Name: Meet Me - Guitargod83
Unique ID: EGVRG0D6
Website URL:
Who is guitar god, what makes you the person you are today?
I’m a 37 year old guy from California named Ben Smith. I used to be a live performer throughout the last decade plus. Numerous bands that I was in include: idiom, In Solitas, The Reverse Affect, Alligator Faceplant, and most notably Light Up the Eyes. I love playing for others. I love practicing and honing my craft so others find it enjoyable to listen to me. I strive to practice like my college professor used to say “practice until you don’t suck”. Hopefully I don’t “suck” for my daily audience. LOL.
What are your hobbies, what do you like to do for fun outside the app?
Outside of streaming I love taking the dog for walks and spending time with him. I also love my day job. I’m in solar power sales. It’s very rewarding to save people money and help the environment at the same time. I also fit the stereotype that I'm an adamant gamer. I love playing video games with people from all over the world in my free time.
You play the guitar on the app, when did you start learning how to play the guitar?
I started playing the guitar when I was 10 years old. A friend up the street had guitars and could play pretty well. He ended up teaching me Metallica songs and I was hooked. I started with formal teaching after a year of learning from him. From there I proceeded to play in church youth groups which helped progress my abilities to play chord changes and play with a group. Upon moving from Illinois to California for college I studied guitar performance at Fullerton College. There I studied with Dr. Joe Jewell who is one of the most revered teachers in Southern California. From there I’ve been abler to learn at my own pace as you never stop learning to play the guitar. Myself and many of my peers give each other lessons on a regular basis. It’s the whole “iron sharpens iron” approach.
What influenced you to play the guitar, who are your influences for playing?
Hands down my main influence for playing the guitar was always Dimebag from Pantera. I remember seeing one of their music videos on Headbanger’s Ball on MTV when I was a kid and was completely mesmerized. I’ve idolized Dime ever since.
What are your goals on the app, what do you hope to accomplish?
I’d love to gain a national audience where I can progress my love for music and share it with others. I love meeting people from all walks of life and share common interests and love for music. Endorsements and a little bit of income wouldn’t hurt either. I feel like the latter will come naturally if I continue the routines I’m applying currently.
If someone wants to start playing the guitar, what are some tips you might have for them?
BE PATIENT! Aside from some natural freaks of nature almost nobody sounds good when they first pick up a guitar. It takes years to sound “good”. Additionally I’d like to dispel the myth that people should learn on the acoustic first. If you never plan on playing an electric guitar then I can get behind that statement. However, there’s a common myth that acoustic is easier to learn on. The electric guitar is far easier to learn on as the strings are thinner and sit closer to the neck which makes it easier to play. The electronics on the electric guitar do a lot of the work meaning you don’t have to push down as hard and don’t need to strum as hard. It’s way more forgiving. I’ve been playing for 27 years and still struggle with the acoustic.
Which form of guitar do you play, and do you play any other instruments?
I like to play mostly rock, classic rock, hard rock, 80’s metal, and metal. I am working on putting some country into the rotation but that’s a work in progress. In my current guitar rotation I have 5 main guitars in different tunings to allow for a wide array of songs. I don’t want to give away too much about the brands and models of guitars since endorsements are currently in the works. They’re very nice guitars though. Lol.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I might have forgotten or not mentioned?
I’d like to thank everyone that has followed me through this journey so far. I’m sure many of us would have never had imagined having to resort to social media for one of our primary sources of entertainment because of a virus. It’s been amazing meeting new people from all over the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the love and support from my friends and fans that show up to my streams daily. You guys are the reason I continue to do this
Thank you once again for taking the time to fill out this interview, thank you.
Share to Social Media:
Unique ID: EGVRG0D6
Website URL:
Who is guitar god, what makes you the person you are today?
I’m a 37 year old guy from California named Ben Smith. I used to be a live performer throughout the last decade plus. Numerous bands that I was in include: idiom, In Solitas, The Reverse Affect, Alligator Faceplant, and most notably Light Up the Eyes. I love playing for others. I love practicing and honing my craft so others find it enjoyable to listen to me. I strive to practice like my college professor used to say “practice until you don’t suck”. Hopefully I don’t “suck” for my daily audience. LOL.
What are your hobbies, what do you like to do for fun outside the app?
Outside of streaming I love taking the dog for walks and spending time with him. I also love my day job. I’m in solar power sales. It’s very rewarding to save people money and help the environment at the same time. I also fit the stereotype that I'm an adamant gamer. I love playing video games with people from all over the world in my free time.
You play the guitar on the app, when did you start learning how to play the guitar?
I started playing the guitar when I was 10 years old. A friend up the street had guitars and could play pretty well. He ended up teaching me Metallica songs and I was hooked. I started with formal teaching after a year of learning from him. From there I proceeded to play in church youth groups which helped progress my abilities to play chord changes and play with a group. Upon moving from Illinois to California for college I studied guitar performance at Fullerton College. There I studied with Dr. Joe Jewell who is one of the most revered teachers in Southern California. From there I’ve been abler to learn at my own pace as you never stop learning to play the guitar. Myself and many of my peers give each other lessons on a regular basis. It’s the whole “iron sharpens iron” approach.
What influenced you to play the guitar, who are your influences for playing?
Hands down my main influence for playing the guitar was always Dimebag from Pantera. I remember seeing one of their music videos on Headbanger’s Ball on MTV when I was a kid and was completely mesmerized. I’ve idolized Dime ever since.
What are your goals on the app, what do you hope to accomplish?
I’d love to gain a national audience where I can progress my love for music and share it with others. I love meeting people from all walks of life and share common interests and love for music. Endorsements and a little bit of income wouldn’t hurt either. I feel like the latter will come naturally if I continue the routines I’m applying currently.
If someone wants to start playing the guitar, what are some tips you might have for them?
BE PATIENT! Aside from some natural freaks of nature almost nobody sounds good when they first pick up a guitar. It takes years to sound “good”. Additionally I’d like to dispel the myth that people should learn on the acoustic first. If you never plan on playing an electric guitar then I can get behind that statement. However, there’s a common myth that acoustic is easier to learn on. The electric guitar is far easier to learn on as the strings are thinner and sit closer to the neck which makes it easier to play. The electronics on the electric guitar do a lot of the work meaning you don’t have to push down as hard and don’t need to strum as hard. It’s way more forgiving. I’ve been playing for 27 years and still struggle with the acoustic.
Which form of guitar do you play, and do you play any other instruments?
I like to play mostly rock, classic rock, hard rock, 80’s metal, and metal. I am working on putting some country into the rotation but that’s a work in progress. In my current guitar rotation I have 5 main guitars in different tunings to allow for a wide array of songs. I don’t want to give away too much about the brands and models of guitars since endorsements are currently in the works. They’re very nice guitars though. Lol.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I might have forgotten or not mentioned?
I’d like to thank everyone that has followed me through this journey so far. I’m sure many of us would have never had imagined having to resort to social media for one of our primary sources of entertainment because of a virus. It’s been amazing meeting new people from all over the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the love and support from my friends and fans that show up to my streams daily. You guys are the reason I continue to do this
Thank you once again for taking the time to fill out this interview, thank you.
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