Steel Notes Magazine www . steelnotesmagazine . com
www . steelnotesmagazine . com
Steel Notes Magazine about to happen and I feel energized . The way back , though , is different : sometimes I really want to go home to my family , sometimes I had a such a great time on tour that I honestly don ’ t want to go back home . It always takes some time for me to readjust . As for music , rock specifically , it represents a lifestyle . It influences my thinking , my clothing , my attitude . Music is life , passion , work .
- Do you only write and listen to rock music , or other genres as well ?
- Yes , rock it is . Over time I got to discover many other genres , but the one that has always meant a lot to me and will always excite me is rock music .
- Nowadays being a musician means accepting a world of uncertainties , especially from a financial standpoint . However , there are so many aspects of your life that are absolutely amazing and fascinating . Is it worth it ?
- It sure is ! I have always preferred the unknown , I find it more exciting . I enjoy every moment of my life , and appreciate every single day for what it is . It ’ s the only lifestyle I have ever known , and I love it . Of course even as a musician there is a lot of planning , organizing , working . I feel like , even if more unstable , the life as an artist is always well spent .
- You opened a music school . How do you like being a teacher , and how different is it from being a professional musician ? What ’ s the relationship with your students ?
- Yes , I have a guitar school in Balerna , Switzerland . Teaching is simply part of me . I adopt an unusual approach , though , certainly less didactic . My goal is to explore the students ’ passion and make it emerge . Make them have fun , by teaching them songs and solos they like . I think the purpose of a music school is to give a chance to students to find out what kind of musician they really are . They have to find themselves and focus on their originality . I have never been a big fan of clones ! As for the relationships I build with my students , they are really good . We often end up becoming friends , and we hang out together . They also accept the fact that I have to leave for certain periods of time to go on tour .
- You participate to various projects , characterized by various musical genres . You play both in huge world-wide stages and in small pubs of your hometown . Many musicians don ’ t go back to playing in small venues once they become professional musicians . What ’ s your take on this ?
- I just love to play the guitar . I commit the same way when I am on a big stage with Doro as when I only have 10 people watching the show in the smallest venue . Of course , reaching the objective of playing on the Wacken stage is a great satisfaction . However , I think musicians should never feel accomplished , and they should play anywhere . It ’ s not the place that matters , it ’ s the commitment , the passion , the fun .
Steel Notes Magazine www . steelnotesmagazine . com
87