Chewing the Gristle with Greg Koch

Tomo Fujita

October 27, 2021 Greg Koch / Tomo Fujita Season 3 Episode 4
Chewing the Gristle with Greg Koch
Tomo Fujita
Show Notes Chapter Markers

Tomo Fujita is one of the most well-known guitar teachers on the planet, famously beloved by his current and former students at Berklee College of Music (including John Mayer). His YouTube and Instagram channels have a treasure-trove of useful lessons for guitarists of all levels, and their popularity led Guitar World to name him among "15 of the greatest all-star guitar teachers" (a list that also included the Gristleman himself).

2:57 - What drew Tomo to the guitar, the influence of Jeff Beck and Larry Carlton, and earning a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music
9:40 - Graduating from Berklee, transitioning to becoming a professor, and the early years as a teacher
13:27 - Tomo’s website ‘Guitar Wisdom’, and the importance of finding balance in your life
20:24 - How to navigate lesson plans for students who aren’t exactly excited about the material
33:20 - Performing in the US versus Japan & other countries
35:36 - Tomo’s favorite type of guitars, unique short-scale guitars, and vintage guitars
46:26 - Playing the guitar in the time of COVID
50:16 - Tomo’s relationship with Ibanez Guitars, and his work with them as an advisor to help build out better guitars for less
62:15 - How to stay motivated

Total Length: 69:25

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What drew Tomo to the guitar, the influence of Jeff Beck and Larry Carlton, and earning a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music
Graduating from Berklee, transitioning to becoming a professor, and the early years as a teacher
Tomo’s website ‘Guitar Wisdom’, and the importance of finding balance in your life
How to navigate lesson plans for students who aren’t exactly excited about the material
Performing in the US versus Japan & other countries
Tomo’s favorite type of guitars, unique short-scale guitars, and vintage guitars
Playing the guitar in the time of COVID
Tomo’s relationship with Ibanez Guitars, and his work with them as a advisor to help build out better guitars for less
How to stay motivated