“Playing with Extreme is like being at home.” Some ballads mark key moments in our lives. Certain songs become anthems, and some music settles into our existence and becomes part of the soundtrack of our experiences.
“Playing with Extreme is like being at home”
That is the case with ‘More Than Words’ by Extreme, a ballad that redefined what success meant, a milestone that not only became part of the collective imagination but also, back in ’90, launched the career of one of today’s most influential guitarists. Time doesn’t seem to have taken its toll on Nuno Bettencourt… His trademark dark mane is still glossy, his penetrating gaze brims with personality, and although he turns 46 in September, the little ring in his nose still gives him that unmistakable charm that rock stars have… That youthful rebelliousness of those who thrill millions of people around the world with their music. And Nuno commands attention. We bring you, exclusively, a great artist, a talented guitarist, a serious musician, a friendly conversationalist and… the Honorary President of the 6th ISP Música Guitar Solo Contest! It’s time to get to know the enigmatic Extreme guitarist a little better. It’s time to introduce Nuno Bettencourt.
Nuno, you’re a hugely famous guitarist all over the world. What does that mean to you?
Wow! It’s always flattering… I think it’s really interesting to know what people think of you. You never know whether people think you’re really good, so it’s always great to hear that they think you’re a good guitarist. It’s always nice because it makes you feel a lot more confident. But you know yourself as a guitarist, you know what you can do, and you also know what you have to offer.
When did you start playing guitar?
I started playing guitar when I was 11…
You were very young…
You think? I don’t think so… Then at 16 and 17 I started playing in bands and doing different things… It all happened really fast.
These days, how much time do you spend playing guitar in a single day?
When I’m not on tour, most of the time I play guitar to write, to create… here and there… I play a few hours a day. But when I’m on tour, obviously I play more. I have to be ready for the tour.
How did the song ‘More Than Words’ change your life?
The day we wrote that song, we already knew it was going to change everything. Even before it was a single, before it was a hit, I always knew there was something special about that song. I was always really happy with it and, obviously, with all the success it had. It’s not just that so many people have heard it and still hear it, but ‘More Than Words’ also made it possible for people to listen to our other songs. There was a huge response.
How do you describe yourself: as a guitarist, as a musician, or both?
I hope a guitarist is a musician. I’d say I consider myself both. I think when you play guitar, you think guitar, and when you write a song or compose, you think like a musician.
What matters more to you: technique or the message?
It depends on which part is real. Sometimes, even if your technique is good, what you play isn’t, and the technique only makes it harder and often there’s no feel to it. But you can do things that are technical and sound great. Other times you play with passion, but the message isn’t real…
What do you expect from a guitar?
Everything.
But what’s your favorite guitar?
The guitar I’ve been using for 20 years… The original Washburn N4, the one I always use.
Which guitarist has influenced you the most?
I’ve been influenced by a lot of guitarists… Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Al Di Meola… a combination of several.
I was just about to ask you who your favorite guitarists are…
Those three, including Brian May… Pat Travers I like a lot too.
You’ve toured with Rihanna. What are the main differences between playing with Rihanna and playing with your band, Extreme?
One is your own group, it’s Extreme, it’s yours, it’s your creation… Playing with Extreme is like being at home. When you play with an artist like Rihanna or other artists, you do your thing, you play music on their songs… It’s fun! But it’s not as great as playing with your own band.
Are you coming to Spain?
Always! (laughs)
Nuno, could you give some advice to our readers? Plenty of them are guitarists…
Great! I thought they were lawyers! (laughs) My advice to guitarists is that the most important thing is to love what you do. It’s never too simple and never too complicated. The main thing is to enjoy playing and to stay tuned in to all the music around you. I think the most important thing is to focus on the guitar and learn every day.
All of us at ISP Música would like to thank Nuno Bettencourt for agreeing to be the Honorary President of our guitar solo contest. He will choose the winner of the competition. From all of us here, thank you so much!
