What a year. I hope everyone is still managing to keep healthy, safe and most importantly, sane. It’s been a good few months since I’ve updated this website, let me fill you in with what I’ve been up to since August 2020..
Starting with most recently, I’m putting the final pieces together for a new LickLibrary course on David Lee Roth’s incredible ‘eat em and smile’ album. Ibanez UK were very kind to lend me a Steve Vai signature ‘Pia’ guitar for the process. The course should be out by the middle of 2021, until then, here’s some practice clips!
Whilst on the subject of Ibanez, I also filmed a demo for the new RG565 Genesis (a re-issue of a classic 90’s Ibanez RG) I used my track ‘Resistance’. It seems to have gone down well, Ibanez have used it on their website as the official demo for the guitar.
In other news. I’m a very lucky Guitar Tutor to have had opportunity to ‘teach’ some absolutely brilliant up and coming guitar players & songwriters at WaterBear over the last couple of years. The term has been tough of course, but the improvements students have made in their own musicianship due to their own motivation, curiosity and passion for guitar in a tricky time has been nothing short of inspiring. Teaching goes both ways, its not a one way transaction. I’ve noticed my own attitudes, motivations and aspirations have been enriched through teaching, learning from their journeys has helped me learn more about myself I ways I alone couldn’t have imagined. That’s priceless and I’m forever thankful of the journey Guitar takes me. I’ve also become a student again as I’m studying a MA (Masters) at WaterBear, helping underline what I’ve done in my career so far and learning new skills and planning the next step!
On the subject of Education, there is a very cool project that WaterBear has set up with Andertons Music. I can’t say too much yet, but its educational and I get to talk to some of the industries top guitarists about their playing. Here’s a few of the first interviewees!
I always love jamming with Pete, he’s such a musical and expressive player. Its a masterclass every time. Rabea was super generous with his time, such an awesome sound and his writing is top class. I learnt a lot sitting down on camera with these guys. Whilst Rabea was with us, we did a quick clip for WaterBear on the future of the Music Industry.
I also hosted an online Masterclass with Rabea for the students at WaterBear, which you can watch in full here:
This year I filmed 2 LickLibrary courses, the first one was a Classic Album series on Rush’s Moving Pictures album. The 2nd Course was 10 Killer Pop Solo’s, that came out recently and is available at LickLibrary.com
And all the way back in August I had the pleasure between lockdown’s to safely travel to Germany for 42 Gear Street Two, which was an awesome event where I got to test some amazing gear, collaborate with some world class musicians and generally have a great time. Here’s a clip I did with the amazing Jack Gardiner.
You can find more videos from the event by searching for the hashtag #42gstwo
I also had the pleasure of trying out some new Pick Up’s from local Guitar Builders Eternal Guitars. This is a PAF like no other, killer clarity! I teamed up with some fantastic local guitar players (Chris Cox, Lewis Harding & Alex Ward) and demo’ed them!
2020 has been a tough year for everyone, I feel very fortunate to still be able to pick up a guitar. We can all make the world better through being kind, using compassion, looking out for others and looking after ourselves.
Here’s to a better 2021, happy holidays, and a happy new year to all of you.
On a personal note, i won’t go into too much detail, but I feel I must at least reflect on this… In October my family lost my Grandad. He was forever supportive of my journey as a Musician and an Academic. He was a top Vet, Golfer, Father, Friend and Grandfather, he was many things, to many people. A very pragmatic, stoic, intelligent and loving soul with a killer dry sense of humour. He is greatly missed, I am very lucky to know him and so is my Family. Our relationships still continue and develop after death, just not in the way we’re familiar with. He’s home now, rest well Andrew Ridgeway.
