I experimented a bunch with Ernie Ball in getting the strings to not flop around too much, but at the same time… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
In order to become a well-rounded musician, you have to master the three major aspects of guitar playing: the technical side, the… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
I used to have these reoccurring dreams that I played guitar, which I thought was so bizarre. It all sort of fit… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
Songs like "Spirit Carries On" really gets the audience moved and on the same page. It's challenging and all so much fun… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
Dream Theater has never been a band that hit at a particular fashionable point and said, 'OK, that's basically it.' — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
When we make those guitars we make tons of prototypes, I have all those. And once a guitar has come out there's… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
The only thing I had in my mind [when I was 17 ] was that I was going to be a professional… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
One very important side of my playing lies in rhythm; I have a very percussive style. It's one I've developed with Dream… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
Sometimes I'll hear a certain approach that kinda cathes my ear, like „It's kinda cool what that guy's doing there", or maybe… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
Guitarists use downstrokes and upstrokes to play fast patterns, but doubling up on down- or upstrokes might be essential to the sound… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
Many kids and parents ask me, 'What kind of guitar can I buy?' It's a great opportunity for those people to be… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
The guitar is a funny instrument because you have bendable strings and distortion - there's a potential for noise. It is more… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
I'm realizing this more and more that it's one thing to get involved with your own political beliefs and stand behind you… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
When we came out, the kind of music that was popular was Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains, all that stuff. That… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
Jordan [Ruddes], he learned that way, and that's what he knows how to do. That's how he kind of approaches all music,… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
You can approach the guitar like a voice. That's the best way of looking at it. If you are singing, you can't… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
When I first started, it was the real basic stuff that was being played on the radio, so I was into Zeppelin,… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
You know, as kids were weren't jazz musicians or anything. But, the circle of friends and the neighborhood I lived in, we… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
First and foremost, with everybody we wanted to see if they can pull off the songs, play them correctly, and that they… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
There were some initial instruments I had when I was young and made some trade-offs. Maybe a guitar I bought in a… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
I do a lot of the stuff that I started out doing that I think any guitar player that's concerned about the… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
I have seen Tommy Emanuel play; my wife and I went to see him and he just melted my face off. How… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
I started to get turned on to a bunch of different bands when I was in middle school/high school. I was turned… — John Petrucci Copy Share Image
If you practice in a focused, concentrated manner and make efficient use of your time, you will progress a lot faster than if you… — John Petrucci Copy Share
In my touring rig, there's a pedal drawer, where I'm able to switch pedals in and out, going into the front of the amp. — John Petrucci Copy Share
Before Dream Theater took off I used to teach a lot, and one of the things my students often asked me was how to… — John Petrucci Copy Share
I listen to somebody like Shawn Lane, and unfortunately he is no longer with us, but I hear him playing and I am like,… — John Petrucci Copy Share
By adding open strings to even the simplest chords, you can create voicings that sound sophisticated, but are really easy (and fun) to play.… — John Petrucci Copy Share
Sometimes just allowing yourself to noodle without any structure will enable you to stumble upon great new ideas, culminating in creating your own distinct… — John Petrucci Copy Share
Songs come alive every night and can be a new experience for someone. You might have someone in the audience who has never seen… — John Petrucci Copy Share
I'm from the school of putting a lot of hours of practice into playing. But at the same time you have to write original… — John Petrucci Copy Share
I have to say that our fans have been absolutely wonderful all across the world. — John Petrucci Copy Share
I really rely a lot more on memory. I'm definitely not as good of a sight reader. — John Petrucci Copy Share
A violin neck is much smaller than the guitar's, so it's much easier to play wide intervals on one violin string. On the guitar,… — John Petrucci Copy Share
Using open strings is a great way to add texture and atmosphere to any chord progression. — John Petrucci Copy Share
We are very, very fortunate to have built a career based on playing the kind of music we play. In a lot of ways,… — John Petrucci Copy Share
![“The only thing I had in my mind [when I was 17 ] was that I was going to be a professional musician. So it was just the right environment.” quote by John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1a/john-petrucci-2141_environment_the-only-thing-i-had-in-my-mind-when-i-w_1187772.png)
![“Jordan [Ruddes], he learned that way, and that's what he knows how to do. That's how he kind of approaches all music, whether it's to learn a cover song that we're going to play, or to review Dream Theater music - he always uses charts. That's what he knows. I really rely a lot more on memory.” quote by John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/john-petrucci-2141_approach_jordan-ruddes-he-learned-that-way-and-th_645451.png)
![“First and foremost, with everybody we wanted to see if they can pull off the songs, play them correctly, and that they it felt right musically. That's something Mike [Mangini] did, it felt like the band. He really gets the style and delivers in a powerful metal way.” quote by John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/john-petrucci-2141_band_first-and-foremost-with-everybody-we-wan_2198459.png)
