I grew up listening to Ravel, Debussy, Bartok and jazz like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Christian and Django Reinhart. It was incredibly inspiring! And I was given a guitar and I said 'What the hell is this?!' — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
I never use pull-offs because I don't like the sort of 'meow' sound they make with the string being deflected sideways. — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
When I practise scales I will play four notes on one string. If I'm playing a C major scale, starting on F, I'll play… — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
You wait all your life to be signed by a major label, and then when they sign you, they don't want you to do… — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
As soon as I figured out I didn't know anything about music, I was OK. It's when I thought I could learn something that… — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
I don't get a big recording budget or much promotion, but I have creative freedom. — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
If the whole idea, in the original bebop days, was to get to soloing, then that's all it should be about. — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
It's obviously flattering when somebody likes something one is doing. But at the same time, I get embarrassed about it. It's the 'I'm not… — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
I don't think about what other people expect or anything. I mean, I sit and worrying so much about what I'M thinking, I'd go… — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
Most people/musicians hear things differently and what might please one might not please another. One man's meat is another man's poison. Don't be afraid… — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
Music moves forward so quickly; music is an accumulation of knowledge, and musicians keep getting better and better. — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
When I first started playing, I plunked away just like everyone else. During the Sixties I played in a blues band for a few… — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
The electric guitar's a pretty cheesy thing when you think about it, still working on those bits of wire and magnets for its sound.… — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
I don't like playing to guitar players, actually. I'd rather just play to ordinary people. — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
Most of the musicians I play with - aside from the form and structure of the music - the interpretation is up to them. — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
If you fall in love with a woman, there's this unknown thing that gives you a force and energy, and music is like that,… — Allan Holdsworth Copy Share Image
