Orlando Private Guitar Lessons
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Johnny Rzeznik,
Goo Goo Dolls
Who GOT you going?
Every guitarist has had that one player or influence in their lives that made them want to pick up that guitar in the first place and learn some songs. A lot of us can draw on that one player or band in particular at first for fuel and inspiration.
For me, I’d have to say my journey really started with Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and the band’s music, but the player that has guided and helped me develop in my own playing over the years, has been the Goo Goo Dolls' Johnny Rzeznik.
Like most, I discovered the GGD's in 1995 with the success of “Name” and got hold of
A BOY NAMED GOO
from my brother, who also like most, didn’t care for the rest of the album, when it was discovered it wasn’t all acoustic pop songs. Surprisingly, these guys could rock!
I quickly went back and discovered the early catalogue of their first 4 albums, soundtrack songs, and import singles from Sam Goody and Ebay. I was hooked on the guitar tones, the lyrics and the whole still pretty indie-vibe.
“Long Way Down” became my first mastered guitar solo on my generic Fernandes strat version of Johnny’s Custom Shop Red Fender Strat, complete with single EMG 85 pickup, single volume knob and pearl pickguard.
Over the years, the Goo Goo Dolls have continued to pump out great albums with catchy hooks and great guitar parts.
One of the coolest tricks I picked up was the B up to C tuning to let the big chords ring out and compensate for the one guitar. Tuning the High E to an F # was another one for beefing up chords.
Fortunately, I had the opportunity to meet the band back in 2002 at a Best Buy in-store appearance in New York City and it was nice to discover that they were very nice, down to earth guys and great musicians that kept their drive over the years. If you’ve ever seen their VH-1 Behind The Music, you may find a bit of inspiration in their story as well.
So I ask, who got YOU going?
Orlando Private Guitar Lessons