I write the songs first and in most cases teach myself the technique second.

I'm ready to take the heat.

Basic anatomy. That has got to be the ongoing frustration: Why can't my fingers do what I want them to do? Not being able to play what I hear in my head - that is the ultimate source of frustration.

When these guitar mags bring up that stuff up and say such and such came up with this and that which is pushing the boundaries, I just say, "let's step back for a minute and admit something: nothing has happened for the last 100 years." And it's okay. It's not a bad thing ... We're all working with "tools" that have been in existence for the last 100 years and there hadn't been a new "tool" for a long long time.

Relax. Be yourself. Play a lot.

There's a fine line between giving the sense of freedom and being too free.

It really sucks when music is so perfect you just don't need to hear it anymore.