'Session Guitar Player'

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: Sai Fora (Reveja Seus Conceitos). It´s a song of mine, a funk one. I´ve recorded everything: bass, guitar parts, keys (using Roland GR55), and voice. I also mixed, masterized and produced video lessons about the process of recording, mixing and mastering to help those who are studying music production.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I´m producing video lessons and some songs of mine, short ones (1:30 minutes average).

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Not yet, but I will. I´m the kind of guy who recomends people when they do a great job.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. Sorry analog guys. Blind test a recording produced using Fractal AX8 or a Kemper vs Analog gear. Let´s be frank. Would you really notice a difference?

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I will do my very best. Maybe my best will not be good enought for you. I´m not a robot, aferall. But I´m hard working and I really love what I do. It´s not only about money. I do it because I really love my job. And I will do my best. I promise.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like to be a part of someone´s piece of art.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Can you sound EXACTLY like this or that guitar player? No. I can try to match my tone as much as I can, but at the best scenario I will sound like myself trying to sound like him or her.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What´s your ideas for the songs? Is there a song you would like to sound similar? Why did you compose this song, afterall? Because if I´m gonna be part of it, I have to make love with the song. It has to be part of me too.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Music production is a form of art. And when it comes to art everything is about meeting people, right? Face by face or on internet, but it´s all about meeting people. You meet the musicians, they meet you, you meet the sound enginner, etc. And you create a piece of art (music) which should reach people, those who´ll listen to the song. So try to explain your music ideas very accurately, very precisely. But be opened to new ideas as well. You don´t know what´s gonna be before the end of the process. Don´t be stuck on an idea so hard you don´t listen to the team. Maybe the bass player can have a great idea that will enhance your song, and if you don´t listen it will not happen. Communication skills, I guess. It´s about listening and knowing how to express your own ideas.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: 1. My Fender Deluxe Roadhouse 2. My PC 3. My Interface 4. Fractal AX8 5. My studio monitor (KRK) Maybe I would create a band called Oasis... Oh, sorry, somebody already got that idea!

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: When my father past away I was 7 years old. Two years latter my beloved mom (who also past away recently) met my step father. He was my 1st teacher. I learned some contry chords with him and when I was 13 I decided I would study music really hard. From then on I attended workshops, guitar clinics, took courses, and played. Stage was my main school actually. I think nothing compares to the experience of being on a stage and playing with great musicians. I´ve played in blues bands, rock bands, big bands, have done jazz, mambo, salsa, cha-cha-cha, bossa, etc... I´ve played what I was paid to play. Have played in cruise ships too. But now, to be quite frank, I really want to participate in music projects from people around the globe, and that´s why I am here.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I´m very ecletic, actually, but kind of Beck style. Many friends of mine have compared me to Jeff Beck. I mean, NO ONE can nail that guitar tone, and I mean NO ONE. He´s a genius. But yes, having said that, I´m very influenced by him. I like to use whammy bar, tremolo, etc.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: If I can name one, only one, I name Jeff Beck. He´s Clapton of our time. It would be a honour.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don´t just follow a book of rules about it. Lear all the rules and break them.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Most rock and blues. Some brazilian music too, because I´m from Brazil and got used to play bossa, samba, etc. But rock is my cup of tea.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Composition. I consider myself a very creative person, and this helps me working as a session guitarrist.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My soul. My musical personality. In terms of guitar tone, for instance, even thou I´m influenced by a bunch of guitar players, fact is that I got my tone, just like any guitar player do (or should).

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I will really take a listen to the song before recording, I will improvise, so that I can come up with ideas to create the best guitar parts I can. I'll record using a metronome, of course, and check to see if it's really in tempo, if it's the case (if it's not a rubato piece, for instance). Everything depends on the music as a whole. The music is the most important thing, and guitar should always fit the song, make it a better song, if it's possible. That's my working philosophy.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My gear is my hands, my mind, my soul, and, of course, some technology: - Fender Deluxe Roadhouse electric guitar (passive/active pickups), Vintage V100 Les Paul Guitar with Seymor Duncan Zebra pickup on the bridge and orginal pickup on the neck, Giannini Folk Acoustic Guitar, Fractal AX8 amp simulator, Roland GR55 Guitar Multi Effects/Synth Pedals: Blackstar HT Dual, Boss GE7 Equalizer, EP Booster, SP Compressor and T-Rex The Twister (Chorus/Flanger). Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 Solo (up to 96khz recording resolution), Audio-Technica ATHM50X headphones and KRK studio monitors.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen are my most important references. From the musicians of now adays I really like John Mayer, Mathes Asato and Gary Clark Jr.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Guitar tracks for songs. I use to record electric guitar more often, but also do acoustic gigs as well.