Ask Papa Gates.

[Calvin Phillips]

How amazing does it feel to be able to play off solo to solo with your son in a song?

 

[Ed Seith]

I’m be curious to hear your thoughts on how the industry has changed, not only from the time you started, but also the tremendous shifts and changes even since A7X got signed – how deals have changed, how distribution has changed, potentially smart ways for the independent artist to eke out a decent living, when being a young, touring artist isn’t an option anymore… Stuff like that.

 

[Daniel Bernard]

As a dad, was it scary to see Syn dress in black, get lots of tattoos and drink alot haha?

 

[Pablo De Miguel]

I have been playing self taught for two years and i want to be a great player like syn and you and play all arround the world, and all my family tells me that I need to go to a music school,but i think that i have all the theory i need in the syn school ,however if i decided to go to a music school there isn´t any music school in my village,but there is an academy of music in the nearest city. Should i go to that academy or I can stay only in the syn school?
PD: Sorry for my english mistakes,english isn´t my natal language

 

[Bartosz Tkaczyk]

What did you want to be when you were a child? or maybe you always wanted to be just a musician? greetings from Poland

 

[Turias F.]

Proud to be part of this forum, sweet PG!
Which technique do you like the most in your playing? Youre a great guitarist in every aspect but do you have one that fits you the most?

 

[Nathan Register]

How do you get in the business of becoming a professional guitarist.

 

[Jake Young]

You’re too cool! I practiced the strict alternate picking for the first 14 years of playing..over the last 4 it’s been mainly economy style. It’s tricky to go back and alternate pick when playing speedy runs. But would it be a good idea to be well versed in both styles or just stick to what feels natural? Did I mention you’re too cool?

 

[Dan Shipway]

How do I incorporate the Floyd rose or sustainiac into my playing because I am saving for a syn custom and I want to make full use of all the features but I wish to do it in a musical way. Thanks for all you and Syn have done for us on the site!

 

[Ben Thorpe]

Do you think it’s worth investing money into a really expensive guitar, or is it worth just sticking to a cheap guitar?

 

[Matt Wildcat]

1. You’ve worked on a few songs with Avenged over the years, what was your favourite part about that? Was there a particular favourite song you worked on? Was there a song you wish you could’ve worked on?
2. Any favourite stories from touring / studio work you’d like to share?
Thank you for doing this and for everything you and Syn have done! You guys are awesome!!

 

[Israel Stefanello]

My question is not about classes but something that I wanted to ask some time ago.
what does it feel like to have a son who is a rockstar watching the young guitar playing, went through the head some time that he would become one of the best guitarists in the world today and would influence people corns
Did you ever stop to think about it? What’s the feeling?

 

[Nathaniel Tangeman]

What’s your feeling towards 7 or 8 string guitars?

 

[Guest]

If you could go back in time and learn a different instrument, what would you pick?

 

[Daniel Sobota]

Do you think you can outshred Syn? I’d personally love to see a shred-off guest appearance between you and him on the next album. A song with both of you giving their best.

 

[Jake Young]

I came up with another question..any tips on how to play with the least amount of tension as possible?

 

[Mariler]

A piece of wisdom for beginners, please . Learning music theory can be overwhelming. Do you have any tips for beginners not to get discouraged?
As a self taught learner I have gathered so many bad habits and frustrations that I could write a book. This time I am determined to erase the old mistakes and it would be great to be reminded of the most important “what not to dos” when you are learning. Which are the most common mistakes beginners make?
My last question is a little tricky one. Guitar seems to be a men’s world. What would you say to the female players in this forum to encourage us to become great guitarsts?
Really love this forum. Thanks for creating thi community

 

[Ed Seith]

PG – how does it feel to be responsible for the recent incident at Waffle House? After all, if you’d not sung about a fistfight there, where else would the perpetrators have gotten the idea?

 

[Noah Berends]

Do you (or Syn) ever regularly play extended range guitars? Additionally do you think there will be a lesson made sometime on how scales and scale shapes extend onto a 7 and 8 string guitar?

 

[Jen Hapke]

Is there one thing you would like to play on guitar and you can’t play yet? If so, what is it?