"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

A truly humble and intelligent man. Doesn't pretend to be anything other than what he is. Thankfully, he's awesome.

Never before has such a mild-looking character produced such mighty sounds...

"I wasn't getting any sex so I practiced a whooole lot" you gotta love Devin's sense of humour

only devin could get away with telling the orchestra "its the 7th fret"

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.

I love how he plays in all these cool modes and elaborate chord progressions and he just hears that naturally. Such a great musician.

When he starts playing those chords on 6:15, I got chills.

"Is that a C#?" "Well it's the 7th fret..." This. All of this.

10:30 that ending arpeggio series of "Ki" is out of this world, such a beautiful, ethereal piece of music...

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.

Everything he said in this Masterclass, was what I've wanted to hear a guitarist say forever... Genius

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.

"I have no idea what I'm doing" Dev, I fucking love you lol.

Devin is so humble, he's an amazing human being.

I love his approach to writing and technique. It's Inspiring.

that tuning definitely gives his music an overall brighter feel...

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

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 Townsend is literally a fucking genius and soooo down to earth... I love this man.

king of reverb

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!

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.

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.

I love how every time he finishes a musical demonstration, he looks at the neck of the guitar like it disappointed him hahaha

the connection this man has with his instrument is unreal.

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.

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.

I could listen to Dev just playing all day...

Doesn't know theory but is able to write songs like Sunday Afternoon, Feather, Storm, Bastard etc. Awesome dude

9:40 prepare the planet smasher

Love it when he shreds.

As soon as he starts playing you know it's Devin, an incredibly unique talent.

OMG How much I love the solo part from By Your Command...

14:16 onwards is the end-all to bleedingly emotional distortion tones. god bless devin

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.

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.

Wise words and wise advices. An original guitarist and artist who deserves more recognition than he already has.

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.

He's a genius! Nice to see him wearing a Shining (Norway) shirt, excellent musician hearing an excellent band.

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..

One of the best to ever grace music. He can compose any genre he desires while killing it in the process.

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

He is the Hannibal Lector of Guitar, super intelligent, stylish, and mildly insane!

Awesome, wonderful, discovery!!!! Devin Master!!!!!

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.

He's so fuckin' modest man for such a great musician!

Shining t-shirt = instant respect

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 love the bends that Dev does. It's so beautiful

6:07 James hetfield immitation

Shinning Tshirt (not the movie but the norwegian band)

....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!

I've seen this like 6 times this year. Still love every moment of it.

I wonder what a collab between him and Danny Elfman would sound like...

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

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

I love Guitar Messenger - I love Devin Townsend - I watch this video often

5:53 Was anyone else instantly thinking of Hyperdrive?

Synchronicity freaks at 6:45

The coolest and best musician/ recorder ever , his methods are outstanding!

I don't have a clue about your own work or anything on this video, and I'm sorry if that insults you. I won't even pretend to know, and not afraid to say so. I just want to take this opportunity to say that your vocals on Touching Tongues were perfect. And that when I first listened to that song (and many times since) I was already on the edge, then your voice made me burst into tears from pure emotion. Thank you so much for your contribution to that song. One of my favs ever. And I love it all.

am I the only one that gets a heavy Satriani vibe from his improvisation choices?

This guy looks like Hitman!

Everything this man says is philosophical wisdom.

The riff at 6:14 is just too good. Can't stop listening to that...

please Devin: BRING BACK STRAPPNG YUONG LAD!!!

Isn't this the strapping young lad guy

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.

Amazing chops. So underrated as a guitarist. WOW.

Hey, my name is Devin Townsend and this guitar cost ten thousand. :D

Did he just admit he's in ghost?

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.

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.

Lol, Townsend's scales. It shows how useless and crippling theory is to creativity.

Absolutely like no other. And that sweep! GOOD GAWD!

Devin Townsend is BRILLIANT ! ! !

Awesome and invigorating. Thanks Devin!

Devin is a genius. Not just musically but more genius in general.

That guitar... so simple, so stunning!

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.

I want that pick! The one he's using that adds all the reverb and distortion! That pick sounds so great.

Thanks. Won't hurt having another listen to that album :)

His tone is the best ever. Period!

Smart and humble. Man, Im so happy he´s back on track! best, Sandemose

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.

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.

Thank you for sharing Devin!

I love listening to this guy, everything he has to say is just so damn interesting.

Finally a guitarist I can relate to.. no theory ftw - just play!

its so inspiring to hear that for even Devin, 27+ years of doing this, he says he doesnt really know theory. just comes to show that, you do NOT need theory at all, or fancy sweep arpeggio crap to make it in the music biz, just good solid emotion in your song writing :-)

I FUCKING LOVE THIS MAN!!! I'm don't have any gay inclinations whatsoever, but everything this man does is frickin golden and he performs his music and chooses his paths in life with such grace - Devin is a GOD among humans.

Now that I have that out of the way, I have been listening to the above lesson, I don't even play the guitar. You are an excellent guitarist!

most underrated human being alive..

Jesus Christ, no, you're never too old. It's far more a function of how much time and effort you put into it. I started some instruments earlier than others, but it was only at a certain age when I was able to manage my practice with discipline that pretty much all of them took off. Work on having a solid technical foundation from the very start. Always challenge but never exhaust yourself. Don't limit yourself to one genre. And abuse the endless tools available online. Videos, tabs, whatever.

Awesome to see Devin using Tele's again!

No wonder I like him and his music so much, we think about/write music in extremely similar ways, haha.

He is freaking phenomenal 😮