What does it really take to become a professional guitarist? In this episode of the Guitar Underground Podcast, Neil Santos sits down with full-time musician Kevin Herrera to talk about discipline, practice, performance, fitness, and the realities of making a living through music.

Kevin shares stories from his musical journey, including studying at Musicians Institute, learning songs note-for-note in tribute bands, developing consistency as a player, and how mindset and discipline helped shape both his guitar playing and personal life. This conversation is packed with insight for intermediate guitarists looking to improve their playing, motivation, and long-term growth.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Kevin became a full-time musician

• The importance of learning songs note-for-note

• Practice habits that accelerate growth

• Why discipline matters more than talent

• How fitness and music influence each other

• Mindset tips for serious guitar players

🎸Take the Pentatonic Personality Quiz:

Head over to https://pentatonicway.com/personality to find your personality type and get your immediate next steps in a FREE 5-day course!

👉 Subscribe to the Guitar Underground so you never miss a lesson on mastering the neck!

FOLLOW KEVIN HERERRA ONLINE:Website: https://www.kevinalexanderherrera.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GuitarzanHerrera/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinalexanderherrera91/

NEIL'S BOOKS:

The Guitar Simplified - https://amzn.to/3Mz7Kup

The Lefty Guitarist's Survival Handbook - https://amzn.to/4tZHolY

STUFF NEIL USES:

Fender 57’ Reissue Stratocaster - https://amzn.to/4tL5MYl

Vega Trem VT1 Special Standard Tremolo Bridge for Strat-Style Guitars - https://amzn.to/4awaYYF

Michael Kelly Patriot Decree Electric Guitar - https://amzn.to/4aOdQyQ

Line 6 HX Stomp XL - https://amzn.to/3MEsIbc

HeadRush FRFR108 MKII - 2000W Guitar Amp - https://amzn.to/4tZpwYq

TC Electronic DITTO+ LOOPER - https://amzn.to/3MtnNtD

Tech 21 Richie Kotzen RK5 Signature Fly Rig v3 Multi-effects Pedal - https://amzn.to/4kMdZaA

Gravity Guitar Picks - https://amzn.to/4cFUG0D

ObsidianWire Custom '5-Way' Solderless Wiring Harness - https://amzn.to/46lKJSc

Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera - https://amzn.to/4rAmBD7

Shure MV7X XLR Dynamic Microphone - https://amzn.to/4aU6A5T

Behringer UMC202HD Audiophile USB Audio Interface - https://amzn.to/4crblFf

Behringer XENYX 802S Analog 8-Input Mixer - https://amzn.to/4ryJLtL

Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Guest Introduction

01:15 – Meeting Through New Hampshire Guitars

03:50 – Kevin’s Early Musical Influences

08:05 – Discovering Guitar & Van Halen

13:25 – Musicians Institute Experience

17:40 – Life After Music School

21:20 – Family, Guitar & Early Inspiration

25:15 – First Bands & Performing Live

31:45 – Expanding Beyond Metal Music

37:30 – Tribute Bands & Professional Playing

43:00 – Learning Songs Deeply & Musicianship

48:00 – Great Performers & Stage Presence

53:10 – Favorite Players & Musical Influences

58:45 – Learning by Ear & Transcribing

01:04:00 – Teaching, Practice & Growth

01:09:00 – Local Music Scene & Networking

01:14:00 – The Importance of Relationships

01:18:45 – Marathon Running & Fitness

01:23:20 – Discipline, Health & Mindset

01:28:40 – Nutrition, Consistency & Balance

01:33:20 – Music as a Physical Craft

01:38:20 – Final Reflections & Advice

01:42:30 – Outro & Closing Thoughts

#GuitarPodcast #GuitarPlayer #GuitarLessons #MusiciansLife #GuitarUnderground

Soloing over chord changes doesn't have to be a confusing mess of complex jazz theory and endless arpeggios. In this video, I show you how to master soloing over chord changes using the simple pentatonic framework you already know and love. Many guitarists feel like they are "guessing" the second the backing track hits a new chord. You might think the answer is learning more scales, but the real secret is "re-aiming" your focus within the pentatonic shapes you’ve already memorized. We break down why phrasing and ear training actually beat music theory when it comes to sounding musical and intentional. What you will learn:

• Why "re-aiming" your pentatonic scale is better than learning new ones.
• How the pentatonic scale naturally outlines complex harmony and "jazz tensions".
• The "Pause and Resolve" method for instant musicality.
• Why you should stay in one "box" to see note relationships clearly.
• How to use your ears to move faster than music theory.

🎸Take the Pentatonic Personality Quiz:Head over to https://pentatonicway.com/personality to find your personality type and get your immediate next steps in a FREE 5-day course!🔗 Subscribe to the Guitar Underground so you never miss a lesson on mastering the neck!NEIL'S BOOKS:The Guitar Simplified - https://amzn.to/3Mz7KupThe Lefty Guitarist's Survival Handbook - https://amzn.to/4tZHolYSTUFF NEIL USES:Fender 57’ Reissue Stratocaster - https://amzn.to/4tL5MYlVega Trem VT1 Special Standard Tremolo Bridge for Strat-Style Guitars - https://amzn.to/4awaYYFMichael Kelly Patriot Decree Electric Guitar - https://amzn.to/4aOdQyQLine 6 HX Stomp XL - https://amzn.to/3MEsIbcHeadRush FRFR108 MKII - 2000W Guitar Amp - https://amzn.to/4tZpwYqTC Electronic DITTO+ LOOPER - https://amzn.to/3MtnNtDTech 21 Richie Kotzen RK5 Signature Fly Rig v3 Multi-effects Pedal - https://amzn.to/4kMdZaAGravity Guitar Picks - https://amzn.to/4cFUG0DObsidianWire Custom '5-Way' Solderless Wiring Harness - https://amzn.to/46lKJScCanon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera - https://amzn.to/4rAmBD7Shure MV7X XLR Dynamic Microphone - https://amzn.to/4aU6A5TBehringer UMC202HD Audiophile USB Audio Interface - https://amzn.to/4crblFfBehringer XENYX 802S Analog 8-Input Mixer - https://amzn.to/4ryJLtLChapters00:00 The Myth of Jazz Theory for Soloing 00:51 Following Changes with the Pentatonic Framework 02:08 Why You’re Actually Getting Lost 03:56 Why Jumping All Over the Neck is Killing Your Solos 04:51 How Pentatonics Outline the Harmony 06:24 Finding "Jazz Tensions" Inside the Pentatonic 07:30 Why Phrasing Matters More Than Theory 09:21 Using Your Ears to Hear the Movement 12:12 The Pentatonic Personality Quiz 13:13 Tip 1: Target One Note Per Chord 17:04 Tip 2: Stay in One Pentatonic Box 21:17 Tip 3: Use the Pause and Resolve Method 24:18 Tip 4: Loop Two Chords Only 26:35 Tip 5: Sing Before You Play 28:38 Recap: You Don't Need More Scales#GuitarSolo #PentatonicScale #GuitarLesson #LeadGuitar #MusicTheory

The biggest lie in guitar practice is that mastering scales will automatically make you sound musical. If your solos feel like boring technical exercises, it’s time to stop climbing ladders and start making music.Summary: In this episode of Guitar Underground, host Neil Santos breaks down why treating scales as the "raw material" rather than the finished meal is holding back your creativity. Most players fall into the trap of linear thinking—moving up and down patterns like a robot—which results in solos that lack meaning and connection. We explore five specific reasons why your practice might be stuck and provide five actionable techniques to help you break the "up and down" habit. Whether you are a beginner or have been practicing for years, this guide will help you bridge the gap between technical scales and melodic expression.What You Will Learn:

• Why scales are just ingredients and not the actual meal.
• The dangers of "linear thinking" and how to treat the fretboard as a conversation.
• How to stop practicing motion and start practicing meaning.
• Techniques to limit note choice to force phrasing and creativity.
• The "Triple Threat" exercise: Singing before you play to connect your ear to your fingers.

🎸Take the Pentatonic Personality Quiz:Head over to https://pentatonicway.com/personality to find your personality type and get your immediate next steps in a FREE 5-day course!👉 Subscribe to the Guitar Underground so you never miss a lesson on mastering the neck!NEIL'S BOOKS:The Guitar Simplified - https://amzn.to/3Mz7KupThe Lefty Guitarist's Survival Handbook - https://amzn.to/4tZHolYSTUFF NEIL USES:Fender 57’ Reissue Stratocaster - https://amzn.to/4tL5MYlVega Trem VT1 Special Standard Tremolo Bridge for Strat-Style Guitars - https://amzn.to/4awaYYFMichael Kelly Patriot Decree Electric Guitar - https://amzn.to/4aOdQyQLine 6 HX Stomp XL - https://amzn.to/3MEsIbcHeadRush FRFR108 MKII - 2000W Guitar Amp - https://amzn.to/4tZpwYqTC Electronic DITTO+ LOOPER - https://amzn.to/3MtnNtDTech 21 Richie Kotzen RK5 Signature Fly Rig v3 Multi-effects Pedal - https://amzn.to/4kMdZaAGravity Guitar Picks - https://amzn.to/4cFUG0DObsidianWire Custom '5-Way' Solderless Wiring Harness - https://amzn.to/46lKJScCanon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera - https://amzn.to/4rAmBD7Shure MV7X XLR Dynamic Microphone - https://amzn.to/4aU6A5TBehringer UMC202HD Audiophile USB Audio Interface - https://amzn.to/4crblFfBehringer XENYX 802S Analog 8-Input Mixer - https://amzn.to/4ryJLtLChapters00:00 The Biggest Lie in Guitar Practice 01:42 The Grimoire: Why More Scales Won't Help 03:06 Reason 1: Scales Are Just Raw Materials 03:57 Reason 2: The Linear Thinking Trap 05:33 Reason 3: Practicing Motion vs. Meaning 06:20 Reason 4: Why More Notes Do Not Equal Better Solos 09:28 Reason 5: The Lack of Expressive Education 10:40 Discover Your Playing Personality (Quiz) 11:30 Tip 1: The Three-Note Limitation 15:55 Tip 2: Using Musical Space and "Breathing" 19:04 Tip 3: Breaking the Up-and-Down Habit 22:41 Tip 4: Singing Before You Play 25:42 Tip 5: Repeating and Developing One Idea 29:02 Summary: Using Your Toolkit Effectively #GuitarTips #MusicEducation #GuitarSolos #ScalesVsMusic #GuitarUnderground