What does CV stand for anyway? I can't seem to find it anywhere or figure it out.
Anyway, hello Pedja, my name is Joe, and I can't tell you how excited I am to be here right now, I've been waiting for this MTP phase for weeks and weeks. Before I get started about myself and what I would like to learn from this experience, I want to say I really dig your style. My favorite lesson of yours is the motive development solo. I'm also really jazzed (pun intended) to learn that you not only attended but taught at Berklee, where I hope one day in the not so distant future to attend myself (either way, I am likely moving to Boston in the next year or two).
Okay, so, I'll lay it out about myself then, I'll try to keep it concise, but it'll be hard:
I began playing guitar when I was 9, but really this is a lie. My dad is an amazing guitar player who's been playing for over ~40 years, and he bought me my first guitar, a baby taylor acoustic, at 9. However though I learned a few chords, I never worked up the motivation to really begin practicing seriously until a couple months before I found GMC (we can say springtime of 2007, I was 17). Two of the first songs I tried to tackle were waaaay above my skill level, but this provided an extra challenge and some real excitement when I made even a tiny bit of progress. The songs were Stash by Phish (and I must stress I really love Trey Anastasio's playing) and Tender Surrender by Vai, which floored me with how ridiculously technical but yet very emotional it was.
Since then, I've tried to work hard and I have been rewarded I think. I can play many level 5-6 lessons on GMC but of course this is dependent on which techniques they include, I haven't bothered much to work on sweeping and tapping and other 'shred' techniques, mostly because I wanted to focus on the basics and get the really solid first. Over my 2+ years so far here at GMC I have slowly but steadily gained much basic Music Theory knowledge, I feel like I can improvise adequately. However, I would really like you to push me on the theory aspect, especially in regards to modes, arpeggio shapes and a better understanding of chords (all three of which are very interconnected I understand), I also very much want to incorporate more chords and harmonic intervals in my lead playing, but without neglecting rhythm playing.
Today my influences are a bit different than when I was starting out, but to explain them it should be understood that my guitar idols are of course not necessarily my favorite artists to listen to, nor are they exactly what I want my playing to reflect. I still enjoy Vai, Satch et al, but it is more of a respect and inspiration thing than a direct influence.
I have a very wide range of interests, music from all genres intrigues me and I want to incorporate it all. I love funk, jazz and blues, but I also love metal, classic rock (probably my favorite) and electronic music, for example. As you said in your instructor page, it is nearly impossible to list all of the influences. But if I had to list just a few who I really place highly, I would say Hendrix, Page, Billy Corgan (of the smashing pumpkins), Nels Cline (for his work in Wilco, but I have got to check out his jazz stuff because he's amazing), Frusciante, and the guitar assault that is known as Radiohead. I suppose I have a bit of an alternative rock bent in my playing.
So anyway there it is, once again I'm very happy to be here and you can consider me super motivated. If I missed anything, let me know.
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GMC Forum > Discussion Boards > VINTAGE GMC > Community Activities and Tutorials > Ask an Instructor > More instructors > Pedja Simovic > MTP (Pedja)
Gear: Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, Gibson '67 RI Flying V, Mesa Boogie F-30 112 combo, crazy pedals.
