Talking Guitar Solos (on Violin) with Nina DiGregorio

Nearly every amplified violinist has tried, at least once, to cover a famous guitar solo. Usually, we very quickly discover that getting it to "sound right" is a lot harder than it looks.
First, guitars and violins are very different instruments. So, even from a mechanical perspective, we're working uphill. And then there's the issue of getting the effects right.
In this interview, Nina talks about how she has mastered the art of covering the most iconic guitar solos in rock history so well that she's often accused of pantomiming to the original recording.
Her work has earned her the praise of famous rock guitar players like Peter Frampton and Alex Lifeson, along with members of Van Halen.

[@molotulo8808]

I'm from Buffalo, NY. And, I started playing violin back in April of '24 (6 weeks at 64 years old)! Go, Gamalon, Buffalo's greatest band!

[@RobertRoweMusic]

What a great interview! Thanks for putting this whole series together, Matt!

[@WEdHarris]

What a wonderful interview with such an amazing talent!! Nina is absolutely wonderful! I'm just a humble Irish Fiddle player and this is so inspirational! Really really enjoyed this!!

[@JoeDeninzonStratospheerius]

As a violinist who grew up playing guitar and worshipping the likes of Steve Vai, Nuno Bettencourt, and EVH, one of my fascinations for many years has been trying to recreate their famous solos on the Viper….But you took it to another level! I never had the patience and the level of meticulousness that you have to get every sound just right. I bow my head in awe…

[@NinaDiGregorio]

Thanks, Joe! I’ve been a fan of yours for some time. Would love to chat Viper specifics one day!

[@JoeDeninzonStratospheerius]

Let’s do it!

[@molotulo8808]

I run my Yamaha sv-200 electric violin through my Boss Me-80 multiple effects pedal. Awesome.

[@MindRabbits]

good solos

[@molotulo8808]

What do you all think about drums?

[@ElectricViolinShop]

I think you should have a fantastic drummer. If you don't, you're just wasting your time and everyone else's. Past that, I don't really think about it much.

[@LezamaDamian]

The solos are fake. She is also fake. This interview was obviously AI generated. 😜 Amazing how she keeps going after the hardest challenges, kind of makes me yell "dudette just grab a guitar!". Jokes aside, it's really enjoyable to see what she can do with so much talent and hard work. I discovered her recently with one of the Pink Floyd solos video and my jaw hit the floor. Thanks Matt for all the great content you're putting here.

[@ElectricViolinShop]

You had me in the first half, not gonna lie.

[@NinaDiGregorio]

Gloves were ALMOST off… 😂

[@LezamaDamian]

@@NinaDiGregorio Noooo, never feed the trolls! Let them die of indifference, they are not worth your precious time, use it instead to record some more amazing stuff for the ones that can appreciate it 😊

[@molotulo8808]

Play a good synthesizer and you really dont need any other instruments.