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Wong Notes

Yngwie J. Malmsteen: “I Never Felt That Art Is a Sport”

Wed Jun 08 2022
MusicGuitarArtistryFestivalsCollaborationNeo-Classical ShredderScalloped FretsDistro KidSwedenRock and RollG3 TourSelf-ExpressionVersatilityFender StratocasterYngwie MalmsteenMusic IndustryArtistic IntegrityInge BayHumor

Description

The episode covers various topics including Festy season and collaborations, the journey of a speaker in music, artistic expression and self-improvement, passion for performing and the versatility of the Stratocaster, the influence of Yngwie Malmsteen and Fender Stratocasters, adapting to changes in the music industry, and Inge Bay's unique artistry and humor.

Insights

Festivals provide opportunities for musicians to connect and collaborate with other bands.

Corey Wong is currently in the midst of Festy season, traveling and playing at festivals.

Inge Bey Malmstein has a unique guitar technique and sound that sets him apart from others.

The podcast features an interview with Inge Bey Malmstein, a Neo-Classical Shredder with an inspiring story.

The G3 tour featured Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and the speaker as guitarists with distinct voices on the instrument. They are considered guitar gods or heroes.

The speaker left their country in the late 70s to pursue a career in music.

The speaker believes that art is not a competition but an art form.

The G3 tour featured guitarists Satryani, Vi, and the speaker, each with their own distinct style.

The speaker has always been competitive towards themselves and strives for improvement every day.

The speaker never felt any competition among top players and always focused on individual self-expression.

The Stratocaster is a versatile instrument that allows for a wide range of sounds.

The passion for performing live is what keeps me going.

Yngwie Malmsteen has been loyal to Fender throughout his career despite initial skepticism towards their guitars.

Hendrix and Blackmore used Fender Stratocasters.

There are still ways for musicians to succeed by staying true to their passion and not compromising their artistry.

The music industry has changed significantly over the years, with the traditional model of record deals and promotion no longer being the norm.

Inge Bay has found a singular voice on the guitar and created something unique.

The episode covers various topics including Festy season and collaborations, the journey of a speaker in music, artistic expression and self-improvement, passion for performing and the versatility of the Stratocaster, the influence of Yngwie Malmsteen and Fender Stratocasters, adapting to changes in the music industry, and Inge Bay's unique artistry and humor.

The host mentions upcoming tour dates for Coriwong.

Inge Bay has found a singular voice on the guitar and created something unique.

Chapters

  1. Festy Season and Collaborations
  2. Inge Bey Malmstein: A Neo-Classical Shredder
  3. The Speaker's Journey in Music
  4. Artistic Expression and Self-Improvement
  5. Passion for Performing and the Versatility of the Stratocaster
  6. The Influence of Yngwie Malmsteen and Fender Stratocasters
  7. Adapting to Changes in the Music Industry
  8. Inge Bay's Unique Artistry and Humor
Summary
Transcript

Festy Season and Collaborations

00:03 - 07:08

  • Corey Wong is currently in the midst of Festy season, traveling and playing at festivals.
  • Festivals provide opportunities for musicians to connect and collaborate with other bands.

Inge Bey Malmstein: A Neo-Classical Shredder

00:03 - 07:08

  • The podcast features an interview with Inge Bey Malmstein, a Neo-Classical Shredder with an inspiring story.
  • Inge Bey Malmstein has a unique guitar technique and sound that sets him apart from others.
  • Corey Wong discusses the use of scalloped frets on Inge Bey's signature Stratocaster guitar.
  • Distro Kid is recommended as a digital distributor for artists looking to get their music on streaming platforms.
  • Inge Bay owns multiple Ferraris and has a team of mechanics dedicated to maintaining them.
  • He currently resides in Miami Beach, which provides a sunny environment for his studio.

The Speaker's Journey in Music

06:51 - 14:24

  • The speaker left their country in the late 70s to pursue a career in music.
  • They sent a cassette tape to Guitar Player magazine and received phone calls from record labels at the age of 18.
  • The speaker's dream was to make music and play guitar.
  • Sweden has produced a lot of incredible music across different genres, including technical and advanced concepts, pop music, and well-crafted songs.
  • The speaker had a different perspective on the connection between music and Sweden because when they started recording in the late 70s, no one in Sweden wanted anything to do with them.
  • In the early 80s, there was a shift in Sweden's music industry where more attention was given to rock and roll artists like the speaker.
  • The speaker mentioned that growing up in Sweden, there was little encouragement for free-thinking artists and individuals were often told they were nothing.
  • When the speaker came to America, they felt at home due to the lack of judgment towards long-haired individuals or musicians.
  • The Swedish scene changed after the speaker left, but during their time there, bands like ABBA faced criticism for being commercial sell-outs.
  • The G3 tour featured Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and the speaker as guitarists with distinct voices on the instrument. They are considered guitar gods or heroes.

Artistic Expression and Self-Improvement

13:58 - 21:44

  • The G3 tour featured guitarists Satryani, Vi, and the speaker, each with their own distinct style.
  • The speaker believes that art is not a competition but an art form.
  • They compare themselves to painters who complete the entire painting on their own.
  • The speaker never felt any competition among top players and always focused on individual self-expression.
  • In the shred world, many treat guitar playing as a sport or weightlifting, but the speaker appreciates it as an art form.
  • The speaker has always been competitive towards themselves and strives for improvement every day.
  • They played arpeggios on electric guitar in ways that had never been done before.
  • Despite being in the industry for half a century, the speaker still has passion and fire for what they do.
  • They stay physically fit by maintaining dexterity and keeping their burning passion alive.

Passion for Performing and the Versatility of the Stratocaster

21:17 - 28:38

  • The passion for performing live is what keeps me going.
  • I improvise on stage and challenge myself to create something new.
  • I enjoy adding structure and harmony to my improvised music.
  • Different musicians have their own styles, and that's what makes them unique.
  • People often generalize genres when they are unfamiliar with them.
  • The Stratocaster is a versatile instrument that allows for a wide range of sounds.
  • I was drawn to the Stratocaster as a child because it resembled an acoustic guitar.
  • Using the same instrument as iconic musicians like Hendrix and Blackmore feels natural to me.

The Influence of Yngwie Malmsteen and Fender Stratocasters

28:09 - 35:20

  • Hendrix and Blackmore used Fender Stratocasters.
  • Nicola Paganini played the violin without modifications.
  • Yngwie Malmsteen and Eric Clapton were the first to have signature Fender Stratocasters in 1986.
  • Fender struggled in the late 70s and early 80s due to competition from other brands.
  • Dan Smith, a Fender employee, approached Yngwie Malmsteen about creating his signature model.
  • Malmsteen requested a scalloped neck for his guitar.
  • Fender initially didn't give artists endorsements or free guitars, but they made an exception for Malmsteen.
  • Malmsteen recorded the solo on 'Heaven Tonight' with the prototype of his signature guitar in January 1987.
  • Fender's approach to artist endorsements changed in the late 70s and early 80s due to increased competition.
  • Yngwie Malmsteen has been loyal to Fender throughout his career despite initial skepticism towards their guitars.
  • Malmsteen has shown business acumen by diversifying his income streams through various ventures like NFT releases, YouTube channel growth, and collecting appreciating assets.

Adapting to Changes in the Music Industry

34:55 - 42:17

  • The music industry has changed significantly over the years, with the traditional model of record deals and promotion no longer being the norm.
  • Exposure for artists used to be limited, but now platforms like YouTube have opened up new opportunities.
  • The revenue in the industry has also changed, with the big pot of money no longer being there.
  • Despite these changes, there are still ways for musicians to succeed by staying true to their passion and not compromising their artistry.
  • It's important for artists to trust their instincts and not let others dictate how they should create or promote their music.

Inge Bay's Unique Artistry and Humor

41:54 - 43:35

  • Inge Bay has found a singular voice on the guitar and created something unique.
  • Inge Bay's artistry is inspiring to other guitar players.
  • The host thanks Inge Bay for joining the podcast.
  • The host jokes about racing Ferraris with Richard Bona and Niall Rogers in Miami Beach.
  • The podcast host enjoys Inge Bay's humor and respects his dedication to his craft.
  • The host mentions upcoming tour dates for Coriwong.
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