Scott Pettipas (Pet‑a‑paw) is an award‑winning guitarist celebrated for his ability to blend classical elegance with contemporary flair. His self‑titled debut album, along with Melodic Twilight – awarded ‘Instrumental Album of the Year’ at the 2013 GMA Canada Awards – showcase his gift for arranging contemporary pop songs into intricate classical arrangements, shaping his personal story songs into instrumental narratives that speak without words, composing in unconventional tunings, and breathing new life into timeless favorites. His music has reached audiences worldwide through SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, Live365, Spotify, Beautiful Instrumentals, and numerous other international radio and streaming platforms, and has often been described as a truly relaxing and joyful experience.
Originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Scott didn’t discover the guitar until after high school. What began as simple campfire strumming on a twelve‑string quickly unlocked a new world of creativity. Self‑taught and learning entirely by ear, he became fascinated with guitar theory and often practiced up to 14 hours a day. Within just six months, his dedication enabled him to perform advanced pieces that revealed a natural talent that would shape his musical journey.
As Scott spent more time on electric guitar in the late 1990s, the influences of players such as Chuck Berry, Scotty Moore, Carl Wilson, and John Fogerty began to emerge in his style. Like most music lovers, however, his inspirations were not limited to early rock & roll. He also drew from acoustic storytellers like John Denver and James Taylor, the electric blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the powerful songwriting tradition of Stan Rogers and other East Coast artists. Together, these diverse influences shaped a style that fuses technical mastery with the spirit of storytelling and genre‑spanning creativity.
After honing his skills primarily as a lead guitarist alongside other musicians, Scott began to feel constrained by playing only lead lines. This led him to explore open and alternate tunings, which unlocked entirely new sounds and techniques. By reimagining the guitar’s potential in this way, he discovered how to weave bass, rhythm and melody together on a single instrument, expanding his creative voice and redefining his approach to performance.
Scott’s musical journey took an unexpected turn in 2002 while stationed at the Canadian Forces Base in Kingston, Ontario, when he purchased his first classical guitar. Drawn to its quieter nylon strings and portability, he initially saw it as a practical choice for life on base. Yet the instrument quickly revealed new possibilities: his ability to arrange complex pieces naturally led him toward the music of Chet Atkins. During his spare time in the Canadian Armed Forces, Scott not only refined his skills as a songwriter but also developed a deep interest in more sophisticated guitar techniques traditionally associated with Classical, Flamenco, and Jazz. After more than twenty years of self‑study, Scott took his first formal guitar lesson in the 2010s with legendary session musician Carol Kaye, and later deepened his knowledge through her books and teachings.
Following many years in Calgary, Scott and his family later relocated to London, England, becoming dual citizens of Canada and the UK, where he continues to compose, perform, and inspire audiences.
