elpp - Wow, dude. That sucks ass. Rest assured that your uncle is in a better place now. Best wishes to you and yours.

My top 5:

1) Steve Vai 2) John Petrucci 3) Paul Gilbert 4) Nuno Bettencourt 5) Brett Garsed

NM

JS_JS - Because he doesn't blow me away, I guess. Not any more. The last thing of Joe's that blew me away was 'Midnight' and 'The Headless Horseman' live at Shepherd's Bush Empire. Nowadays, everything just seems a little 'normal' to me. I'm not by any means saying that I don't like music unless it's technically amazing, but sometimes it seems a little average - in terms of composition and playing. Particularly with the new album. He's definitely in my top 10 though...

michelle - No, no, no. Don't get me wrong - I wasn't saying that Joe is average - we all know that he's one of the greatest alive. But sometimes he just sounds a little bit, er, dull *runs and hides*. SBM was a weak album in my opinion, and I think Joe needs to release another legendary, ground breaking album. The last one of those was The Extremist, as far as I'm concerned. I guess he just doesn't blow me away anymore. Maybe he's gting old.... lol

Nick - So you are aware of what you know, right? Practice evrything else. That's it. You must know your limitations in order to improve. Really analyse your playing - break it down to technique, sound, feel, timing, and articulation. Look at what's good and what isn't. Be brutally honest with yourself. Create one chord backing tracks and improvise over them, exausting all possible options. For example, make a backing track that's ust an Am7 vamp and use all the posible scale and arepggio shapes. I'm not going to tell you what they are, because that's another way to learn - figure things out for yourself. The problem with the ACM Diplomas is that they have a tendency to spoon feed the students. This is very unconcstructiv. Go away and study things. For example, if they say "you can use the Mixolydian mode over any dominant chord", go home and figure out why. And whatelse you can use over the same chord, and why. Knowledge is power.

This is my opinion, guys. Sorry for having one...

Tastey - Joe is in my 'top 10' guitar players, for sure. I'm here because I like to think I aveone or two frinds here, it's a great place to learn, and I do actually like Joe Satriani. I just don't hold him in such high regard as some people. Relax...

Jelly Man - I like EOC, but only from track four to the end, except 'Attack'. I don't like that one or the first three. And you're right - it is pretty groundbreaking. I forgot about that album. Porbably beause I haven't listened to it in such a long time. Regarding the new DT album, I haven't heard it all yet. I've only heard the radio edit of 'As I Am'. I liked the solo on that. A little different for Petrucci, but I liked it. You'll have to wait until January when I buy the album to find out what I really think. If you care... lol

ovationp - 'Crystal Planet' is precisely the album I'm talking about. It's my favourite Satch album, but I really have to be in the mood for it to listen all the way through. Otherwise it just gets a little monotonous. The thing is, I've been going off instrumental music as a whole recently; I like to hear vocals. The guitar means more to my ears when it just pops up for a solo or something, if you know what I mean. The only instrumental music I really like at the moment is jazz/fusion and Liquid Tension Experiment, because it's not all about the guitar. Personally, I'd love to hear Joe collaborate with a singer for his next album like Steve Vai did with 'Sex & Religion'. That's what I've been waiting for from Joe for the past few years.

ovation - Yeah, I love Richie Kotzen, but I can't find his stuff anywhere. Do you think amazon would have it?

Clarky - Saturday 20th? Hmmm... I'm back in Hastings as of tomorrow, unfortunately. So unless you fancy a really long drive (which I doubt... lol) I'm afraid that isn't possible. Dammit. I would get a train but I can't afford it at that time of year, what with buying Chrimbo presents and going out on the piss, etc... lol. I feel really bad now because you've gone to all this trouble to organise it and square it with your wife, and now I'm saying I can't make it. Feels like I'm throwing it in your face. Sorry dude. It'll have to be New Year I'm afraid - I'm back in Guilford from January 5th...

Tasty - No, I wouldn't. I'd be flattered that they took the time to come to my house in the first place. If I really didn't Joe Satriani then I would hardly have bothered coming to www.satriani.com. I'm not the only one in here who doesn't cite Joe as their all time favourite guitar player, but I'm not scared to say it. Although I can understand why some people are, given the reaction I got...

Clarky - Term starts again on January the 5th, but I'll probably move back up on the Saturday beforehand. So, the 3rd I guess...

Tasty - Yeah, I agree with Greg. I doubt he'd mind. He wouldn't take something personally that was this trivial.

Clarky - Sounds grand.

Tastey - lol... Of course!

Tastey - Shut up, you twat!!!! lol :D

Mischievous - "Music Master"? I don't know about that... But thanks!!! lol

Nick - Check out some stuff with intelligent harmony. Steve Vai is about themost advanced harmonically out of your little list there, but he doesn't take it that far. I'm sure he could, but he doesn't. Same with Joe. The sort of stuff I'm talking about is Allan Holdsworth, Al DiMeola, Frank Gambale, John McGlaughlin, Brett Garsed, Scott Henderson, etc. Another great player is Robben Ford - he's a blues player, but every now and then he pulls this awesome jazz stuff out of his fingers and it's killer. Same with Larry Carlton. Check those guys out. And try listening to classical music - that's an order.

SOTD: 'Caught In A Web' - Dream Theater.

Stu Clone - I guess that really depends on where you used to live... lol

Nick - Yes. Harmony is the key to an interesting song, in my opinion. The thick texture is mainly down to recording techniques, however, but I know Steve likes to have a lot of instruments on the go at any one time... Drums do not have 'notes'. Not drum kits anyway. Timpani and things like that do, but not drum kits. Although some drummers (like Terry Bozzio) like to tune their kits to a pitch sometimes. But this is by no means standard.

TTFN!!!!!! lol

I heard a rumour that the latest G3 lineup is coming to the UK! Anybody care to clarify, one way or the other?

Finally Saddam gets caught!

OMG!!! It's the middle of December and it's actually SUNNY here in Southern England!!!! Oh, shit - there goes my heart again... lol

Nick - I saw the pictures on the newsletter that came yesterday. The guy's a cock. I have no idea why they send the students a newsletter, though. Surely we should really know what's been going on. But, wait - no-one told my class about Richie Kotzen or Vinne Moore!! It sure was nice of them to let us know well in advance. Grrr...

Hehe - it's my drummer's birthday today. This should be a heavy night. I'll make sure I've eaten properly, I think...

Oh yes!!! It's the Pop Idol final tonight. I wonder who will win?! No wait - I really don't care. The best ones have already gone. Whoopdy fuckin' doo for Pop Idol....

Well, well, well!!!!

A belated merry Christmas and happy new year to everyone!!! I spent the festive season visiting family in Northern Ireland, hence the lack of posts.

How is everybody?

Clarky - Regarding jamming on the 17th January, that's the date of the Dream Theater gig at Hammersmith so I don't think I can do then either... However, I can definitely do two weekends later. That would be the 31st. Is that ok? Sorry to fuck you around again. How was your Christmas?

Clarky - lol... Mums do indeed just do that sort of thing. Are you going to the Dream Theater show?

Today I spent just about £43 on CDs - I bought Opeth's 'Blackwater Park', Zakk Wylde's 'Book Of Shadows', and Pat Metheny's 'Secret Story'. Holy shit. £43 pound well spent, particularly with Opeth. I've been missing out. What a great band. DAMN!!!