Entrevista con - Jeff Scheetz

GL - The amazing Jeff Scheetz, thanks for your time!
JS - Thanks for having me!

GL - Please tell us about your personal history and background for the fans at Mexico.
JS - Well, I have done 7 CDs - 5 of which were instrumental. The first one "Warp Speed" was released on a Mexican label. I have also done over 200 guitar clinics for Yamaha, and am endorsed by Ernie Ball. You can check out all the CDs at www.jeffscheetz.com

GL - What motivated you to want to learn to play the guitar?
JS - I am not really sure what the first thing was - but once I really started that is all I have done!

GL - I always figured you could play pretty much any style you wanted, but what do you like to play a lot?
JS - I really dig bluesy influenced funky rock! Something that has a lot of room for improv, but is not to weird as far as the groove goes, I like music that grooves.

GL - Tell us about your technique and how you developed it?
JS - I spent a lot of time practicing! :o) I used to play in a cover band playing top 40 rock, and I wanted to get out of that, so I figured the best way to do that was to get better as a player. So I developed a practice routine that organized my practice time and made me really work on the things that I wasn't very good at. That was when I saw the biggest change in my playing, just being disciplined enough to set there and work on stuff that may seem "boring" at the time, but knowing that it will make you better.

GL - When you were a kid, did you ever think that you would someday be considered one of the best guitar players of the world?
JS - Well, I STILL don't think about it - there are a lot of great players out there. I just try to be the best me I can be.

GL - Who are your main influences?
JS - Early on it was Randy Rhoads, then I got into Charlie Parker, Larry Carlton, Steve Vai, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hendrix - But I was always into bands - I really liked AC/DC - then King's X - to name just a few.

GL -Who is your favorite guitar player?
JS - It changes. Right now it would have to be Jimmy Herring.

GL - What projects are you currently working on?
JS - Working on instructional material for the guys at www.Truefire.com I will be doing a series of guitar lessons for them. I am also working on a 70s style progressive rock CD project with a friend of mine, world renowned fantasy artist Rodney Matthews. www.rodneymathews.com We are doing a CD based on his artwork - so that is pretty cool. My band is playing out a lot as well and we are out supporting the new bluesy rock cd "Beggars, Rogues & Thieves" that we just released.

GL - Do you love doing live performances?
JS - Performing live is why I really started playing in the first place - so yes, it is always a great time!!

GL - Where is the line between performer and musician for you?
JS - I guess there is a balance. I never want to sacrifice the music for the show, but when people come to see you play live they expect to see some energy. I know I do when I go to a show. There is nothing worse than paying a lot of money to go to a concert and then the guy stands up there looking like he is bored to death - you feel like you have been ripped off!! So I tend to play pretty high energy live - I think if I am having a good time then the crowd will have a good time - so I just concentrate on having fun!!

GL - What´s the meaning of this record to you?
JS - Our new cd "Beggars, Rogues & Thieves" is a bit of a departure because I have a vocalist, so it is not instrumental. But there is still lots of playing on it! But I really wanted to capture the "retro" vibe and have it be real natural sounding. I think we accomplished that!

GL - Have you ever done a song or album that you wish you could go back in time and un-do? If so, which one, and why?
JS - No. I always figure that if I could have played it better, I would have!! Now if I would go back and re-do something now, I would play it differently because I am a different player now than I was then. But I have no regrets.

GL - What are your thoughts on the state of instrumental guitar these days?
JS - It is a lot different than back in the early nineties. There are still a few instrumental guys out there, but it is very hard to get any recognition now. So the people that do it now really have to love it!

GL - What do you think about the new crop of talented Guitar player's that are currently out there making music?
JS - There are some good ones - you just have to look a little harder for them nowadays.

GL - When all is said and done, years from now, how would you want people to remember Jeff Scheetz?
JS - That I was a good person, and I gave my all to everything I ever did, and changed the world for the better.

GL - What will be next for Jeff Scheetz?
JS - Just working on the Rodney Matthews CD, and I will be going to Switzerland to play next month. Keeping busy!

GL - And can we expect to see you in Mexico any time soon?
JS - I would LOVE to come back to Mexico!! I played in Mexico City a couple of years ago, and the people there were fantastic!! There were lots of people at the shows who had lots of my CDs and that was awesome to see! I had a great time! It is great to be able to come down there on a CD, but better in person!!!!

GL - Is there anything else you would like to share with us that I have not asked?
JS - Just to thank everyone for supporting "underground" music! Keep the art alive!! Stop by my website and send me an email!! www.jeffscheetz.com

GL - Once again thanks for your time Jeff!, we really appreciated it!, we wish all the best to one of the Best Guitar Lords!!

No olviden visitar www.jeffscheetz.com