“Peter Frampton handed me his black Les Paul and I handed it right back to him”: Why Rick Beato refuses to play the guitars of his interview guests
Musician and YouTuber Rick Beato has interviewed some of the biggest names across music, especially from the world of guitar, and yet despite having the opportunity, he’s never wanted to play any of their instruments himself.
Beato has worked in the music industry since the 1980s, having been a musician himself as well as a producer and educator, to name just a couple of the strings to his bow. His channel, which has over five million subscribers, features interviews with the likes of David Gilmour, Wolfgang Van Halen, Les Claypool, and many more.
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In an interview with Guitar Player, Beato shares just how magical it is to sit alongside his guitar heroes, not only to pick their brains but to watch them play in person and close up. However, even when some of their most prestigious gear accompanies them, Beato has no desire to get his hands on it himself.
“Never. I try and never touch anyone’s instruments. Even if they do [offer], I’m like, I don’t want [to]. I’ve had people hand me things,” he says. “I had Peter Frampton, the first time I met him, he handed me his black Les Paul and I handed it right back to him. Larry Carlton handed me his [Gibson ES-] 335. I handed it right back to him. ‘I’m not going to play this.’ I’ve had so many people hand me their guitars, and I’m like, ‘No, thank you.’”
According to Beato, it’s because the players impress him the most, not their gear. He’d much rather observe them in all their glory than spend time playing their instruments. As an example, he goes on to talk about one of his recent guests, Neal Schon from Journey.
“I’ve watched Neal play a thousand times but you can’t tell what people are doing unless you’re right next to them,” explains Beato. “Like his right hand? I can’t… He showed me how he holds the pick, and how he picks and everything, and he kind of uses it at an angle, but he is so relaxed.”
You can watch Beato’s interview with Schon below:
Find out more about Rick Beato or view more interviews via his official YouTube channel.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
