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[Shred Cat]

Just subscribed to this masterclass, it's awesome! I used to take guitar lessons, but I quit b/c I wasn't really learning what I enjoyed. I've been playing a little over 3 1/2 years, and I like blues and rock guitar. My favorite guitarists are Blues Saraceno, Joe Satriani, and SRV is my all time favorite. Joe Bonamassa is awesome to. Anyway, just saying hi.

[InstruMental Cas...]

Blues Saraceno ftw! But check out my favorite blues guitarist, Michael Lee Firkins.

[Shred Cat]

Dang dude, that was awesome! I've never even heard of that guy, thx for showing him. I love how he uses the whammy bar to sound like a slide.

[InstruMental Cas...]

Yeah, that's kind of his signature thing (notice that he always has his pinky holding the whammy bar).

Michael's first album was probably his best, and luckily you can still get it:

http://www.guitar9.com/michaelleefirkins.html

... His fourth record (cover songs) came out in 1999, and he has since mostly disappeared. His next album was supposed to come out like two years ago, and then again this year. I've heard a sample of it which is now pretty old, and it appears he's gone the way of less technical playing, singing instead of instrumental, and using a real slide instead of just having that influence his whammy bar approach. Very disappointing. Still, I contacted the record label recently and they said it was odd because no one there knew what was going on, or if he was even doing the album. I'm hoping to get M.L.F.'s email address from them.

I like his music quite a lot, and the instructional video I took that clip from is quite good, too. In fact, it’s the only known footage that exists of Michael aside from Jason Becker’s “End of the Beginning” music video that had Firkins on guitar because Becker couldn’t play anymore due to his ALS.

[Kristofer Dahl]

Yeah, that's kind of his signature thing (notice that he always has his pinky holding the whammy bar).

I like his music quite a lot, and the instructional video I took that clip from is quite good, too.  In fact, it’s the only known footage that exists of Michael aside from Jason Becker’s “End of the Beginning” music video that had Firkins on guitar because Becker couldn’t play anymore due to his ALS.

Holy - that was cool!

[RIP Dime]

Yeah, that's kind of his signature thing (notice that he always has his pinky holding the whammy bar).

I like his music quite a lot, and the instructional video I took that clip from is quite good, too.  In fact, it’s the only known footage that exists of Michael aside from Jason Becker’s “End of the Beginning” music video that had Firkins on guitar because Becker couldn’t play anymore due to his ALS.

Holy - that was cool!

Indeed, but I feel so bad for Jason Becker He's such a great guitarist...screw that, MUSICIAN, but he can't play, I can only imagine how bad I'd feel if I couldn't play guitar, and I suck.

[InstruMental Cas...]

Here is a really great new PowerTab for “End of the Beginning”:

http://www.powertabs.net/tablature-4711/ar...nning-21602.ptb