Paul Gilbert highlights the importance of restraint in guitar shredding
uitar teacher.“He and I said, ‘Well, maybe it’s a good idea to work together,’” Gilbert says. “He comes over to my house, and I show him a few things – but nothing really deep or heavy. I’d show him a few ways to play melodies, and interesting fretboard shapes.” “That way, he gets a different perspective of playing. So it was amazing to see him play his dad’s music and have the heart of it.”The following year, Gilbert worked with Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman, alongside Generation Axe alumni Steve Vai; it’s clearly a side of him that his fans aren’t necessarily aware of. Gilbert says it was no surprise that he took a different approach in his teachings. “I don’t want to be a rock god. I want to be a good teacher,” he confesses.
“In 2023, he confided to Guitar World, “I never wanted to be a guitar teacher. But I started to become one because I have so much to offer for these students, especially the ones who struggle. I started to think about, ‘What are the real mysteries of the fretboard? How do I explain it to them?’”It seems that getting back to the roots of the guitar is something Gilbert values. It’s there he finds ways to reconnect with his instrument.“When I listen to good music, I always have that feeling that I want to pick up my guitar and play,” he said. “I always picture myself playing the guitar on the stage, and I see myself as a rock guitarist. I hear all the great guitarists – the Eddie Van Halens and the Eric Claptons. It’s an energizing feeling. And when I get to the stage, I feel that power. It’s a magical thing.”It’s clear that Paul Gilbert is a musician who isn’t just content with playing guitar; he’s always striving to innovate within the genre of shredding. His focus on teaching and restraint in his own music demonstrates that there’s value in both wild virtuosity and controlled precision when it comes to guitar playing. As the guitar world continues to evolve, it’s artists like Paul Gilbert who serve as pillars of inspiration for aspiring guitarists everywhere.