PetraKann]

Matteo's right hand technique on an electric guitar is insane.

[@JT96708]

As a finger style bass player it looks very familiar. Not that I can do what he does. 😳

[@PetraKann]

@@JT96708 it does look like a finger playing style bassists often use. He does change the angle of his hand during songs. I haven’t seen a right hand guitar technique before that is so fluid, smooth and efficient. And he can improvise as well? I hope he tours Australia one day…..

[@irdetu]

It looks like he came from Classical guitar background. Amazing skills.

[@PetraKann]

@@irdetu The rhythms and timing sounds like Flamenco

[@traveandre8877]

@@PetraKann if I remember correctly he said it's a mix of both in some interviews, he said that he uses classical technique (Idk how it's called it in English but in Italian we call it "tocco libero", "free picking") for arpeggios and bass (or flamenco I forgot which of the two) technique for fast scale runs ("tocco appoggiato" which means "resting picking")

[@producergiorgio]

Seriously one of the best guitar classes ever!

[@pauls_guitartrip]

Guys take deep breath and relax. Matteo is a guitar god among many others. He adds some new colors to the guitar game that’s refreshing.

[@ferlottes]

Ahahahah ! Non il n'est pas un parmi tant d'autres, mais il est le Top !

[@mdg7214]

Never forget that there is only one God! John 3:16 Romans 10:9-10😊

[@zinc1024]

Really appreciate Matteo's humility. Not to mention his totally unique "classical" style approach to electric guitar, unreal!

[@paulhorten2736]

One of the most beautiful and useful lecture about guitar improvisation I ever saw. Thank you Paul, grazie Matteo.

[@Rygo-wk3jm]

I love how fluid his playing is!

[@Bb-M4n]

"Please keep it simple:"....Where I want to be...in about 30 years :)

[@lerik97]

JAJ thought the same thing

[@bekuadro]

Julian Lage is a must. Him and Mateo are my absolute favourite guitar players ever! I had the chance to watch Mateo live recently in Montreux and the masterclass he graced us with afterwards... What a musician, and such a generous person!!!!

[@Cranio76]

As an Italian I was familiar with Matteo since ages, but I discovered Lage just recently also thanks to Paul Davids - what an unbelievable player.

[@activese]

That is a high level masterclass, my brain is clogging, still processing the information 10 mins after it ended, in complete silence. A cool, young, humble virtuoso. Thank you.

[@user-fz5wn4jy4i]

His guitar tone sounds SooOooOooOooo good..!!

[@tanishqrao]

Matteo and Paul together!! This was what we wanted

[@LunarBoomMusic]

This video beautifully displays Matteo Mancuso's impressive improvisational skills and emotional depth. His music conveys stories and feelings with sincerity, showcasing his humility and generosity as a musician. Watching him play is truly magical, as every note carries you on a journey, echoing Miles Davis' sentiment about the power of music.

[@TwelveSticks]

Paul always does a great job of "playing the student" in these types of videos - like he almost doesn't know it himself...

[@MFDOOOOM]

Matteo's one of the best guitarists alive lol he doesn't have to pretend to be a student, it's just real

[@ajmusic4500]

@@MFDOOOOMif you think that Paul David’s wasn’t playing down his knowledge in this then you need to get to know 😂. He’s not Matteo’s level (hell I don’t think there’s many in the world who are) but he’s a phenomenal guitarist in his own right and certainly knows the pentatonic positions and a vast amount of music theory

[@Eric-dd8bk]

​@@MFDOOOOM Nope. There isn't anything in this video that Paul doesn't know already. He's humbling himself to play the student as the commenter says. And most of this is the basics to be honest, especially if you delve into Jazz level theory and improvisation. Matteo's can execute licks that sound impressive and expressive and flauless, but the theory behind most of this is beginner level, and obviously Paul already knows it all. Hell, even I know it all. Just not there in terms of my technic level. Just came to steal some licks. Country guitarists have some serious chops. One and only new thing I can take away if I had to really nit pick will be that I can play F melodic minor over the Fm/Ab as I just had been playing the Cm scale or F dorian whenever I'd come across the minor 4th chord in CMajor key. It makes sense because there are way more notes that are diatonic to the C major key in F melodic minor vs C minor scale nor F dorian scale. Also, the 4th minor chords are usually played with the 6th note added instead of the flat 6th note, which makes the 4 minor scale into a melodic minor scale. But that's the only one new thing I can take away from this video besides some new tasty licks.

[@sayanbhattacharya3233]

True , he is great !❤

[@joebloggs339]

I can't believe a human being can play like that. It's mind-blowing. Matteo is so humble too.

[@TheMeister74]

I love the way Matteo plays. Just great. My favorite was Joe Satriani, now Matteo is my star.

[@tonylamosa3]

Matteo is incredible!

[@pavelmolnar500]

Matteo is so good. And humble too, that's what I like maybe even more.

[@chaliceb5]

Matteo is such a pleasure to listen to, learn from and appreciate his extraordinary skill and talent. A true virtuoso.

[@uniqdzign2]

This is possibly one of the best learning and practice videos on YT. Thank you Paul and Matteo! Both of you inspire me!

[@Livsie]

Matteo's playing is so mind-blowing that it leaves us guitarists jaw dropped every time we hear him. Paul's reaction says it all:) And he is so down to earth and so humble. This was really great and helpful mini materclass, packed with a lot of useful information. I"m jumping to my guitar to practice)

[@joseferreyra2723]

One of my favourite videos thus far, thank you Paul for interviewing Matteo and uploading such an instructive video

[@paulgibby6932]

31:20 "It will sound propulseful"

[@amdsixtyfour]

The two of you are both so excellent at what you do; what a gift to live in this present where I can watch this for free. Grateful.

[@TheCoversDuo]

Amazing! Matteo tiene una musicalidad unica!

[@KediDailiam]

this guy is just magical

[@MrBobismarK]

So humble Matteo Mancuso... humility is a mystical energy.

[@go1voice]

he's just phenomenal

[@karlsarch]

Paul and Matteo - thank you for such a wonderful session, The love of music and improving as musicians shines brightly and is a great inspiration. Great format as well!

[@TehObidan]

Yamahas are so underrated, his Revstar sounds gorgeous.

[@goodboy65]

His guitar has only the shape of a revstar. It's handmade by an American luthier who works for Yamaha and currently the pick-ups are di Marzio formerly they were ( if I remember right) Lollars imperial.

[@LeftCoast_TomP]

@@goodboy65 I thought I heard him say in a sit down interview it was just one of the older slightly smaller ones. In any event there is not going to be a huge difference between what he is playing and a stock one. There are videos out there where he plays a stock one and sounds equally impressive. They defintely need to come out with a signature version if only for marketing purposes. My guess is that is in the works. In terms of pickups he may change those around but Yamaha does a really good job with their electronics IMHO.

[@StefanoCiurleo]

@@goodboy65but very similar to other Revstar….amazing guitar, underrated

[@SEGREDOSPROIBIDOS1]

Agreed but this dude would sound good even playing the cheapest Amazon kit. I know it sounds cliche but in this case it’s real 😄

[@nikanj]

Matteo Mancuso is the greatest thing to happen to Yamaha since Valentino Rossi... Yeah Yamaha is a strange company.

[@donaldstan]

This is an absolute masterclass on how to approach improvisations.

[@motsinoniphillimon7591]

This lesson changed my life🙌

[@azimutonline3]

Mine too. I threw away my guitar 🥺

[@arpitsmusic5482]

now i know where i was stuck on for 3 yrs now....thank you paul for arranging this interview,light bulb moments only ....❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@parthbhagwati9809]

Probably the best guitar lesson on KZbin right now. ❤❤❤

[@LogicalQ]

It really is. There is something here for you regardless of where you are in your musical journey.

[@spidgeb3292]

Pretty amazing these two master guitarists would take the time to provide what must be, for them, an elementary lesson in improvising, for the benefit of Paul's audience. Big thank you to you both.

[@BauKim]

Damn what a master class. Thanks for marking all the sections!

[@manuelbeletic2609]

Hvala!

[@mancusjam]

Matteo makes the world brighter.

[@kumargurung6528]

Discovering Matteo so inspiring....he is humble, very clever and talented...his guitar passages so sweet....just listening to him talk so rewarding....cheers Matteo!!!!

[@adamdagosto570]

One of your best videos ever. That's saying A LOT too. Well done.

[@jibranoliveros9326]

Paul Davids, thank you for all you are doing for the guitar community. This video is awesome!

[@shorerocks]

He starts playing, and it sounds like a record. Just wonderful. I immediately bought his CD and started following, once I heard him play.

[@leone.g]

Anyone who watches Matteo play always has the expression of surprise and happiness of a child in a candy store. He is truly inspirational for all guitar players and beyond.

[@pardop5628]

amazing the face of Paul going like.... who is this extra terrestrial alien monster :) Matteo you are unbelievable!!!

[@Eric-dd8bk]

He's playing a student real well lol There isn't anything that is new to him in this. Of course, he's impressed with the licks.

[@erostimbol9812]

bro your so humble .. i learned alot from you .thank you mr.david for inviting

[@kevinmac4real]

Yamaha guitars are absolutely fantastic! Great choice!

[@picksalot1]

What a great combination of talent, skill, creativity, and engaging personality. The Guitar World is lucky to have Matteo in it. Thanks