From Fanny in France
Why do you think there's no famous and really good guitar woman in music world? Are we inable to make really good solos? Is it a matter of strength? And have you ever played guitar with women?
Steve Morse
First of all, there are some famous and really good women guitarists. I played on an album with Liona Boyd, and she is one of them. I think for rock guitar that a certain amount of physical aggression is helpful, such as for bending and shaking strings. Coordination is the same for men or women, and creativity is equal, but with different viewpoints, usually. Maybe women are smarter and don't think it's such a great career?! Seriously, not every woman would want to put up with all the rejection and extremely humble opportunities that most of us find when we start trying to make a career of it. Guys may be more wired for that kind of rejection after having to try to get dates with women........
From Claire in England
Do you ever feel like you want to pack it all up, music-wise ? If so, what stops you & how do you keep yourself going? Also what is your favourite song/album of all time?
Steve Morse
I have packed it up, twice, in the 80's. But not to quit music, just to quit the business part of it. I learned that every business (heavy equipment owner/operator, and airline pilot) has it's bad points, and I came back with a better outlook. I keep myself going because it's still fun and exciting to get up and play, really! My favorite album of all time is "The Well Tempered Synthesizer" by Walter Carlos (who later became Wendy Carlos!)
From Wolfgang in Germany
I've got some questions about practicing. On the Power Lines Video you said according to Tumeni Notes: "Play it fast when you're ready to play it fast". Does this mean that once I have reached a fast level it's no longer necessary to practice slowly? In other words: Do you still practice slowly? And if you do so, do you only practice new parts slowly or is there something like a never ending need to practice lines slowly, even the ones you know well and played many times before, in order to stay capable of playing them fast?
Steve, thanks for the music you created. Every note you have composed shows that you do what you love.
Steve Morse
Once you can play a certain speed perfectly accurately, you don't really need to play those things slowly very often. However, in my experience, most people don't hear all their little mistakes, and the cure is to still play slowly enough to be perfect, then speed it up, even after the part is learned. For performance, you don't have that luxury, you simply must play it the best you can, but for practice, play it perfectly several times, then play it fast once. Most people that don't ever dissect their parts slowly develop habitual flaws that are hidden by the chaos, but certainly discernable to the critical ear. Lots of pros have those technical flaws and simply work around them. But others go to their room after a show and practice those parts that they instinctively feel were sloppy..............whether or not anybody noticed.
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