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2004 - Vai Cover - Sorry this isn't a recent recording (done in 2004).
After a struggle to get my technique down enough to even attempt a tune like this (and the long process of programming the backing track), I recorded a Steve Vai Tune -- though it's not exactly the same (there are a few flaws, and I did take some liberties with the melody). All of that aside, it's fairly close to the original (thanks to ProTools and A LOT of editing). Some of you may have seen/heard me attempt this tune after the 2004 Guitar Center Guitarmageddon finals in San Marcos, CA (where I was a guest judge that year).
Entitled: "For The Love Of Vai, God This Was Hard" my own PUN on the original title "For The Love Of God." By now most of you know that I'm more into original Rock/Blues/Fusion than this kind of playing, but I figured this would be a challenge, and honestly it was difficult. I had a blast recording the tune, but don't think I'll be doing anything else like this for quite a while -- it's just too difficult to maintain the technique (and honestly, why would I want to play like this all the time anyway :)
My main focus these days is on ORIGINAL MUSIC: ROCK (many kinds, but mostly Alternative and Progressive type Rock) ~ FUSION (rock/blues/jazz) ~and ACOUSTIC MUSIC.
~ Click Here: for my Instructors Page ( GUITAR LESSONS ) ~
YES, EVERYTHING IN " BLUE " IS A LINK TO ANOTHER PAGE!!!
*** Ian C.T. vom Saal ~ Born on January 9th
Here are a few more Musically notable January 9th Birthdays:
Jimmy Page, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Bucky Pizzarelli, & Bob Denver.
I was born in Gainesville, FL, but my family is originally from Köln (Cologne) Germany -- I spent my childhood in Upstate New York and the South-East coast of Florida. I've moved around the country (3000 miles coast to coast) quite a bit since then -- Music is a clouded yet wondrous journey (it's just another night for the working musician).
*** I went to School for Music - Palm Beach/Florida Atlantic University 1999/2001 ( Scott Henderson went to F.A.U, enough said). I have a DEGREE in MUSIC (Jazz Guitar and Classical Guitar Studies). However, I love many genres of music, and I strive to play them all equally well.
**Most of my current focus is on ORIGINAL MUSIC; Alternative and Progressive Rock; Fusion (jazz/rock/blues); and Acoustic Music. These styles are truly where my passions lie, and I've been playing a mélange of these styles for about 12 years.
*** 2006-2007 *** I worked with the Alternative Rock Band "The Precious". We recorded a few songs for a Vampire movie that John Landis is Producing "THE BASEMENT." (here's a link to the guys making the movie: Andy and RIP at CHAOTIC GARDENS ). We recorded 10 songs at Bob Langford's " TUBS MUSIC STUDIO " in July 2006. Bob Landford has worked with many bands including: the Allman Bros, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe South, and Deep Purple -- Bob engineered and mixed, "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" for Lynyrd Skynyrd (the band were so indebted to the sound that he found for them that they included a photo of him and a special thanks to him on the original release on Sounds Of The South Records). Bob's really a great guy, and I'd recommend him to anyone looking to record.
The Precious flew out to San Diego on August 22nd 2006 to play a show for the " S.O.S. (Share Our Strength) WORLD HUNGER ORGANIZATION " . We currently gig locally -- I'll update as I get more info *** 2006-2007 ***
*** San Diego/LA, California 2003 ~ I signed a bantam contract with a division of SONY-MUSIC® , (for soundtrack work).
* Subsequently, I was hired for session work (I've recorded all over the country since then). Session/Studio work can be fairly tedious, but it can also be a lot of fun, and a great way to meet/record/play with many famous/renowned musicians. Unfortunately I just didn't have enough work to make a substantial living as a session player (as we all know, it can be quite a sanguinary profession). So, while in California I also gigged throughout San Diego and L.A. playing a conglomeration of music: Alternative, Progressive, and Hard Rock, Fusion, and Acoustic music. I've been fortunate enough to play or record with quite a few fairly well known bands and people - INCLUDING:
John Mayer , Joe Walsh , Scott Henderson , Pearl Jam , Coldplay , Ike Turner , Dave Matthews (Dave Matthews Band) , Adam Duritz and David Immerglück (Counting Crows) , Tori Amos , Jewel , Switchfoot , Sugarcult , Derek Trucks , Robert Smith (the Cure) , Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) , Train , POD , Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (the Mars Volta) , Finch , Alice Cooper , and many more (apologies to anyone I've unintentionally omitted).
*** Many thanks to TAYLOR -Guitars (El Cajon, CA) and ELIXIR -Strings (Elkton, MD) for their Endorsement: (Taylor-814-CE and Elixir .011-.052). Acoustically, I don't feel that anything plays better, sounds better, or is more consistent than my Taylor Guitar strung with Elixir Strings - I really love this acoustic set-up.
ELECTRIC-GUITARS - I'm currently playing a variety of different guitars: Gibson's, Fender's, Ibanez, and many other Custom~Guitar's (I currently own 23-guitars - this number fluctuates from year to year depending on my needs - it's gone down by 10-guitars since 2003).
AMPLIFIERS - I currently play through a variety of Fenders, Marshalls, Mesa Boogie, Peavey, Bogner, THD, Budda, and other Custom Amps.
*** April 2005 ~ I moved back to Tampa, FL from San Diego, CA.
Since then I've had the opportunity to play with many talented LOCAL artists including: Damon Fowler , Christie Lenee , Julie " Angel for Blues " Black, Tony Starez , and many many more . . . (again, apologies to everyone I haven't added yet).
*** I'm a Guitar Instructor in Tarpon Springs, FL.
~Click Here: for my Instructors Page, Background, References~
~ My Instructional Emphasis focuses primarily on: Music Theory Fundamentals - Including: Knowledge of Key Signatures; Chord Forms, Structures, and their Makeup; Reading Music Notation; Ear Training; Proper Technique; Proper Form; Knowledge of Scales and Modes; and Practical Soloing Techniques ~
*** I'm also a part-time luthier. I've been slowly hacking away at my fifth Custom~Guitar - This guitar has a telecaster(ish) styled semi-hollow body made from swamp ash which I rear-routed for 2-humbuckers with coil taps. The top is 1/4" Flamed-Maple with an F-hole cut in the top portion. I made the neck from hardrock maple with an ebony fretboard, 22-stainless steel jumbo frets, and abalone dots. The headstock is angled 10° and has a 3+3 tuner design (I'll be sure to post a picture when I'm finally finished). I don't use any kits or pre-fab parts (my guitars are completely hand-made) - Let me know if you'd like one built (they aren't cheap, but what hand-made electric guitar is these days).
*** The Arts have always been a large part of my life, and I spent much of my formative years surrounded by art and in art studios - I didn't have much of a choice since my Father is an Artist (Masters Degree in Sculpture -- Ringling/Syracuse/University of Florida) - This immersion in the arts significantly shaped the way I view art, bringing about a new perspective to what I see and hear around me ~
*** Though both of my parents exposed me to a variety of music, it was my mother who taught me the most about love, the emotions of the heart, and the beauty of everything around me - Okay, she was a little bit of a Hippie, but I think I'm better off for it. She actually started me on guitar (Finger-style Folk) -- My musical journey begins . . . thanks Mom.
. . . Ian C.T. vom Saal (727-366-7772) [email protected]
