Change of Season: The Longest Phase

Dude,

It’s been quite a while. First part of 2013 was a huge challenge to go through…

Anyway…..

We guitar players are a funny lot. We go into phases very frequently; with most (if not all) being guitar related phases.

If my memory serves me well,  have gone through several really significant phases starting with Yngwie Malmsteen, then to Joe Satriani. It was then I went into Steve Vai. Those were in1995-1996. Then in 1997, I discovered Eric Johnson and this stayed till today.

As I migrated to the capital for my studies, I went into many more phases – Randy Rhodes, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Al DiMeola, Dream Theater, Paul Gilbert and at one level George Lynch. By “phases” I mean I listen to nothing but those guys.

And I am happy to say that they are stuck with me till this very moment.

There are of course, the “non-rock” phases – Charlie Christian, Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery, Tommy Emmanuel, Miles Davis, The Rippingtons…..and some that I can’t recall (Shawn Lane, Scott Henderson, etc).

Not forgetting, the Southern Rock phase!!

But dude, the most significant one would had probably happened last year after receiving that Cort Matthias Jabs signature model (that is one of the best guitar I have ever played..!!). I have no sufficient of metal chops to do that guitar justice (except for some limited neo-classical lines which is ever so present in my playing). I decided then to dig out an instructional DVD I bought long long time ago (without knowing who the hell the instructor is).

That DVD is Guitar World Super Shred by Jeff Loomis. I remember playing it only once, laugh my head off and put it aside for a very very long time.  I remember dismissing his playing as “fucking ridiculous”. It’s like watching Guthrie Govan or that guy…..Rusty fucking Colley… Makes Michael Angelo Batio look like Melvin.

So dude, I dug out the DVD and after playing it for one or two times, I put it aside again and it dawned to me that there are a lot for me to catch up if I want to do something metal. I had Endgame with me at that time and found new appreciation for that CD.

So shred phase officially started and 2 new guitar heroes were inducted into my hall of fame: Jeff Loomis and Chris Broderick.

For the next few months, I would spend all my time finding out shredders – all new and old school. While there is a Jeff Loomis and Francesco Artusato, there were also Vinnie Moore and Joe Stump.

And then, I found the origins of the two monster – Nevermore and Jag Panzer. The two bands scare the shit out of me.

And there is something rhythmically different about those music…. I then found out that the seventh string of a seven string axe made a whole lot of difference. The low B actually opens up many options in rhythm and its tonality.

Of course, the next sensible thing to do is to get a 7 string axe. You have been following my story so far, so at this moment, it’s rather impossible to invest in one. Nevertheless, I am not giving up. After all, my weapon of desire is not too far-out-of-reach. The Schecter Jeff Loomis NT or the C7 Custom will do the trick. So dude, just you wait. You will see a text one day asking for your account number and you know that’s when the world end.

Musically, this phase has done me a lot of good. Mind you, it’s getting stronger as days go by. I managed to force myself to learn sweep (at no avail, I still suck), incorporate multi strings tapping (I still suck, just spend USD36 yesterday on FretWrap) and enhancing my soloing vocabulary with diminished licks (which at times sounds like I am playing shred…Like the youtube video “Clapton Shreds” ….you know what I mean?!).

All done and said, I have gone back to doodling. It’s like going back to 1996 in the bedroom, practicising the same lick over and over again until it gets perfect; until my right and left hand become one. While doodling, many ideas were built. So I have now the habit of recording all the noises so I can string them into a proper melody when the day comes. Also, it helps to identify problem spot. Especially those with taps and sweeps (which I am fucking terrible, slightly better than Melvin though).

This phase was kept alive by re-visiting the fundamentals that build me and keeping close touch with the players who influence me.

And one important element that contributes so much to the “never-give-up” spirit is The Reckoning by Sudev Bangah. That is the motivation, that is the spirit and that is the real shit of someone who is committed to his heart. You are a true musician.

Rock on.

Djent, anyone?