Trey Xavier is the guitarist/frontman of In Virtue, a YouTuber, runs Gear Gods, and hosts the How Songs Are Made podcast. On this episode: Why Trey started the How Songs Are Made Podcast There are no consequences to making something that sucks Writer’s block is b******t Using your favorite musicians as mentors If you really want to learn something, take notes!  You’re going to sound like what you practice the most How ear training and theory help with songwriting What sets Polyphia apart from other instrumental guitar music Virtuosos and songwriters need each other How Marty Friedman elevated Rust In Peace The genius behind Jeff Loomis’s legendary arpeggios in “The River Dragon Has Come”  James Hetfield’s right hand sorcery Players who miss the point with music theory Dumb excuses for not writing more music Why Eyal resurrected DAATH Complete Rock and Metal Songwriting + Smashing Writer’s Block: https://bit.ly/HSAMRH The 7-Day Riff-to-Song Challenge - Turn 1 Riff into 1 Song in 1 Week, FREE: https://bit.ly/RIFFTOHARD In Virtue: https://www.facebook.com/invirtue YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-89P4cCPS2es3UXH2Z2oXw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geargodsnet/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@treyxavier Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Follow John Browne on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices