BRETT GARSED INTERVIEW
MARK
Hi bret, first let me say what a great privalage to interview you for our shredknowledge website , its a great honor and I'm very exited .
What guitars have you used and what is the tuition video future for you and us?
BRETT
Ive used a guitar made by Soundworks here in Australia which I used on some of the early Nelson vids.
I used my Steinberger GS on the "Rock Fusion" video and then used my ESP Horizon Custom on the "Rock Improvisation" dvd. I pretty much play that guitar constantly. I'd like to do another dvd focusing on improvisation over changes but to be honest, people like Scott Henderson and Frank Gamable have already done brilliant dvd's about that very subject and are much more qualified to talk about it anyway.
MARK
I saw you do a clinic and you used a real cheap amp and still sounded cool , whats your thoughts on valves and transisters?
BRETT
I really like valve amps because of the way they respond dynamically but hopefully I can pull a half decent tone out of anything. It's just easier with a good tube amp.
MARK
Ive tried to copy a few of your licks and you have an amazing way of changing directions when your playing legato lines .
Could you give us a little insite into how you seem to so easily weave in and out of scale fragments in such a smooth style ?
BRETT
Take a small idea and see how many different ways you can play it using the same notes but different strings and techniques. That way you'll be able to play your ideas without being limited to any one particular part of the fretboard. I'm still working on it!
MARK
Do you still see or keep in touch much with your partner in crime Tj Helmerich? Did you ever get into the 8 fingered technique.
BRETT
TJ and I e-mail each other all the time and I'm sure we'll always be doing some kind of project no matter where in the world we are.
I don't try to sound different from other people and my influences are obvious. I'd just rather spend time working on my own original ideas than copying the ideas of others.
MARK
Your Video's tell most of what anyone needs to know to get some fusion vibe into their playing. What would you say to anyone who hasnt yet seen your vids and wants to add some fusion vibe in to their rock playing?
BRETT
Well, I guess my dvd is a good place to start but I'd recommend just listening to all the great fusion players out there and checking out their phrasing, sounds etc. Transcribe them by all means but rather than just repeating what you've transcribed, try to analyze the notes and understand the formulas they're applying and try to incorporate that into your own concepts.
MARK
Is their anything comming up that your fans can look forwrd to like albums or stuff?
BRETT
I'm about 2 months away from releasing a new album. I have Virgil Donati and Gerry Pantazis on drums, Ric Fierabracci on bass and Phil Turcio on keyboards.
MARK
Is their anything you've done in your amazing career that you can look back on and feel you've achived a dream?
BRETT
Many things. I've played massive arenas and festivals with John Farnham, (we played in front of 110,000 people in Germany), Nelson had a #1 single in America so that's a rare experience for an Aussie, and I get to work regularly with some of the best rock and fusion musicians in the world on a regular basis so I'm an extremely lucky guy!
MARK
Do you have anything you still want to do ?
BRETT
I just want to keep doing all of this stuff!
MARK
What other stuff do you do?
BRETT
I don't do much else other than play music and enjoy my life.
MARK
Do you live in Auzz? and Australia is a pretty big place and your a pretty big name , do you still get around the world or do you keep in Auzz mostly?
BRETT
I love living in Australia but I really miss Los Angeles so I hope to return there very soon to play and visit my friends. I went to Russia last year and Romania this year so I'm still traveling. As for the other questions, sure, go ahead and ask.
MARK
There are so many sofware amps, some amazing hardware Amp modellers and Fx , You can endorse any single pedal multi fx or gadgets that are available is there anything that has really made you think I like this ?
BRETT
I've been using a Digitech RP 1000 a lot and I really like it. Great sounds and very well made.
My favorite amp is my Bogner Extasy without a doubt.
MARK
The Rp's had the twin valves in them if I remember right I had an Rp 30 valve Fx.
BRETT
I don't think the RP 1000 has any tubes in it but all the fx are extremely high quality. Can't wait to see the next generation of it.
MARK
Do you have any faith or spiritual views?
BRETT
I'd like to think that I'm a spiritual person but I steer very clear of any organized religions. Spirituality should be a personal thing and anyone that tries to use it for financial gain or power over others should be locked up.
MARK
Bret you must know how inportant it is to try and stay relaxed when playing both harder lines and basically playing in front of lots of people, do you have any tips for guys who find it hard to relax or just dont really know how.
BRETT
I get extremely nervous as I find that playing music is very natural for me but performing isn't. I try to remind myself that the only risk is a bruised ego from playing some "off" notes so I try to always enjoy the privilege of playing music and take risks. It's supposed to be fun and anyone that ruins it by making judgmental comments should be locked up with the religious manipulators.
MARK
Could you give our guys an insite into how you would go about writing and composing? Do you use any outside stimulus like pictures or stories ect also do you usually start with a progression or a lick or phrase you like ?
BRETT
I'll try any process to come up with a song and it's always hard work but the more you do it the easier it becomes, much like anything it takes practice. I always record myself when I'm writing as you never know when a great idea will show up, usually unexpectedly, so make sure you keep a tape running and listen back to it.
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SK MEMBER QUESTION 1
Shantanu Bailoor Hi bret, I'm having major troubles using my pinky to pick strings.. how do i strengthen it for finger style/hybrid picking?
BRETT
Try playing scales or anything for that matter using only your third and fourth finger on your picking hand. It'll seem weak at first but it'll strengthen up quickly. Don't focus on speed. That will come with time but focus on control and also try and apply it to some licks or ideas so you can start to incorporate the concept into your playing.
SK MEMBER QUESTION 2
Koek Wei Chew - I would like to know how to prevent extraneaus noise from hammer on and pull off in high gain situations and how you can get such a clean sound on his legato approach.
Tone setting and string muting advice also please.
BRETT
I actually don't use that much distortion to be honest so that's probably helpful. Muting is a very personal subject so you may have to experiment using either the palm of your picking hand, individual fingers of your picking hand (to mute strings while you use your pick) or the index finger of your fretting hand. Just keep trying things till you figure out a way to stop the unwanted noise. Record yourself in headphones as that will expose the smallest noise and if you can get rid of that then you'll sound great while playing live.
SK MEMBER QUESTION 3
Abhijit Patel -
When playing with drummers like Virgil Donati how do you come up with all your amazing heavy rhythms while simultaneously playing on time ?
BRETT
In the case of Planet X, Virgil writes all the parts so I only have to play what he's already written which is difficult enough for me! I have to work pretty hard over the solos sections so I can be free to improvise in odd meters and believe me, if Virgil is around and I have a question, I'm not too shy to ask him for help!
BRETT
Personal identity is always the thing that makes people stand out as individuals regardless of their technical ability. Technique is only a means to an end so if everyone ends up doing the same finger-tapping arpeggios or whatever then they lose any chance of being identified as an individual. Technique doesn't mean much unless it's accompanied by an original concept and that's MUCH harder to achieve than chops.
SK MEMMBER QUESTION 5
JOOP WOLTERS
In which way do you approach improvising ,content wise and the elements that influence you the most when improvising, like the groove,harmony the interaction with the band, theoretical mindset..etc..! Thanks Bret .
BRETT
Hopefully I can know the music well enough to just be free and think about nothing other than the noises I hear in my head and trying to get them to come out of the amp. Rarely happens for me I'm afraid but on the odd occasion that it does, it's one of the greatest feelings in the world.
ONE WORD ANSWER GAME
Ibanez- guitar
strings- steel
metranome- clock
ego- bad
picks- lost
pizza- yes please!
techno- interesting
satch- great
Bible- good for some
borat- cringeworthy but funny
kangaroo- cute
wiggles- brilliant
ski-ing- difficult but fun
war- horrendous
tabla- amazing
slide- more amazing
beck- even MORE amazing!
jazz- mystery
sport- bad
excercise- good
narcotics- dangerous
rolf- harris
dvds- fun
avatar- 3d
monty python- genius!
zappa- genius!!
Crimson- King
hardtail- bridge or harley
synths- fun
alaogue- great
saxaphone- heavenly
voodoo- chile
yoda- big ears
contracts- suck!
music industry- vicious
punk- inspiring
pickups- passive
gauge- medium
acoustic- challenging
delay- echo
valves- warm
hendrix- genius
country- brilliant
pink floyd- genius
acid- casualty
shredknowledge.com- brilliant!
MARK
Thanks alot mate
BRETT
No Worries
MARK
AWSOME!!!
MEMBER QUESTION 4
ADAM MOORE
1.‘given that there’s so many fantastic players with such perfect technique in the world, what do you think makes anyone stand out?’ 2.‘do you actively try to not sound like other players?