The worldwide community of guitarists and musicians is one of the main reasons why TrueFire is where it is today. With our students’ input and feedback, we stay motivated to continue to expand our library and improve our music e-learning experience. So, while we spend a lot of time highlighting our incredible faculty and content, we think it’s time to move the spotlight on some of our most passionate users.
In this Student Spotlight series, we’ll be showcasing a member of the diverse TrueFire community and sharing their thoughts with you. We hope you find yourself inspired. Ignited we stand!
Student Spotlight: mister390
Your Name:
James O.
How long have you been a TrueFire Student?
7 years.
Tell us a little bit about yourself as a musician:
Started playing at the age of 15 in 1986. I like a pretty diverse range of music. Older metal from Sabbath to Pantera, all the popular classic rock bands from the ’60s & ’70s, and bands from the ’90s like RHCP, STP, Pearl Jam, and Candlebox. I like funk and R&B music from the ’60s & ’70s, electric blues from the earliest artists to recent players like Kirk Fletcher, and I enjoy studying jazz guitar, although I have not gotten too deep yet.
What attracted you to TrueFire at first?
I had previously been using Lick Library, but I liked TrueFire’s method of instruction better. TrueFire has matured into a high-quality form of video instruction.
What are some of your favorite TrueFire courses or lessons?
I mostly like the lessons based around classic/blues rock, funk/R&B, and Jazz. I own a huge library of TrueFire lessons.
How has TrueFire helped improve your playing?
Bridges the connection between theory and application, which helps me become a well-rounded musician.
Why do you use TrueFire, and how often?
I use it as often as possible. Sometimes I go through marathon sessions because I really enjoy playing and learning. I spread my time out between my passions of music, technology, and mechanical design. Studying each one becomes an obsession.
What is your favorite feature of the TrueFire learning experience?
Creating playlists is like having the ability to create custom courses tailored to the areas I feel I need to study on a particular topic.
Who is your favorite TrueFire Educator and why?
I have multiple, and it’s difficult to narrow it down to one, but I will go with Jeff McErlain. He is probably one of the most prominent educators and does an excellent job of connecting theory to application. But I really like Corey Congilio’s approach and demeanor as well.
What would you like to see more of at TrueFire?
I guess more of a breakdown of the nuances of how the most influential guitarist got the tone out of their instrument through their individual approach to playing. I know that might be a difficult subject to tackle, but in my opinion, a focus on creating tone by the way an individual touches the instrument is one of the most crucial and overlooked areas of development as a musician. It’s more than just academic technique. It’s a direct connection between the artist and what makes their creation unique. It’s a tall order, I know.
Any other comments?
I love TrueFire. It brings joy to my life. Thank you 🙂
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