Today I gave private lessons, did a workshop about learning songs to understand chords and solos, signed autographs and took pictures with everyone, and hosted the final concert. Even though we had little or no rehearsal, the performances were actually really tight and the band had a great groove. And of course, we did lots of guitar solo trading in every song. Near the end of the show, I decided to do a guitar solo using my shoulders. Every time I played an accent, I moved one of my shoulders at the same time. I makes me play differently (and in a way that I really like) to use more than just the fingers to play guitar. After I played my solo, I asked all the other teachers to play a solo while using some part of their body to accent the music. Scotty Johnson did a great "neck" solo. Mimi Fox did some great kicks in the air. Andy Timmons synced his playing to his eyebrows. Tony Spinner plays barefoot, so he could sync up his playing with his toes, and Adam Fulara swung his whole double-neck guitar around in the air and did some knee dips.

Scales, arpeggios, and picking techniques can be important, and we certainly demonstrated those things at the camp. But just as important is having a great time, and finding ways to physically connect to the music.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with the way this year's GGE turned out.

Tomorrow, one more massive jam session with all the students, and then I travel back home to L.A.

I'll be back to making Video Exchanges next week. I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone is playing recently!

Thank you,

Paul