Guthrie Govan - Guitar Master

While much of Guthrie Govan’s guitar mastery is self-taught, his ongoing thirst for knowledge and his exposure to a variety of musical styles during his formative years played a crucial role in shaping his distinctive approach. His “education” was less about formal training and more about self-guided exploration, absorbing influences, and applying them to his ever-expanding musical vocabulary.

A Self-Taught Genius

Govan’s journey as a guitarist stands out because of his self-directed learning. Unlike many virtuosos who follow a structured path, Govan forged his own way, driven by curiosity and an insatiable desire to improve.

• Learning by Ear: From a young age, Govan developed an acute ability to learn music by ear. He dissected tracks from artists across genres, transcribing solos and chord progressions without the aid of tablature or formal instruction.

• Trial and Error: Without a traditional mentor, Govan relied on trial and error to perfect complex techniques like tapping, alternate picking, sweeping, and hybrid picking. This process gave him a deep, intuitive understanding of the guitar’s mechanics.