Bumblefoot on Fretless Guitar 101, THAT Guns N' Roses Album, & Spooky Guitar Picks | 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 lady who likes to smell armpits: 47:26
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
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.
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Check out Bumblefoot: bumblefoot.com
Check out Bumblefoot's delicious hot sauces: bumblefoothotsauce.com
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[@MusicisWin]

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 lady who likes to smell armpits: 47:26 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 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. Subscribe to Guitar Villains on Spotify: spoti.fi/3i8q2xg Subscribe to Guitar Villains on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3n08vL3 Check out Bumblefoot: bumblefoot.com Check out Bumblefoot's delicious hot sauces: bumblefoothotsauce.com

[@yhonandayan6718]

do slash in guitar villains

[@mickmay630]

It would be awesome if you did an episode with Benjamin Burnley. Or Jasen Rauch. Or anyone from Breaking Benjamin

[@i-guitar4722]

Absolutely inspirational, thanks

[@Bumblefoot]

Thank you Tyler for having me on :) And thank you all for watching! :)

[@behindthenut4542]

❤

[@Switch_05]

You seem like such a wonderfully authentic person. What you see is what you get!

[@peters6589]

You are a brilliant guitarist and overall musical artist. Much respect.

[@tylerjouett1723]

Ive had the pleasure of meeting you a couple times. We first met at my birthday party at the pony. You are an amazing guitarist and a wonderful guy. Its a pleasure to call you a friend.

[@MiterAlmeida]

You are in my humble opinion alongside Guthrie govan the best guitar player alive. I hope one day you come to AUS and I get to meet you in person!

[@MusicisWin]

Cory Wong next week! The episode will come out on Friday, however, due to a VERY SPECIAL video dropping next Wednesday... you'll see...

[@GoviaM]

I got into vulfpeck like 3 days ago lol

[@AB-iv7kf]

We are waiting for Mateus Asato.

[@c.g.vonhagenstein7576]

That's an unexpected guest and very cool to hear. Hey if you can get Cory you should be able to get Jeff Kollman lol. Like Ron and Cory, Jeff really really deserves a bigger audience and he's an absolute beast on guitar (check his solo stuff on Shedding Skin and all of the Cosmosquad albums if you never have).

[@sanhit]

Hope the wednesday video is an announcement for guitar super system. Waiting for the acoustic course you promised. I am a big fan of the acoustic genre.

[@VegasLoungeAct]

Don't tell people I'm coming on. It's a secret! :-P

[@samkingsly1636]

Man... Ron is so underated. He is singer, Shredder.. he is an all rounder.. he deserve more attention in guitar community...

[@chassegardee7694]

I can assure you he has it. He just scares everybody because of his out from this world skills....

[@arkaacharjee11]

You're right curry boy

[@Kris_jellybeard]

@@chassegardee7694 Wheen Guthrie Govan is asked what guitar player scares him, he always menions Ron.

[@dizza8742]

Not to mention his clear and expressive teachings. He makes music theory seem like laymans terms

[@stepitupandgo67]

If you are the guitarist for GnR, it's kinda hard to be underrated...guitar players know....but probably not the musical lay person

[@xheadlessx]

Ron is the bomb , I’m fortunate enough to have been his bass player when he toured in India and Dubai a few years ago 😎

[@herbertschultz83]

Shit man, what was your experience playing with the man himself? Any stories?

[@xheadlessx]

@@herbertschultz83 all I can say is Ron loves his Biriyani 😊, we did a tour of the hard rock cafes in Delhi , Bangalore , Mumbai , Delhi & Calcutta and ended in Dubai.

[@bobbyfikesmusicfun]

I got to play bass for him in Houston Texas and he is awesome

[@xheadlessx]

@@bobbyfikesmusicfun that’s so cool man

[@bobbyfikesmusicfun]

@@xheadlessx it was. Couple of months after he got me into the Sons of Apollo show with my name on a table and they paid for drinks and everything. Chatted with him online not too long ago on Rusty Cooley's guitar autopsy. Just an excellent human being!

[@RC32Smiths01]

I see Bumblefoot, I click.

[@bradwolfe1999]

I love that he can’t keep his hands off a guitar. That’s totally me. If there’s a guitar, I’m playing it. It’s too much fun.

[@reallyeffingcooltechnodude]

I had to pick up a guitar while watching this.

[@dntinpalevo]

Tyler, a friendly suggestion: At the end of the interview ask your guests to share any new project/album they are in and info of any websites etc.

[@laurentfargues8113]

I remember seeing Ron for the first time in 97 in Lyon for a demo of his first album in a small bar. It's really great to see he's been such far, he deserves it.

[@Switch_05]

Bumblefoot is literally everyone's best friend

[@TommyDoesMusic]

I love how excited Ron got when he found out Tyler likes hot sauce

[@davidkiefer9875]

This podcast is great! Tyler is a great host and his format is really original and cool... Ron, of course, is a great guest. He's always so interesting to listen to in every facet and you always get a killer dose of his playing. Great show, great host, great guest - period, end of discussion...

[@paulroyal2177]

The "guitar villain" needs to wear a villain's black hat ... and in comes Ron "Bumblefoot" in a black hat. What a fun video! So much guitar-gold here. I wanted to clap at so many of his great answers to the questions. (Tyler, there are tricks on dealing with such music-geniuses: people yawn not because they are tired, but because their brains need cold oxygen to get alert. The wonderful interview with Steve Vai made me want to yawn to better soak up his philosophies, so you can prepare by grabbing something off-screen and then secretly yawn-yourself-awake with merchandise props, etc.)

[@rperezatx007]

I've been a fan of Ron's ever since Ominous Guitarists from the Unknown. Always fun listening to him talk and your blurb about his playing is spot-on. Also, Vulture :) I've just recently started checking out your channel and I think you're doing great work. Thank you!

[@ShpookyMetal]

👾💯💥 didnt he do also chopin fantasie piece 2-handed ,i dont know from guitars that rule the world part 2 ?

[@uvasif28]

Next to Patrucci's episode this has been my favorite! I didn't know Bumblefoot was such a cool guy and i learned so much about Hot sauces!

[@radorado666]

He is just so nice and SOOOO generous with his time, knowledge and attention. Great series, Tyler! Thank you

[@angularjstutoriales]

Loved the episode! The easiest answer is SOOO LEGIT!!!!!

[@RyanSmithGuitar]

This is the best series on KZbin thanks for interviewing all these legends inspiring hearing these guys talk shop!

[@JohnsOnStrings]

None better in my book. Insane shred, insane prog, fretless, unique tricks, multiple lines played simultaneously, can sing better than half the singers out there, production wizard, can teach as well as he plays. Sick talent.

[@hetjamesfield4473]

You will get very far with this podcast. I can already tell. Another step up, well done. Support from Europe! Good Luck man. Till

[@n8urm852]

This is my first exposure to Ron Thal. definitely a rabbit hole ill be exploring all day...i cant stop thinking that he kinda sounds like Christopher Walken

[@snacktime2497]

I had the pleasure of interviewing Bumblefoot a couple years ago, and he is simply the nicest guy in the world.

[@mackarinio8519]

hell yeah🤘🔥

[@lueymeteora1410]

Tyler has done what we all know to do with his camera, and that to place slightly higher looking down upon him, to strengthen up the appearance of the jawline. Bumblefoot has taken no notice if social media convention, and has placed his camera in a place if convenience...just sitting in the desk, looking up at him. Hilariously, in concert, these two angles combine to give the appearance of Bumblefoot being a towering father figure, talking down to Tyler, who is looking every bit the little boy! Along with Tyler's series of questions and Tyler, perhaps subconsciously, giving deference to his guest, the whole Father-Son paradigm is solidified! ------------------------ 😉 All in good fun, Tyler! You do great work! 👍

[@markbois1713]

Saw him a few years back he sat in with Talas (Billy Sheehan's) old band in Albany N.Y. he tore it up. Especially loved the double neck guitar with a fretless neck and multi colored LED Lights. The jam at the end I Don't Need No Doctor was totally awesome.

[@c.g.vonhagenstein7576]

All the guests have been great so far, but Ron is absolutely one of the most interesting (musically and personally) and talented (and knowledgeable) and he deserves all the audience he can get. He's in my top 5 guitarists I would love to have coffee (or hot wings lol) with one day. This one was special because Ron actually played guitar - all these guests are phenomenal guitar players and We Want To Hear Them Play. The talky talky is good of course but guitar players can't get enough of hearing their inspirations jam. Just sayin' :) Others that would be fun to have on evetually would include: Vai (duh lol) Paul Gilbert Plini Jeff Kollman (of Cosmosquad fame, look him up) Greg Howe Tony MacAlpine And any number of 80's/90's legends like George Lynch, Neal Schon, the underrated Steve Stevens, Nuno Bettencourt... I could go on and on.

[@garrettt.3845]

@C.G. VonHagenstein Many many thanks for recommending Cosmosquad! I didnt know the band and...Wow, its on point my taste! To give something back. Check out Rabea Masaad (Tosca) or Maybeshewill. Both relatively unknown but awesome bands with great guitarists.

[@JenMajuraOfficial]

Loved this episode! Ron is a gem! Great interview Tyler 👍🏼

[@johnjjenkins5069]

Always enjoy watching videos with Bumblefoot in them. One of the best players ever to grace the 6 string. Thanks for having him on the podcast.

[@24Olivier07]

Thank you so much Tyler! Everyone should get themselves a Meet and Greet with Ron. He's such a nice guy. A model in a lot of ways.

[@psy4naut]

great one. so warm. thanks for all the great minds on the show including you everytime :)

[@ShaunAK14]

He's one of my all-time favourites. Great job having him on 👍

[@CVicious777]

Very cool, thank you both...That was so interesting! Now to check out all of Bumblefoot's music I can get my ears on.

[@calebzachariah8092]

I love this podcast

[@sars0285]

Love Bumblefoot work, Normal and Abnormal are 2 of my favorite albums of his. Funny and humble human being, great interview

[@legatrix]

I found out about Bumblefoot in 2002 through the Power Tab Archives. I used to look for the craziest tabs. Soon after, I got his first solo album and Uncool. Absolutely mind-blowing. Been a huge fan ever since. Anyone who hasn't heard his illness story (forget exactly what it was, but serious) should look it up.

[@Arycke]

I love that he mentioned Barry Harris

[@beersjeroen4371]

That was a really great podcast to watch, (still watching actually. Really great those talks with Ron,

[@KurtRichards]

Thank You Tyler for making this show. Keep it up, I love it :-)

[@okayguitarplayer]

Holy shit... he can fucking SING dude.... wow. This is a great episode @Tylerlarsen !

[@juddharley1621]

Really great podcast! Just discovered Bumblefoot thanks to you, what a great episode!

[@marinooliveira4204]

bro he just can't stop musicking, it's insane

[@Claytolhowell]

Great series by the way. Look forward to each episode every week.

[@MrLeoMalmsteen]

I can't believe it! Nobody mentioned that he looks like Gandalf!

[@cOpEnBaCoN]

Tyler, you literally said “you were in Guns of roses”. Hahaha. Anyway, Bumblefoot rocks.

[@ChiChisALaPar]

This podcast is AWESOME! Keep it up!

[@neel_mass3y]

0:24 something weird happens with audio lol

[@felixguitar1108]

Yeah 😂

[@staciehaskins6483]

The audio glitches out on all of these episodes

[@destianpatrianagara1119]

I thought my phone was broken

[@greenandblue3809]

Great stuff man. Loving these podcasts! Learning so much!

[@ALT3REDB3AST]

Watched the entire interview. Ron is an excellent, Bumble (humble) human being. Kudos!😊👍🏾

[@luisaleman9512]

It's great seeing Bumblefoot getting some recognition. He's a really great guitar player.

[@bradleyberdahl6148]

great interview!!!!!!!

[@RandomShites]

Only awesome guests. Congrats! And Bumblefoot is such a good guy and a great musician

[@fantomasfanto8469]

@Music is Win this is a great series. I love the villain analysis, this is the type of content guitarists & musicians will love. 😎

[@michaelfrancis1]

Super interview... teaching moments... Thimble finger.... Wowzah!! Winning!

[@djezusboy]

Best guitar podcast on KZbin!

[@mantymusic9109]

Could listen to him all day, love all his solo work and different bands

[@RockinfromtheGrave]

That was so much fun to watch.

[@guitarmemoir]

That was great. Ron is a beast and a super nice guy.

[@yvancluet8146]

Ron os the single best guitarist in the world. He's on par with the Guthrie gohan and John Petruccis of this world. I've been saying this for 10 years but it seems people are finally realizing how good and innovative he is. Check out his solo catalogue, it's one of the most versatile and creative discographies you can imagine. He's played just about everything you can play on a guitar

[@TheRichardHartog]

Thanks for an entertaining vid! Great fan of SOA!

[@StormdriverOne]

Alright, this one sets the standard. Finally, someone picks up a guitar and shows us something. Best "Name Those Notes" yet. That was awesome, Ron and Tyler. SoA rules!

[@xliquidflames]

Ya know how in grade school, they'd have the class sing _Row, Row, Row Your Boat_ but they'd do it in a round? So, 10 kids start it, when they get past the first line, 10 more start, and so on, so it sounds kind of circular. That's what the "two scales at once" thing is kinda like. You're starting the scale and then playing it in a different spot at the same time so it has that same circular kind of effect. What a great podcast and interview. Tyler is really freaking good at this. This might be common knowledge to subscribers but I'm kind of new here... He almost seems like he has a background in radio or something. Was he ever a radio DJ or host of a show or something? He's on point with everything and great at thinking on feet and keeping the show and interview flowing from one topic to the next. If he never did this kind of thing before, he's a natural at it. Is there anything he _can't_ do? Hehe.

[@k7j007]

Bumblefoot! This was so good! Now if only Herby would come on for Buckethead and do the podcast....

[@johnp.smithasimpleman7281]

Yes!!!

[@ashleylee5445]

What an amazing talent. A real pleasure to watch

[@JuniorD1975]

Great interview 👍

[@aphexlane]

Fantastic. One tiny little thing though; Chopin. If you realized this already I apologize. I look forward to more of these. Your videos are great.

[@jplove9810]

probably the coolest nicest person in rock

[@ayabimou]

Ive had q fever for a few months now..amazing approach

[@extremeteatime8663]

I met this guy with my dad once. I was too young to really get what was going on. We were at some hot sauce/pepper event.

[@ashleylee5445]

The free ad for Ron's hot sauce worked lol. Delivery winging its way to Manchester UK

[@doctorx1859]

I've been looking forward to another episode

[@frearnaud]

Really interesting stuff... Ron is one of the coolest guy out there

[@dustymckinney3805]

That thimble trick is totally neat!

[@ryanriggs9963]

His vocal skills are on par with his guitar skills

[@makattak3550]

What Ron could do in describing the frettless as just a slide, is to paint fretts on it, cut a Chrome slide in half length ways, stick the half slide piece on the outside of his finger, slide finger, and play.

[@JerryTheVeganRockstar]

Awesome sauce, literally

[@musicmadness2068]

This man is awesome, my god I learned so much from this guy

[@trabajospersonales3804]

Love this videos.......more like that pls

[@LiveMusicCT]

Wish I could give multiple thumbs up on this one! 😎🤘

[@luvsic35]

Best episode so far 🤟

[@gregmize01]

Holy crap his singing voice!😳

[@Sjrm126]

Man I love this series! You should get Nolly Getgood or here! I’d love for you to pick his brain I am so curious about how he does what he does.

[@ashamael]

Tyler, dog, this series is fucking fantastic. Keep it up!!

[@kevinansari8612]

21:07 this is the epic part!!!! I gotta get a killswitch and slowly raise the whammy pedal

[@blackmore7777fan]

Nice shout out for David Pastorius...he's one hell of a bass player!!

[@omanchk2857]

Fantastic!!!!

[@peterwinters8587]

Thanx Ron Thal for clearing all the up for me. [Banging head against wall]

[@GhostGuitars]

I've been lucky enough to meet him in person, he is every bit as kind and funny as this

[@maximejerjise276]

Scott Holiday please !! Great episode thank you Tyler !! 🇫🇷

[@unsurprisingly]

Thanks brother this was sweet potatoes and cornbread much love from Huntington WV

[@stedyshredy2772]

@bumblefoot more like HumbleFoot! My goodness this man seems so genuine and kind. My favorite episode yet!

[@guitarz]

this dudes skills are nuts

[@staciehaskins6483]

Best podcast EVER

[@zanderkahres8112]

Didn’t know who he was before. Left a huge fan

[@stepitupandgo67]

So awesome

[@urile9912]

Love this

[@rodrigoalejandrovalverdeca9618]

Tyler, it would be really cool if after some podcasts, you made another video making a jam with the stuff the interviewed taught you. For example, in this case you could use that metal thing Bumblefoot uses on his pinky, or maybe using the fretless guitar tricks. I know that your only fretless guitar is not completely fretless but you could give it a shot. Just a tip, keep shredding 😉

[@mhitc.4975]

Teaching back to me is one of the best advice for teacher

[@soverignhuman5862]

Awesome 😮

[@ill193]

Yes

[@michaelfrancis1]

Paraphrased: it's easy to Connect with people; with your (guitar) music... Undoes all the shift and they hug. Noiiice 🤘

[@pandapies2988]

Love these!! When is the Rick Graham one dropping?

[@MusicisWin]

Episode 9!