November 2005 Q&A With Tommy Thayer!

Question #1 My mother bought me an acoustic guitar for my birthday. I said I wanted electric. She claims the salesman told her I will be a better electric guitarist if I learn this first. How can that be true? Thanks Tommy, you rock! -- Kochese Biggs, Lago Vista, TX

ANSWER: I agree with the salesman. When you take up the guitar, I believe the best and first thing to learn is the five or six basic "open" chords. On the acoustic guitar you are forced to learn the chords cleanly and properly without depending on volume and distortion with an electric. Also on the acoustic guitar, you initially learn to "strum" which is important for the rhythmic development of your right hand (for right-handed guitarists), which in guitar playing is just as important as the left hand.

Question #2 My mother was also somehow convinced I should practice 4 hours a day if I want to be good at this. I am 15 years old. I am still in school. What do you recommend? What do you do? -- Kochese Biggs, Lago Vista, TX

ANSWER: You should practice whatever time you feel like practicing. Keep in mind though that if you want to do well at something, guitar-playing included, it's proven that hard work and lots of practice will pay off.

Question #3 One more question if that is OK. How do you go about writing a song? Do you write words or sounds out first? Is this the singer or guitarist's job? Thanks again Mr Thayer. -- Kochese Biggs, Lago Vista, TX

ANSWER: You are doing it all! I like that! The songwriting process is simple, there are no rules. You can write a song anyway you want to. But most importantly, the more you work at it, the better you'll be at it.

Neste måned følger en innføring i hvordan spille elektrisk gitar med plattformsko, uten sminke, bare rehearsal!

AceofThayer

Kult av Tommy å svare fyren i det minste da. Sikkert litt mer motiverende for han å spelle akustisk etter at Tommy annbfalte han det.

Klart, klart.. Var vel heller ikke ment som noe negativt fra min side, bare en dårlig fleip med en vanvittig dårlig punchline!

Er Peter på hugget om dagen mon tro?

A few months ago KISSFAQ mentioned a new Peter Criss song, "Space Ace" (Criss/Montague), though it's not currently known whether it's been recorded or is planned for use by Peter. It seems the "Cat" has recently published some material with former Criss guitarist Mike "Angel" McLaughlin...

Bohemia - Criss/McLaughlin
Cat Nap - Criss/McLaughlin
Crossroads - Criss/McLaughlin
Doesn't Get Better (Than This) - Kipps/Criss/McLaughlin
Faces In The Crowd - Criss/McLaughlin
Fallin' All Over Again - Criss/McLaughlin
Hope - Criss/McLaughlin
Last Night - Criss/McLaughlin
Reason For Living - Criss/McLaughlin
What Does It Take - Criss/McLaughlin
Whisper - Criss/McLaughlin

Who know's what will come of these songs (if anything)... Peter reported on his website in February that he was working with Charles Kipps (as co-producer) and former Criss bandmates Mark Montague (bass) and "Angel" McLaughlin (lead guitar)...