Over the last few years, the rise of video sharing communities has brought an overwhelming amount of viral information to the masses online. Sites with taglines such as "Broadcast Yourself" have opened the gates for millions to share with others all over the world. Folks, the digital age is frightening. Especially when sites are filled with poor quality videos of Duder McShredder showing you the incorrect way to play Van Halen's "Eruption" on a BC Rich Warlock... out of tune. Thankfully, there are people using the internet to share high quality instructional videos with musical substance.

Meet Brian Williams, founder of Virtual Woodshed. His passion for music, teaching and learning is enlightening. Brian's first professional gig was at age 12 and has played with national players AJ Roach, Lee Roy Parnell, Lindy Fralin, and Wayne Henderson, to name a few. I sat down with Brian to learn more about Virtual Woodshed, its mission and vision for the future.

M33:  What inspired the creation of Virtual Woodshed (VW)?

BW: Two years ago, I felt a strong conviction about sharing music with others. I feel that music is God's gift to me and it's my responsibility to share this gift with as many people as I can reach. I had been teaching private lessons for a while, but wanted to share with more people. At that time, video sharing communities were growing online where people could learn about anything. I noticed a large amount of poor quality video lessons where people were teaching incorrect ways to play instruments. It sparked the idea to create professional, efficient lessons online. This would be the way to share my gift and passion with a greater number of people. From then on, I read up on video production, lighting, and editing, and started filming lessons. I give huge props to my editing friend, Mike Rapp, for all his time and energy helping me get Virtual Woodshed up and running.

M33:  When was VW launched?

BW: It was launched in April 2009.

M33:  What styles does VW focus on?

BW: We focus on material not found in guitar player magazines. You won't find metal or Top 40 songs. We focus on roots rock, jazz, blues, swing, fingerstyle, and country. Honest genres. There is a huge void of this type of instruction online.

M33:  Are lessons geared toward beginners or intermediate and advanced players?

BW: Right now, lessons are geared toward intermediate to advanced players. We are in the process of developing a six part series on beginner mandolin taught by Pete Frostic. We are also in the middle of filming guitar lessons for beginners.

M33:  How did you recruit instructors for VW?

BW: I got in touch with musicians I already knew. I recruited national players to establish credibility and to give students the confidence in knowing that they would learn from the best of the best. Lessons taken from instructors who have valuable things to share.

M33:  What area of expertise do you teach?

BW: My favorite style to teach is slide guitar so I'm the resident slide guitar teacher. I've also taken the role of teaching fingerstyle, flat picking, and rock guitar for beginners.

M33:  How does VW separate itself from instructional videos found on Youtube?

BW: We have name players for instructors and we're consistent with quality and content. With sites like Youtube, you don't know what you're going to get.

M33:  Does VW receive feedback or requests from its readers?

BW: Yeah, we've gotten a lot of helpful correspondence, positive and negative. The main request is for more content.

M33:  Since its launch, how has VW been received? Is marketing involved?

BW: We've gotten a strong, encouraging response. I'm letting it market itself virally in hopes of it being found by the quality of its content. My ultimate goal is to bring people to the site with something they're familiar with and expose them to a variety of players unheard of in the mainstream.

M33:  What's in the works for VW in 2010?

BW: We'll be adding more content, interviews, articles, and lessons. Setting up a discussion board is on the frontier. The site is blossoming into something more than I've imagined.  It's moved well beyond selling videos. Who knows what it'll turn into? I'll let God figure out where it's going.

M33:  Who are the three most underrated musicians in your opinion?

BW:  Vince Gill's definitely one of the most underrated guitarists. Marc Ford is another. Jazz guitarist, Julian Lage definitely makes the list.

M33:  A true musician never stops learning... What are you learning?

BW:  The main thing I'm learning is how little I know. When you're in the business of learning and documenting talent, it keeps me humble. Whether it is learning about video, lighting, or shooting a lesson, I am truly humbled. I'm a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.

Thanks, Brian!

For more information about Brian Williams and Virtual Woodshed, visit VirtualWoodshed.com.

By Author: Michael King

Michael King returns to Richmond, Virginia after working four years in the music and television industry. He’s a VCU graduate thrilled to finally use his English degree for Magazine33! On road trips, he enjoys listening to indie rock, folk, and NPR. He digs the sound of a Fender Telecaster and is nerdy about guitar pedals. An ASCAP member, his music has been placed on MTV and Destineer video games.

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