Contributor Lauren Saunders talked with Rock, Blues and Jazz guitar legend Adrian Galysh! Read it HERE

By: Lauren Saunders

How long have you been working with Guitar World in teaching guitar online?
AG: I have been teaching guitar for 25 years, but have been doing an online lesson column for Guitar World since 2013.

Looking back over some the instruction lessons given, how primed and ready are most guitarist today overall do you think?
AG: Generally speaking, most students share the same bad habits and holes in their skill set.

Do you give recommendations on what equipment your students should use as they work with you and learn?
AG: Sometimes. I can only speak from experience. But I help them look for specific qualities good acoustic or electric guitar should have. Same with amplifiers.

Do you have a particular guitar that just always feels right for you?
AG: I have a few but, because I use a different guitar for different styles of playing, but right now, my new Suhr Modern Satin guitar is a the top. An amazingly great playing guitar.

On average per week, how many hours do you spend just ‘practicing?’
AG: I used to spend like 1-4 hours a day, and maybe up to 6-8 hours when I was in my 20s, but these days I play so much (like 4-6 hours a day) for work and gigs, that sitting down and specifically practicing just to get my chops up doesn't happen as often. I'd say 4-5 hours a week.

Congratulations on your 20th Anniversary for Venusian Sunrise. Did you ever imagine back then when you recorded this album that 20 years forward you’d be doing it again?
AG: Thank you. I don't think I ever imagined that I'd re-record the album. At the time it was the best that I could do, and my mind was set on the future.

What and why Adrian is Venusian Sunrise such an important part of your music journey?
AG: Well, it is the genesis of my playing style and my style of composition. After all these years, revisiting this material reminds me that these songs are the blueprint for what I have become. However more sophisticated my playing and songwriting has gotten, Venusian Sunrise represents the beginning of it all. The album also put me on the map, and established me as an up-and-coming guitar player, and brought me attention from the press and other musicians.

Where did you record this modern 20th celebration?
AG: I recorded a majority of the record (guitars, keyboards, and bass) at my home studio in Los Angeles. The drums were recorded at Validus Studios by Ryan Greene.

Who all worked with you on putting together this anniversary edition?
AG: WhIle I put in most of the work, having re-recorded all the keyboards, guitars and bass parts, drummer Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper) played on the record, and bass great Stu Hamm (Satriani) was a special guest on two songs. My friend Jesse Billson mixed the record, as well as remastered the original 1998 recording for the 20th Anniversary Edition. He mixed my last two records. Kristina Maloney did the CD artwork and layout, and Tamea Agle was the photographer.

Will it be available digitally and on vinyl?
AG: It is available on CD and as download everywhere. No vinyl.

Who in your estimation is the all-time ‘Bad Ass’ guitarist and why?
AG: There are a number of great guitarists, but for me, Randy Rhoads is up there. He inspired me to play in the first place, and to this day, many of his solos are still very challenging. He always played with such intensity and passion.

Rock, Blues, and Jazz Guitar
www.AdrianGalysh.com
www.facebook.com/adriangalysh
www.twitter.com/AdrianGalysh
www.youtube.com/adriangalysh
www.instagram.com/adrian_galysh