Over the weekend I had the opportunity to go and see several guitar player and teacher friends I’ve haven’t seen in many years… and met many new ones.
Musician’s Institute is a legendary music school in Hollywood, and while I’ve never attended there, many of my friends and fellow guitar players have attended and/or taught there over the years.
I went up Sunday morning and hung out with Roger Hutchinson of REH videos, GuitarAxis, and most recently GuitarWebinars.com. For those of you who haven’t seen an REH Produced video over the years at some point you’ve likely lived in a cave 🙂
Seriously, Roger has worked to bring guys like Robben Ford, Paul Gilbert, Richie Kotzen, Blues Saraceno, Shawn Lane, and probably dozens of other brilliant guitarists into aspiring players’ living rooms. Oddly enough, we met because he is also a player and bought one of my guitar courses! Imagine… this guy buying my stuff (still blows my mind.)
Anyway, here’s a quick video with Roger:
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/VJQrv75kW5w” rel=”0″]
Then we were talking with Les Wise, a former MI instructor and creator of countless books and courses on jazz guitar over the years. Just search his name on Amazon and you’ll see some.
He and his wife are working on a new project called The Deliberate Musician that I’m anxious to delve more into and report back to you later on.
Here’s a quick video with Les:
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/-tLaQ8cwJRI” rel=”0″]
And then… who should walk by but my all time favorite jazz guitarist, Pat Martino!
What an incredibly personable and humble guy. We talked guitars for about 20 minutes (he has some amazing instruments) before he had to head out to catch a plane back east…. truly surreal for me.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/nFS1mEt5p1Q” rel=”0″]
Just thought I’d share with you all. It was one of those rare moments where I got to stop being a guitar teacher and just be a fan for a while… very cool 🙂
82 replies to "Musician’s Institute 30 Year Reunion"
I WONDERED WHERE AMERICAN IDOL GETS THEIR GREAT MUSICANS..I GUESS IT IS GOOD TO HAVE A BANK NEARBY–COULD BE??? HOLLYWOOD INSTITUTE????HUMMM HEY ‘GRIFF’- YOUR THE TEACHER!!!! THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP ON MAKING ME THE GUITARIST I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE….
Enjoyed these! Keep ’em coming. I must add that over the last couple of months I’ve begun to notice a significant improvement in playing…even after all these years, lol. Didn’t really think I’d improve this much this quickly. I’m truly excited about how much my playing will improve by the end of the year and by the time I finish the entire Blues course. Thanks Griff!
Griff,
Sorry, I knew you were only 40 and was pulling your leg, of course. I hope some day to be standing next to you in a video introducing my BGU teacher to my friends.
Cheers
Very Cool Stuff…Thanxs for sharing. I have really enjoyed the SRV lesson and the Muddy Waters lesson recently…Really enjoy just tinkering around the fret board lately (Main riffs and Licks).
That must have been really fun for you.
I was hoping that we’d get to hear a little jam session – but, maybe next time – at the 50 year reunion!
How cool was that,, you Griff, that is how alot of us think about you. Our teacher that one day we would love to meet. Yeah, buddy you are that special. Thanks for what you do and how you do it. Jim
Griff, very cool thanks for all you do much appreciated!!
Guess what? I’m one of your fan too…. You’re Great Musician and Thanks ! God Bless!
You Are Truly An Awesome Guy Griff. Thank You !
I remember meeting Stevie Vai there about 25 or so years ago. Some incredible players have come out of that school.
these are great pictures…..
yup must be im a cave man
looks like you realy enjoyed yourself griff it must be great having a job thats your life time hobby keep up the good work with the guitar lessons thanks again bow
Hey Griff
Saw your bit with Pat Martino and it sent me to my archives, a 2010 Guitar Player article
10 things you gotta do to play like Pat Martino by Jesse Gress. That article took me on
an internet search that led me to you and I bought your Blues Unleashed course that
has changed my guitar playing and my life. Pat’s stuff was a little too technical for me
but I understood the concept. He uses a G minor(Bb) base and I like your A minor(C)
concept (no #s etc) better. Just reread the article and I appreciate your approach even more now.
Keep it coming, my friend, I really appreciate it, this old dog is learning new licks.Thank You
Ed White
You know, Ed, I remember that article too… it was great. Pat’s approach is really unique. I’ve tried to embrace it but it really doesn’t work for me. I love his playing but I’d have a hard time learning from him. In any event, really glad you’re digging the course. Stay in touch, please.
Thanks for sharing this , in french I would say vous êtes une personne très sympatique`.
Well, let me see… If you had to be 18 to enter the Institute, and you’re celebrating the 30 Year Reunion, that makes you 49… no, 48, sorry (senility).
Funny, Griff, you don’t look like you’re almost 50…
😉
Midnight you got me…. I’m only 40. I didn’t actually attend MI (or GIT as it would have been then) I went to USC. But many friends and colleagues when to MI so I know them by extension only.
I am very interested in these candid glimpses into your life. Thanks for letting us share that exciting day with you.
gene conner
It’s good to meet those you admire and respect.
Hey Griff
Thanks for sharing that with us man cool
Respect
Martyn
Very nice Griff. Tony
Hey Griff, keep living it up. There’s no better feeling than meeting with your favorite guitar legends. Your guitar courses are great too. I’ll be calling you soon in the future to take some private lessons also. Thanks
Hey Griff, glad to see you taking a break and enjoying the reunion, with friends and such. Every now and then, we all need to take time for ourselves. It’s good therapy and I think i’m going to do the same. Anyway, i’m proud of you and thanks for sharing this with us. For me now, it’s back to the books. I sure wish i can get the Pentonic scales down. Seems like i’m having a mental block for some reason, but i’m not a quiter. infact at almost 58 yrs old, this has become my only passion. Most of all at this point, what i have retained i owe to you for your true teaching qualities. Thanks again. Ron Short!! disabled veteran and proud.
You looked Over happy there dude, I’m glad for you and I hope someday to meet my teacher too.
Thanks for Sharing teach.
Cesar
great to see you beaming with delight 🙂
thanks for sharing
You are the Man! Thanx for the lessons!
I was listening to Pat Martino in my car and came home and opened your email. Sureprise! He’s one of my idols too. It must have been a real thrill for you. Thanks for sharing. I hope some day you can teach me to play like him. Are you thinking of doing a Jazz course someday? I’ll be the first one to sign up.
Awesome way to spend the day!!! Thanks also for shareing your lessons with us!!!
Scott
hey Griff,
thanks for sharing …you must have felt like a kid in a candy store at the reunion
Brian
You’re definitely in good company Griff!
Cheers-
What a buzz, Griff, …… congrat’s from “Down Under”.
You are a cool guy Griff and you have given me a lot help and tips in your videos. It’s great to see such a talented player give back so much to others, what a great inspiration man, keep on Rockin buddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lucky you it must have been great times cheers,,,,
Good grief Griff……. I recently purchased BGU and wondered, while waiting for the post to deliver, what I could be doing. You know, get the finger tips in shape, work on teaching those fingers a few simple chords, keep my enthusiasm at a high level … those kinds of things. But then comes along this and all the other “goodies”… I’m afraid of overload! Wonderful! Even before the lessons arrive I feel I’m ahead of the game. Thanks……
Griff, good things happen to good people. Glad to hear you had a good time.
Very cool! It looks and sounds like you had a blast. You are truly an inspiration to me, as these guys inspire you! Thank you for everything you do for us, Griff!
neet. I think it rubs off a bit when you get meet up with people who are good at what they do, they inspire you to try harder and get better.
Now you know how I felt at BGU Live!
Very cool. Thanks for sharing.
very cool!
I have always been impressed by the Humility of Guitar players, Great and small.
Guitars are made from Good glue, and provide good glue.
‘good on ya Griff’
Good to see you so relaxed and enjoying meeting with your hero’s. That must have been a special event, so many of them all in one place at once.
Keep up the good work, and remember the ‘left hander’s’ among us.
That was really interesting. I’ve lived in LA for the last 30 years and have seen and met some terrific players. Went to a jam session last night with my lawsuit Ibanez Les Paul and played with some really good players I’ve met through AA. The meeting is called Jammin’ in Hollywood located at 1313 Edgemont at 6pm Saturdays. After the AA meeting we go a couple doors down to the church at the corner of Edgemont and Fountain and plug in and play.
So glad you got a chance to get out and enjoy yourself Griff! thanks for sharing!
Dave
Hey Griff, wow, you have some very talented friends, and its nice to know that you are considered by them as being a legend, and very talented also.
You certainly have some very cool friends, I also see that you considered one of them.
hec
Hi Griff
This is what you’ve worked for all these years enjoy it.
I’ve certainly learnt a lot from you for which I am grateful.
Keep up the good work.
When are you touring England, we’ll definately be there to see you!
Regards
Nigel
Griff, I’m very happy for you that you found your nitch so early in life and that you can meet so many people sharing the same dreams. Enjoy. 🙂
Griff, I wonder if you realize just how fortunate you are. You have it all, talent, beautiful family, money pouring in from your successful business & you get to meet so many people including guys like these. Some people are living a life of hell, so thank your lucky stars that your life is a wonderful one.
Great people to see you mix with they all know their stuff and do it well but YOU know every ones stuff and do it well, To me that makes you the Greatest thanks for every thing you teach I am hoping that I will be half as good as you in a couple more years. Brian
Very very cool Griff I know just how you feel, I had the privilege to meet my idol Charlie Byrd years ago. I’ll never forget the thrill to this day.
Thanks for sharing Griff
That really must have been a gas meeting one of your idols. I got to meet Chuck Berry a few years back and it was a real thrill.
Echo other sentiments here about you being a great teacher who cares about his students progress.!!
30 Year Reunion? That would put it in Hollywood about the same time that the “Guitar Institute of Technology” was in Hollywood. Is there any connection?
Thanks for all you do because it is GREAT!
Richard
It’s not a surprize to me that Mr. Huthinson bought one of your courses but it does show that you are putting out high quality products. Sounds like a great time and thanks for sharing.
Jeez Griff,
You’re still a young man , you’re bound to be a legend too!
~Bruce
Good for you! It’s gotta be fun to meet someone who has inspired you over the years!
was very glad to hear that you were able to get away on a well deserved weekend break and have some fun and meet some of the people you wanted to. Sounds like they were also glad to meet up with you. I enjoy your videos on you tube and the emails you send me. They are what keeps me going at the front end of the music learning curve.
Hi Griff,
So nice to know about the good time you had with other great guitarists. Your appreciation about their skills show how good-hearted you are and how modest are you ! You not only look good, you have a very good heart, too! I like the way you explain things : your gestures, your expressions, and above everything the fluency with which you speak. Thank goodness, I’m not a female,or I’d be head over heels in love with you, though all the same, I am! God bless you and keep you always in good health and spirits. Bye for now.
Mohan
Hi Griff,I can just imagine how exciting the trip must of been for you,thanks for sharing. Len.
Griff: It’s really nice that you were able to meet those guys. Hell, if I met you, I’d be feeling the same way. Best to you.
I forgot to ask, what types of guitars are Mr. Martino’s favorites? Is he working on anything new?
All the best,
Tom
I love the work you do, Griff. I’m glad you had the chance to be a fan. I guess I live in a cave, but it’s usually too dark for me to notice! Keep up the great work!
Tom
Wow, that must have been a blast!!! Just so you know, I think that a man of the caliber you spoke with that bought your Unleashed program should show you just how good YOU are. As a guitar player you are indeed a d#$# good fretboard smoker! As I teacher, all I can say is that if my high school teacher were half as good as you I wouldn’t have skipped so many classes. You are one of the teachers that care man so KEEP IT UP!!!
No one deserved the honor more than you Griff. Thanks for all you do.
Thanks for giving us a peek into your great day. You are one of the good guys!!!!
Keep Rockin’
Z PS youu need to wear a white hat!!! LOL
your pritty cool guy for a cave dweller thanks willie j
good
Griff, yours is the only auto-pilot guitar skills instruction email system that I have kept…you know what I mean…the emails from you that come regularly. I have deleted all the others and believe me I had plenty. They came and they went…but yours endures. One of the reasons I still have yours is because you are truly the only one who I sense TRULY cares about the people you send your stuff to. These little videos are just continued proof of how you just go the extra yard to build the relationship with your customers. Yes I bought your course and it’s great and the lessons are truly enjoyable. But what I enjoy more are the constant video lessons you send out and ones like these too. I may not get to them right away but they don’t get deleted and eventually I find my way to them and I am never disappointed. Thanks for being unique in your field bringing the world of guitar to others and please continue to do what you do……..it matters a lot. Hal
Thanks Griff that was very cool Iv never bin there and it looks like a fun time maby some day I can make it there and meet you in person thanks agani and have a Gr8 day your friend Erick
Hi Griff,
Look like you had a great time. Every once in a while, if we’re lucky, we run into someone who means a lot to us. I met Dave Keller (davekeller.com) and he won an award for his self-produced CD at the recent Blues Foundation gathering in Memphis. So, now I have a live teacher to complement your Blues Guitar Unleashed course. Life doesn’t get any better.
Tony
Cool, thanks for sharing. I must live in a cave, really. I have not heard Blues Sareceno name mentioned in many years. Way back about 25 years ago he was doing little workshops around the country in some of the music stores. I happen to catch one with him, he must have been about 16 years old at the time. He could jam. I think he told us his dad owned a music store and that’s all he did was jam on guitar when he could.
Hi Griff,
Pleased you had a good time. Thanks for all the tips and short video lessons you send through. I am an older pupil and enjoy and inspired by your short and very relevant lessons.
Davey
Exeter, England.
thanks for sharing griff !! keep up the great teaching oh and by the I would just like to meet you sometime!!!! JIM OCALA, FL.
Thanks for sharing. You have a fantastic personality, a very good teacher, and share a lot of valuable music information, tecniques etc. which many don’t.
The best to you always.
Manuel ( Winnipeg Ca.)
Griff – you are far too humble and modest (but then again, most really good people are!) – Sure wish I lived closer to the West Coast… I’d do my best to pay your price for personal lessons!!! Thanx for sharing.
Griff,what an honor to meet those great musicians. Of course,you are right up there with them,as far as I am concerned. Thanks for sharing. Mike Z.
Sometimes some of us get lucky enough to get revitalized when meeting people with like interests. Absorb it. Enjoy it. If we ever get complacent about what we do, we are reminded of our purpose and how lucky we really are. Good for you. To many of us, you represent that feeling for us.
Interesting,but short. I’m sure it is exciting to meet people you respect and are influenced by. Maybe someday I might get a similar chance.
Thanks! (considered going to MI…)
Your humility serves you well, Griff. Thanks for sharing.
mdvga
Very cool indeed, Griff. Looks like you had a great time.