GMI Students Speak: Pranay Verma

03 Mar GMI Students Speak: Pranay Verma

The student community at GMI cuts across age groups, musical backgrounds, and interests. The Student Speak Series aims to give a platform to their voices and stories, share what drew them to GMI, how they see their artistry maturing, and their path forward.

Pranay Verma // Guitarist

Delhi // India

Growing up in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Pranay picked up the guitar at the age of nine. His  early influences were shaped by his father’s love for artists such as ACDC, Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, and Led Zeppelin.  Music had a grounding effect on him from early on. “I was a very hyper kid and I ran around a lot, and my mom tells me that after I started playing, anytime I would get a break I would play with my guitar.” After moving to Delhi, he began learning from Sonam Sherpa at the Parikrama School of Music, and deepened his understanding of his instrument by transcribing guitar solos from his favourite songs by guitar legends like Guthrie Govin and Steve Vai. Pranay is currently enrolled in the Artist Diploma program at Global Music Institute. Having recently been accepted to the Berklee College of Music with a scholarship, Pranay wants to create and perform deeply impactful music that connects to the hearts of people. “To be on stage, to have the power to express my message through the language of music, and to see a room full of people eager to listen to that inner musical voice of mine, is one of the most liberating and beautiful feelings there is.” 

Read on to learn more about Pranay.

When did you become interested in music?

I got hooked to it right when I started playing at the age of 9, but took it seriously as a career option 15 onwards

What drew you to study at GMI?

The Berklee track. My aim is to study at Berklee and GMI felt like the perfect stepping stone towards that

A memorable experience at GMI: 

The introduction day, for sure. Being an introvert, I was pretty nervous on day 1, but the introductions made me laugh so much that I got comfortable in no time

How have you managed to stay creative during the pandemic?

I’ve been spending more time with my laptop in the pandemic. This made me dive deeper into production and mixing, which inspires me to play guitar and vice versa

A fun fact about yourself: 

I can solve a rubik’s cube in 10 sec, fastest being 6.01 sec

Your favourite food: 

Chicken momos, anytime any day

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?

If not a musician, I would probably still have a job related to music. My perfectionist tendencies and attention to detail lends nicely to a potential career as a recording engineer or mixing engineer. I enjoy working in studios and would love to record and mix bands for a living.

An artist that currently inspires you:

Pat Metheny

A track that currently inspires you:

I let it in and it took everything – Loathe

Your musical idol:

Guthrie Govan, Nick Johnston, Pat Metheny

Your dream collaboration:

Performing at the Royal Albert Hall in a band/duo setting supported by a full orchestra including percussion and choir, playing my original music

How do you spend your free time?

I generally spend my time playing guitar, producing or watching tutorials. I love puzzles, whether it is a physical or psychological one. I also like singing in the park, watching interviews of people I look up to, and spending time with my family

A quote that keeps you going / inspires you:

Your life is your message

An instrument you wish you could play / want to learn:

Drums

Follow Pranay on Youtube, Spotify.