Wildwood Story Time • Greg Koch's Most Influential Guitar Teacher

Let's take a moment to appreciate something other than guitar shredding for a moment. Sure, we live and breathe stunning guitars. We all quest after tone, and want to see players tear it up online for hours on end, but there's something deeper that goes when you see a player run up and down the fingerboard. There's depth to the mind of a guitarist that needs to be appreciated -- history, ideas, creativity, expression, pseudo-insanity -- all of it exists beneath the surface, and sometimes we just need to take a little time to listen. Join us for this special series -- Story Time with Greg Koch.
Site: wildwoodguitars.com/
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[@guitardudeguy3139]

I find that the most influential teacher is yourself. Teachers give us the information and instruction, and the good ones inspire, but it really comes down to how a student processes the information and applies it. Practice and hard study goes a long way. My older brother was probably my most influential because he inspired me to learn. "I want to do that too"! I heard my first few chords ring out, and I thought..."I can do this"!...Then my brother plopped a pile of music books and Mel Bay, Ted Greene and others...45 years later...still learning. It'll never stop.

[@waynethiessen729]

Gregory Koch for President. I am inspired by your wisdom/humor. You are quality.

[@MFKR696]

That's a horrible thing to wish for. If Koch was president, he would try to change things, and then he would just be dead lol. They call it the "Kennedy Treatment". The only reason why Trump is still alive is that he didn't really change anything (or even try, really) lol.

[@glennevans5824]

Like the way he conveys his stories with injecting a very unique humor.Not a boring stiff dude.

[@br0therfrank13]

whats it like being awesome? I'd argue that Koch is the best living musician right now including Govan and Gales and that's a bold statement, but I make it with this caveat: He plays music people want to hear and dance and drink to. And he does in a way that people cheer and are left almost dazzled by without a lot of the pretense of the "rock star" That is something he can take anywhere in the world and get a meal and a bed and keep clothes on his back.

[@Oklatucky_Guitarman]

I love Wildwood Story Time!!!

[@LostMyMojo100]

GREAT vid!!!! I've been playing for 30 years and my wife and I raised a great family.... Granted I did it by working a day job but I never lost my love of playing guitar.... And isn't that the reason we started playing in the first place? Also, my wife is going to heaven for putting up with me.... (had to put that in there)

[@michaelcope9501]

Thanks Greg. I've been checking out your videos for years. I appreciate watching this less common, open, genuine side of you.

[@mocash97]

greg... you are a guru. a guitaruru. thank you. you the man.

[@gregsundgaard2376]

As always Greg - great stuff. I really enjoy your playing - and, perhaps even moreso, your commentary. You have a great outlook - thanks for sharing your talents.

[@LucasCrossleyGuitar]

Love this video! So appreciative of your open honesty.

[@jasonpitre1249]

Thanks for this Greg! Honest chat. You are the genuine article. Wicked talented guitarist AND entertainer as well as a generous human being. Thanks you for all that you do!

[@BrianMorris-zc4md]

Wow, great presentation Greg, thank you!

[@30smsuperstrat]

Greg your honest yet encouraging perspective is what drew me in back in the early 90's watching and absorbing your DVD's. I'm really blessed that you have been in this business and I have been able to absorb so much from you. Wildwood is a vacation destination that will come through some day because of you. I just have to convince my wife that she and the kids need to take a detour there because my dad was born in Colorado 😆

[@Mortone71]

This anecdote really speaks to me. I think I did the thing you warned against. I’m really appreciating these earnest stories without the guitar in hand to distract. Thank you.

[@palidiciovermingagurainia1760]

Greg’s comment saying l just wanted to be able to function- ( on guitar ) - that is what every player who is learning dreams of - mine was to play what l hear in my mind- l thought once l did that l would love it- and it is true to this day

[@denismguitar1552]

Advice rooted in facts and experience. What a delightful breath of honesty! Great!

[@phishead5941]

Thank u so much! You should write a book!

[@phishead5941]

These are my favorite videos that you do.

[@lastcall9998]

Love these videos. Thanks Koch.

[@wenchcarroteh06]

There's a lifetime of knowledge in this video. Thank you, Greg.

[@bee.normal]

I very much enjoyed the direction this story went.The last 5 minutes are priceless advice.

[@tonydippolito6076]

Real eye opener. Righteous aura one of the greatest guitar players that I like. See you in Canada Greg!

[@johnpick8336]

Yesterday I ran across an hour youtube video of Tommy Todesco talking for an hour to the students at M.I. ...that has awesome guitar career info too...dove tails into this videos subject nicely .

[@BigfootEngineering]

This is really great, humble yet humbling, much like his musicianship

[@rodleaverton]

That was simply awesome. Thank you.

[@jambimon]

Lot of wisdom in this video. Starry eyed young players need to consider just how hard it is. You are a great player and a very benevolent man. Props!

[@paulcampbell6377]

I could listen to this guy for hours, he is so cool.

[@johnpick8336]

Awesome info Thanks Greg !

[@timlonggone]

Heya Gregory, thank you for laying it out I too have walked the path you speak of. You’re awesome. Truth is best.

[@Drogers8675]

I told my wife it was time for Koch talk, so she lit some candles and closed the drapes...

[@RockyH.]

So you let the "Koch" do the talking eh? Way

[@hukl3945]

I love these videos!

[@MrWilson-WithaPbass]

really good Greg ,Thanks ....

[@joshuaransdell4569]

You're the best. Thanks dude.

[@felixjordan186]

Thanks for the wise words Greg !

[@paulmills7666]

Great outlook, great advice. I'm too old to change my path and have had many successes but I regret not having done more with music (doing more now than ever!)

[@jbognap]

This should be required viewing for high schoolers thinking of following that path. I'm here to say you can still have a totally satisfying musical life by playing part time.

[@Matmus]

Wonderful and honest words.

[@ivorycybernetics]

im a working musician in the montreal area in canada...and yeah everything he said and then some. its hard as hell at times, and total bliss sometimes. Being as difficult as it is, i wouldnt have it any other way. There's just no choice to be made, as far as my own path is concerned. Im 38 now, and im still here.

[@MFKR696]

Greetings from Ontario. Are you Quebecois, or just living there?

[@avenuegroover]

This is very useful information for aspiring professional musicians. I appreciate the candor. I have lived a similar life where I had to make some decisions based on economic reality and living in California. I heard Mike Stern say once say "If you want to be a musician, don't do it because its a really hard life, but if you have to be a musician, it is a great life." Or something to that effect. I really have just got to the point in my life financially where I am able to produce music and promote it, and have been able to enjoy the recognition that comes from that, but I still can't tour the whole year because I have a day job. I have lots of musician friends who work very hard and travel a lot who make a decent living, and I am jealous of the fact that they get to gig more and see the world, but I wouldn't give up the security of the day job. And these guys are some of the best musicians in the world, but even for them, it isn't easy. I am very good, but these guys are the absolute best and its not easy for them. Hopefully, people can find a balance where they can make a living and still get to at least on an artistic level, pursue their musicianship and make some great music.

[@MrSlimfinger]

You surely are a captivating and inspiring mansquatch Greg. If Wildwood would (if wildwood would chuck wood?) compile all story times and release it as a DVD, I'd buy it immediately!

[@ronaldtorres5758]

Thanks Greg you're awesome!

[@toddflowers8052]

Grand Funk Live was the first album I bought myself ! Great memories ! You are an awesome entertainer Greg ,not just a musician but,entertainer Sir :)

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

I like you Greg. I like you. Your demos make me smile. In fact your demos of Relic Telecasters have just made me poor. About £2.5k poorer than I was yesterday (see today's KZbin video "Paul Stafford Cook Heavy Relic Telecaster"). I wish I could inject humour into my playing like you!

[@joerectifier]

Sounds like your Dad loved you and wanted the best for you - thankfully you persisted and got here so we can all hear your words and appreciate your skill.

[@user-sn3cs2hd8r]

Greg, great advise to young talent....its takes a multitude of items to "make it" in any field but the arts its' compounded. Talent and desire are just a few. You must have focus, dedication, curiosity, bravery and as you mentioned .. confidence that you will be successful in your chosen field. Morgan Friedman said it best when asked what he would have done if not for acting....."I would have been an actor, there really was no other choice". Local plays or blockbuster movies I would have made a living as an actor."

[@6ftbarrel]

Diversity is the key to longevity and at the parallel doing what music you have a passion for Being able to walk into a bar and play an acoustic guitar and being able to play the head and changes to jazz standards plus being able to interpret material fast plus the ability to read the shit out of the written music all amounts to longevity and a career

[@aliaa2132]

Dear Greg Been waiting the past three years for you to make this video. Not that its hard to decide if this is the right way, it's almost impossible to find the right people. but you know, some sort of a crossroads magic bullshit almost makes me wanna stick with it for as long as I can. till I could finally let go of everything and trade everything for total singularity. the one you mentioned. please please make more videos like this. tnx. you're the man.

[@leftyzappa]

Thank you Greg. This is a king of soul medicine and head shrink.

[@buddylobos5277]

Great story time. Back in Mpls this summer took my grand kids to Valley Fair. You weren't there! And Pete Alenov, "Pete's Guitars", has credits in the Official Fender Telecaster book Back cover w/ James Burton is a pic of 2nd floor of Pete's with a bunch of Tele goodness and some amps too.. (The blonde '55 was my guitar for a while.) Anyhow, Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[@OlegKalyan]

Great story, moral, Greg great presenter, motivator!

[@777Yoni]

The wild, shirtless lyrics of Mark Farner? The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher? The competent drum work of Don Brewer? My first air guitar album was Grand Funk's second live album Caught in the Act.

[@trjb1767]

I use that quote a lot

[@NigelNaughton]

Shell Lake Wisconsin!! You are speaking my language man... You sir are a great man! Would be cool to meet you if I pass through Colorado sometime.

[@Testacabeza]

The actual axe blew my mind.

[@Adipsia1]

Greg, I could listen to you talk about your musical experiences all night... every night. And sadly, I often do... ;) God bless...

[@JT-gd7he]

Great advice. I didn’t study to be a musician, but a photographer. Wish I heard your advice then.

[@doyleallen3762]

Very good reality talk. ;)

[@taylorfusion]

Great n honest kochery

[@laurendove]

@wildwoodguitars @Greg can we have that piece of paper on modes!?

[@pilgrimMj]

I love silly Greg. I love serious Greg.

[@frankiecalabro2617]

Half skill hand half magic... yep that’s so true!!!

[@billhewlett1214]

Greg come to Boston in the springtime

[@timcwalker]

All I know is Jimi Cracked Corn Live at the Fillmore is a must listen.

[@demurets]

Good advice Greg.

[@jamesmurff193]

Very wise.

[@3cardmonty602]

When are they going to release you from the "Ancillary Lair"?

[@matsandersson8857]

You should write a book Greg!

[@doctordox6278]

Greg would be an awesome dad to have

[@utubehound69]

Nice Axe! looks like the smithies in Valanor during the 2nd age forged it.

[@johndodson4527]

Truth.

[@scottwa11ace]

Great video - more wisdom please - oh and nice axe man!

[@VonBlade]

I always think if someone of Greg's skill - which is monumental - is demo'ing guitars and products here and there whilst still fronting a band that does okay but not Spinal Tap levels of world tourness, then what hope the rest of us? I could practise 10 hours a day until I die and I wouldn't be fit to change his strings.

[@wildersparks9161]

Tough to make a comparison and I don't know you obviously but anyone who spends ten hours a day practicing every day is going to get really good really fast.

[@DronePsyche]

Write a hit song. You don't have to be the greatest player in the world to be successful. Beatles? Stones?

[@lancethrustworthy]

That's the thing - Greg is doing what he really wants to. He's no longer interested in being famous other than for the financial benefits. He's sticking close to what he now values the most. Different ages - different goals.

[@bradholbrooks]

Just be you, man.

[@javiacustico]

i just have to pause the video to laugh XD, you sir, are a great story teller..

[@TheKirby366]

I wish I had that piece of paper a couple years ago...

[@JFK1180]

Bang on the money...

[@lancethrustworthy]

A bunch of us are going to want a beautiful axe just like that one, now. Some of us are going to mod and string it up to play. Please give us a link to the maker/seller.

[@JonBernhards66]

Greg is deep! Yes he have some "fasad" (an architectural term for an exterior) , but Look and listen, he is so sane and clear. A wonderful man & a awesome guitarist, almost like Danny Gatton! A least from the same area. (and I'm just a jazz pianist;) What can I say! ;)

[@maxwellfan55]

One thing this great story tells us is that unless you're a natural as in Hendrix, Breau, Buchannan, (ok-Roy had some pedal steel instruction) etc...you can take a LOT of shortcuts to progress and achievement by taking lessons from a good teacher, strict instruction, learning proper technique. Better still lots of teachers, listening to all forms of music, talking to musicians and getting as many influences as possible along the way. Proper instruction and skill is like acquiring a trade, you always have something to fall back on, you know when it's right. And when you've got there, be professional, join a union, don't sell yourself out, think of all the time, money and dedication spent, cos most don't.

[@andym28]

Got lessons from Alan Coady. Looks like a cross between Yoda and Robert Fripp. Into Bach and Tai Chi. He was a huge influence on me being quite unusual and strict. I would play anything for that guy if he demanded and developed so quickly with him.

[@boozoochavis7506]

Jazz instructors being real dogmatic?! Ha, Ha ....... ha ha ha - that is a good one I was rolling on the floor! I was one, but on the whole we try not to BE real dogmatic, the rest just teach college - the only place one CAN be dogmatic and survive. Man, these are true words to live by, where in the heck were you when I was growing up, I would have found another career where I could make real "grownup money" as you say. Trying to make a living playing only jazz does have a tendency to make one bitter. Gregery Kochery, you are a true genius - live long and play hard!! You ARE the man!!

[@GDawg2K2]

Swap Berklee in for Wis Conserv & you told my & every pro-musician I know's story . Right down to parent's love of Big Bands & being ridiculed in class for answering Jimi as my most influential Gtr player. Maybe if he did a Realbook version of Autumn Leaves, he would've been acceptable? I did bail to the visual arts (3D Anim) around 1989. Which did provid grown-up $ and an actual retirement fund that affords me the ability to play & collect now. Props to your summation Greg.. It was incredibly accurate.. #bohemian

[@Beatsmith2005]

Great video - everything from 12 mins on is my biggest insecurity. Using the fear as motivation...

[@Beatsmith2005]

Having said that I've had anxiety all morning after watching this....

[@gusdupree9076]

Beatsmith2005 you're fine , do it, beatsmith2005 , ill be looking

[@rockrollkelantan4366]

Padu.!!

[@dalezjc]

Wait, Grand Funk? How cool is that.

[@mrpurple33]

"can you dig it" - really fast at about 00:28

[@Tsuskij23]

Was the wonderkinde Scott Sharrard? Mid nineties MKE

[@davedecker1725]

Tsuskij23 Chesterfield Kings? Man! They were something else!!

[@RobTackettCovers]

Oh, so you were in jazz band in high school; did you play any Maynard Ferguson, like Give It One or Chameleon, hehehe?

[@Nickpaflas]

I'd be interested to know why Greg never moved to LA/NYC/Nashville to be a session cat. Obv has a family and such, and seems to rep Minny pretty strong, but I think those dudes make some dough.

[@888jimm]

To go Pro .... boils down to there is nothing else you can do.....:)

[@bwjohn0458]

Old salty said to young jazz prodigy, "Hope you like being poor, kid."

[@robinstahlbaum9813]

Did death come visit? One slip of that blade.. greg no koch

[@johngeddes7894]

Oh you mean playing “We’ve Only Just Begun” at weddings - NAH! Hated it!

[@kxmrock]

Bohemians of a Feather..... Please Stick together, lol 8>)

[@riverman6655]

Gristle mania in fluent Kochinese

[@snail415]

Great stuff. All you need is a cup of joe.

[@jeremiahwilson1781]

That's funny. Iam left handed...play guitar right...but air guitar left. Crazy. Iam from Flint by the way. Home of Grand Funk. Seen them many times and Iam only 44.

[@melvynobrien6193]

I'm left handed too. SECRET: right-handed guitars are really left-handed guitars. Don't tell anyone.

[@melvynobrien6193]

Guitar neck is on the left side; I bat left handed; bat is on the left side.

[@shahinnomani]

Dug it 😉

[@BillyBlaze7]

My only guitar lesson was at age 11. The first chord I was taught was an F, which my 11 year old hands couldn't do. I got majorly discouraged and put my guitar up till I was 18, brought it around some unsavory "friends" and my 72 thinline tele disappeared. I was about 5 years later when I finally got an acoustic guitar and started dicking around with it, and didn't get serious till around 28. I play by ear and that severely limits me, and I am completely turned off with learning to read music or tab. I just hate that shit! But I often wonder if the first douche canoe teacher had started with something easier like an A or E chord, if I would have stuck with it. I honestly believe I would have and been a far better musician than I am now

[@maxwellfan55]

billy, something in that but never ever give up, if you love it you'll do it, there's never been a better time with the net and KZbin. Keep goin man.

[@BillyBlaze7]

Oh I love music, I just don't love the reading and writing music, and music theory. I love the soul of music :-)

[@billholt174]

I love the 'writing', or more generally, the composing, so to speak. I had early violin lessons, starting in 3rd grade, back when public schools still believed in funding arts and sports programs to help kids develop. My violin and obligatorily attached orchestra endeavors lasted through most of fourth grade. I loved the look of sheet music, but I didn't like what it was, so it turned me away. I half-assed 'learned' to read, but I never took it far, and I have a 'good ear', so that set me up for whatever this journey has been ever since I could get to the proverbial pots and pans and wooden spoons or sit at the organ bench. I can still feel the terrifying anxiety of faking my playing in an orchestra chair. ; ] Our instructor was a young, fairly mild-mannered drinkin' woman fond of hard candies, so the train wreck happened slowly and it didn't leave much damage in its wake. Mr. Helling -- who in all honesty I probably somewhat unfairly remember as a major turd more than as a guy who, even if somewhat reluctantly, at least gave me a chance -- was the 5th through 8th grade band director. In fifth grade he briefly gave 'off the books' after-school drum lessons to my friend Kenny and me. Shortly after beginning this new adventure I was told that I was unfit for band because he thought less of me for not wanting to continue with violin study, assuming that I would be a quitter with the drums as well. Kenny was a class clown. I was slightly more reserved but not without my irreverent side. I remember us messing around and just enjoying access to the drums rather than acting like Julliard students, so perhaps we simply didn't cut it as second-class drum pupils. No band. No more snare drums. No more opportunity to sit at a modest but heart-quickening trap set. Anyway, my tale is one of being a good misfit. I plink around on my travel guitar, which I love and is my sole instrumental outlet these days. A few years ago, after getting an itch for the Blues again, I messed with a new Golden Melody harmonica, long after having had a Marine Band as a pre-teen and picking out 'Love Me Do', but I retired it after having it signed by John Popper. My mid-'90s KORG X-3 has a dead key and has sat mostly dormant for nearly a decade in a closet. My handsome African Bubinga SONOR Signature Series drums sit silent, partly because I live in close proximity to other ears. What I meant in saying that I love the writing or composing over the formalities of musical performance is that, at every phase of my life, people have enjoyed jamming with me or have heard some odd little thing I 'wrote' and would say something like "Holy shit, man, that's cool. You're a natural musician." I'm not 'the shit', and I don't think of myself as such, but I know I have a bit of the 'it' factor. 'It' was apparent when, at about the age of four, maybe five, I was tapping around on my second cousin's red-sparkle drum set when visiting the family, and with my Dad first -- a great 'by ear' untrained organist -- the whole family was drawn downstairs one-by-one to hear me 'play'. I was literally kicking the kick drum, being so small. Just this evening, not long before dialing up this video, I was sitting here in my cumbersome, uneducated way, delighting in the melody of what I was getting from plinking on my little Vagabond guitar. The magic of music resides more in those moments than it does in technical proficiency, given that such person truly has some genuine musical aptitude and not merely delusions of grandeur. Polished, acquired skills and innate artistry are equally valuable, but I think that most would agree that a modestly skilled player with great musical ideas is more enjoyable overall than is a rote, sterile technician. To hell with the bad teachers and the missed and delayed opportunities. Thanks for imagination, musical sensibilities, and working extremities. Ha! Lastly, thanks for Greg and his consummate professionalism, and his gifts as a 'total package' player. I loathe 'The Best' assignations, but he's without a doubt one of them. The greats are all good at playing, explaining, and in most cases being humble and sincere. I found a Wildwood video of Greg a few weeks ago. I'd either never heard of him or -- far less likely -- I'd not remembered his name, and at first I thought he was an asshole. Then I listened to more. What a cool goofball. It took a few videos, but I became hooked. Ha! I don't laugh easily at a lot of KZbin fare, but he gets me chuckling because I have a similarly twisted sense of humor. He's an awesome guitarist with appeal to players and casual listeners alike. He's my new favorite. His depth as a player, artistic soul, and intelligent, articulate, witty, humorous guy is genuine and valuable. He's interesting enough to make this approach to video content very viable. I saw one from this series prior to this, and I noticed the axe on his knee after several seconds and instantly thought this was a cool direction to take. ; ] I could listen to Greg do clinics and product demo videos for hours on end, and it would take quite a bit to tire me of these Q&A segments, because I think that a player this well-versed usually has a lot of fascinating things to say about how they 'arrived'. ; ] Sorry to be a bit off-topic for your focused comment. I'm a bit long-winded in comment sections. I need the mental equivalent of the bags that dog-owners use to pick up Fido's sidewalk sausages.

[@Goldie_Hawn_Solo]

I think anybody being serious should learn Jazz but it’s literally a dead college music in terms of the consumer. I learned so much about music by learning what the greats learned but those days are pretty much gone unless you live in very specific places.

[@danielrose3172]

We got no money, and this sucks! Or as my dad used to say... Your gonna wind up working in a gas station! Ha. That's when people worked at gas stations.

[@davedecker1725]

Jazz is the sound of unemployment. Frank Zappa