Guthrie Govan on Relaxed Picking Technique

Back in December 2014, we caught up with guitar virtuoso, Guthrie Govan who shared some of his wisdom. Here, Guthrie talks Swiss Army knives and relaxed-wrist picking. Learn more about DIME ONLINE courses at www.dime-onlin...

[@tonepoet]

His analogies are always dead on and make sense. Dude is a blessing to guitar. His playing is on another level but his explanations and demeanor are so down to earth.

[@therealmrfishpaste]

"Describe a wider arc"...this is an educated man...

[@noodle845]

Haha I was thinking that. What a genius thing to say 😄

[@TDo280199]

He did go to Oxford then dropped out to pursue music, so yeah you’re right.

[@jamesstephenson6621]

I went to school with Guthrie, 2 or 3 few years younger than him. Lots of talented people in my school...Squarepusher, my bud, was in my year. School music competitions were ridiculous! Guthrie and his brother Seth vs Squarepusher...let’s go! 🎸🎸🎸

[@richard8su]

Because he dropped the words "describe" & "arc"? Or are they separate comments? I respect your excitement, and agree with you, but it kind of bums me out to think an Oxford education is required to use these words.

[@therealmrfishpaste]

@@richard8su Who you talking to? Me or Ralph Do?

[@ten5ionator]

This man is sent to us mere mortals to describe, in the most poetic way, of how to understand some of the most difficult things to do on a guitar.

[@chrisbuckle7505]

yes and exceptional in the same vein as al demeola who was a master of techniques

[@franks.8189]

you can really hear how happy the guitar is to be played by Guthrie

[@aquasonicvacation9200]

I love Guthrie so much! What a legend and a blessing to us all

[@ClydeBuilt]

I met Guthrie on the street in Newcastle. A genuinely nice dude. Genuinely

[@kennethhacko4834]

If you did that at a funk gig, they wouldn't invite the drummer back!

[@Quicksilver_Cookie]

Incredible teacher, and undoubtedly one of the greatest musical minds and performers in modern music history. It's difficult not to be inspired by Guthrie.

[@DazReht]

1:30 Cory Wong just shed a tear

[@44Whisper44]

Tomo Fujita sobbed after watching this

[@michael_caz_nyc]

He is so good . . . it's scary. Love listening & learning from him. G.G. is such a phenomenal guitar player. Makes any technique look Effortless.

[@magnificentbastard666]

He is, all round fabulous. 🤣

[@steviebeavie1]

hahaha never do that at an actual funk gig! Guthrie is so smart. Looking forward to seeing what his next big move is, the Steven Wilson albums were incredible.

[@christopherstudley9374]

He, Paul Gilbert & Troy Grady are just such excellent teachers...so many valuable insights.

[@hunterwatkinsmusic1]

Great insight. Great player. Thank God the world still has musicians like this.

[@mijit.859]

Amazing articulate & co-ordination picking hand skills etc - wow 😯

[@GoodSneakers]

He is truly a master teacher. Apart from his master playing..

[@EVEROSFP1]

Love Guthrie. He is simple and very musical...

[@BryanGMusic20]

Who dislike this???????? The man trying to teach

Oh, wow... I am struggling with sloppy chordal playing and I run into this. Short, to the point, usefull. Made my day, definitely.

[@tonybmusic1166]

I’m 78 and been a pro for 60 years and developed arthritis on my right hand thumb. (I have osteoarthritis throughout my body and I guess it took this long to make it to my extremities). In May, I had a CMC (carpalmetacarpalarthroplasty) arthroplasty surgery to correct the problem and now my pinch strength is gone. Lately, been watching these videos along with doing all sorts of strengthening exercises to regain my picking hand back. It’s extremely frustrating because at one time I was an okay player. Although I also play both piano and trumpet, the guitar is my main love.

[@smoovegittar]

A natural teacher

[@algarvemike]

What a fantastic teacher, and a player of epic proportions. It almost seems unfair for one human to have this much musical ability, and in so many different styles too. Simply brilliant!

[@andymellor9056]

It's fair because it's backed up by dedicated and focussed study & practice. He's inspirational.

[@jasondowell3623]

No less astounding than his playing, is his explanations of guitar based, musical concepts.

[@Betoronado]

Best guitarrist alive in the world

[@HerbalistGuybrush]

All his non-necessary muscles - i.e. non-guitar related muscles - are atrophied. He is the guitar.

[@jeffreywinsor350]

This is amazing. I'm a long time player and I'm really trying to hone in on the right hand. Specifically trying to get really solid strumming. I'm primarily an acoustic player but this Govan clip is universal. Love to hear from others.

[@guitardude1981]

Great Guitarist and teacher with the voice of Sean Connery

[@NeilTurnbull007]

Great insights from Guthrie .That relaxed mode he seems to have is I think a key aspect of his approach to the guitar.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

What a humble genius! A marvelous talent indeed! :)

[@reyesplace1096]

Very informative and helpful

[@Holdsworthy]

Great stuff, and yeah, funky funk. You have your way with the guitar and words.

[@gibson2546]

Great technique 👍👍👍

[@MarkFryGuitar]

Complete legend 🤘

[@zergfan3]

Definitely doing that at a funk gig one day

[@oneofsecrecy]

I bet he is an awesome drummer.

[@ripcord93]

As soon as he finished the funk technique at 1:34, I was saying to myself that I would practice this lick for a funk jam! and then 1:35 happened!

[@OTHRWORLD]

I thought my video speed was was on ×1.25 this guy is a cyborg wizard

[@RobertSmith-lg7jp]

Those who cant do teach , except for GG he just masters everything .

[@notaliberalfromcali6245]

The hi hat and the guitar can play in sync at times

[@FreeRansom101]

How tf can he play every single genre perfectly

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

Guthrie is right, the more relaxed your hand, arm and in general self are the better your going to play. Al Di Meola says the same thing...keep a relaxed flowing wrist and it bloody helps with everything especially the fast parts.

[@neilrachlen5644]

The best in the world. Imo🎉

[@ic_clearly]

My one chance to meet Guthrie, I was a little buzzed and came off like a fan boy... I can kick myself in the ass now.. Grrrrr..

[@roblosh8417]

Haha I’m just like this meeting even the least famous of my favorite musicians

[@hearpalhere]

He's scary good!

[@adamBnEII]

its such a shame that the online course has been terminated

[@V8LC100]

Which course?

[@joerectifier]

The Swiss Army knife…..Guthrie is fucking amazing.

[@philgowan6298]

Freak. Love him.

[@tasosdiaforetico7377]

Dig that. As an experienced teacher I'd learn so much from U as I would me Guthrie. 30 year's teacher

[@tasosdiaforetico7377]

You may. Studied with the best

[@felixkhawlhring1367]

I'm worried if I do this my hand will fly away 😂

[@promitroy95]

0:48 IT AIN'T FAMILIAH

[@1alb]

Unbelievable technique! I look forward to when he learns how to play a melody or two.

[@Guppusmaximus]

You can always play your Robert Johnson albums if this is too much for you.

[@DerEchteBold]

He wrote some wonderful melodies, what I don't like about his music are the transitions between parts, they always seem so random and disconnected.

[@1alb]

Guppusmaximus Blues (Robert Johnson) don’t have melodies, hence, shows how much you know!

[@1alb]

DerEchteBold Yes agree, they always sound like bits jammed together. Probably a drawback from his transcribing days. Phenomenal player just not very tuneful for a whole song. Having said this, I’d love to have him solo on one of my songs where I can help him out with a proper melody:)

[@DerEchteBold]

@@1alb I actually very much prefer his hooklines over the fast soloing, like in Bad Asteroids or Waves for example. The fast stuff is a great gimmick, for a moment, but there's always way too much of it, to my taste that makes it kinda meaningless and it loses all impact rather quickly.

[@ginsuumthang9588]

GG is Guitar God

[@JM-co6rf]

his 'amusing' is my 'amazing'

[@m.e.h.r.a.n._h]

i love this guy #guitargod

[@willygonzales1034]

Manuel Gardner thought he invented that picking

[@TahaGhailan]

1:07 amazing

[@garryleach8517]

He's well clever in he.

[@wilkstheguitarman3103]

I think he might be a genius

[@tcoudi]

i wonder if Ian Anderson is proud on his lost son.

[@BobGnarley.]

never been able to use a pick at all accurately, but if I fully tense up and use the pinky to push my other fingers into the thumb (the italian hand) it works great. Uncomfortable as shit though. I envy you guys who can use a pick like it's part of your body

[@chucktrier]

Sorry but it is difficult for us mortals. I have been working on this fast strumming stuff for years. But it sounds so cool, so I keep winding the arc.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Tried to be a swiss army knife ... no shredder I, my guitar actually seems pretty shredded by now. I guess I am just another case of "instructions unclear" ...

[@nothingclever99]

Hmmm... No idea where this right hand technique may have originated.

[@goldcoins9311]

I think God may have sent the thrid coming of Chirst with a guitar!

[@TWalsh2]

2:01 Guitar Jesus describes the Arc of the Covenant to us mere mortals.

[@Deathshuck]

I love Guthrie of course and always have, but if I have to listen to Wonderful Slippery Thing or Waves one more time, I'm going to stab my ears with icepicks. They're great songs of course but he seriously needs to release a new album. It's kind of weird how long he's been able to get away with playing the same songs for almost 15 years now.

[@michalszerszen9638]

I mean... the aristocrats exist

[@alexjackson8841]

Yeah he hasn’t got away with playing the same stuff you just haven’t heard of anything else haha. Check the aristocrats out they’re really great

[@Kwert]

...and three albums worth of Aristocrats material. I know all three of the guys write but it's just a trio and his playing is never not a focus in those songs. Might not be your thing, but there's also his work on Steven Wilson's solo material which (IMO) is very worth checking out.

[@johndcoffee632]

Four Aristocrats albums, two with Steven Wilson.

[@Guppusmaximus]

I mean, do you seriously NOT know about The Aristocrats or his work with Steven Wilson? I'm genuinely curious. I prefer Tres Caballeros over the latest album (I also prefer Porcupine Tree to SW's solo stuff) but between those two bands / "projects", he's played a lot never mind his "guest" appearances and playing with Hans Zimmer Live.

[@artompkins7958]

I can play every note on every string, but it still doesn’t sound like this guy Guthrie. Wonder what I’m doing wrong…

[@SEngelsg]

"People think it is difficult" ... My arse... how is it possible to stay so relaxed and still move like a nuclear powered startled cat.

[@happyinsaeng]

언니

[@Manoel_Franco_Fernandes_Neto]

GUTHRIE GOVAN: A mix of all guitarists in one... You're not from this planet man

[@aeronsipat5838]

not that difficult because he is Guthrie govan..one of the guitar gods

[@houmm08]

Who the hell does he remind me of? Can't put my finger on it. Anyways, he's amazing 👏

[@spiritotheking]

You mean Jesus Our Savior

[@houmm08]

@@spiritotheking 😄, no. I think I am thinking the great Ian Anderson.

[@GaryT85.]

He is actually guitar Jesus

[@patrickmckay6621]

Ha,the swiss armee knife, .....

[@alexparadise91]

Your last funking

[@muffntheB]

why did you chop this up into 2min sections? this material isnt for anybody with an attention span that small

[@skidjs]

I learned nothing.

[@Glitch-nr9ct]

I can play WAY slower than him.

[@mikewelch3747]

Playing without tension isn't possible though I've been trying so hard for years but nothing. Giutar teachers think that because they can do it then anyone can. Not everyone has those special muscles you need to be born with with to do it and to play guitar you must have them. It's not fucking fair and I hate giutarists

[@7riXter]

he is the true swiss army man... not daniel 😅

[@tonybarber420]

Marty friedman entered the chat...

[@warmoth68]

Anything this guy says. Is gospel. Just listen like a sponge and absorb! Experiment and learn.

[@marcellesraman4560]

ye..just play...thats playin guitar..

[@monsterzero1965]

Relax, dont do it

[@seanc2061]

lol I learned nothing

[@mavisser3211]

useless info

[@magnificentbastard666]

Guthrie is the best at that chordal strum thing. Always amazes me. And they not triplets he says, straight 16ths. I can't do it. 🤡