The G4 Experience is an event for players and music-lovers of all ages, levels, interests, and taste! Whether you are a master player, a beginner, or just an enthusiastic fan, our four-day programs offer activities and workshops for you. Our environments are non-competitive and are strictly about immersing oneself in the joys of music and our lovely surroundings!

Here's what you'll learn from the Masters:

  • Joe Satriani - melodic development, understanding and using modes effectively, arranging tools for originality, improvising as a way of life, and much more!

  • Lari Basilio - approaches to finger picking, pentatonic scales and how to mix with other scales, creating riffs, and alternate tunings.

  • Bumblefoot - music theory, rhythm dynamics, muting, and accenting, economy picking, utilizing left-hand multi-finger tapping and legato, and so much more!

  • Kiko Loureiro - creating melodies, solos and composition breakdown, expressive playing techniques, and more!

  • Doug Doppler - chord mastery, blues primer, gear tips, and modes for manics!

  • Carlos Alomar - open tunings, improvisations, modes, chord theory, and much more!

An Invitation from Joe Satriani!

Five years ago, I went into our first G4 Experience kicking and screaming. I don’t really like putting on clinics. Clinics can be very dry, very clinical. I don’t want to show up at a guitar store, sit on a folding chair and talk about finger exercises. My thing is putting on a concert. We invented the G4 Experience with the idea that we could do both – we could spend our days together doing clinics and interactive jams, and then every night put on a concert featuring myself and all of the players that allow students to see a show up close in a very intimate way. It’s the ultimate VIP experience. You’re right there with us as we’re putting on concerts right in front of you.

The students that have come to the first four G4 Experiences have been as unique and eclectic as you could imagine so for this fifth anniversary G4 I put together a team of instructors that really reflects that diverse nature. The lineup this year is probably our best yet – we’ll be joined by some really legendary players, including Carlos Alomar, Bumblefoot, Kiko Loreiro, and Lari Basilio, with special visits from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Neil Schon and Rick Nielsen.

Every single one of these musicians is completely different, despite the fact that we’re all playing the same twelve notes. It’s amazing how different we each make them sound when we play them. It’s not only a reflection of the mechanics or the equipment or the music theory, but of the personality. So I want to show you how different Bumblefoot is from Carlos Alomar, what makes Kiko play like Kiko and Lari play like Lari.

There’s so much to talk about, so much we want to show you. When you get a chance to stand next to a superstar like Neal Schon or Rick Nielsen, that is when you learn the most. Getting to talk to these amazing musicians, getting to ask them questions, getting the details of how they do things. Our instructors this year can transfer to the students all of the information they’ve gained playing arenas and stadiums, working with supergroups, and so much more. The experiences they’ve had playing with Journey and Cheap Trick and Megadeth and Guns n’ Roses and David Bowie are so unique; it gives the students real perspective. You don’t just get ‘put your finger here’ exercises – you get real-world knowledge that very few of us actually get to experience for ourselves.

My band – Mike Keneally, Bryan Beller, and Joe Travers – really round out the G4 Experience. They can shine a light on what it’s like being in my band, touring and making records. Then you get to see them mix it up and back up all of the other guitar players, a huge lesson in experience and flexibility.

I get a selfish kick out of the whole thing. Like my G3 concert series, I get so excited from standing next to people who can do things on the guitar that I can’t. I’ve been even more thrilled by the incredible variety of folks who attend G4. People come from all over the world – kids who want to be shredders or are totally obsessed with blues guitar, older players who like pop or metal or who knows? It’s so cool to see them mix it up among themselves. Peer to peer relationships are extremely important. One of my main messages for the G4 Experience is to encourage guitar players to create your own community, to be a part of something, to make as many musician friends as possible, to share and exchange. Don’t just stay in your basement with the Internet; YouTube is not a substitute for a real, live audience. The job of a musician is to play music for people. That’s part of what you’re going to learn at the G4 Experience – we’re people and we’re going to show you how to play music for people.

I’ve grown to really look forward to the G4. It’s so exciting, getting to be so totally immersed and getting to be so close to these great players. You never know what’s going to happen and at the end of the week you’ll think, I went somewhere beautiful, I had fun, I made some new friends, and I grew as a musician. And there’s nothing better than that.”

– Joe Satriani, May 2018

 

CampersJoe instructing
  1. Welcome to G4 Experience!
  2. An Invitation from Joe Satriani and Neal Schon!
  3. G4 Camper Testimonials
  4. Joe Satriani and Rick Nielson for G4 Experience 2019
  5. Doug Doppler for G4 2019
  6. Joe Satriani and Stig Mathisen talk key signatures
  7. G4 instructors Joe Satriani & Stig Mathisen talk technical ability vs. theory
  8. G4 Experience Instructors 2019

Hotel Zoso, Palm Springs

  • Zoso Hotel pool at night
  • Zoso Hotel Bedroom
  • Zoso Terrace

Setting & Accommodations

Hotel Zoso is ideally located in the epicenter of Palm Springs. Park your car and enjoy strolling to the city’s restaurants, shops, galleries and live entertainment. The convention center is just three blocks away and the airport is within two miles of the hotel. Board the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and soar high up the mountain for cool breezes and expansive views of the Coachella Valley. Hit up our famed golf courses and sink a hole in one. Soak up the year-round sunshine while you explore the city’s iconic Mid-Century architecture. Our guest services team can help with recommendations and reservations.

Typical room at Zoso Hotel

Area Attractions

Palm Springs, California, the ultimate desert playground, is an oasis for outdoor adventure, arts and culture, gaming and entertainment. The city’s storied Hollywood legacy, Native American heritage, and stunning collection of mid-century modern architecture reflect why Palm Springs is truly like no place else.

Tram Valley

  • Dinosaur Museum
  • Mountains
  • Hiking

Area Activities

Soar to the top of Mount San Jacinto, hike through ancient palm groves and along stunning scenic trails. Ride a cruiser through the scenic neighborhood, enjoy the Spanish style and mid-century modern architecture. Tour world-class museums, leaving time for dining alfresco and walking to entertainment venues under the stars.

Visit http://www.visitpalmsprings.com/ for more details!

Schedule

*schedule is subject to change, please check back for updates*

Thursday January 03

  • 3:00-4:30

    G4 Experience Camper Check-In

  • 4:30-5:45

    Joe and Instructors Welcoming Remarks

  • 6:00-6:45

    Tech/Gear Co.

  • 7:00-8:00

    Dinner

  • 8:30-9:30

    Joe Satriani Concert

  • 9:30-??

    Camper Jamming with Stig, Doug, Kiko, Ron, Carlos, Etc.

Friday January 04

  • 8:00am-9:30

    Breakfast

  • 9:30-11:00

    Breakout Classes

    1. Kiko
    2. Carlos
    3. Lari
    4. Bumblefoot
  • 11:15-12:45pm

    Joe Masterclass with Stig

  • 1:00-2:00

    Lunch

  • 2:15-3:15

    Breakout Classes

    1. Kiko
    2. Carlos
    3. Lari
    4. Bumblefoot
  • 3:30-4:45

    Joe Masterclass

  • 5:00-5:45

    Breakout Classes

    1. Rick Nielsen
    2. Doug
    3. Stig
    4. Mike Manning
  • 6:00-6:45

    Tech/Gear Co.

  • 7:00-8:00

    Dinner

  • 8:30-9:30

    Kiko, Ron, Lari, and Carlos Concert

  • 9:30-??

    Camper Jamming with Stig, Doug, Kiko, Ron, Carlos, Etc.

Saturday January 05

  • 8:00am-9:30

    Breakfast

  • 9:30-11:00

    Breakout Classes

    1. Rick Nielsen
    2. Carlos
    3. Lari
    4. Bumblefoot
  • 11:15-12:45pm

    Joe Masterclass with Stig

  • 1:00-2:00

    Lunch

  • 2:00-4:45

    Group Photo and Signing Session

  • 5:00-6:30

    Breakout Classes

    1. Kiko
    2. Bumblefoot
    3. Carlos
    4. Doug
    5. Stig
  • 7:00-8:00

    Dinner

  • 8:30-9:30

    Rick Nielsen Concert

  • 9:30-??

    Camper Jamming with Stig, Doug, Kiko, Ron, Carlos, Etc.

Sunday January 06

  • 8:00am-9:30

    Breakfast

  • 9:30-11:00

    Breakout Classes

    1. Neal Schon
    2. Kiko
    3. Bumblefoot
  • 11:15-12:45pm

    Joe Masterclass with Stig

  • 1:00-2:00

    Lunch

  • 2:15-3:15

    Breakout Classes

    1. Neal Schon
    2. Carlos
    3. Lari
    4. Doug
  • 3:30-4:45

    Joe Masterclass

  • 5:00-5:45

    Breakout Classes

    1. Kiko
    2. Bumblefoot
    3. Carlos
    4. Lari
    5. Stig
  • 6:00-6:45

    Tech/Gear Co.

  • 7:00-8:00

    Dinner

  • 8:30-9:30

    Neal Schon Concert

  • 9:30-??

    Camper Jamming with Stig, Doug, Kiko, Ron, Carlos, Etc.

Monday January 07

  • 8:00am-9:30

    Breakfast

  • 11:00am

    Hotel Checkout

CampersCampers

Guest Artists

Neal Schon

Rick Nielsen

Carlos Alomar

Lari Basilio

Bumblefoot

Kiko Loureiro

Bryan Beller

Mike Keneally

Joe Travers

Stig Mathisen

Doug Doppler

Travel Directions

Hotel Zoso, Palm Springs

Address
150 S Indian Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262

Website
Hotel Zoso

Contact
Contact Us

Get Directions

Open Resort Location In Maps App

Instrument Travel

FAA Rules - Bringing Musical Instruments on Flights

Pricing and Registration

Pricing and Registration

  • Commuter Package
    1,099.00

    If you live nearby or have somewhere nearby to stay, this registration gets you in to all events, concerts, goodie bags, workshops, etc. EVERYTHING- except accommodations and meals at Hotel Zoso. If you would like to dine with the group, we will be offering meal passes at the event.

  • Shared Room with Two Beds
    2,199.00

    Standard Room with two queen beds and a roommate. You may either name a fellow registrant as your roommate or one will be assigned by Dreamcatcher Events. Roommate matches are based on age and gender. If signing up with a roommate in mind, please enter their name in the “Roommate” field as you continue registration. Roommate must also register for the G4 Experience. Pricing is per person.

  • Single Room with One Bed
    3,499.00

    Standard room with one King bed. Pricing is per person.

  • Bring Your Loved One One Bed
    4,099.00

    If you would like to have your loved join you in Palm Springs but not participate in workshops, we recommend this price point. You both share the accommodations, dine together with the group for all meals at the Hotel Zoso, and attend all evening concerts together. During the days, while one of you is participating in workshops and living out your guitar virtuoso dreams, your loved one can enjoy the wonderful accommodations and interesting things to do in the Palm Springs area. Room features one King sized bed.  Pricing is for one participant and one non-participant.

  • Bring Your Loved One Two Beds
    4,099.00

    If you would like to have your loved join you in Palm Springs but not participate in workshops, we recommend this price point. You both share the accommodations, dine together with the group for all meals at the Hotel Zoso, and attend all evening concerts together. During the days, while one of you is participating in workshops and living out your guitar virtuoso dreams, your loved one can enjoy the wonderful accommodations and interesting things to do in the Palm Springs area.  Room Features two queen beds. Pricing is for one participant and one non-participant.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • 3 amazing meals a day
  • All workshops, activities and entertainment for 4 days and nights
  • Wi-Fi

What's Not Included

  • Transportation
  • Alcohol and snacks
  • Sighteseeing excursions in the area
  • Personal musical gear – please bring your own instruments if you are not signing up for our premium upgrade

Pricing and Registration Policy

  • Registration & Payments
    • All rates are per-person, unless stated otherwise.
    • All prices subject to change. Prior sales excluded. Dreamcatcher Events reserves the right to change any price, package or offering at any time without prior notice.
    • All rates are subject to 8.9% surcharge, which includes all local, state, and occupancy taxes.
  • Installment Payment Plans
    • Upon registration, a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total purchase amount is charged to your credit card.
    • 100% of the remaining balance due on installment sales is automatically charged to the credit card on file on October 1, 2018.
    • Any registrations received after October 1, 2018 must be paid in full at the time of registration.
  • Cancellations
    • All payments and deposits are final and non-refundable.

Customer Service – Please call 800-852-9277 if you have any questions

For complete details please see our Registration and Payment Policy

Guitar World and Guitar Player Magazine proudly present Joe Satriani's G4 Experience