An Interview with Terry Syrek
IC: For the readers who may be unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe your music?
Syrek: It's kind of like Rush meets Meshuggah meets Holdsworth, and then they all go to an Indian restaurant.
IC: [Laughs] So what inspired you to play the guitar, and how old were you when you first started?
Syrek: I remember hearing Black Sabbath and just knowing I had to make this 'sound' I heard. Later I learned it was the guitar riff I was actually digging. My parents held me back from taking lessons until I was around 14. I finally started learning on an old Stella acoustic. The action was so high there was a time zone difference between the strings and the frets! But I carried it around proudly in a green garbage bag.
IC: Who were your initial guitar influences and how did that change over the years?
Syrek: Initially Randy Rhoads, Gary Moore and Angus Young. Eventually I changed and opened up to all types of music and all different kinds of instrumental. I also learned that it’s much more fulfilling to work on being a better musician than a better guitarist.
IC: What led you to play instrumental music?
Syrek: Lack of a band! [Laughs] I'm usually more of a fan of band oriented stuff with vocals, but anyone who has ever been in a band knows it's like being married to three or four other people at the same time. It's very hard to find competent musicians - let alone ones who are actually interested in my type of music, have time to work on things, and share the same relative views on music. So in the meantime I write and record instrumental stuff because I can do most of it myself.
IC: Could you tell our readers a little bit about your previous releases?
Syrek: I've basically put three things out so far: A demo-ish cassette (yes, cassette!) back in '98, a 4-song CD titled “Obscura” back in 2001, and my full length CD “Aum” in 2005. They’re all of a similar style and some of the songs from the cassette ended up on Aum, but reworked and re-recorded for it.
IC: What projects are you working on currently / what are your upcoming releases?
Syrek: I’m just writing tunes and seeing what happens. I'd like to go more into a vocal band direction, but we'll see. Right now I'd really like to get something out by next summer.
IC: Could you tell us a little about your guitars? Do you have a favorite brand or luthier?
Syrek: I mainly play Jackson Guitars. I have three RR series, two are customs, and a Soloist custom as well. I've been playing Jackson’s since 1987, and I just really dig the guitars.
IC: What other gear do you use, and what kind of tone do you strive for?
Syrek: I use a bunch of different amps, depending on what I need them for. My clinic rig is a Marshall preamp / poweramp combo through 2 Marshall 2x12 cabs. I also have a VHT Pitbull that I used to use for live gigs through 2 Marshall 4x12s. Picks are the Dunlop 2.0 purple turtle ones (I don’t know the actual name [Laughs]) and strings are .009 GHS boomers. And I do endorse Jackson Guitars. My tone depends on rhythm or lead. For most of my rhythm stuff I like a big chunky aggressive sound, with slightly less on the mids. For the lead tone I prefer a darker, warmer, and more ‘liquid’ tone, with more midrange.
IC: What instructional material did you use to help develop your technique when you were younger? Did you have any favorite instructional books or videos, or a teacher?
Syrek: None in particular. I learned the most from the guidance and influence of my teacher and by figuring things out by ear off of tapes.
IC: How much time do you spend practicing and playing nowadays, and how does that compare with your practice schedule when you were younger?
Syrek: Nowadays I almost only play when teaching or writing and recording, because of a serious issue with my hand [See: Focal Dystonia - Dave]. But when I was in high school, I practiced up to fifteen hours a day.
IC: Could you describe how you typically go about practicing?
Syrek: A lot of my practicing back in high school was technically oriented, so I practiced a lot with a metronome. The mindset was one of intense focus. No TV, no phone, no distractions. Me, a guitar, and an intense desire to be the best I possibly could.
IC: Do you have any particular philosophies or approaches to teaching?
Syrek: I think the approach depends on the student. Honestly some of the students are just for the money. They don't want to be there; their parents make them take lessons. I still try my best to help them learn something. The more the student wants to be a great player, the more intense I will be as well. I've had some students in which I see a bit of the same drive I had, so I try to move them along accordingly.
IC: Have you previously released any instructional material, and do you have anything planned in that department?
Syrek: Yes, I have. Both a book and a video. They’re different, but they share the same title, "Shred is Not Dead". I also released a CDR called, "Unearthed Arcana", on the Chops From Hell instructional label. I may do something more in the future… we'll see.
IC: How important a factor is improvisation in your music?
Syrek: Well, I kinda started playing guitar by jamming along to songs. Not really even figuring them out note for note, but just kinda jamming. So improvisation has always been what I do naturally. Although… as I’ve grown older I’ve seen more and more merit in composing solos.
IC: Do you have a favorite song of yours to play live, and do you perform any covers?
Syrek: Ah, so far “Change the World” is the only song I don’t get sick of. But I’ve never really had a chance to play the instrumental stuff. I’ve done tons of covers though.
(Dave Martone and Terry Syrek)
IC: Is there anyone you’d especially like to play or collaborate with someday?
Syrek: Sure, tons of people… Neil Peart and Geddy Lee, Peter Gabriel, Lisa Dalbello, Andreas Vollenweider... the list is way too long to keep going!
IC: Since this is an instrumental guitar website, what instrumental albums have you heard recently, and which are your all-time favorites?
Syrek: I really love the Shakti stuff, particularly the first three albums. I also love Andreas Vollenweider, though I suppose a lot of people would laugh and call him ‘New Age’. Any Michael Hedges, and a lot of Holdsworth.
IC: Do you listen to any non-guitar oriented music? If so, which artists, bands or genres do you like?
Syrek: I mainly listen to non-guitar oriented music! [Laughs] Again, the list is far too huge to really do it any justice. But mostly these genres: prog, world, pop, rock, metal, and classical.
IC: Which newer guitarists have caught your attention?
Syrek: I guess no one in particular, but I do think Guthrie Govan is a tremendous player!
IC: Do you have any advice for aspiring young guitarists who want to pursue a career in music or just better themselves as players?
Syrek: Yes… if you can think of anything else to do besides music, do that instead for a living. Not to sound dark, but it's much easier to not be a professional musician (for too many reasons to go into). However, if you love it and you absolutely HAVE to do it, then go for it. As for bettering yourself as a player, that's a different story and can be done whether you decide to do it for a living or not. In this case, I'd just say love what you do. Be inspired and play all the time. Listen to music constantly and just love the entire trip.
IC: What are your technical and musical aspirations?
Syrek: Currently the only goal I have is to find a way to work with my hand issue and hopefully find a cure.
IC: Do you play any other instruments besides guitar?
Syrek: Yes, I play drums, sing, play Yanni Keyboard (I can make it sound ok with the white keys [Laughs]), and of course bass is a bit of a natural by-product of playing guitar, although a real bass player would put me to shame.
IC: What are some of your hobbies outside of guitar and music in general?
Syrek: Reading, weightlifting, mountain biking, and World of Warcraft! [Laughs]
IC: Ah, good old 'Warcrack'. [Laughs]
Okay, final question… what’s the one thing you want people to know about you?
Syrek: I’m not sure that there’s one thing, but someday I would like to be thought of as a good musician. What I mean is… for people to say that I’m not just a guitarist, but also a talented musician who writes, produces, performs, teaches, and creates cool music. Most of all, I want to influence and connect with people in some positive way. I’m not sure that I’m there yet, but hopefully one day I’ll deserve it.
IC: I think you don’t give yourself enough credit! From what I’ve heard you’re living all of those things.
Thanks for the interview, Terry!
Syrek: Thanks again, Dave!
Essential Terry Syrek links:
... and don't forget to buy, "Aum"!
-- Dave B.