PER NILSSON improvises picklessly over NILI BROSH's "A Matter of Perception"

My friend Nili Brosh has teamed up with Premier Guitar and launched a 'melody writing contest', using her song "A Matter of Perception" as a backing track for the contestants to compose their melodies on top of. The jury picking out the winner consists of Nili, Jason Becker, Marco Sfogli and Greg Howe.
The contest is open until July 25th and there are some really cool prizes, check it out:
www.premierguitar.com/blogs/4/...
Nili reached out to me, asking me to do my own take on this melody writing challenge, but I enjoyed jamming over the track so much that I looped it and just improvised away! I tried to show some restraint and favor melody before shred, though I'm not sure I succeeded hehe :)
GEAR USED:
My .strandberg* Singularity prototype, with EMG 57-7 bridge pickup and True Temperament frets
I used Brainworx amazing ampsim bx_megasingle for my tone, and added some effects (phaser, delay, reverb) in Cubase
Strings are courtesy of Dunlop - but this time no Jazz III pick as I'm playing with fingers here :)

[@constantinosmavroyannis9409]

per nilsson is so good his hair migrated from his head to his chin to hear what he plays better

[@aponcapone]

Dude that's funny. We love Greece BTW. Greeting from The Netherlands♥️🇬🇷🇱🇺♥️

[@constantinosmavroyannis9409]

@@aponcapone thx man greetings from greece

[@davidencoification]

@@constantinosmavroyannis9409 you mean greecings

[@inter-vals_9484]

I lmao'ed

[@colins7771]

best guitar comment ive seen in a while

[@JaredDines_]

holy shit

[@khoile4271]

Jared, it's approaching the end of the year... Why not get Per here or Fredrik to come in and collab for Djent 2021? We all want it so f-in bad, seriously.

[@UknownNephilim]

you need to get Per on the shred collab

[@xxn0thing]

This will still be good 100 years from now.

[@alanhaynes418]

Not much else being made these days will sadly.

[@lonewolf1053]

💯👍

[@maskfacechristianworship604]

I cannot overstate how much I adore this video, it's my favourite improvised guitar solo ever. I cannot comprehend how you could get to that level. The note choices and dexterity blow my mind.

[@mesaboogie404]

my favorite too

[@fs7572]

I also come back 3 to 4 times a year to listen and enjoy.

[@josvgorkum7968]

Breathtaking! How easy would it be to drown this song in zillion notes, but you only pick the right ones. Pure genius.

[@lonewolf1053]

Honestly some of the most melodic leads I've ever heard...

[@CerberusLives]

Per, please do an instrumental album. I could listen to this kinda stuff for days on end.

[@dsavish]

exactly what i was gonna say lol i already have alot of his stuff off tube converted to mp3.

[@moariboichannel2107]

KCerberusLives lol

[@thegatesofsleep]

Not going to lie half the time I just skip to your solos and listen to them, rewind, listen to them and I repeat this process more times than I’d like to admit. Your soul bleeds through your fingers into the guitar and it’s a remarkable thing.

[@patrickmckay6621]

Push the Holdsworth-door Open for the kids....

[@beauskelton7796]

Please?

[@leeDs718]

love the major sections. it sounds heroic and legendary

[@TaveGarcia]

Dude, you have your heart and feelings in your hands.

[@analogghosts9853]

I rarely watch a guitar video that makes me smile. I was grinning ear to ear watching this. It's not just the crazy talent, it's the choices, the approach. It's a beautiful thing.

[@pepincuatro2865]

I was just laughing out loud at how ridiculously amazing this is. Almost every time I replayed each phrase. This guy could improvise like that for hours, and I could listen to him every second

[@Walvid]

This is what happens if you choose melody over shredding. Pure magic.

[@AlAndScher]

have to agree. He soars very close aside Mr. Holdsworth

[@roberics6720]

But this is shredding on the highest level, imo. Awesome!

[@Walvid]

@@roberics6720 OK ok... Melodic shredding. The best kind...

[@Walvid]

@@roberics6720 OK ok... Melodic shredding. The best kind...

[@Sebastian_Mroczek]

This guy is like Eric Johnson of metal. Love it ! Shred-melodic is what the world needs now

[@atomiclambda]

i really appreciate nilli brosh for composing this piece but damn, per Nilsson is the perfect performer for this song!

[@robertstockdale7729]

A month ago I didn’t even know this guy existed but since getting into Kaipa I’m truly amazed at how good he is as a player I can highlight all the true talent he has

[@niopomilia1485]

4:58 - Absolutely beautiful.

[@Sadowsky46]

Rick Graham brought me here 👍

[@DanielVerberne]

I keep coming back to this video, to me it's a masterclass on chord tones, on knowing the fretboard, of being musically inventive within a framework of knowledge of chords and what makes tension and disonnance and release, of excitement balanced with calm.... And the technique ... well, many, many guitarists have technique .. this is coupling that incredible delivery .... check out 3:20 ... the intonation of the bends, the subtle volume control..... and 4:29 - Wow .... what IS that otherworldly sweep/arpeggio just here? Lovely! In short, this is how I play in my dreams, when the stars are aligned.

[@alanhaynes418]

Many guitarists can play quickly - but this guy stands out for his complete musicality in everything that he plays. THAT is very rare indeed.

[@forever3797]

I usually absolutely hate guitar shredder songs and albums but I could listen to this all day especially when the change kicks in - Per's melodies are amazing...

[@_BLACKSTAR_]

The fact that it's pickless shredding is very cool & speaks to the amazing action on that finely crafted guitar.

[@timothy6966]

That's one of the reasons this guy is my favorite guitarist. He has all the crazy skills, but only uses it to enhance his playing, not to dominate it.

[@forever3797]

@@timothy6966 I agree - as it should be with all players

[@lolsensei5302]

He is not shredding tho. So you dont have to start with "I normally hate guitar shredder but."

[@forever3797]

@@lolsensei5302 Could you please provide me with the correct definition of shredding? I'm just like you, I like to be right.

[@beautifulgirl219]

I have to return to listen to this every so often. Beautiful, if flows from Per's soul. Thank you. :)

[@Xtianisms]

Finally, a legato-style player i can really dig since early Kotzen. Truly inspiring stuff!

[@jerryporter1700]

My Lord...this may be the best thing I've ever heard...gorgeous melodies...

[@RGVGeek]

Still one of my favorite solos ever!

[@markgaines2884]

Simply stunning. I'd buy whole albums of compositions like this. I'm glad I stumbled on this and your work with Kaipa. It helps to fill the void left by the passing of Alan Holdsworth.

[@MLGB0Yz]

I keep coming back to this all the time, ughhhh

[@rickardjohansson8394]

You deserve so much more recognition for your talent

[@DanielVerberne]

I keep coming back to this clip. I honestly think that if I was Per and i'd recorded something like this, I'd die a happy musician. I think its an improv, but its such a fantastic display of skill, restraint, melody, shred and taste. Just love it!

[@HaNguyen-kn2tg]

OMFG. I found this channel from Ola Coffee talk with Per Nilsson. His playing and melodic improvisation is one of the bests that I have ever heard. The melodies are so refreshing from what I usually listen to.

[@pascTV]

Same here, 2 years later. 😄

[@StanAlien]

This is pure masterpiece!!!

[@merdenoms74]

Not much impresses me these days, but that impressed the hell out of me. Beautiful combination of technical prowess and feel. I just became a fan!

[@scotabot7826]

Stunningly Beautiful. I can't get over how clean this guys picking is!! Mind blown for sure!!!!!!!!!!!

[@leonardogzm]

What a master.

[@ScarGuitar]

YOU are a master!

[@behindthen0thing]

@@ScarGuitar lol

[@Ymiraku]

@@ScarGuitar you're fucking awesome

[@ricksouza9299]

fingerstyle guitar has such a warm, soothing sound

[@JaxonBurn]

His improv is a million times better than any solo I could write, even if I took 30 years to compose it.

[@Soloist1983]

Sounds like an evolutions of Satriani's technique, sound and feel, great player. I like this tons better than a lot of the "over the top" players these days.

[@ruairimadigan863]

I was in work yesterday..had earphones on....had this on repeat for two solid hours....not ONCE did I feel the need to listen to anything else...the true definition of a Masterclass in Guitar Playing...Jesus...keep it going Per...amazing. Oh yeah...you play with Meshuggah as well...Fahk me.....and now I know all about the awesome Nili Brosh as well...who says music is dead...Healthier than ever!

[@cyrilhartman9747]

I saw you yesterday with Meshuggah (in Besançon - France), you're an awesome player !

[@JarkMohnson]

You're hands down one of the most inspirational modern guitar players in my book. And the fact that you haven't released a solo album saddens me. Keep up the amazing work Per!

[@gerthum]

I have watched this video dozens of times. Amazing playing. So so tasteful and expressive. Incredible stuff. Great work! Thanks for sharing!

[@apostolispaspalakis2627]

Per ive been listening to your playing since your first album. I'm 33 now and even after so many years and experiences in life, you are still, in my humble and honest opinion, the best guitarist and one of the nicest genuine human beings on this planet. Keep doing your wonderful thing man and i cant wait for phase II !!!.

[@guitpizz]

Never heard of Per before but this is solid. Beautiful combo melody and top notch execution. I particularly like how he goes about playing a bit stuffy rythmjcally just before coming up like open sky line that kind of feel very light and aerial. Best.

[@vsopowered6477]

Is this a masterpiece? Yes. IS it inspiring? Yes. Does it make me want the guitar? Yes. Have I listened to it over 100 times? Yes.

[@alanhaynes418]

It made me want to take up the kazoo instead.....

[@parzooman]

Love your guitar playing as much as I love Roine Stolt's. Both of you (like Frank Zappa did) have an incredible ability to create a journey with your solos. They're like short stories with beginning, middle and end, but always going somewhere. They don't ramble. Instead they are headed towards a destination that is as satisfying as the beginning and middle are exhilarating. Kudos. I will forever be a fan.

[@SHREADMETAL]

His feel is unmatched!!!!

[@cbayardelle]

I listen to this in my car, I have listened to this beautiful melodic solo over & over.

[@stevehunt914]

I like that one bit he does that starts at 0.00 and ends at 5.11. Amazing. I'm throwing away my guitar and taking up knitting instead. (ps,... Per,.. please stay away from knitting)

[@zhou_sei]

underappreciated smartassery

[@merqury5]

Yep, lets just sell our guitars for firewood.

[@martymacmoore]

man everyone is unique in a different way I feel the same but shouldn't encourage us to move farther distances... for heaven sake I can't even play like that with guitar pick let alone finger style...

[@ccspaul99]

Omg... this is stunningly beautiful! So outside of Meshuggah... and shows a whole other level of depth. 10/10!

[@DavidZHmar]

Per, I accidentally find you on KZbin.. I like the way you phrase, your tone, vibration everything. Please do an instrumental album 👍. Love and support from Aizawl, Mizoram, North-east India.

[@TheFloatingBartender]

Goosebumps the whole way through. Wow

[@TruthSurge]

2:38 haha pretty sick sliding.

[@AldoKoskettimet]

love your heaven and hell cover!

[@irena7777777]

This is impressive. Shawn Lane level aptitude and really melodic as well. Beautiful piece of music.

[@ayandey137]

Every time I see Shawn Lane getting mentioned in a comment, I feel so happy that people love his work, every time he touched the guitar, the guitar was Shawn and Shawn was a higher form of life

[@irena7777777]

@@ayandey137 Well said. He was a musical genius.

[@PeteNoTreble]

Aaaand I just can't stop listening this. Again. Again. Again and ....

[@thegatesofsleep]

Per has been my favourite guitarist for quite a number of years now. I’m just amazed how he can pull an improvisation out of nowhere like that. I could have 5 years to work on this song everyday and it wouldn’t come close to the talent and song writing capabilities shown in his playing. I guess that’s why I’m listening to his music and not the other way around haha.

[@truslyd]

Doesnt sound forced at all with the music he playin over...it sounds written...great stuff..

[@stevenjones6780]

I never really took note of the actual contour of the "fret progression" on a neck like this and what it says about my typical intonation and tuning challenges. Very usefull...

[@PHIllip324]

"I tried to show some restraint and favor melody before shred, though I'm not sure I succeeded hehe" You will never fail at that, Per, because you do both pretty much all the time.

[@SaturnineXTS]

Case in point - the solo from Veil of Illusions. Man is that one good.

[@noseonscent1935]

Superb melodic soulful playing. Rock on brother!

[@Priyadarshan_Nag]

Best improviser ever! 💯

[@beautifulgirl219]

DEE-LIGHTFUL! Thanks to everyone involved with putting this on the internet. :)

[@MaXaNoMaLoUs]

Oh man he really got cooking at the end there! There’s always extra tone when someone plays without a pick, the attack is just sweeter, plus this legato is awesome. I’m a super holdsworth n Thordendal fan and I love this guys tone! No wonder he filled in for Fred

[@macdad159]

You are my new favorite guitarist. I was so impressed with this playing I bought all of your music.

[@OriginalZybeZ]

I could listen to this as as song, like create a whole album with this type of music

[@Knight-brolaire]

easily one of my favorite guitarists.

[@DaveyFantom]

This has become my 'Have to watch to start the day on a good mood' goto video. sublime.

[@22fret]

Man, that was just absolutely marvellous...

[@zachrahr618]

Incredible. Truly a master of your art. What an inspiration!

[@thespectator2976]

I sold my axe years ago, but Per recorded this and im going to buy a new one. Ibanez RG series.

[@DanielVerberne]

I keep coming back to this clip. What amazing playing, hitting all the right notes without sounding unnecessarily shreddy. I've always wanted to sound as melodic, as exotic, as modal, as soulful, as bluesy, as this and never have. Per is the dog's bollocks. (Awesome, I mean!)

[@jazzsax8Vlad]

that is AMAZING!!! I wish to hear it till the end

[@karsweirds]

As a bassist almost always playing fingerstyle. It looks so much more natural to use fingers instead of a dead piece of plastic. Props to you Per.

[@nihilanth_mudrarakshas]

I came here after I heard you play with Meshuggah, and I am glad I am listening to this.

[@georgeser1150]

Per,,,,,, you are BLESSED , OBSESSED and POSSESSED !!!

[@JasstoJazz420]

I admire this mans musical accomplishments. Ola sent me here. You are truly a beast Sir. Nilsson.

[@vigaren]

det är verkligen OTROLIGT hur fint du spelar och vilka STÖRDA chops du verkligen kan släppa lös!! sjukt imponerande som vanligt!

[@andersplantewsm]

best improvisation I ever heard in my life. I wish I had your guitar playing ability.

[@ryanexsus]

I love how he just bullshittin and he's spitting those hot fire licks at you so clean so fresh

[@DanielVerberne]

Apart from the perfect note-choice, that beautiful warm tone, just a beautiful rich timbre.

[@chris214a]

I'm a simple man, I see a Per Nilsson video...I click like! Plain and simple! 🤘🏻

[@Derbixrace]

finally a simple man i like, other simple men press like when they see boobs...

[@givemeajackson]

i press like when i see a guy with a phenom II x6 picture as his profile picture... oh the glory days, let's hope they'll return beginning next year.

[@fredericoferreira8388]

as simple as it gets!!!!

[@Frozmoh]

Talked w u at House of metal such a humble man and epic player. U told me bout the early days when u played ur fingers off and could not play for a long time. Like 3-4 years? Maybe that did good in the end i thiink. All the best wishes and you are truly an inspiration 4 me! Thanx!

[@ayandey137]

Per is the best at phrasing ever since Shawn. Beautiful ❤

[@blackdahlia6282]

What a player, unbelievable guitarist

[@FutureBreed13]

picklessly and flawlessly... your playing is sooo clean, no wonder you're one of my favourite guitarists

[@Davide608]

I could listen to this forever.

[@shredlabstudios]

So great the frets melted! Some of those phryg dom phrases gave me full on chills!

[@aftaflash]

TrustTheRust seriously though, what’s up with those frets?

[@max-mr7bw]

0:56 Боже, в одной этой фразе вся красота миксолидийского лада❤

[@daryllmitchell7428]

Beautiful Per, well done...

[@joelsmith4816]

Absolutely spectacular.

[@SHREADMETAL]

I have watch this video for the past two days. Thats how much this means to me!!! WOW

[@aicragmar6630]

MAGNIFIQUE ! Pari gagné haut la main ! La mélodie, les harmonies, la fluidité du jeu, tout concourt à faire de cette contribution originale un morceau unique à partir du modèle de Nili Brosh, également suberbe ! Et il s 'agit d'une improvisation ! sans médiator !! ni vibrato au chevalet !!! Bravo Monsieur Per Nilsson !

[@dukefl]

daaaaaaaaamn.......so inspiring and elevating ....a true master at work.....

[@doughboy777]

This is sooooooooooooo good. Perfect combination of chops, tone, taste, feel & phrasing.

[@Vapir87]

Epic beard, epic guitar playing. I wish we heard from you more often dude! You and Loomis are people I could hear all the time!

[@YaoEspirito]

Chris Poland is another guy who really satisfies with creative ideas like this.

[@driftthekaliyuga7502]

That lick is from 4:57 to 5:02 is awesome. Great build up to it with the legato too. Great stuff as always.

[@ScarGuitar]

That's probably my own favourite lick from the entire improv, but shortly after I fucked up badly which is why the video is ending a bit abruptly, just before my playing turned to utter crap hehe :)

[@AgeofReason]

thank you for this. I also enjoy finger picking. Excellent speech thru music on your part.

[@MikaelLV]

The run at 4:15 to 4:26 is so tight. God damn. This is some of the best improve I have seen Per. You are a legend.

[@oscarsanchez1327]

absolutely beautiful!!

[@gitsrettep7608]

That moist tube-like sound.., and so melodic. I Can feel it running up my spine...2.45-3.20, brings a tear to my eye and soul. Love♥️

[@johnmccullim]

per man, finger touch tone,,note selectio, phrasing and feel. man you got it all. album????

[@JayV426]

Lost count of how many times I've watched this, can't like it enough!!!

[@NiclasGrobolsek_]

simply amazing...

[@marktrentecosta]

Fantastic playing!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@davidandersson6311]

simply amazing!