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Tell us John about your guitar background such as your influences, education etc?
I started teaching at 18 for a guitar housecall company. I went to SDSU (San Diego State University, where I actually saw Jackee Lee play with the band Teaser 5 times before he was with Ozzy. I even watched him play piano?!!) for awhile and then opened my own guitarlesson shop in San Francisco called GUITAR EMPIRE which is now guitarempire.com.
You are also a transcriber with many books under your belt, can you tell us a bit about this aspect of your work and
what it entails?
The 1st book I ever transcribed was for POISON, open up.......followed by Eric Clapton crossroads the boxset followed by the 1st authorized Stevie Ray Vaughan book!!!! Lightning Blues. Stevie was still alive while I was writing the book, and just before I finished the book the whole crash thing happened. Man that was a downer. 1st off to transcribe I use the Ibanez rock'n'play which breaks easily,( I've been through five of them , but I would not say I use them carefully - fulltime transcribing for years is tough on any player), but it is easy to use. Basically to transcribe you need to study the rules of notation, I mean how long stems should be and so forth. Take each tune phrase by phrase or note by note, or even one note at a time and write it down. The more scales and chords you know the better! The whole thing is if you already know it before you hear it, then you just need to transcribe the order of the notes. Speed playing and distorted mixes can be impossible to transcribe because sometimes the guitar notes are covered, they really aren't in the audio.
Whats your gear set-up?
I'm back to basics fender amps, Randy Rhoads Jackson guitar, and a rare Clark nylon string (there are probably only 30). I been through everything, I mean Lab series to Marshall - I might try Line 6 maybe?
I have noticed that "shredding" and "classsical" are back in vogue in the guitar playing world with Satriani,
Malmsteen, Gilbert and the like all releasing new material in that genre, so do you think that its a natural
progression from the "alternative" scene or a backlash from it?
It's almost a seasonal thing each market gets oversold or exposed and then fades for awhile returning again sort of like that cartoon "the goddess of spring". The natural state of things I think is what happened in the 60s and 70s. You were able to see a band play several different styles in a set and this was great. In the 80s and 90s we have been trained to focus on one sound and one style, basically because it's easier to sell, not better music.
You also have a new album out?
Actually it's probably the 1st collection of guitar songs I have ever put together called GUITARKNIGHTS it has a great piano guitar piece by Shubert on it called Erlking, and some moody meditative warrior music available at www.GUITAREMPIRE.com.
I'm also coming out with a new lesson site called CHALLENGE THE MASTERS.COM out soon.
What has been the highlight of your career
Today is probably the most happening time for me. The Guitarempire web is really happening and I just finished scoring a 20 minute musical for the famous lido theater in Paris.
Have you any advice to share with guitarists to help them reach their full potential?
Don't get jealous. Don't put other people down for their playing. You have to concentrate on what you want to do and study and appreciate the works of other people. Don't rip off the works of your friends take alittle from them and add some originality. I have found that the people who take ideas and riffs from others blatantly without giving credit are usually mediocre musicians and writers. I mean if I use a Mozart riff I give the guy credit when possible.
The internet has made it possible for any unsigned bands and guitarists to get their music out and reach an
audience that would have been impossible 10 years ago. This certainly would have to be the most positive thing to
happen to music in many years?
Defintely the guitar magazines have become a closed market. The internet is everything!
You have a website? www.guitarempire.com,
Any touring? I just turned down a two week tour but I'll get out there eventually.
Thank you for your time John.
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