Troy Stetina Interview - Guitariste Métal

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Troy Stetina interview - Guitariste Métal http://guitariste-metal.fr/troy-stetina-interview/

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when I was teaching at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music I took some theory lessons with a pianist going over thePaganini 24 Violin Caprices, which I was learning at the time. So I did take some lessons at a point. But I learned rockand metal all by ear. When I was first teaching rock guitar, kids would be bringing stuff in on cassette and I’d learn it onthe spot and show it to them. That’s what really developed my ear.

What was your influence in the past? Who was your“favorite” guitarist at this time ?

Van Halen was the first lead player to really inspire me, butRandy Rhoads was the influence I connected to most deeply. Bythe time Yngwie and the whole neo-classical thing came along, Iwas already playing Paganini, Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven. So whileI learned some of Yngwies stuff, even covered “

” in a band, my interest always remained more about playingthe original classical music on electric guitar, rather than doingthe neoclassical metal thing. It was actually the classical stuff thatreally developed my technique. To play that music, you need atechnique that allows you to do anything.

How did you became Director Music as Rock Guitar Studiesat the Wisconsin Conservatory ?

My publisher Hal Leonard is headquartered in Milwaukee. So theeditor at Hal Leonard was Will Schmidt (who wrote all the basicHal Leonard Guitar method books), and he happened to know

the Chairman of the Guitar Faculty at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, John Stropes, who was looking for someone

at the time to teach rock and contemporary guitar. Will suggested me. The publisher also benefited from me coming toMilwaukee, in order that I could work more closely with them on new books. So it made sense; I moved from Indianapolisup to Milwaukee in 1986. I started a rock program at the Conservatory, kept writing more stuff for Hal Leonard, and kepttrying to do something with bands on the side.

Does your methods and songs has been well accepted by the Conservatory management and by the students ?

Yeah, I built up quite a program there. Developed a curriculum and a diploma program, attracted a lot of students andeven brought in student teachers to help with classes. But I became very restless with teaching. I never sought to be ateacher, I just fell into it and happened to be able to do it well. So while I didn’t hate teaching by any means, and I do care

candidature.


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T St ti i t i G it i t Mét l htt // it i t t l f /t t ti i t i /


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DVD ?

It’s a little complicated because some of the workI’ve done for Hal Leonard and some of the magazine

writing I did for GuitarOne and GuitarWorld wasre-released within different books. I don’t much keepup on how my work is “repackaged” by the publisher.But let’s see… if I look over my discographywebpage: I’ve authored 31 book/CDs specificallyalong with 6 DVDs, and I also did almost half of thelicks in the Hal Leonard”

” DVD, so really 7 DVDs. That’s 38.

Plus some of my magazine articles have beenrepublished in compilation books (at least 2 that I’maware of, maybe more), plus I know some of myvideo excerpts were included in 2 more book/DVDpackages mixed with other authors’ material. Sothat’s 42. I also did the audio recording on “

” book/CD (although I didn’twrite the text). And I self-produced my Beethovenmasterclass available at www.stetina.com which

teaches my version of the Appassionata sonata.

That’s 44 products currently. I have also filmed a number of video lessons for GuitarInstructor.com, which is connectedwith Hal Leonard, so those may have shown up in other products as well; I don’t know.

Does some of this books / methods has been translated in another language ? It is plan to translate few of themfor the future?

Yes there have been a number of translations, but the publisher doesn’t inform me when that happens. I only really findout anecdotally when someone tells me this or that book is in German or Italian, or whatever. Over the years I havebecome aware of a number of unauthorized translations—a lot of people have just translated, copied and sold the books

on their own.

In some places, like Iran, this is unavoidable since they cannot be sold legally; in fact my methods are quite popular there


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Troy Stetina interview - Guitariste Métal http://guitariste-metal fr/troy-stetina-interview/


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it’s a slow process because I basically have to work without getting paid, which is difficult to manage.

If you have to choose one word, or one sentence, about each of your book, which word / sentence will youchoose ?

Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar – “the physical skill set for guitar mastery and how to get it”

Fretboard Mastery – “the understanding side of guitar mastery”

Metal Lead Guitar 1, 2 – “It works. A mix of technique and music to deliver a pro playing level.”

Metal Rhythm Guitar 1, 2 – “Teaches you to actually rhythm, what you need to get from beginner to pro.”

Troy Stetina: The Sound and the Story DVD – “My best work to date IMO. A good overview of all the components ofplaying and artistry. Digs deep into the higher-level concepts and applies them in a lot of music. Plus Fret12 really did agreat job with production.”

Total Rock Guitar – “Fun book. No exercises; just 23 songs progressing in a graded system and covering the range ofrock styles. The ultimate ‘application method.’ Surprisingly, it works!”

Beginning Rock Rhythm Guitar, Beginning Rock Lead Guitar videos – “An embarrassment. Hate seeing myself onDVD especially in this time period… my first videos were quite awkward IMO. Plus the material is a little thin incomparison to my other work.”

The Ultimate Scale Book – “My view of the fretboard, condensed. The full version is found in “ ”

Barre Chords: The Ultimate Guide – “Essential chord shapes, condensed. Again a fuller understanding is laid out inFretboard Mastery.”

Goldmine 200 Rock Licks DVD – “Contributed 80 of the licks here. I’m not big on licks; more interested in teaching howto create the skills that enable players to create their own. But there is a place for learning licks and these are some coolvariations off of licks on the Second Soul CD, Beyond the Infinite.”

Very Best of Ozzy Osbourne Guitar Signature Licks– “A labor of love. Randy was my biggest inspiration as I developedmy style and technique as a player.”


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Best of Deep Purple Guitar Signature Licks – “Ritchie Blackmore was never a player I was that into. He came a littlebefore my time. But when the publisher asked me to do this book, I came to admire his work as a lead player greatly.”

Best of Foo Fighters, Best of Rage Against the Machine, Best of Black Sabbath, Best of Aggro Metal (GuitarSignature Licks book/CDs) plus Modern Rock and Black Sabbath Guitar Signature Licks DVD – “Fun, easy stuff. I like alot of the music, and getting paid to write about it and record it is… well, not a bad gig!”

Best of Joe Satriani Guitar Signature Licks (by Dale Turner) – “I didn’t write this book, but I did the note for noterecording because Dale was having tendon problems at the time. This was a real challenge, as my technique is morealternate picking based; Joe plays differently than I. So it took a full month to get the material all down and it definitelystretched me as a player. I consider this one of my personal bests to be able to get outside my zone and cover Joe’s bestwork so well.”

Hard Rock Guitar Signature Licks DVD – “Fun stuff to play. Takes me back to my roots.”

Beethoven Masterclass lesson downloads – “Beethoven is my favorite composer. It’s the classical music like this thatreally honed my technique. I just love to play it! So I put this 7 part lesson series together for other people who are as nutsabout guitar mastery as I am.”

Those are the highlights; I’ll let the rest of them Rest in Peace…

How did start your participation with Fret 12 about your DVD “The Sound and the Story” ? Does another DVD isplanned ?

I had been coaching Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge / Creed ) onlead technique for a few years when his brother Dan Tremonti

started Fret12. It is an artist-centric vision that capitalizes onand brings together all elements of an artist’s career, includingperformance, recording, instruction, merchandise, gear…everything. The first Sound and Story DVD was Mark’s, forwhich I was content consultant. After that we did Leslie West .I was the third artist in the series. Now there are several moreout.

Unfortunately, my DVD hasn’t sold as well as was hoped for. Itis a $39 DVD so I think a lot of people stay away from it and go

Troy Stetina interview Guitariste Métal http://guitariste metal.fr/troy stetina interview/

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for cheaper things. Plus, of course a lot of people expect todownload that kind of stuff for free. But the truth is that aquality product costs a lot of money to produce well, and youbasically get what you pay for.

This is a great product, a 3 ½ hour DVD packed withinformation, lessons and music. It’s my crowning achievementto date on the instructional side, so it’s definitely worth $39 ifyou are serious about mastering the guitar in a rock or metalstyle. My hope is that as Fret12 continues to build momentum,sales will continue to pick up and at some point we will be ableto do a Sound and Story II. But whether or not that happens isentirely a function of how many people pay for the Sound andStory “1”.

Beside your books let’s speak about your bands. Youplayed in the past in few bands and it seem that you are now focusing on SECOND SOUL.

Second Soul self-released one CD “ ” in 2011 and was poised to tour in 2012.

But of course for a new band there is no money in live performance, because you have no draw. It’s the headliner thathas the draw. So at best the new band gets lucky because a headliner picks them up and takes them “under their wing” orthey happen to have enough money to buy their way onto a tour. Either way, the trick is to get the band in front of enough

people and be exciting enough to sell enough merch to keep that wheel turning, to pay for the tour in a sustainable wayand keep building your audience. If you fail to make enough money it will be the last tour you do (unless you are sofabulously rich you can afford to keep pouring money down the drain).

Of course by then the internet had already destroyed the ability of record companies to make money, sobands were all self promoting, and selling music was no longer really a profit center; the music had becomesomething you basically have to just give away as a promotional vehicle—at best you hope it would pay for

its cost in the short run. The money had shifted into live performance and merchandise. Funny, the sameperson that won’t buy a CD for $12 will easily spend $30 on a concert ticket and another $30 on a T shirt!

y p g y

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On the other hand, my spiritual journey in dealing with losses of various kinds has resulted in my writing a book entitled“ ” with a friend named Michael Baumann. After a decade battle with cancer, Michael died just 24hours before the final proof was submitted. Maybe that’s more important than guitar. Really, what do I know anyway?

Beside SECOND SOUL you were also involved in another project called DIMENSION X, do you have any news toshare about the band ?

Sorry to say, no. Although it received some good reviews, again it came along at a bad time for selling CDs and didn’t getenough support. Or maybe it did sell something, I don’t know. But I wasn’t paid a dime for it; no one in the band was asfar as I know, and the band parted ways.

You own your own recording studio called “Artist Underground”, may we know what are you doing (recording,

mastering, etc) ? What are the planning for your studio for this year ?

I’m producing a metal release for a local musician here in Milwaukee that I really like, named Tommy Lodwig. Kind of oldschool metal but very authentic, very emotive and a lot of heart. Really good artistry in my opinion. And I’m also toyingwith recording a local Christian rock thing with my wife Jennifer and a few local musicians. No big aspirations. Just doingit for fun.

Never thought I’d embrace something like Christianity, but these difficult life questions made me search further anddeeper than I ever thought I’d go. Still, I think I’m sort of a Thomas Jefferson Christian of one because I don’t buy mostof the doctrine in the way it’s presented; I don’t buy their simple version of who Jesus was or what Scripture actually isand what it means. Or I guess I should say I think they ask the wrong questions and inappropriately expand the context.I’ve been a spiritual seeker my whole life, but that’s another story… maybe I have another book to write

Let’s speak now about your role as one the greatest guitar teacher of the world. When did you start to give guitar

lesson to some students ?

I started teaching at a local music store in Indianapolis when I was 18 years old. I was playing at the time in a cover bandand writing some original music, but the gigs were so infrequent that I decided to teach on the side to make some moneyto get by.

What is the best advise that you can provide to a totally new guitar player ?

Follow your inspiration!!

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And to a mid/advanced one which seem to do not improve his skills anymore ?

You need to assess more accurately what you are doing andhow you are doing it. To some degree, short plateaus areunavoidable. It’s part of the process. But when it is persistent,there is something wrong. I would advise a person in thissituation to seek out a much more advanced player/teacherskilled in their style and desired technique, and ask for anevaluation and help to identify the problem and how toovercome it.

I do this kind of thing via skype lessons, if anyone out there is inthat situation. I also happen to be particularly good at this. But itdoesn’t have to be me. There are many skilling players outthere who also teach. Just find someone to help you through it.To do otherwise is to waste a lot of time, or even lose your joyand motivation to play. There is nothing quite like the thrill ofbreaking through your every barrier and seeing yourself masterthings you previously only dreamed of!

Which books do you recommend to a new guitar player ?

For a beginner interested in rock and metal, start with “”, and after you are about halfway into that, supplement it with “ ”. Progress from Vol

1 into Vol 2, and around that time, also pick up “ ” and start on those techniques. Continuethrough Lead Guitar Vol 1 and 2. After you get deep into Lead Vol 1, I’d also recommend you supplement that with

“ ”, and after that, dig into “ ”. And of course, the whole time, you cansupplement with learning songs and solos that inspire you, and stuff like Signature Licks books can be helpful with that.Plus, of course, get your band going and write and record music!

Which advises could you provide to people who often stop to play guitar and restart, again and again ?

Haha! That would be me giving myself advice, because I’m probably the worst offender! Hmmmm… motivation is a trickything. Keep evaluating your goals and what motivates you. Keep moving toward something. It’s not about the goal. It’sabout the direction.

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When you first pick up the instrument, you are not goingto be playing as well as that night you soared to newheights after shredding relentlessly for four straight hoursof highly focused enthusiasm. Don’t overplay when youwarm up. Focus on touch and smoothness first, notspeed.

How many times per week. I’d say ideally 6…. One dayof total rest. But even if you can only make it 3, that’s stillenough time to progress. There is this factor ofdiminishing returns that comes in. I’ve heard that thestudies on this tend to confirm that skill development over

2-4 hours a day is minimal, typically.

What are your default exercise that you practice eachtime when you pick up the guitar ?

Don’t have any. Although until last week I hadn’t playedfor months and was very stiff and rusty. When that

happens I usually start by playing some Bach pieces veryslowly, because the music sounds good to me slow and Ican lose myself in it for a while. Then suddenly I noticeI’m playing better, without making any effort specifically todo so.

Which guitars / amps / pedals are you using ?

By big amp is an Engl Special Edition. But I use a small Vox valvetronics practice amp most of the time. No regularpedals.

For guitars I prefer my Signature edition Dimis Guitar, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plZ5MXxHVgQ

I am also a PRS Guitar artist, and sometimes use a McCarty and a Custom 24.

And now let’s speak about your general music vision. What have you listen over the last few months?

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Little bits of this and that I come across while online, or someone sends me something. Also, the album I’m producing forTommy. Love that stuff. But not a lot of listening to bands for the purpose of enjoying music. I don’t seem to have thatmuch time.

The metal scene is bigger and bigger each year. What do you think about this new metal scene? Do you regretfew things ?

I haven’t seen that happening here. Seems all the bands are struggling for an audience, including new metal. Seems tome it’s difficult to distinguish any from the rest; the form is so well established. Lots of energy, and technical precision, butnot a lot of anything new to say IMO.

Do you go often to some gigs ? If yes do you take attention about how does the other guitarists plays ?

I saw Kiss and Def Leppard last week. First time I saw Kiss since the late 70s. It’s a circus; it was fun. Saw VivianCampbell playing with Def Leppard , he looked amazingly bored. And why wouldn’t he be? I’d be bored too, playing inthat band. Love some of the songs, but not exactly stretching into any new levels of artistry.

What make you the most proud ?

My wife Jennifer. My kids. And whenever I do a job very well; when I know in my heart I’ve done the right thing and heldonto my integrity.

Just out of curiosity, do you continue to train yourself on a bike like before you start to play guitar ?

No. I will let me nephew Pete Stetina handle the bike training these days. He seems to have a knack for it. (Placed 35 inthis year’s Tour De France.)

Do you have any last words or news that you will like to communicate?

Thank you for the opportunity, and I hope that my words may have touched someone else out there in a positive way.

Thanks for giving me your time. Wish you all the best !

Website : http://www.stetina.com/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/tstetina?fref=tsMerchandising : http://www.music44.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?SearchTool=Main&Store_Code=X&unism=1&

th

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← Jeu concours Rock Your Brain Fest

unisk=troy+stetina&x=0&y=0Second Soul : http://www.stetina.com/secondsoul.html

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3 octobre 2014 dans Interviews. Mots-clés :dimension x, hal leonard book, interview troy stetina, interview troy stetina 2014, metallessons, metal lessons teacher, metal rythm guitar, metal teacher, second soul

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Troy Stetina Interview - Guitariste Métal