Dude, you saying that youre not a natural and have just worked hard at getting to that level.... man thanks for that ,I needed to hear that. Youre a brutal inspiration
Rick Graham We’re very interested in whatever new direction you may take! Best of luck in that, and can’t wait for more news. Cheers Rick (and other Rick)
I was touched to hear how much soul-searching you are going through. Have you ever tried MPC-style sampling and production? It's very interesting and liberating. Very creative as well. It will probably appeal to your OCD. :) Hope you find some peace dude... Then get back to shredding! It maybe just need a new context.
Rick is one of those classical frustrated artists that is never satisfied. He sacrifices himself in the pursuit of perfection. Even when his instrument emits brilliance, he is still at work trying to do it better. We are all better guitarists because of Rick Graham's efforts to push the electric guitar farther out into new realms.
Man. Rick Graham is another level of player and a person. For all the vapid, two dimensional, irrelevant, vile, vicious, mean-spirited drivel that is spattered all of the surface of social media there are people like Rick Graham who brings honesty, openness, sincerity, passion and a willingness to open up and let people inside to enrich them with experience and knowledge and inspire them to push harder. Chapeau RG. The internet and the world is a much much much better place with you in it. And thank you Rick B for giving a forum to amazing players and personalities to shine some more.
I appreciate Rick's honesty. Even though he has a popular YT-channel and a huge community of guitar players adore him, but still he wants to take things to a different direction. That is a brave move and not a lot of people would want to risk it, so it's great that he listens to his heart. And thanks to Rick B for putting this video up, this channel is a gold-mine!
Yea, its kind of depressing, but people forget that music is art, and sometimes it doesnt fill the cup the same way it used to, or maybe a different medium is required. I think a good majority of musicians understand what its like to struggle with direction or motivation. Sometimes its ok to move on, or take a break.
Really great interview , as someone who's followed Rick Graham since the petrucci forum days, I really value him sharing that he doesn't have much interest in guitar centric things at this point in his life.. I can relate a lot, I lost a lot of my love for guitar over the last few years and it's taken me quite a while to recenter myself. Fortunately in it's place, I have found and cultivated a deep love for music as a whole ecosystem, with composition standing at the forefront. And unsurprisingly it's spilled over into my guitar playing and made me a better player/musician than I could have hoped had I continued on my previous path. I owe a lot to you (Rick B), for helping me to find my love for what I do again. You both Rock \m/
RG, don't feel in any way that you need to rush or push through grief to get your confidence back... I lost my brother almost 10 years ago and it's only the last few years that my ability to perform without that nagging sadness has come back
I have never seen this video before but wow, what a truly genuine guy and my heart goes out to him as it is easy to see how much he loved his brother. It was actually one of his videos I was checking out and then I found so many of these great guys and gals to watch.
I like both of these guys. One thing that particularly appealed to me about RG aside from his guitar playing is his is his genuineness and basic good-heartedness. I hope he updates us on future endeavors even if becomes a chef or something. I would be interested.
What an amazing interview. Rick Graham is a behemoth when it comes to guitar playing. But even more impressive is his ability to be honest and open and humble. We're lucky to be able to hear his contributions online and he's a true gentleman and scholar.
Rick Graham's assessment of music as a means of expression goes hand in glove with my feeling that humans are a means for music to express. It all points to the respect flowing about Rick Graham and music, of which they are both worthy.
I’m so glad to see two of my favourite youtuber’s collaborating. Rick Graham speaks so honestly and it’s so refreshing to hear. Hearing about his brother brought me to tears, how brave to speak so honestly about it, I’m sure he’d be so proud. It’s nice to see this video (so far) has no dislikes... two incredible musicians conversing over fascinating conversations. Thanks to Rick and Rick!
Ahh man, Rick is really in the Pantheon of all time great players, but you can tell he's tortured by self doubt and perfectionism. One day, we'll get that album.. one day.
Hey guys, thanks for this much anticipated 'get together' !!! Rick Beato, thanks so much for making this happen, your channel is incredible and like no other. Rick Graham, thank you for all that you have given to the guitar/music world and how much you gave of yourself. You are one of a kind and we all support you and your future endeavors. Cheers
Rick and Rick absolutely amazing! Thank you Mr. Beato for such a great interview. I love RG and watch everything he does. One of the GOAT. He’s the man. I just watched two of my favorites together. RG I hope you reconsider getting away from Guitar. It would be a terrible world without you. Love both of you guys. Thanks again.
RG is such an unbelievable musician, I thank him for sharing his talent for free in so many videos. Seems like he’s a little bit of a tortured soul. I hope he finds happiness in whatever ventures he pursues, being musical or not.
I think the main difference between a high-level technical player and a great player is the fact that their playing makes people listening feel something. A fast player with no feeling never gets the crowd to feel anything.
Wonderful conversation! Thank you for sharing the sheer brilliance of Rick Graham - I’m looking forward to the next chapter in Mr. Graham’s musical journey.
I wish Rick would listen to Pet Sounds. That album recorded in the early 60s changed my life its so stunning and beautiful. Every musician should have it near their music system:)
I first noticed Rick at iguitar. He was, initially, a good guitarist, but seemed to transform into a phenomenon in the space of a year or so. Not only did he turn his body around (he was struggling with weight issues), he turned his guitar around as well. I hope he doesn't mind me saying this but he, literally, transformed his life. An absolute inspiration - and he has documented this, which is awesome. Sad to hear about his bro.
I wish for nothing but the best for both the Ricks :) However, I really hope Rick Graham can just find happiness and closure in his life. He is an INCREDIBLE player and seems like a very nice guy. Great interview and God bless you both!
I'm assuming Rick means he's going in a different direction with music (I could be wrong). If so, this brings to my mind that frustration I think a lot of us feel in guitar playing vs. composition. It's easy to get so focused on guitar playing and then suddeny realise that most of your favorite musical moments are non-guitar related. Sure you can compose with the guitar, but you need (or I do, at least) to spend a lot of time listening, analysing, composing, arranging etc. and sometimes finding the balance between all those things, whilst maintaing and developing guitar technique can be bloody difficult. That's me projecting my own worries onto that conversation I guess, but maybe people can relate.
Sometimes I have the feeling that I'm a mediocre guitarist technically, that all those years I've been playing, I'm still at the same level, sloppy and not a consistent player, that I will never be a technical wünderkind and a guitar virtuoso. Then I tell myself that learning music theory and the science of intervals, what I'm actually doing and what I could be doing with those learnings to write my own compositions is a motivation and a source of satisfaction in itself, it's a valuable skill as well for a musician as much as guitar playing techniques. Yeah, I'd probably never know how to play at the speed of light like Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Bireli Lagène, Ron Thal, Tosin Abasi etc. but I can carve my own lane, develop my own voice, create musical moment that don't rely on my sweeping technique but focus on vibrato, rythmic phrasing, create harmonies and melodies, arrangements and atmospheres. Guitar is just the mean I got to express the musical ideas in my head but I'm definetely not a "guitarist's guitarist" who thinks music has to revolve around my flawless guitar playing. Complexity can come from other aspects than fast guitar licks. That eases my frustrations about my average guitar abilities, I'm trying to create simply music, whether it be based on guitar/bass/piano/drums/vocals/random electronic sounds/samples etc, not "guitar music". My models are songwriters like Black Francis, David Bowie, Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, Chris Cornell, Prince etc. when guitar is cool sounding on its own but not the center of it all.
Amazing interview. Watching Rick play always makes me want to grab my instrument and better myself. Godspeed in your endeavours Rick. Wherever your heart leads you from here won't change the hours and hours of inspiration you've given to me and the countless hours you've given to all of your other fans around the world. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I was probably the first guy on the Petrucci forum to open up johns beginnings since the mid 80’s living on Long Island.. Rick,Andy wood ,Tom Quail ,Marco Sfogli all became my friend on there since I’m a guitar player living in the circle of John’s start… my RU-vid ch started in 05 or 06” and guy were seeing my #’s grow just being a lover of tone being that no name guy on Long Island… and that’s the truth.
Rick Graham, is right that guitarists should focus more on music than just technique. The big disadvantage of You tube is that often technically skilled guitarists get a lot of attention versus musical guitarists and that is a shame.
Both Rick's are class acts. RG, I have learned more from you on many levels than anyone else on youtube. Although your playing is often above my skill level, I do get it and work at it so you definitely have been a positive influence... Keep up the great work...
I agree. It`s amazing time and wish to have RU-vid in early 90s when I started to play... but same how many people spend time on social medias instead of PRACTICING? Thanks for this great conversation Gents!
The answer to his current existential problem seems to me he has to get into that super band finally and contribute with his playing to something phenomenal musically never heard
I've really LOVED this conversation... Rick is so true, sharing truely what in his mind Not Gay but I truly love this Bro ... !! On his channel , He is simply sharing so valuables stuff and personnality, the way that he let think that that's possible for you too I took the risk to believe that and just seeing now after more thant 3 years following, some gradually mind blowing result annoncement with my technical playing You know, on my road, I don't know why I want and like to archieve so much level on the instrument, I think I'm doing that just for entertaining myself in this life. Following many goals in life, taking the road that make me feel good about life and good about me. I think this is the important, taking roads that make us feel better. Thanks Rick for your positive impact on earth and in my live. Thank You Bro
I'm subscribed to both your channels and for some reason I didn't get the notification about this video. I was searching for what was going on with Rick Graham because as you guys know..😳 👍🏻😁I don't have to say anymore. NOW, I'm here to HAIL you BOTH for your incredible benevolence concerning ALL knowledge of guitar expertise and music in general! You guys ROCK our Country and World, really Jazz it up as we be Hip Hoppin through our musical lives.. Ain't no Scat about it! Admittedly, by Both of you guys.. I've been intimidated a bit. almost to the point of being tempted to quit! But I'll push on.. and won't be blue, 'Cause I'm getting better, 'Cause of players like YOU!
Rick is damn great. Love his channel. It seems so unfortunate, ... well, from my own selfish and small perspective anyway; that he sees himself moving on from it. I've always admired his playing. His musicality... How he can surprise me with those slippery slide sounding lines right when in my mind I begin to hear where I think he going to end up. How he mixes all this in with incredibly cool shredding. Whatever the case, and wherever he finds himself, I hope he does extremely well. I know I will. ... And he has helped.
Rick, you cannot introduce Rick Graham simply as Guitarrist Rick Graham.... you need to properly adress him as Shredlord master of mecanix from the underworld Rick “the migthy warrior” Graham
Hmm. Shred lord? Nope. Rick is much better than that. He is a finely honed player with innate musicality as well as possessing incredible technique, no doubt honed by may hours of practice and playing. Sadly, much of what is referred to as "Shredding" seems to possess little musicality. The desire of many to "play faster than anybody else" should not be the goal. Technique is great, and something to aspire to, but not as an end in itself. Technique is a tool for making music. Not playing more notes per second than anybody else. Dave Gilmour anyone? Contrast and compare Rick to two other of my favourite guitarists:- Tom Quayle, who is also a monster player, but also understands music in a way beyond many of us. And then Alan Holdsworth. For my money, almost the most unique player i have ever heard. Yes he could play blindingly fast, but the real take home is what notes he actually played. I still, when it doesn't depress me at my lack of ability and musical understanding, I listen to Mr. Holdsworth and try to follow what he is doing (and usually giving up in the process) i HEAR the musical logic, sort of. But my understanding falls way short. Would LOVE to hear your thoughts on Alan, his playing, and his music, Rick.
Tim Beaton Did you scan the comment section for the word shred, ready to go with that brickwall of a comment? Come on man this was just a joke anyway xD
Nope. Just saw the term Shredlord and wondered. And not intended as a "brick wall" at all. But a serious point, that sadly I feel that too often needs to be made. I would hope that followers of Rick Beato's channel are here for his excellent musical insights into many aspects of music, rather than just "shredding" (really dislike that term, given the many adherents to it). As you might have guessed! Guess i have been to too many guitar oriented channels, recently! And yes, i did get the mildly humorous intent.
He has just been through a lot in the last few years, he will come through. Weak minded people harm themselves, he will do what's right, very strong mind.
I like Rick G`s comments{about 28;30} on a musician expressing oneself and how that is the most important focus. I`ve given that a lot of thought thru the years and am conflicted by it. I`d like to see Rick Beato cover this topic because it`s not so cut and dry for me. I guess it seems poignant coming from a technical wizard like Graham who devotes so much to skills. After years now of not performing I still play and love it. It just doesn't seem like I need to tell the world how I feel on my instrument. Maybe occasionally but doesn't seem like it`s anyone`s business. I`m not confident that music means the same thing to people anymore and I feel more like a number with music being done to death. I don`t miss drunken accolades at loud clubs or drama that comes with it all. I don't miss sacrificing so much for flakey musicians and their unkempt lives. I think its ok to approach music on a personal level without it meaning u have to squeeze it into a schedule... I`m grateful for the musical soldiers out there but I don`t hold it against an artist who keeps their work to themselves. What they do and how they feel is none of my business. Many see artists as having a 'job to do' and would like to afford them responsibilities because of an ability they have.
Very interesting guy. I pay much more attention to my left hand tension now. Ha. Way less fatiguing. More importantly, he's a multi-dimensional guy who there is a lot to learn from. Thanks for adding him to the virtuoso list.
Great interview! I hope Rick is ok moving forward and let’s people help him if he needs it. I’m looking forward to checking out his website and learning more about his playing and teaching. I think people can forget what a toll it can take on everything else in your life to be amazing at something, it’s easy to say I want to play like him but as he said he wasn’t eating, talking to anyone or doing anything but playing. I know this is kind of what the greats have done but I wonder if at a soul level maybe at some point this starts to become unfulfilling?
