Quotes from Paul Gilbert

Blues is the first step to get to jazz.

Life's too short, you know? If you find something you love and that other people love, why not do it?

There is a basic language of music that I think is important for communicating with other musicians - just the kind of terminology that might make it easier to describe your ideas to the other guys in your band.

Seriously, though, I think the only musical term that's ever put a bee in my bonnet is 'shred.' I tried to peddle the term 'Terrifying Guitar' to the world, but it just didn't stick. Now we've got 'shred.'

Mimi Fox is one of the most exciting contemporary jazz guitarists I've heard.

Yeah, my very first teacher when I was 6 was a big influence, because it was so boring that I quit guitar.

It is the universe where all rock players live- we all use distortion, overdrive, gain and saturation. I call it 'fuzz.'

Music and guitar are my favorite things, so it's fun to get together with other people who share the passion and talk about the details.

On 'Fuzz Universe,' I think I've taken a giant step closer to the ultimate rock guitar sound and playing of my dreams.

I lived in Los Angeles for around 20 years. I love the place, but the driving can wear thin.

I love my job as a musician, and I am filled with gratitude that good people support my endeavors.

Before I even became a guitar player, I wanted to be a Beatle. That was my first dream as a musician, was to be like a Beatle.

Mostly, I'm much more of a guitar player than I am a singer.

I went from wanting to be a Beatle to becoming a 'widdly-widdly' guitar player.

My basic setup is my Ibanez Fireman guitars and for pedals, the TC Electronic MojoMojo is the mainstay of my board, along with a Catalinbread Calissto Chorus.

Sometimes a couple notes are worth a thousand words.

I'm Not Afraid of the Police' is the first song I wrote and recorded since moving back to Los Angeles. It's a loud-pop, crazy-guitar, big-harmony song with all the police sirens created by guitars and ADA flangers.

After 35 years of bone-crushing rock guitar playing, I'm finally starting to get my head out of the harmonic sand and learning how to play over chord changes.

Scotty Johnson is a guy who I've worked with on a lot of my tours and albums, and I'm always blown away by his musical knowledge and playing.

When I sing, there is an almost constant struggle with pitch and with reaching notes in the higher register.

It's so satisfying as a guitar player to play stuff that's related to the blues.

Gilbert Hotel' is my first all-acoustic record.

The Great Guitar Escape is built around world-class seminars, concerts and jam sessions. It's a chance to learn and be inspired by some truly amazing musicians. And it's just a great way for everyone to hang out together in a beautiful place.

Tony MacAlpine not only plays guitar, but is a stunning classical piano player, so he can show how that influence molded his guitar playing.