Ed Seith – I got him into guitar at about age 10. Taught him basic chords, pent scale, etc. I always let him learn whatever he wanted so he would remain interested. Kids HAVE to be self-motivated. If you push a kid, they will generally rebel and guitar will be like homework. Let him play whatever he is into and try to explain some theory or technique as it applies to the song he wants to play. Syn wanted to learn Black Dog before he could play a barre chord. I showed it to him and it naturally led him to better picking technique and him wanting to learn more in general – which I was always happy to show him. He did the majority of the work himself. I was always available to answer questions, explain techniques or theory when he got stuck on something. He was a very good player by the time he got out of high school with just me showing him the ropes. Where he became a great player was when he went to MI and studied with guys like Brett Garsed. MI is amazing – in that if you want to study tapping, there are 3 or 4 experts that teach 2 finger, 4 finger or 8 finger. If you want to study legato, they ask you, “Rock, jazz, fusion?” Because there are 5 or 6 guys that specialize in each one. He took a class in slap bass and came out slapping like a monster. It’s a crazy school – and if you apply yourself, there is simply no limit to what you can learn.
