Petrucci and Poppa

[Big Poppa]

Hey JP! Before asking my question, I would like to thank you for being one of the biggest inspirations in my life. You have changed the way I listen to and play music, and I could never go back, nor would I want to. Like many people my age (17) I consider you my mentor, and every day I play, I look to you for inspiration, thank you! I will soon have the pleasure of seeing you, and the rest of the DT Gang on the GiganTour stop in Orlando August 6th (I can't wait!) but damn those platinum tickets for selling out before I could buy one!! lol

Anyway.. My Question: Do you ever find the time to listen to unsigned projects? And if so, have you ever taken an extreme liking to any of them? If you have, let me know where to send my tape, lol.

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions...you're the man

"Morbid, thank you very much for your kind words. I really appreciate it. Me and the members of DT often listen to demos handed to us while on tour, some good, some not so good."
-JP

 

[Teh_Shredder]

"Morbid, thank you very much for your kind words. I really appreciate it. Me and the members of DT often listen to demos handed to us while on tour, some good, some not so good."
-JP

That doesn't bother you guys? It seems like a lot of artists would get tired of people giving them demos. That's awesome of you to take the time to do that.

 

[Morbid]

I have a couple more questions (Since everyone else is askin more than one, lol)

1. Any ideas on a second solo CD yet? I find that since picking up your music, I can't go a day without listening to something you've done (LTE, DT, or SA) it's kind of like a lovely curse, lol.

2. Ever been to/hang out in Daytona Beach, FL?

3. Have you ever found yourself wishing that you could teach personal guitar classes for aspiring guitarists? Other than through DVD's of course.

Funny (But kind of serious question): Comin to see you in Orlando August 6th...As I stated before, platinum tickets sold out before I could buy them. How many crazy stunts do I have to do to come see you guys backstage? lol- I can bring groupies!! Kidding kidding, lol.

Thanks for taking the time to answer everyone's questions, dude.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hi John,

Just want to echo what's been said, you are a major influence on my playing, if not the biggest and I am really impressed by your latest solo album and Octavarium! Will keep things as short as possible, just two quick questions

1) How do you keep your picking arm relaxed when you play those lightning fast alternate pick runs? I find myself stuck at a particular tempo and can't really break past it, primary reason being the tension build up in my picking arm.

2) How is it working with BP, Dudley, Jon and the rest of the EBMM team? They make fantastic guitars!


Thanks a million John!


- Terry

"The key to keeping your right arm relaxed is focused concentration on the muscles that are tensing as your stamina wears. If you can identify this point and highten your relaxed state, you will develop more endurance.

Working with BP, Dudley, Drew the Rookie, and all the rest at EBMM is absolutely amazing. Sterling has never let me down once. It's a unique opportunity to work very closely with very talented and creative people that are at the top of heap of guitar manufacturing. I feel like there's nothing that we can't create after dreaming it up. They do work me really hard, though. I've been up since 4 AM and am still answering questions at 10 at night (although the wine at Sterling's house is unsurpassable. I am quite the lucky man.) A very special thank you to Casey for editing and typing and managing this online session. Couldn't have done it without you."
-JP

[Aww, love you too, John. -Casey, ed.]

 

[Big Poppa]

To everyone:

BP, John, Dudley, Drew, and myself (Casey) are all relaxing here at the Ball Household aka The Fun Ranch, thank you for the questions and to those of you we missed; we're sorry. It's been an awesome 2 hours and ten minutes of answering questions, thanks again.

-Casey.

 

[guitardude324]

You guys rock! Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions! It was great!

 

[GWDavis28]

Guys thanx this was a very cool experience, I'm glad I stayed up to read it.

Enjoy.

Glenn |B)

 

[Morbid]

Absolutely! All of you rule...hell of a team! Thanks so much guys, made my day

 

[humbucker87]

only had one more till he got to mine ...oh well.....thanks anyways guys.

 

[freeman]

OMG............ I am late.................. so pity...........

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Yep, thanks a bunch! Casey, take this opportunity to rest your fingers

 

[SteveB]

Thanks guys, it was great. Have a drink for me!

 

[tommyindelaware]

To everyone:

BP, John, Dudley, Drew, and myself (Casey) are all relaxing here at the Ball Household aka The Fun Ranch, thank you for the questions and to those of you we missed; we're sorry. It's been an awesome 2 hours and ten minutes of answering questions, thanks again.

-Casey.

thank you again casey !!!!!you 'r wonderful...

you all are 1st class thank you all !!!!!!!

 

[Raz]

I just got home, sorry I missed the live action, however I noticed that you guys answered my question and for that I am truly grateful.

 

[Bassplyr]

Thanks BP for hooking us up with John! It was a great read. And thansk to everyone else involved.

 

[OrangeChannel]

Great stuff guys! The traffic around here this evening was as the decibel level is...HIGH VOLUME! We need more of these sessions...

 

[Terry]

"The key to keeping your right arm relaxed is focused concentration on the muscles that are tensing as your stamina wears. If you can identify this point and highten your relaxed state, you will develop more endurance.

Working with BP, Dudley, Drew the Rookie, and all the rest at EBMM is absolutely amazing. Sterling has never let me down once. It's a unique opportunity to work very closely with very talented and creative people that are at the top of heap of guitar manufacturing. I feel like there's nothing that we can't create after dreaming it up. They do work me really hard, though. I've been up since 4 AM and am still answering questions at 10 at night (although the wine at Sterling's house is unsurpassable. I am quite the lucky man.) A very special thank you to Casey for editing and typing and managing this online session. Couldn't have done it without you."
-JP

[Aww, love you too, John. -Casey, ed.]

Thanks so much for your reply John! I will keep your advise at heart Can't wait to see the new guitars you are working on with EBMM, I am sure they will be fantastic instruments!

Edit: Thanks BP, Casey and everyone else at EBMM for this wonderful session!!!

 

[bovinehost]

Nicely done.

Thanks to Sterling, John and Casey.

Jack

See you at the Open House!

 

[phatduckk]

My favorite answer was:

2: My favorite guitar player of all time is Steve Morse. Nobody touches him.

thats just cool on many levels.
1) Its great to see that guitar heros have guitar heros
2) it conveys to me the that the EB artists respect one another - kindof like a mini family.

also from JP's comments re: the EB crew (BP, Dudley, drew and folks) it seems like you all have a lot of fun while doing amazing work ... and it shows - us rabid fans are a testiment to that! tres admirable! thats how it should be

Also thanks again to BP for setting this up, CLB for taking the time/effort to transcribe and JP for lending us his time, advice, experience & wisdom.

rock on,
Arin

 

[Jimi D]

Who I'd like to play with: Undecided. But I'd love Dream Theater to tour with Rush.

Woah! that would be incredible!