I met him & Vai on the sex and religion tour. Devin kept asking me- "tell Steve that I sweep pick better than him". He also picked his nose on stage and ate it during the song "pig". He took a picture with friends of mine afterward with one on each side of him with a finger in each nostril. He then picked his nose again and wiped his booger on a book they had. I was 15 at the time and it mad a huge influence on me.
We saw him that year as well in Memphis. Dude was crazy for the whole show. Met Via after the show as he came out of his bus. That was incredible talking to him. Sadly, didn't meet DT
I hear this guy is really chill when you meet him in person. He really does seem like he would be very down to earth and more than willing to talk to a fan.
I've had the good fortune of hanging out with him a couple of times after shows and he is just an incredible person! Kind, humorous, and very humble in person. The man truly is someone to look up to!
devin is such a unique being, so talented... he's like from another universe, just has an otherworldly vibe about him, like a mysterious artifact that landed on earth from space
Love his approach. Coming from learning music on the piano, the concept of using open tunings, like his C configuration, makes perfect sense to me. It seems more linear, like a keyboard. I find it much easier to visualise the neck in that way and the chord shapes you can use seem liberating in a way. I never knew Devin was such a good player. His compositional sense is terrific too.
Just for the record, when he's showing the example of a minor scale in open B tuning, he's playing Dorian. I know, I know, very small difference, but figured it was worth mentioning.
TerryMusic this is not correct- dorian simply means a scale based off of the second note of the major scale, which results in a minor scale with a raised 6th
landed here to get a different approach on playing scales in open C tuning...did get a new angle on it... yet: The way shown by the Dev just skips the 4! So if anyone happens to have an additional way (link/tutorisl/whatever) of this, it´s appreciated! greetings
Dear Mr.Townsend, you/your gift and talent in music is so big gift to all of us others. My ears smile so wide that my head almost explodes when i hear anything what you do recarding to music! No matter what you do, it just sounds so fking awesome! :) Thank you. If ever i need place to escape the world or chear me up, i put some devin in to player, works everytime! PLS do what ever you want, just dont stop making music..
OH SHI- what an amazing and wonderful TONE you've got there! you're getting better all the time, you know you're the only musician in the world that inspired me to play guitar, thanks Dev, you're my hero.
I cant wait to hear the next generation of guitarists influenced by THIS guy. This almost makes me want to switch to an open tuning and Im pretty dead set in my old school ways.
I just tuned my guitar to that after I wrote my comment and I haven't put it down since. It's a fun tuning, I love the sounds that it gives off. I made a chart of the neck, and he's pretty close when he says that all the arpeggios are just straight down. I'm really looking forward to playing more in this tuning, it just feels perfect to me.
....really enjoyed this persepctive on the instrument and actually feel a lot better about writing and practicing after hearing this.....thanks devin and rock on CANADA!
12-13 years of pretty serious playing and i know almost nothing about gear/equipment. but DAMN that tone is perfect. wish i had some clue on how to get there
oh it's a little beast. 5+ i can drown out the drummers, but 2-3 on the volume is only time i get a good tone out of it. going to google that spyder 4 now. tyvm ")
There are two bands with the name Shining, one hails from Sweden which is the depressive black metal one, and this other Shining is from Norway, they play acoustic, jazz with a blend of progressive, industrial and black metal.
Could Devin get any better at what he does? He amazes me. U feel sorry for people who haven't discovered one of the greatest musicians of our time IMO.
It’s true, a master of his craft and innovator. I try to turn people on to his stuff, but not many take. I think his genre of genius is hard for some to appreciate.
hes mainly usent emg pickups? I haunt seen him play without. but they def have the 81 sound very distinct. damn a steghato sound so clean on those pups.. geez
ChrisakacIoud Some people just naturaly feel it. It's like with everything else, someone has bit of talent, someone fails miserably and someone can do it right of the bat ...
I play for 25 years now, and never in a million years have I would have discovered open chords, til now! Believe me, it’s a whole new ballgame to be learned, talking bout muscle memory and finger positions
His honesty and openness is refreshing. Music theory is not my strong point either but listening to his scales proves his ear is very finely dialled in. Some excellent & simple tips.
What is the song starting at around 5:03? I think others have suggested it is Stand from his 2012 album Deconstruction however I don't hear that part in the recorded version.
@Jason Wilde, I use Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom. The gauges low to high are 52, 42, 30, 17, 13, 10. But I'd say 52 is the minimum for the low string.
I don't really think he could be called underrated.Many musicians and fans alike know of Devin Townsend.He is a household name among the progressive metal community.
I use DADFAD (Open D Tuning) or DADFAE in my band - and I sing, too! I was totally surprised when I heard Devins opinion of Open Tuning and that he's using them, too - for the same reasons! I also play a lot of standard tuning with my 7-string (better for classy solos) but I fell in love with open-tunings since the Opeth record Ghost-Reveries. :-)
Dr. Hylian I'll say it's not completely necessary, but it definitely helps w/ formulating some ideas and understanding how and why certain notes sound better together than others. Then again you can always just have a good ear for sound and base your writing off of that, like Devin and Dimebag.
Rectifier has lots of so called "white noise" when playing,and I think it gives the sound such a unique quality; I became totally addicted to this tone,would not even look at other amps.
The Line 6 Pod HD Pro or HD500 are pretty much the only direct competitors with the Axe-Fx and almost a third of the price. People seem to really dig it, and tons of pros use it. Both are great pieces of gear and I'd be more than satisfied with either.
A truly humble and intelligent man. Doesn't pretend to be anything other than what he is. Thankfully, he's awesome.
Those who can legitimately rock your socks off don't need to put on a rockstar act.
"all that time i spent when i was a teenager, ya know like, wacking off and learning how to sweep pic" words of a genius
"I wasn't getting any sex so I practiced a whooole lot" you gotta love Devin's sense of humour
Richard André Labbe Victoriano or honesty :P
Both, Jeffery.
He wasn't kidding though. Just being honest. That's why I love him :D
It’s horrible to not get sex, I can’t even joke about it
I love how he plays in all these cool modes and elaborate chord progressions and he just hears that naturally. Such a great musician.
Everything he said in this Masterclass, was what I've wanted to hear a guitarist say forever...
Genius
Never before has such a mild-looking character produced such mighty sounds...
drumrnva Wasn't so 'mild-looking' in his younger days...haha.
+Chiros Ie back when he was still a strapping young lad
+Rav Fontanilla Well done sir
drumrnva better look up the band Necrophagist in their early days then
+Turd Fergeson I did, and holy crap....I see your point.
10:30 that ending arpeggio series of "Ki" is out of this world, such a beautiful, ethereal piece of music...
Love you bebe
I met him & Vai on the sex and religion tour. Devin kept asking me- "tell Steve that I sweep pick better than him". He also picked his nose on stage and ate it during the song "pig". He took a picture with friends of mine afterward with one on each side of him with a finger in each nostril. He then picked his nose again and wiped his booger on a book they had. I was 15 at the time and it mad a huge influence on me.
He ate a booger on stage when i saw him too.
We saw him that year as well in Memphis. Dude was crazy for the whole show. Met Via after the show as he came out of his bus. That was incredible talking to him. Sadly, didn't meet DT
Did everyone clap?
@@thedangersofoxygen135 oppa Devin style
When he starts playing those chords on 6:15, I got chills.
in e standard
e,7
a,9
d,11
e,4
a,6
d,8
Reminds me of deftones
@@brucanthwood nah. That’s Devin Townsend
This tone is absolutely incredible. I don’t care what any passive pickup snobs say. This tone is so good.
I have no idea how someone can compose songs like Devin. No theory and shit, and still create masterpieces that can split your soul in a half.
Pure talent and a great ear. Theory is like a college education with no real world experience, not necessary to be great. For some maybe.
he sucks and you must also suck
AHHAAHHAH, NICE ONE BRO!
fuck you you fucking fuck
"look at all those fucks... and i don't give any of them to you" - Random bitch
I love Devin's intro's, always something out of the ordinary :)
I hear this guy is really chill when you meet him in person. He really does seem like he would be very down to earth and more than willing to talk to a fan.
only devin could get away with telling the orchestra "its the 7th fret"
"Is that a C#?" "Well it's the 7th fret..."
This. All of this.
Boom! You’re in the band!
Devin is so humble, he's an amazing human being.
I love his approach to writing and technique. It's Inspiring.
I've had the good fortune of hanging out with him a couple of times after shows and he is just an incredible person! Kind, humorous, and very humble in person. The man truly is someone to look up to!
that tuning definitely gives his music an overall brighter feel...
what is the tuning? :p c #??
devadatta gamen Open c or open b
ty ^^
devin is such a unique being, so talented... he's like from another universe, just has an otherworldly vibe about him, like a mysterious artifact that landed on earth from space
Love his approach. Coming from learning music on the piano, the concept of using open tunings, like his C configuration, makes perfect sense to me. It seems more linear, like a keyboard. I find it much easier to visualise the neck in that way and the chord shapes you can use seem liberating in a way. I never knew Devin was such a good player. His compositional sense is terrific too.
I'm so glad I'm not the only guitar player that knows little to no theory and just lets my hands do the work. Thank you Devin. I am reassured.
the connection this man has with his instrument is unreal.
He may not know what he's doing, but what he is doing is brilliant!!! He's a genius, and this interview just showed that!
Devin Townsend is literally a fucking genius and soooo down to earth... I love this man.
I love how whenever he plays his echo makes it sound like a choir is in the background. It's like angels from the heavens descend whenever he plays.
Just for the record, when he's showing the example of a minor scale in open B tuning, he's playing Dorian. I know, I know, very small difference, but figured it was worth mentioning.
makes no sense theoretically. Dorian just means "2". you can't really define a mode when there is no rhythm.
TerryMusic this is not correct- dorian simply means a scale based off of the second note of the major scale, which results in a minor scale with a raised 6th
landed here to get a different approach on playing scales in open C tuning...did get a new angle on it... yet: The way shown by the Dev just skips the 4! So if anyone happens to have an additional way (link/tutorisl/whatever) of this, it´s appreciated! greetings
Saw him last week in New Orleans, Incredible show!!! When the set was over he didn't even go backstage, just walked out to greet the crowd.
"I have no idea what I'm doing"
Dev, I fucking love you lol.
Dear Mr.Townsend, you/your gift and talent in music is so big gift to all of us others. My ears smile so wide that my head almost explodes when i hear anything what you do recarding to music! No matter what you do, it just sounds so fking awesome! :)
Thank you. If ever i need place to escape the world or chear me up, i put some devin in to player, works everytime! PLS do what ever you want, just dont stop making music..
king of reverb
*echo
wow
Vladimir Makarov King of reverb, echo and delay :) There you go.
@@SinisterSkip ...and LAYERS !!!
Wise words and wise advices. An original guitarist and artist who deserves more recognition than he already has.
I could listen to Dev just playing all day...
OH SHI- what an amazing and wonderful TONE you've got there! you're getting better all the time, you know you're the only musician in the world that inspired me to play guitar, thanks Dev, you're my hero.
I cant wait to hear the next generation of guitarists influenced by THIS guy. This almost makes me want to switch to an open tuning and Im pretty dead set in my old school ways.
I did it, inspired by Kevin Cadogan (3 eye blind) and Devin.
As soon as he starts playing you know it's Devin, an incredibly unique talent.
Doesn't know theory but is able to write songs like Sunday Afternoon, Feather, Storm, Bastard etc. Awesome dude
+stevevaizorz He probably knows a small amount, probably not a guru though
Bastard being written by a naturalist still blows my mind. Ocean Machine is a testament to the size of Devin's spirit
I just tuned my guitar to that after I wrote my comment and I haven't put it down since. It's a fun tuning, I love the sounds that it gives off. I made a chart of the neck, and he's pretty close when he says that all the arpeggios are just straight down. I'm really looking forward to playing more in this tuning, it just feels perfect to me.
I REALLY hope that the riff from 6:15 to 7:10 is on Epicloud. It's literally one of the most beautiful, organic riffs I've ever heard.
....really enjoyed this persepctive on the instrument and actually feel a lot better about writing and practicing after hearing this.....thanks devin and rock on CANADA!
Love it when he shreds.
OMG How much I love the solo part from By Your Command...
I love how every time he finishes a musical demonstration, he looks at the neck of the guitar like it disappointed him hahaha
I've seen this like 6 times this year. Still love every moment of it.
14:16 onwards is the end-all to bleedingly emotional distortion tones. god bless devin
I want that pick! The one he's using that adds all the reverb and distortion! That pick sounds so great.
12-13 years of pretty serious playing and i know almost nothing about gear/equipment. but DAMN that tone is perfect. wish i had some clue on how to get there
yeah it's one of those things that just comes with time i guess. having no direction can be... intimidating lol
ryan higginbothan
buy emg pickups haha
one of my jacksons has emg's. but i'm also playin out of a little fender 25 lol. it's surprisingly loud, but i need some effects
nooo not a fender lol jk. id look into a line 6 spyder 4.
oh it's a little beast. 5+ i can drown out the drummers, but 2-3 on the volume is only time i get a good tone out of it. going to google that spyder 4 now. tyvm ")
I love the bends that Dev does. It's so beautiful
He's a genius! Nice to see him wearing a Shining (Norway) shirt, excellent musician hearing an excellent band.
Shining is swedish.
There are two bands with the name Shining, one hails from Sweden which is the depressive black metal one, and this other Shining is from Norway, they play acoustic, jazz with a blend of progressive, industrial and black metal.
Devin has collaborated with Jorgen of Shining.
Awesome, wonderful, discovery!!!! Devin Master!!!!!
Could Devin get any better at what he does? He amazes me. U feel sorry for people who haven't discovered one of the greatest musicians of our time IMO.
Nah he poo
This comment has aged very well
It’s true, a master of his craft and innovator. I try to turn people on to his stuff, but not many take. I think his genre of genius is hard for some to appreciate.
@@nn-NeuralNetwork Everyone poops don’t they?
So has yours
Devin is still God
Amazing chops. So underrated as a guitarist. WOW.
9:40 prepare the planet smasher
I love Guitar Messenger - I love Devin Townsend - I watch this video often
hes mainly usent emg pickups? I haunt seen him play without. but they def have the 81 sound very distinct. damn a steghato sound so clean on those pups.. geez
Yeah, fishman makes a Devin Townsend pickup so not sure if he uses those now but these EMGs sound great in this video.
Smart and humble. Man, Im so happy he´s back on track! best, Sandemose
He is the Hannibal Lector of Guitar, super intelligent, stylish, and mildly insane!
One of the best to ever grace music. He can compose any genre he desires while killing it in the process.
ChrisakacIoud
Some people just naturaly feel it. It's like with everything else, someone has bit of talent, someone fails miserably and someone can do it right of the bat ...
He's so fuckin' modest man for such a great musician!
I play for 25 years now, and never in a million years have I would have discovered open chords, til now! Believe me, it’s a whole new ballgame to be learned, talking bout muscle memory and finger positions
Shining t-shirt = instant respect
His honesty and openness is refreshing. Music theory is not my strong point either but listening to his scales proves his ear is very finely dialled in. Some excellent & simple tips.
I wonder what a collab between him and Danny Elfman would sound like...
Probably Harmonic minor
TheSkipjack95
One great question and one great answer.
I love intelligent people who also have a taste.
DUDE!! That would be EPIC!!
Juular
What is the song starting at around 5:03? I think others have suggested it is Stand from his 2012 album Deconstruction however I don't hear that part in the recorded version.
6:07 James hetfield immitation
Oh, come on. Really? There's a pretty obvious difference between "yah" and "yeah".
Bono immitation
I am Lorde, yah yah yah.
Devin always had some of the best high gain guitar tones ever! From SYL to his current projects...his tone in general is just amazing.
5:53 Was anyone else instantly thinking of Hyperdrive?
slap_my_hand me
The coolest and best musician/ recorder ever , his methods are outstanding!
Synchronicity freaks at 6:45
Thank you.
Devin Townsend really is a genius. His music is so progressive, and on top of that, he is one of the most articulate musicians that I know.
am I the only one that gets a heavy Satriani vibe from his improvisation choices?
Considering he toured with Steve Vai at the age of 19, I'm not surprised
Vai isn't Satriani. I enjoy some of Satriani's music, but I've never been able to get into Steve Vai though I've tried many times
That's a shame :(
I like Joe Satriani, and when I heard Devin Townsend I thought wow, their playstyle and melodies sound so similar!
jaketaz yeah kinda, he shares some similar phrasing ideas
Awesome and invigorating. Thanks Devin!
This guy looks like Hitman!
Agent 47*
@Jason Wilde, I use Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom. The gauges low to high are 52, 42, 30, 17, 13, 10. But I'd say 52 is the minimum for the low string.
please Devin: BRING BACK STRAPPNG YUONG LAD!!!
I don't really think he could be called underrated.Many musicians and fans alike know of Devin Townsend.He is a household name among the progressive metal community.
Hey, my name is Devin Townsend and this guitar cost ten thousand. :D
I use DADFAD (Open D Tuning) or DADFAE in my band - and I sing, too!
I was totally surprised when I heard Devins opinion of Open Tuning and that he's using them, too - for the same reasons!
I also play a lot of standard tuning with my 7-string (better for classy solos) but I fell in love with open-tunings since the Opeth record Ghost-Reveries. :-)
Isn't this the strapping young lad guy
Absolutely like no other. And that sweep! GOOD GAWD!
Did he just admit he's in ghost?
I caught that too lol
So....how come no one has said anything. He probably Easter egged this knowing no one would even catch it.
+Joshua Karpowich he's referring to his album ghost
+Joshua Karpowich deconstruction and ghost are his albums
just saw them last weekend it was amazing as fuck
I have 2 different types of his signature picks he uses at shows. One with the skullet and one with just the DTP logo. Such AWESOME picks.
Lol, Townsend's scales. It shows how useless and crippling theory is to creativity.
Dr. Hylian I'll say it's not completely necessary, but it definitely helps w/ formulating some ideas and understanding how and why certain notes sound better together than others. Then again you can always just have a good ear for sound and base your writing off of that, like Devin and Dimebag.
Another one who doesn't understands what music theory really is...
Everything this man says is philosophical wisdom.
God, I've ALWAYS loved Devin's tone and riffs. All the way from SYL to now, he still has my personal favorite metal tone.
it's in the song "Stand" from his album Deconstruction.
That guitar... so simple, so stunning!
Thanks. Won't hurt having another listen to that album :)
The riff at 6:14 is just too good. Can't stop listening to that...
Thank you for sharing Devin!
Devin says everything I wish I could say 😂 relate to a lot of what he talks about/feels etc. Couldn't get a better person/musician.
From what album is that beginning track? At 00:06 ?
Devin is a genius. Not just musically but more genius in general.
Rectifier has lots of so called "white noise" when playing,and I think it gives the sound such a unique quality; I became totally addicted to this tone,would not even look at other amps.
His tone is the best ever.
Period!
It's a prototype Peavey built for Devin. It may be released as a model at some point.
Had no idea he plays in open tunings. You wouldn't normally associate those with metal, but he makes it work with his brilliant songwriting.
The Line 6 Pod HD Pro or HD500 are pretty much the only direct competitors with the Axe-Fx and almost a third of the price. People seem to really dig it, and tons of pros use it. Both are great pieces of gear and I'd be more than satisfied with either.
I love this guy, his music just gets me in a really awesome place. Brilliant music, funny guy too.
Thanks so much for this!! what a well-spoken dude!