The Frank Gambale Interview 

I enjoy how Beato just lets Frank be Frank. No stupid questions, no interruptions. Let the master speak.

I don't want to sound like anybody else. Great words, Frank!

"There's millions of guitar players and I love them all." -- Frank Gambale - Buddha of Music

You probably won’t read this, Rick, but that was a great interview. You did the thing most people miss; you listened. So respectful, divorced of ego, and genuinely curious. Thank you. It let me rediscover Frank after twenty-five years.

Frank’s playing at the end almost brought me to tears. Wow.

He is one of the greatest ever. Not just a guitarist, but a very humble person too.

those hands.... not many players have mits like that. Large yet sensitive and delicate and amazingly fluid. Combine that with his scientific approach to music theory and economy picking.... he is just a beast. He's in a class by himself, imo.

Frank has a unique way of speaking with total confidence without coming off as arrogant. It was such a pleasure getting a glimpse into the mind of this musical genius. Great job as always, Rick!

This half hour with Frank and the Larry Carlton and Gary Burton interviews are a dream come true. This illustrates the positives that can come from platforms like RU-vid. These interviews are a shining light for all to bathe in.

Gambale's great. Not only can his guitar do all the talking, and say whatever he wants it to, but he can actually talk about music brilliantly, with intellect and feel for what music is about. This is a terrific interview.

What a legend. Spent hours and hours with his Rock Chops DVD and trying to figure out his licks.Rick thank you for making this.

Very very good interview. " _Push your understanding as far as you can_ " I like it.

Frank's just scary good. Amazing feel, great emotion, powerful choice of notes, and delivered at a clarity that's just scary.

The best 26 mins of RU-vid i've seen in quite a while.

I'd like to hear Frank jamming with Guthrie Govan. That would be interesting. What a great interviewer Rick is too. He knows exactly what he's talking about, so asks no banal questions. Every time you come away from a Rick Beato video you always feel you've learned something. Great video.

This man has been my hero since the first time I heard him back in the 80's. Will always be. Thanks Frank!

I love Frank's harmonic voicings, I think that often gets overlooked with him as he often gets lumped in with technical speed players but he's so much more complete than being just that. His ability to play solo similarly to Joe Pass, outlining every chord in a progression so you hear the changes exemplifies that harmonic capability. His chord voicings sound so beautiful. I believe Frank has said this himself, it's his knowledge of harmony that allows him to find interesting lines to play at will. I could listen to him just play changes all day that is how great his harmonic feel is. Truly one of the greats.

Frank's always been on a whole other level. Just blows my mind.

That Gambale tuning is blowing my mind! It is so incredibly beautiful!

This popped up today and Chic Corea just died!!!! I think of Frank Gambale and Spain when i hear Chic’s name. RIP

Fantastic Rick and Frank, thank you!......Saw Frank G. with the Chick Corea Electric Band many times!...Keep up the "GREAT MUSICIAN" interviews Rick!......OUTSTANDING SIR!......So awesome to see and hear the humbleness, sincereness, and just overall personality of these "most inspirational and prominent players" in the music business, of so many years! The joy in Rick watching/listening to Frank perform in this video, I think we can agree that we see it in ALL OF US when listening, appreciating AND, respecting world-class musicianship!

One of my teachers back in 86. I learned sweep picking from him, directly. Now I realize what a treasure that was. I still have my original papers.

Phenomenal interview. Frank is easily one of the most underrated guitarists in human history. It's a sad state of affairs, but I'm pretty sure that Frank doesn't spend much time worrying. When you're THAT good, who cares? :) Favorite quote: "I believe in giving back, and inspiring wherever possible."

The best interviewers are the ones that let the guest show their talents. Rick is a great guitarist in his own right and he knows Frank's a legend and so he humbly let's Frank just do his thing in total respect for his musicianship. Frank's happy to show his stuff to Rick because Frank fully respects Rick's musical knowledge and talents. It's a win, win, situation.

The song he plays at the end is Table For One (even the title is heartbreaking) from his awesome Raison D’Etre album. The gorgeous chord progression with all those close-harmony chords is a total tearjerker. That’s one of the best things about his Gambale tuning: it lets you play closely voiced chords ala Manhattan Transfer with ease. Do yourself a HUGE favor and grab that album! It will blow your mind with the possibilities of the guitar. Mind expanding stuff. Thank you Frank.

I attended a clinic that Frank did in the late 80's on using modes. I had never heard of him prior and have never forgotten him since. He is such a unique voice in the guitar world. Not only did he unlock modes for me he was such a modest, humble and encouraging teacher. A true gentleman who made time for all who had questions and played some jaw dropping guitar lines while making it look effortless. While I will probably never play like him he inspires me to constantly improve. Rick, your interviews are the best balance between music and technical guitar expertise. Please keep them going.

Great interview Rick, thanks. In the late 80's, I sent my "Thunder From Down Under" CD cover to Frank so he could sign it for me. He returned it along with a nice letter he took the time to write, advising me on how to practice on the guitar with techniques that he uses himself. A genuinely nice guy, who I got to see play live at the Olympia Theater in Paris with Return To Forever, two decades after.

Frank playing Andy Summers? Gave me a lump in my throat! Thank you most sincerely for what you do Rick!!!

"That's Gambale" - Indeed, Frank - you are one of a kind. Thank you for the years of Musical enjoyment.

Gambale. MASTER!. its almost ridiculous how much music is coming out of this guy. Its like somebody turned on a fire hydrant not a hose. I was laughing with joy watching this. Thank you Rick for making the pilgrimage to see this guy so we can learn a couple of things. Great interview as always. Liked and subscribed. Bravo!.

Gambale is one of the true greatest players of all time. Listen to his solos with Shawn Lane and Brett Garsed on Mike Varney's Project second album, Centrifugal Funk.

I put my guitar down, got on my phone, watched this video, and am now going to practice til my fingers bleed. As ALWAYS, fantastic video.

The beast. I remember the first time I heard about Frank Gambale. My friend, worship pastor, and one of my biggest guitar mentors and inspirations had a green Ibanez he played every week. One day at rehearsal I remember asking him about the letters on the headstock. “What is FGM?” “Frank Gambale!! This is his signature model Ibanez” He said, or something along those lines. Idk exactly the words this was like almost 20 years ago now. Well, at the time, I was in my Metallica phase iirc. I thought Kirk Hammett was as good as it got (forgive me, forgive us all, we all had this phase, admit it). Anyway, I remember listening to Frank sometime later and was like “what...in the world... is this?” It was so far ahead of what my ears had ever heard at the time. I honestly didn’t know what to do with it. It just wasn’t something palatable to me yet, but I brought up the Ibanez website and was like, “well they gave this guy a signature, who else do they equip?” And that’s when I first heard of Joe Satriani, the guy who taught my then-idol Kirk Hammett. My evolution as a guitar player started with a premature taste of Gambale’s music that led me down to Satch, then Vai, then Paul Gilbert, Petrucci, and so on. Many, many years later, after digesting phases of dream theater, to liquid tension experiment, eventually learning about Greg Howe and Ritchie Kotzen which brought me back to Fusion, and I found myself really really digging Gambale and his contemporaries like Holdsworth, McLaughlin, etc. Anyway. That’s a lot of words for: this guy is an amazing player and this video is great.

I love how Rick and Frank never lost their fascination with guitar. Look at Rick watch Frank...as any of us would be there with our mouths open.

Like all of Rick's videos, pure gold. There's a reason why he has over 2 million subscribers. Thanks Rick, you are the best. Oh yeah, Frank's not bad himself.

This is Rick being an amazing listener, and allowing the artist to really fly.

Rick you are a good interviewer, you let the interviewee do the talking. Great video.

A True Guitar Master with a Heart & His own Identity, in a brief moment of his time He shared so much with you. Thank You!

When he said...“I don’t want to be thinking...oh God, here comes the hard part!”, I busted out laughing. Good stuff and man, what a player Frank is!

I had the pleasure to getting a one on one lesson with Frank back in 1983 at G.I.T. Super nice guy and amazing player. He showed me his sweeping technique. I was happy to see him gain such praise and recognition. Great guy.

Who would give this a thumbs down? Rick this was great , I’ve warmed up with his exercises since 1987! Wow ,thank you Frank !

Frank is not only an outstanding musician but also a very humble and genuine person, what an inspiration

One night, a long time ago, I went to a free open-air Frank Gambale concert at Ipanema beach in Rio. He played a blues song and I never heard any blues guitarist play a blues like Frank did that night. Frank is a monster who can play any style with perfection. His feeling is outstanding. Thank you Frank for that night!

I play drums, but I can watch Frank play all day, one of my favorites. Thanks Rick...Thanks Frank.

Rick, I can tell by the look on your face, how music moves you. You become spirit!

Frank Gambale is the highest source of the guitar's world. Amazing Interview!

The best ever Frank Interview, so relaxed and informative! Thank you!

Back in 2004, l had the most incredible opportunity to assist Frank on his trio's first U.S. tour. I spent three weeks on the road with him, Ric Fierabracchi, and Joel Taylor, as well as Chris Poland's band, OHM, who was double-billing the venues with Frank. Frank has everything any of the metal shredders do, and a whole lot more!

This is why we love Frank Gambale! The interaction is beautiful, and humorous, and profound!

What a monster player, what a harmony maker. What a humble, modest man and great musician. Great Frank Gambale.

Frank Gambale = True Daddy - the last 2 minutes are just Magical - Magic starts at 24:16. Excellent interview Rick.

Gambale is truly a giant, always loved his phrasing. Thanks for this awesome interview video Rick! Cheers from Sweden!

This guy is insane. Saw him in Chicago. One of the best guitarists there will ever be. Period.

Come on, even just him arpeggiating fourths is beautiful! What an incredible guy and musician who never lets himself become complacent with his craft and appreciation for music!

Funny that this shows up in my feed today. Today, I learned Chick Corea passed away and I was fortunate enough to see Frank play with the Electrik Band back in '89 or '90.

How about Rick's ability to land all these great musicians for interviews. I think that says a lot about Rick's musical street cred that so many artists respect and honor him with their time for the enjoyment and education of everyone that watches.

To make me smile, I'd like to thing of a guy like Frank, traveling back in time into some king's 15th century court, picking up a lute, and jamming the blues on it, and watching the reactions of the people.

The last song “Table for One” Is one of the best music pieces in the world! So Beautifull! Thank you Frank and thank you Rick !! 🙏🏼

One of three kings to me. Lane, Holdsworth and gambale. Thank god one of them is still with us

24:17 one of the most beautiful chord progressions I have ever heard. I have to learn that somehow.

Fantastic! I love Frank's way of expressing his technique and his appreciation for music. I met him once after seeing the Electric Band in Virginia back in 86. He was very cool as were all of them. Incredible talent and human being. Thanks for posting this.

Awesome, what a genuine guy... has no negatives everything is just a different flavor of positive...

Ya man, that's cool he was so open sharing his insight. WE ALL KNOW but what a fantastic player.

rick you are a very talented musician. and talented , music,media producer and a great teacher! just the way you are mannered ,made that interview amazing and very relaxed , you could tell frank was enjoying your company! thx man.

One of your best videos Rick.. thank you so much...Frank Gambale is a living legend , guitar God, exquisite and excellent teacher and wonderful human being, -whom I've had the pleasure of meeting. RIP Chick Corea... :( ... long live FUSION! 🖖🏻🎼🔥🔥🔥🔥

Wow. That was ear opening, on the altered tuning, those chords were beautiful and unique on guitar and unique is genius . Well done, thanks Rick for having Mr Gambale on

Best line: “this is a beast that we have to overcome” meaning the guitar.

Amazing player and a great guy as well! Thanks for doing this interview Rick!

I met Frank many moons ago at an exhibition at Wembley Conference Centre, London and he generously invited me to a gig he had at the Camden Underworld! Never to be forgotten...

This just popped up on my YT feed 1year after the fact. What a treat! A friend made me go out and buy a Vital Information album a few (or more?) decades ago. Great tracks and all amazing players, but Frank Gambale blew my socks off. Great interview and super interviewee. Thx!

He’s a brilliant musician, so creative. I loved his years with Steve Smith & Vital Information! One of my favorite guitarists!!

I love it when he's playing the chords and saying what they are..

Omg that piece at the end just blew my brain out the back of my head.

My biggest influence.. This interview could go on for hours & I'd watch it. Great job Rick!!! Thanks

It is not an interview. It is a MASTERCLASS! Thanks, Rick. You are great.

i get up at 330am every morning before work and play through franks chop builder dvd ...best warm up ever!!!!

24:16 if you want to listen to one of the most beautiful guitar pieces ever. (Check out Rick's face while he watches!)

What the heck??!! I'm Australian and yet I've never heard of him!! Clearly, Frank has largely picked up the American accent yet there's still a hint of Aussie to his voice. Instant fan here!!!

My Gambale story is this- about 2009 I got a really nice used 1990 Ibanez 540S. Just a spectacular guitar, still have it. When I got it I saw this Gambale guy associated with it and listened to him out of curiosity. I had no idea what he played and had already been introduced to a good amount of jazz funk fusion from the '70s, and it blew me away so I have been listening to him ever since!

It's so rewarding watching an interview where the interviewer let the interviewee to express himself. Thanks Rick for this golden moment

I'm watching this a second time. Rick, best show ever which is saying a lot for all the great work you've shared with us.

You're the man, Rick. I appreciate your work.

A wonderful piece with my countryman, the great Frank Gambale. I had the same reaction as you did at 11:30 Rick, LOL. Brilliant stuff. Thanks :)

Good lord, what an incredible guitarist Frank is. If i could hang out with him for a year what i could learn. Awesome Rick

Frank got me into sweep picking and I love it!!! Took a good while but I stayed with one of his major 7th runs and now I’m off to the races. Thanks Frank,..... your my hero!!!

Was lucky to have sat two feet from Frank for a two hour siminar back in the 80’s at the “Music Loft” in Winston-Salem NC. Everyone left there with their heads down...lol. Awesome player.

Great interview Rick. I could listen to Frank talk all day. What a vault of knowledge and inspiration.

Maybe not the King of shred but the Head of the Department of Intelligence of Shred. He knows more than anyone else and deserve so much more attention and respect than he currently gets.

Frank is not only a killer musician, but also a really nice guy. Had the honor of interviewing him for a podcast and I was impressed at his openness to share valuable information.

Wow! Mr. Frank Gambale! ...Rick, you've done it again! ...A True Masterpiece here! In the early 1990's I had heard Frankie G. and was stunned. Most kids today won't truly understand the Jazz Fusion age or Genre of musicians that took part in it, but what Frank G showed was that instead of just the same old same old types of guitar solos in Rock, you could use Jazz or other verses and chords to your own fretwork and sound very unique and very very good!... Frank is one of those true masters of the guitar and was not given the true publicity that he should have been at the time. It is a great honor that you feature him here today in this video, and as usual, you let the Artist not only speak, but display his skills and gifts....We all here are truly honored! And to Mr. Frank Gambale, your video tapes helped me to introduce my pinky finger into my guitar soloing, with the constant practice and use, it gives an additional amount of speed and stretched out playing. Thanks again to you Mr. Rick Beato! This is truly amazing!..... (I would love to see you interview Mr. Arlen Roth) I met him in 1991 at Daddy's Junky Music Store in Manchester, N.H. The store was on his tour, and it was a major snow storm that day. Only 9 ppl showed and I hogged most of the time speaking to him about his part in the movie Crossroads with Ralph Macchio. I would gladly pay to see you conduct that interview. God Bless and Thank You Once Again!!!

I love Frank.Ever since I saw his VHS of the modes, doors opened in my mind and I practically stole his whole right hand! Thank you Rick for this vid!

Thanks for this video Rick. What a humble man Gambale.

Frank Gambale's chopbuilder... Amazing method and best 80's video !!

It incredible how Frank, having already been an awesome player when he "appeared on the scene", has managed to grow even so much more as a musician. Shows you it is always possible to go further. Amazing.

One of my favourite interviews you’ve done... wonderful to see Frank sharing his chops and insights, genuinely inspiring!

That Kiesel guitar is gorgeous

Great interview. Both amazing musicians. I love how Rock gives him all the room to tell his stories. Rick's such a good listener. Thanks for creating these inspiring videos, Rick! 👍

BEST MUSIC CHANNEL ON RU-vid!!!! Thank you for this interview, Rick!!!

Eye opening interview, I met Frank in 1988 at GIT in Atlanta on Sexton Woods Rd. in Atlanta when I was 18 years old at guitar school. . Couldn't believe what I was seeing! I mean Jimmy Herring was blowing our minds every night when he was teaching there and then Frank came in one day and started sweeping like a mad beast, it was new to me , exciting. Fascinating, ..an intense, happy, absorbing kinda guy. Interesting to see him 32 years later reflective and laid back lol! That was an amazing time as that same year our clinics were also Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore and Steve Lynch. My high school bandmate Jim White played drums with him for the clinic, and I was blown away. I didnt realize my friend was that good to hang with Frank but he'd been telling me about his teacher Jeff Sipe. I'm still evolving and love your videos, I've learned alot. Thanks for your service brother