I can't sight-read classical etudes - I would have to see it and learn it. But yeah, I can read. It is a wonderful tool. It's like speaking another language. Anyone that says reading music can hurt your playing is either stupid, lazy, or ignorant.
Gear not working on a live show - that is rough.
As a session player for so many years, I have found myself in rooms looking around going, 'Is this for real?'
God bless classic rock. It's been very good to me; I'll tell you that.
I read a lot of biographies, and so much is just so boring or so, like, 'Why did you say that?'
When the 'Thriller' album came up, we all knew that was going to be the cool record.
Don't play too loud! Bleed-through on stage can be brutal to front-of-house sound.
If someone sees me with what looks like a beer, it's always zero per cent.
I don't question things when they're going right.
We were just a high school band that loved music, you know?
Especially early on, I had no idea what I was going to be asked to do when I walked into a studio. I was doing 26 sessions a week - all day, all night.
Playing live is one thing. Playing under a microscope is another.
My son is a professional musician now.
What happens is people go, 'I want to play the guitar,' and the first thing they do is hit Google: 'How can I play this?' and the next thing you know, you've learned all these tricks, but you've never learned how to play rhythm guitar with a groove.
Everyone I know, including myself, has missed or lost an audition.
My band did the Teenage Fair battle of the bands - problem was we were 11 years old! They gave us a prize for youngest band ever.
I did grow up with Michael Landau, my brother since we were 12 years old. That was competition but in the best way. He is such a monster, always was, and we had a blast growing up playing in bands and early recording and are still the best of pals.
There's so many players that I love and admire. Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Mike Landau, Robben Ford, Lee Ritenour, Jay Graydon, John Scofield, Warren Haynes - the list goes on and on.
A great solo does not make a great piece. Rather, a great solo in a great song - that's what makes a 10 out of 10. It's the combination of emotional feel and inventive ideas.
Self-deprecation is my game.
