When I First Heard This Solo... I KNEW He Was The BEST Guitarist Alive

[@LeviClay]

Download my 10 most popular transcriptions for FREE - bit.ly/Top10Tabs

[@sammathis]

I'm amazed that someone can transcribe this. That's a skill in itself.

[@twangbarfly]

At this level, a HUGE skill I would say!!!!!

[@VidarXR]

I was thinking the same. How on earth do he get this down on paper?

[@Bongus75]

Guthrie once told he when he started practising he slowed the songs down to better comprehend what`s happening. Maybe Levi does the same.

[@neilcreamer8207]

Guthrie Govan's first job in the music industry was transcribing material like this. He earned it by transcribing a pice by Shawn Lane.

[@johnhartley3022]

Harder to transcribe imo. The guy playing has a lot/ most techniques and phrases internalized but the transcriber is starting from scratch. You got beyond amazing skills Levi

[@kojam1]

You know, it's gotta REALLY suck to be him. He can NEVER know how AMAZING it is to watch/listen to him play. My heart goes out to him.

[@brownholecharles]

I get your point .. He might appear to be humble but he knows he is quite likely the best guitarist on the stage at any given moment in time. but players at his caliber are always looking to play with peers so they can improve themselves. Would love to see him play with Sylvain Luc, another guitarist with astounding technical ability and deep, deep understanding of music.

[@mejsjalv]

A bit like being Paul McCartney and hearing your music everywhere, all the time, for ages. Or John Deacon, who retired decades ago, but still "Another One Bites the Dust", "I want to break free" or "You're my best friend" just show up everywhere. Really wonder what he listens to for fun or what players he still looks up to. Guthrie gives the impression that he listens to just about anything.

[@phillewis3108]

Similarly, Dave Gilmour once pointed out that he'd never had the experience of hearing Dark Side of the Moon for the first time!

[@a.s.2426]

I don't get it.

[@joshcoughx]

I watch myself all the time thinking "oh that was just wicked!", and I'm not 1/1000000th the guitarist he is. If I can do it, he can do it.

[@guitar9310]

My god man. It's not how fast he is, it's that he has multiple personalities on the guitar and can channel multiple instruments using one ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@ThaRocker86]

I swear his guitar screams when he plays those 1 1/2 step bends, just WOW

[@SeagoGuitarist]

Guthrie is such a feel player IMO. He really flies in the face of the 'Uh, more than 3 notes? Booo, no feel, waaahh it's not pentatonic, I'm scared.' arguments. What I find most incredible about Guthrie, is the standard at which he can improvise. I assume it's more down to his chord/theory knowledge than anything else. But he seems to have such a good feel for the music going on behind him. Like he's listening as much as he's playing. But can absolutely melt your face off at any second. Super dynamic player too. I just will always remember with first discovering Guthrie, that two live videos of his might be totally different for the solo. I didn't notice it immediately. But after watching 4 or 5 versions of the same song it was a big realisation. Like, 'Oh, Fek, he can just pull off madness on the spot if he wants, he's improvising in the moment and it sounds like it's an advanced, written piece.' outrageous player. 👍👍👌

[@bes5164]

I dont think he is thinking about what exact notes are in the chords that are playing in the background. He just know it.

[@ChienJaune01]

I think the theory only comes in support of the sheer love of music he displays. He's got a very deep and wide vocabulary that can only come with listening to lots of genres and honing one's ear. Having grown in an era where shredding was competitive and full of macho bullshit, I fully embrace the good natured, unassuming GG as a guitar god full of music and enthusiasm.

[@SeagoGuitarist]

@@ChienJaune01 Agreed, I think, more or less he's able to make incredibly complicated, informed decisions without thinking too much about it, if that makes sense? I can jam over predictable music forms without much trouble. I can get a little advanced, too from having some classical music background in me. But Guthrie seems like he has an encyclopedia and a photographic memory, which he has unlimited access to.

[@cechichan]

@@bes5164 I think i found the best answer to this, taken from a piano jazz youtuber, 'around 60%vocabulary, 30% theory(understanding it all) 10% ear/imagination)

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

Yep…with Guthrie being quite autodidactic from a very young age, he’s definitely absorbed a LOT of musical information as well as developed his chops Unlike some shredders who shall remain nameless, he never seems like he’s bolting together the same dozen licks in a different order, rather, he’s making improvisational decisions from a VAST store of experience and knowledge Also, his tone is remarkably expressive…too often I’ve found some shredders have a very compressed and processed sound. On the one hand it means their picking and legato are clear…but it can also mean quite the dynamic flatline. Hate to say it, but Tony MacAlpine’s tone on occasions has suffered from this. Finally, great to hear some Jerry Donahue bends at the start!

[@leltraco1983]

Man... that song from the aristrocats always make me cry, it's so beautiful, very thankful to be alive and listen that song

[@martinpaddle]

That's why I love seeing the Aristocrats live, even though I don't realllly listen to their recorded stuff. Every show is unique, there's lots of mind-blowing improvisation

[@Sphereal]

The fact that some people out there still hear no feel in Guthrie's playing baffles me. I guess there are tons of deaf guitar players. Guthrie's fast playing is as soulful as it is insane.

[@LeighGhostTao]

100% agree, those fast runs make you feel like you're 'teleporting' or free-falling, they create a physical rush and therefore an emotional experience as well.....but oh wait, Bill the Blooz Boomer will be along with his 3 note lick (ending in a nervous bend) to correct us and tell us 'less is always more'..

[@y007p3]

That’s because it’s a kind of a fashion statement. The only requirement for something to be ‘soulless’ is that it’s something that is played fast. You don’t hear the same thing about pianists.

[@akimbo139]

It's just jealousy, they can't play fast so they repeat their stupid mantras...

[@pauljamison8546]

i just don't think they understand what they're listening too, or are too stubborn to appreciate more than what they already like. imo guthrie is all feel - that he has the 'gift' means he can also play at blistering speed with with all the techniques and theoretical knowledge all at once as well. he's a phenomenon.

[@stevielavietv8957]

He’s only feel

[@akermusic]

I've been playing and learning guitar for 7 years, and that was the first solo that's ever made me cry. I'm gonna watch it again.

[@brownholecharles]

One of the best players alive today without doubt. The man and his instrument are one and the same; effortless technique - there's no struggle in the performance .. the notes flow with intention. The audience "hears" what Guthrie is thinking and expressing.

[@Cheximus]

Very well put.

[@das250250]

It looks completely relaxed and effortless total focus on musicality

[@jameshoodmusic6414]

I'm so glad you have transcribed this solo, I always find myself coming back to this one. I did it for a recital in university and believe me it was a challenge to serve the song as well as Guthrie, just an absolute monster!

[@cliffprowse3341]

Country, Blues, Jazz, Shred Rock, Neo Soul… so many elements perfectly executed in this piece of music.

[@JimStubblefieldGuitarist]

Alvas Showroom in San Pedro, CA. Played there many times. Glad to see the Aristocrats in Cali.

[@johnmac8084]

Technique with feeling, love it. Not very often I see 1/64th notes, that's a lot of notes to transcribe Levi, thanks for your time

[@isologuitar996]

Absolutely mind blowing. And Levi, your transcription skills are next level. Today's Wolf Marshall!

[@smudge1619]

That's a high honor, Wolf and Andy Aledort are Gods.

[@davecooper360]

The transcription and chord changes underneath is the best guitar thing ive ever seen on KZbin. Thank you sir!

[@DizzyKrissi]

It cannot get any better than this. Even more considering it is improvised.

[@a.s.2426]

What do you mean by "better"?

[@Jeff-ik9zj]

Wow i cant believe someone finally transcribes this masterwork

[@obiem9319]

Oh heck yeah! My old teacher. Thank you for posting this lesson! Best electric guitar on Earth!

[@coda5934]

Guthrie was your teacher!?

[@petemorrisrocks4922]

Great work mate. This is almost certainly my fav Guthrie solo 🤘🏽

[@powerseostrategy]

I've transcribed many classical guitar compositions which were all very technical but I can't image transcribing this - Awesome!

[@cooleasytabs]

Amazing transcription! ❤❤❤

[@RobertGabor]

Guthrie is from other dimension. Even his random played notes gives some harmonic equation solution in pure scales..

[@douglaslima2749]

Awesome dude! Your transcribing ability is amazing!

[@chrisbarkerguitar]

Always a masterclass watching him…absolutely stunning player! 🎸🤘

[@krob5375]

Guthrie is what all guitarists aspire to be. His ability to improvise and just play what he feels/thinks is so special. He's gotten to that super rare peak where he has all the knowledge he needs, and the music can just pour out of him.

[@dschreiber9882]

Spectacular Transcription! Thank you so much!

[@DorianDeLuca]

Guthrie Govan is peerless. Never been anyone like him, and never will again.

[@a.s.2426]

Say more. This is a pretty general statement. If by “peerless” we mean “unique” then this is literally the case for every guitarist on the planet.

[@2good2betrue3]

This -> "He's never losing the groove and never losing the vibe of the track."👍No matter what kind of backing tracks or live grooves he's playing over, Guthrie's playing is always impecable and tasty, always mixing melodic control and jaw droping technicality, but never sacrificing either. Like from 2:18 to 3:05 - He's playing a very melodic Jeff Beck lines before exploding at 3:22 to 3:27 for some crazy Buckethead tapping licks then finally finishing off at 3:50 onwards with some tasty Vai like wah pedal hammers and pulls all on the same track!😯 That's why Guthrie is the BEST rock/fusion Guitar improviser Ever!🤘

[@lgb1974]

“Losing” 😉

[@2good2betrue3]

@@lgb1974 yeah, just mistyped. 🙃thanks!

[@skierpage]

Guthrie Govan is phenomenally good and probably the greatest all-around electric guitarist ever, but in jazz-rock Allan Holdsworth plays more inventive lines, and Jeff Beck is... Jeff Beck. Now we've lost them 😭 GG stands alone. I wish he would write and record more songs.

[@Nick-ih3xg]

​@@2good2betrue3 That loosing/ loose misspelling of lose/losing is rampant, and spreading like a disease.

[@2good2betrue3]

@@Nick-ih3xg I stand corrected, fixed!🙂

[@realmichaelcomeau]

He is unreal.

[@briandennehy6380]

My fav Guthrie solo I think. Amazing work 👍

[@jazzed2b]

He is indeed incredible. I met him a few times and watched him just noodling for like 30 minutes. He never played anything that sounded the same...just incredible. Perfect technique, timing, phrasing and complete mastery over the instrument. When you listen to most anybody else, usually they have a defining sound or lick. Guthrie is so good and his music vocabulary is so vast he doesn't have hardly any go to licks he always sounds different, but always sounds amazing.

[@EvanAgee]

I have no idea how you figured out some of those phrases, very nice work!

[@narcissismanalternativeper5346]

this guy is sick. incredible. there are so many great guitarists today. it's awesome.

[@WakandaFu]

Completely superb intuition!

[@Rockberries]

I was just shaking my head in disbelief at some of those phrases, monster player

[@MHZHellGuitar]

May I suggest transcribing the solo he does on Greasy Wheel in this concert, that one is INSANE!!!

[@jimihendrix1650]

When I first saw the video title, I knew which solo it was Thank you very much for this

[@chrisdavidson8525]

Guthrie just blows my mind every time. Just a truly special musician, a one-off.

[@sledzeppelin]

At that level it's pretty much impossible to say who is actually best, but he is definitely in that small elite group.

[@a.s.2426]

What do you mean by “best”?

[@abgz1206]

The man who can speaks through his guitar 🤘🏾😬 #staysafe ❤

[@mikaelv2085]

I missed them last time they were here 😢

[@elderkirkus]

The things I'd do just to jam with this man for 10 minutes

[@youruncleted]

i'd be happy enough getting his tips for hair treatment, jamming would be overwhelming lol

[@richardhunt809]

One of my favourites of his, in an incredibly strong field.

[@jonnydubai]

Great content mate.

[@celeryshredder]

Stunning

[@MaxPlaid]

I love that look Macro gives as 2:30

[@jaysmoreymusic]

IMO, this whole concert captured some of Guthrie's best performances--maybe even the best. This solo is magical. I also love how he navigates the Greasy Wheel solo. Combined, they are a masterclass in mature soloing.

[@SinningVolta57]

Yes! Top 3 solos of his! Incredible

[@BongRipperMD]

Flatlands has to be one of my favorite songs of all time. Had the privilege to see them live in Atlanta. They played Bad Asteroid and Last Orders, but sadly this was left out. Even more reason to see them again lol!

[@HansRahbekMusic]

this is jeff beck on steriods, guthrie is seriously on of the best to have ever existed

[@hereonmars]

I know I can't play this fast, tho I continue to get better even 30 years in. But I know I can still learn the notes he's playing and see what he's doing and grow from it. Thx for these videos, I will be sure to check out one of your books.

[@HippieJguitar]

What a beautiful solo

[@Naglfar]

Thank you for the transcription, now I too can play this... :D

[@bobbysbackingtracks]

Beyond nuts.

[@CesarClouds]

That's insane and beautiful!

[@klauslepschi4608]

my oh my, I have transscribed some stuff way back when, but this work is on another level. Fantastic work & Kudos Mr. Levi! (well, Guthrie is Guthrie ... nuff said)

[@benr7965]

How lucky are we that these 3 found each other by chance in our lifetime?

[@strin6lord]

Thanks to Greg Howe that did not assist to that Namm Jam with Marco and Brian and they called Guthrie. The rest is history..!

[@benr7965]

@ianwahnschaffe6951 yes, thank you Greg Howe for backing out of NAMM!

[@henrystevens2258]

What a Guitar player

[@RandyWillcox]

My favorite thing about this particular tune is that Bryan Beller wrote it. And it truly feels like he wrote it to utilize Guthrie's abilities, because it seems tailored to him in a way that you'd expect Guthrie to have written it. Not to mention, this is the live version and a lot of this perfection is improvised, differing from the equally exceptional Album version. 🤯

[@danguee1]

You are presented with genius-level guitar playing and yet the your "favourite thing" about it is it's written by someone in particular? I can not get my head around that. And, tbh, the tune is a bit ordinary - only elevated 10 levels by the guitar on it

I've seen Marco Minnemann on a clinic, and absolute beast on the drums.

[@RodneyWallaceDynamoC]

The man is a genius

[@FPSBach]

He is a beast.

[@Ahtnagarp]

Back then as a young fresh 19 years old ambitious guitar apprentice, the explosion of Guthrie in 2007-2008 had me traumatized, i didn't want to touch guitar ever again for many years. How could someone can be as insanely technical and soulfull, but it's all improvised coming out naturally, describing the chord progression as background story then paint it with his insane melodic sense supported by his insane technical proficiency. Instant song writing in milisecond. He is a metaphor of guitar itself. Shawn Lane, Frank Gambale, Allan Holtsworth, John Mclauglin melt my brain too, but not like this...

[@charlesclark1330]

I would love to see you talk about Taj Farrant.

[@a.s.2426]

Yes.

[@Charming_Ninja]

This is not fair! The one player that has it all. He clearly has something to say in this solo. Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do. Long live Guthrie 🤘🏼

[@alexmido]

I always was concerned that it could have bad impact on my play when I „park“ my little finger far from the fretboard when not needed. Watching Guthrie doin the same gives me a more certain feeling. 😙😁

[@jdub5107]

A new subscriber to a great transcriber. 🤘

[@gmoney1065]

That line he plays from 3:33 to 3:41 is so awesome, it gets me hard. I love when he does lines like that, but they are hard to play because the fingering is awkward on them and I never tried lines like that until I heard Guthrie play them.

[@a.s.2426]

Gets you hard because it so moving or because it technically kind-blowing?

[@robthorpemusic]

I'd love to know if their Manchester gig from the first tour was recorded. I vividly recall Guthrie playing a beautiful bottleneck intro solo to Flatlands, and never found footage of him doing that anywhere. Speaking of capturing the vibe of a track, it really painted those huge mid-western plains!

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

Yep…with Guthrie being quite autodidactic from a very young age, he’s definitely absorbed a LOT of musical information as well as developed his chops Unlike some shredders who shall remain nameless, he never seems like he’s bolting together the same dozen licks in a different order, rather, he’s making improvisational decisions from a VAST store of experience and knowledge Also, his tone is remarkably expressive…too often I’ve found some shredders have a very compressed and processed sound. On the one hand it means their picking and legato are clear…but it can also mean quite the dynamic flatline. Hate to say it, but Tony MacAlpine’s tone on occasions has suffered from this. Finally, great to hear some Jerry Donahue bends at the start!

[@a.s.2426]

Hmm. Interesting. I see it as the converse: it sounds like a mess of bolted-on licks and the tone is grating. Obviously an amazing player technically on multiples levels but the music that results is often not moving for me on a spiritual level. For you, do you find it moving?

[@TheStudedude]

as the bin lorry drives off with my guitar sticking out the back

[@cliffgarrett]

May I suggest transcribing Andy Timmons ‘A Night to Remember’ off of Ear Ecstasy 2

[@woolgum]

Wow!

[@cflw2689]

Awesome work as always! One I’d absolutely love to see you tackle is his face-melting ‘Albert King style’ improvisation - sooo groovy and masterful.

[@LeviClay]

Just buy the tab from JTC 😂

[@Strings-jg2to]

Check out Dani Rabin from the band Marbin. Great player!

[@LeviClay]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/el62n6mMe8SWqbs

[@peterwinters8587]

Does anyone need a reminder on how amazing Guthrie is?

[@remusredbone1214]

I’m a huge Jeff Beck fan, but we know he’s gone. GG was already filling his shoes to some degree simply by being as innovative as Beck without being similar to Beck. Now GG is my inspiration from a guitarist’s point of view, and is every bit as interesting & innovative as Beck. Don’t get me wrong on this; it’s unlikely anyone will ever take the guitar as far from the norm as Beck achieved, but GG is adding to the very long creative period Beck started in the 1960s. Long live GG….

[@Harmonic14]

Why are people comparing GG to Jeff Beck...? GG is on another level entirely

[@ghur83]

He is really a monster

[@Roy-xe9is]

where is this complete vid?

[@cantemirash]

I did the last bar!

[@nomojo1110]

😆

[@a.nobodys.nobody]

Wish you included info so i can watch the original

[@wiebenijenhuis1825]

Song is called flat lands live by the arisrocrats

[@kakudmi]

He sounds like all the guitarists in the world. Combined.

[@ricleonardis9314]

Just wondering,, How many Best Guitarist do you believe in?? Are you a Mathias Jabs guy?

[@gerinsindanight]

In 3 words: A - MA - ZING

[@TheSnedderingYunk]

Formidable skills.

[@travismiles5885]

Can you do a video on Alex Masi?

[@markscott4830]

Are you talking about Mark Kopfler again?

[@stevia3162]

Now, I ain't saying the guy ain't good! However,he and legions of other "great" guitar players out there that play in a very similar way, owe a hell of a debt to Allen Holdsworth!

[@LeviClay]

Who, in turns owed a hell of a lot to xxxx, who in turn owed a hell of a lot to xxxx, ad infinitum. Infinite regress is silly

[@stevia3162]

@@LeviClay Yeah, but the difference is nobody remotely sounded like Alan Holdsworth when he emerged in the nineteen seventies, just as nobody sounded like Charlie Parker when he emerged in the nineteen forties, or Jaco. There are innovative geniuses, and then there are followers, legions of followers! It doesn't mean that Mr Covan is not talented. With the advent of KZbin, it's easy for musicians to steal ideas from anybody, and take credit for it. The Holdsworth influence is obvious in Guthrie Covan's playing; And yes,xxxx does owe alot to xxxx, or yyyy!

[@LeviClay]

that's just not true though is it? Holdsworth got a LOT of his sound from love supreme era Coltrane. Just as with Parker, yes, he sounded like Parker... but you coudl easily trace his lineage. No Lester Young... no Charlie Parker. Does that make his contribution lesser?@@stevia3162

[@chrismason4224]

Since the advent of KZbin, the criteria for "greatest guitarist alive" has shifted from space, phrasing, melody and technique to simply ME PLAY FAST. There is no one on Earth who can convince me Govan is better than Herring, Zappa, Van Halen, Montgomery, Trucks, both Kings, Benson, Di Meola, Haynes...the list goes on and on, ad infinitum. The "greatest" simply doesn't exist and it's exhausting that people think it does.

[@LeviClay]

you know what's more exhausting@@chrismason4224 people who think a title like this is literal. People who think thay a guy with 20 years in the business, an education and who plays soul music professionally either thinks there is a greatest guitar player OR that Guthrie is it.

[@lukeheighway2170]

I'm just here for the intro

[@ivanpoljic1790]

As emperor Joseph II would say "to many notes" .

[@ast3663]

scary good

[@iainwatts6664]

For me he is the ultimate guitar player, if you think he has no feel or emotion listen to his Steven Wilson Regret solo

[@Kerhuz]

I cant even think of notes that fast

[@marcos_c_m]

Greatest improvisor who ever pick up a guitar.

[@KevinSmith-em7zk]

Very cool! Can you please do the Guthrie 9/8 lick video?? its so awesome (P.S. its amazing seeing young John Petrucci on Bass there! wow)

[@AnyanwuChimebuka]

Kevin Owens of WWE is into guitars now?

[@jeffdafonte]

Unreal.

[@AncientEvil80]

It's always tough if not impossible to label anything in music as "BEST". It's so subjective and pointless.. BUT, Guthrie is an exception. This guy truly is the BEST guitarist alive, I think you're very right there, Levi. There is absolutely no one, in the realm of known, public guitarists that even comes close to Govan's mastery - which means technicality as well as musicality, as well as performance. And a live, improvised one.