what made you guys join this school?

[derrick mcgill]

I’ll start.
been playing my entire life basically and never took lessons. after a while I got stuck in bad habits and solos were becoming plain Jane due to being stuck in the box. I have learned tricks and flashy things over the years but just like any cheap trick they wear out quick on stage.
syns a modern age virtuoso so why not learn from that and the man who taught the guy? no brainer. mad respect for these guys taking their time to help us out.

 

[Ed Seith]

I could have written what you wrote. Damn near verbatim.

 

[Jak Angelescu]

I was always grasped the concept of rhythm and chord changes fairly quick. But I always dreamed of being able to play amazing, moving solos. I never could. I’ve been playing for 21 years and never could be a great lead player. I took lessons, I bought books, I watched YouTube videos, I got advice from other shredders, and nothing – and I mean NOTHING – worked. And of course, being so inspired by Syn and his dad, I got so excited when this school came around. I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve finally actually improved…like…a LOT.

 

[Sayonil Mitra]

Syn gates himself was the first reason. Also, I have never been to forums which are specifically for learning guitar and stuff like this. Plus those free lessons. Out of curiosity,I joined here.

 

[Calvin Phillips]

I figured if I was going to actually sit down and train myself to learn the right way, it’d have to be from the man himself. The rewards have been amazing.

 

[Annelene Frabe]

At first, I was so inspired by you, Syn, that I begged by parents to get me a guitar for my birthday, because I wanted to play just like you. When they gave it to me, I almost immediately started playing the first few scales and melodies I could think of. I searched online for guitar lessons, because I’ve never had a teacher tell me what’s right and what’s wrong to do and I always felt like I wasn’t learning properly. Over half of a year later the school launched and I felt almost overwhelmed, shocked, and also very happy that one of my dreams came true – learning from you.
Together with your dad, you’ve created one of the most amazing things in the whole fucking world and I’m damn proud of you for making it free on top. Thank you for everything you do, no matter what, replying to comments and always trying to help. I love the two of you so much!
Many greetings from Germany, Annelene

 

[Richard O'connor]

I’ve been playing 20 years but I always feel that there is always something to learn from someone. So the idea of a forum where you can ask questions off other musicians seemed like the perfect idea. I’ve never been a shredder, my solos are more akin to slash, melodic and bluesy but not necessarily break neck speed. I’ve always looked up to syns playing and aspired to play like that to no avail. So these lessons are a great way for me to atleast try.
Plus the added fact now I’ve got to know other guitarists from around the world is pretty cool.

 

[idssdi]

Syn was the first reason (his dad aswell). I was kinda hoping that it would help with a bunch of stuff I couldn’t do or didn’t know and it really did! Also this place is free to just ramble on about guitar stuff which I love to do anyway so it is kinda like the perfect website for me. I also figured out that teaching is the best way to actually learn to dour your stuff right and helping sometimes made me realize that I still have a lot to learn so by helping other people (or at least trying to) I also was actually learnig new stuff myself!

 

[Austin Goodsell]

I have been playing for around 12 years on and off… Mainly self taught and YouTube happy. I was tired of trying to figure out what I needed to learn next or what to improve on, all of the essentials but couldn’t get a teacher because in this area we couldn’t afford one at the time and, well, I had no idea it would take off like this. There have been a few times in the past years that I thought I would have to start over from square one because of bad habits and a while of not playing because I lost the motivation due to My music sounded pretty bad. But then here comes Synister Gates and Papa Gates, some of my most inspirational guitarists started up a FREE website for guitarists to get together. And learn what we need to learn plus more…. I honestly couldn’t be more grateful. My skills and techniques are growing more “pure” and clean. Sometimes I just stop playing to admire the progress this site has helped me reach….

 

[Lauren Morales]

I joined the school because of Syn. For years I have tried to learn different solos from him and always gave up. Now that Papa Gates and Syn have started this school, I have grown as a guitarist, learning things that I found difficult have become easier to understand because of then. I am very great full that they have created this school and this wonderful guitar community.
Thanks Syn and Papa Gates for all that you do for us.

 

[Noah Berends]

I loved A7X, loved Syn’s playing, and I needed to jumpstart some serious commitment to learning. I had lessons in the past, and they were a great platform to jump off of and basically covered most of the “Beginner” section of this school, but after stopping lessons I became stagnant and did nothing but learn songs once in a while and just mindlessly do what I thought was shredding. I started to see some serious faults, and this school came along at the perfect time. I thought, “this sounds like a really great tool and Syn and Papa Gates really know their shit” and so I signed up and never looked back.

 

[Cláudia Brás]

I took classical guitar lessons for 4 years, then I went to college and I couldn’t manage to have enough time to do everything… result: I got frustrated and I kind of gave up of playing guitar for 5 years. I don’t really need to say that it was one of the worst choices I have ever made in my life.
In the end of last year, I was listening to HTTK and I was like “That’s it! I have to do this!”. At that moment I felt so inspired and motivated that I researched more about Syn’s solos, that’s when I saw that Syn and Papa Gates started up this school (and for free!). I must say that it came along at the perfect time! Everything happens for a reason, right?
It is hard to start again after this years, but this school has helped me a lot already! Not only Syn and Papa Gates, but everyone with your comments and questions! (Thank you soooooo much!) Next step is: to feel confident enough to post some videos!

 

[Jen Hapke]

I never had any lessons. But I was thinking about a lot of guitar “things” and searched for answers. I just got into Ax7 last summer and I read many interviews and Syn started talking about the school.
I came here because of the lessons but it even got better. I couldn’t imagine that the community would be such a big thing.
It’s just awesome.

 

[Dominik Gräber]

Wow, cool to read all your Stories. Really impressed of the Impact of this Website to me and all Others Here in the Forum.
There are many obvious reasons to Join the school. For me it was logical, because I absolutely admire Syns Work. I started for fun with my favorite Metal Bands in Mind and the Attitude that I absolutely hate music theory which resulted from my school time with that subject. But of course playing Solos You learn gets you nowhere far or fast, so when the school launched i User it to Set a Goal to improve myself in 2018. Needless to say it already worked. My Attitude to music has changed, I Play more seriously and already better for some parts.
This school rocks \m/

 

[Josh Wright]

I joined because I love syn, and I want to know a lot of his thought process. One thing that stuck out to me was the idea of sharing ideas with people and learning not only from papa and syn, but from everyone.

 

[Karina G]

I quit playing guitar a few years ago when I grew fed up that I could never figure out the trick to playing my own style, my own way.
I saw a7x earlier this year, and something about the performance re-lit my passion for music. After searching for lessons, I found this site and I do not regret it! This is such a supportive community, and the lessons are fantastic.
Thank you, syn and papa gates, for all your hard work to make this place.