Guthrie Govan: How to get into the music industry

As guitarists go, few are as accomplished as the riff master himself, Guthrie Govan. Guthrie visited ICMP to host a masterclass showing off his incredible skills. Here we interview Guthrie about his music industry experiences and how he started his career. www.icmp.ac.uk...
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[@eliayres2747]

Oxford+english major+British person= "Ahh so that's why he's so articulate"

[@Bittersteamtrain]

He's also a Wizard. ..could have been anything.

[@no1spretty]

0:23 "competent". He's actively trying to not say anything good about himself. One of the best guitarists who have ever lived and still more humble than most.

[@tarikkhan4395]

True signs of a Jedi guitar master

[@HurtboxTV]

It's not uncommon, us as guitarists and probably most musicians in general always think they're missing something and unless you have an ego tend to go "well alright yeah I guess if you say so" to people who say you're amazing.

[@Hexspa]

Regarding calling his past self "competent", I think there are a few variables. One is what HurtboxTV is saying in that artistdom is usually fraught with a sense of inadequacy. I think part of the reason why is because it's damn near impossible to get your dreams through your fingers. Secondly, he now has all these years of perspective with which to qualify his past achievements. Years of teaching, studying, and playing will do that to you. Lastly, he's a fucking language nerd for christssake. He could've chosen from any number of words yet he picked that one. He could've said, "I was awright," in his East End accent but apparently, and like many musicians, phrasing is important to him.

[@julidiamondlover]

Hexspa Well spoke, bloke. He certainly don't play no folk.

[@buddhamisanthrope8021]

it's the very reason why he is one of the best... it's the Ynwie Malmsteen Doppelganger

[@jasondesjardins7371]

This man is a genius on so many levels. I could listen to him speak all day.

[@ianmartin2924]

Everytime i hear Guthrie start to talk, a little voice in my head screams "YES SENSAI!!".

[@mixrable1212]

Ian Martin I do it too Except it’s not in my head

[@thehazarika]

Please upload the full session. That would be a help towards humanity.

[@Caaarrl94]

3:00 - 3:25 what a genuinely nice dude

[@CamRebires]

Exactly what I thought, great man

[@goldsmithstrings6842]

Yeah I've heard he's got time for all his fans. It's very rare that someone with such virtue has the on the rails down to earth personality factor to go with it like he does! God bless Guthrie

[@hruaizelakisuke]

look at how humble he is... and same goes on to all our guitar gods...

[@DatAnydex]

There is no one like GG, and he will never be duplicated. An amazing, talented, skillful genius.

[@betterthantelly2993]

Incredible man. His sincerity is inspiring.

[@Petrucci2323]

Mr Guthrie is extremely articulate. I could sit here all day listening to his eloquence of word and spirit. Main influence..Cheers!

[@petruccifanboi]

Same ❤

[@boozoochavis7506]

Oh crap, I forgot to say Guthrie Govan is a great guitar player and I love listening to almost all of his videos and enjoy his particular take on the world too!! Rock on Gutherie Govan!

[@Guitarguy-55]

Guthrie just learned to translate what his brilliant mind had to say hit through the guitar❤️

[@BengB]

Really great stuff. Logic and reason combined with actual experience is something you cannot praise enough imo

[@xXxglassgowdreamxXx]

really needed to hear this, especially coming from this man. an absolute unit

[@DeadGlassEyes]

The one, true Jedi of guitar playing. When Guthrie talks, we should all just listen and appreciate the wisdom he's passing onto us. I'll be seeing him again in April for a masterclass, can't wait. Always good to see Guthrie.

[@anweshbhattacharya8017]

I'm mesmerised when I hear him speak.

[@michaelcameron2292]

What a guy humble but what a guitar player he is A credit to himself and whoever brought him up

[@johnathantyrer6077]

great to see someone as talented and educated as guthrie hit the big time... he is very down to earth and an approachable guys...i am proud he is an englishman like myself to !!

[@eniojunior7202]

the genius of guitar

[@Marco-bh9im]

Man how humble is he? Guthrie is a genius virtuoso inside out. And noone explains music the way he does. He's on a completely different level and without doubt one of the best guitarist that has ever lived and deserves all the attention one could get. He needs to be recorded as much as possible because everything he plays or says is pure gold! I can listen to Guthrie talk about anything, not just music. Every word couldn't be phrased better and it relates to his playing too. Genius!

[@tr33tv]

Great short interview, lots of wisdom and inspiration and a glimpse into his past (of any great person) which is always interesting!

[@theICMP]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Caravaggio44]

Amazing player and a born teacher as well

[@lakisbouz]

What an amazing human being and a humble musician...... This is what being a virtuoso is all about.

[@Ghandjaloodah]

One of the greats.

[@seanmarkowitz4216]

Oxford, of course. This man is a real life Gandolf. If ever I'm around him and I see someone getting rude, it's gonna be me and them coming to blows, as this man needs to be protected at all costs.

[@Cheximus]

Going to see him in London on Thursday, can't wait! A fan of him speaking just as much as his guitar. Will go down in history. Btw I'm going alone in case any non-weirdos out there wanna chill.

[@kevc-69-]

He is better than good at guitar, he is happy that people enjoy his music.

[@LUckybones25]

Guthrie is such an interesting guy. I could listen to him all day!

[@theICMP]

So could we! Always a pleasure to have him visit ICMP : )

[@StenSturesKanal]

Great voice!

[@pedrotupatupac3809]

His speech is just as good as his playing.

[@SaberToothGary]

I fuckin love this dude! Cheers, Guthrie!

[@TheAcidDrip]

This is a guy who knows where he came from and how quickly things could return to "working at McDonalds." He works a job to invest his personal money into his career and has a passion for the work despite all struggles of trying to "break-in." And now that Guthrie is in he is in, like @Farid M said, "He's actively trying to not say anything good about himself." This is a man who is a master of masters and yet is humble on so many levels. A personal inspiration to so many of us.

[@dagerhabidsnakeskin1540]

Honestly, why would anyone dislike this video?

[@SpaceCattttt]

Balalaika players.

[@robertbordevik5072]

A real wizard 🧙‍♂️

[@cookergronkberg]

TIL Govan was at Oxford for a brief period. Kinda makes sense.

[@shrxddxrs-864]

0:00 what's the song?

[@satanvenit]

Step 1. Be a guitar god.

[@svintjvck]

Invisus Machina Step 2 - There is no step two

[@xxczerxx]

1:00 I never knew that "less (noun)" was improper grammar, will have to remember that!

[@xxczerxx]

I know now, I applied "less" to everything before, and I'd consider myself halfway proficient at English! Obviously not the case

[@TheStones1965]

There can be no Plan A if you listen to 99% of the people who tell you to get a Plan B in case because that distracts you from the 100% laser focus you need to get Plan A completed, especially if Plan A is music or any other endeavor not viewed as a real job.

[@boozoochavis7506]

Even as a professional musician, most times getting into a band or being freelance means making your own job! I found out way too late that constant travel was a drag, I was much happier sleeping in my own bed every night and going on vacation instead. Then there is the problem which Greg Koch refers to as "Making 'Real Adult' Money" - hard to have a middle class existence and raise a family on a meager income - all hard choices to be made for certain!!

[@ExtremeBogom]

Cool.

[@Pe6ek]

It helps to be a genius.

[@denmo219]

So how do you get in the music industry

[@nethbt]

Mr. Einstein

[@kene.guitarmusic]

I hope the music industry in my country can surpass this :)

[@ecaepevolhturt]

The more nerdy the person the less ego they have...this is a general rule but it seems pretty good to me.

[@aadityakiran_s]

🙏

[@encuentrosmusicales8873]

Un verdadero monstruo de la eléctrica. Fuera de concurso

[@alexbogush]

Thank you Jesus

[@georgeanday6002]

I couldn't fathom the great Guthrie taking my order at a McDonalds whoa

[@jwardbass4452]

In the thumbnail he looks like he wants to sell me a potion and then steal my soul

[@COWASOGGY]

Never thought I'd hear the best guitar player on earth say "18 months of hard labor at mcdonalds" 😂

[@superdog797]

Self taught

[@einarabelc5]

This is what I heard: Step 1: Be better at Music than what you are at your career of choice. Step 2: Find people who are interested in what you do. Step 3: Get yourself known. Step 4: Start working..... I get a feeling Guthrie doesn't want to be more famous than he is because too much fame would return a sacrifice he doesn't want to make. He's up there with The Wrecking Crew in terms of Musical Ability, Glenn Campbell, Tony Tedesco, Hal Blaine. He could just go and do more session, but it's obvious the dude likes travelling....

[@Neuri]

I don't know Dorian and can't sight read for toffee!

[@ArtHoward]

I can't sight read for toffee, but will consider it for a York Peppermint Patty.

[@SYguitar]

如果非要问我：‘’你心中最厉害的吉他手是谁？‘’，我会毫不犹豫的说是Guthrie Govan！

[@muccisebastian9300]

孙越 yeah totally

[@qdaveq6597]

The truth is that almost everyone who makes a living from music, does so by teaching. This is true of many people I know who graduated from similar schools to ICMP. A well known teacher from such an institution once admitted to me that essentially they teach students to be teachers because that's their most likely source of income. I know people who play some big gigs and do some touring, but who reluctantly spend most days travelling to various primary schools to teach children guitar.

[@JamesKingsilentlife]

The same can be said for Fine Art schools. Most graduates become teachers. Trouble is, there are very few art schools teaching anything other than woolly contemporary art pseudo-philosophy, so the teaching has been gradually diluted over the years to today's homeopathic proportions. At least with music one can more or less distinguish between the decent musicians and the posers.

[@shreyasrd2034]

DrumWild I'd like to hear Ur mentor :) plsss tell us who he is

[@qdaveq6597]

I didn't say they were male.

[@JamesKingsilentlife]

qdaveq OUCH!

[@TheStones1965]

Brian May got a Phd later in life. Make money in music (if that’s still even possible) and study later on when there’s money in the bank. No student loans:))

[@skizooboy7145]

It helps if your also a wizard.

[@nigelgrimm6]

this guy'a freak!

[@razzle1964]

A guy from Essex who can play guitar like that, be as academically intelligent as that AND as humble as that. I effin’ hate him. From a guy in Essex who plays guitar reasonably averagely and is adequately academic. Only kidding. Great fella.😉✌️

[@wdalts]

You didn't go to university. You watched Game of Thrones lol

[@Beutax]

Does Guthrie have a set of double teeth on his right side??

[@leeDs718]

would kerry king be this nice? nah. definitely nah.

[@beepst]

1- Buy Ableton Live or FL Studio 2- Make a shitty EDM/RnB/Trap/Rap song. 3- Congrats!

[@goldsmithstrings6842]

I want to have his babies

[@stillsupro46]

Thats a scary looking gentleman

[@Guitarraeficaztutorialesytabs]

He´s even scarier when he is playing! I´ve seen him live in Argentina once. You won´t believe the power that skinny gentleman beholds. Go see him live whenever you can.

[@stillsupro46]

Facundo Cuevas Guitar I would love too! He is AMAZING from what ive seen and heard.

[@bouxesas2046]

He is great. But he should definitely fix his teeth.

[@salildeshpande7]

Bouxesas don't disturb the teeth, all uk musicians get their mojo from ugly teeth

[@kocskaadam1400]

He is Guthrie Govan, he is wearing his teeth as he wants.

[@mixrable1212]

If I were a dentist I’d fix his teeth for free I’d personally go to wherever he is to do so

[@LIESSUCK69]

Guthrie is a monster now with lots of money. He should fix his teeth.

[@2410-s9l]

NO MORE lies ...he'll fix his teeth when you fix your personality

[@2410-s9l]

NO MORE lies ...what for?

[@futile-evenings]

That teeth adds uniqueness and character

[@DeadGlassEyes]

I doubt he's rolling in cash. Guitar doesn't pay as much as it used to.

[@JamesKingsilentlife]

The fact that we get to see so much of his dentition is a testamant to how frequently he smiles, so guitar must be paying off somehow. Better to be dentally challenged and spiritually exalted than the other way round!