Well first of all, please allow me to set the scene for you (since, for me at least, this was an important part of the story). On Saturday morning I was feeling down - despite the fact that I was going to the Alien Guitar Secrets masterclass (which I had booked as soon as it became available), some problems in my personal life were crowding my thoughts and so I was not myself as I grabbed my guitar, camera and Jemini pedal and began the drive across to Tiel.
Due to the roads being pretty clear, I got there at about 12.30pm, which meant that I had to stand around outside for over an hour and a half. A large group of people were gathered, most chatting and some playing guitars, while we all waited patiently to be let in. I began to regret the fact that I'm not the most organised of people as everyone around began to pull out drinks and food from their bags.
But, at last, after a slight delay (Steve had literally just flown in from Spain and was understandably a tad tired) we were allowed to filter in. Only minor criticism I have of the security was that no one actually checked my ticket against my proof of identity; maybe because things were running a bit late and it would have held everything up even more but it meant anyone could have walked in with my ticket...
Being there quite early, I was near the front door when it opened and - ignoring the lure of the Vai memorabilia - I went straight to the hall and was lucky enough to get sat down in the second row from the front with a perfect view of the stage.
Steve came out to plenty of applause and proceeded to tear into the Crying Machine. Sitting there, only fifteen feet from Steve, while he played was a brilliant experience. Previously I'd been at the front of the stage at Donnington 1990 (when he was playing with Whitesnake) but I was nowhere near as close as this. My mood lifted - impossible for it not to.
Then Steve got started and I won't go into full details of everything that he covered (I don't want to spoil it for people who go to one - although I'm certain it is like the paintwork on a Jem; never the same twice!) but he talked about setting goals, the use of visualisation, meditation, dedication, controlling your thoughts and positive thinking.
Now, obviously (I'm guessing) for most people in the room this was all about the guitar but, for me, this initial section of information really inspired me in - well, pretty much all areas of my life. I'm not a great guitar player (I have to put in
so much effort to wring anything musical out of my guitar!) but hearing Steve talk about all of these different aspects of the mental side of achieving made me realise that I needed to fully realise the gifts that I
do have.
And. since my principal gift is in writing, it felt like some kind of divine sign when Steve (in passing) mentioned a brilliant writer friend whose gift surely wasn't guitar.
To be honest, I found analogies within what Steve was saying for
any activity that you love and wish to develop. Almost all of the examples he used with guitar - to strive for perfection, to be consistent in your habits, to devote time - can be applied (and indeed were applied by him) to other activities. And so this section gave me some really good ideas on what I can do to improve my guitar playing in a structured disciplined way - but also just put a huge smile on my face. Steve talked guitar, but it resonated with me on a whole other level.
On a side note, I found the Grammys anecdote brilliant!
The talk session ended all too soon (but overran its schedule considerably!) and the time for the jam session arrived. My ticket didn't come up but the guitarists who did get to go up on stage put on a good show and Steve did his best to put them all at ease and helped showcase their abilities.
With the jam session over, it was time for the meet and greet session. A huge queue stretching around the hall began to develop so I went to have a look at the gift shop - only to then curse the fact I'd brought my card but not any cash as they couldn't take cards - so I had to simply stare at the Naked Tracks lustfully
I returned to the queue to find myself right near the back and then spent half an hour or so inching my way towards where Steve was signing guitars, CDs and having photos taken. I'd brought my Jemini pedal to be signed but I left the guitar as I'd only brought it along in case I got a chance to jam.
Finally, I reached Steve and he signed my pedal and I passed my (fairly antique) digital camera so that a photo could be taken of us. The camera turned itself off. So I took it back, turned it back on again and passed it back. Smiled. Steve (to his credit) was still smiling. The batteries compartment fell out and the camera turned itself off again. I tried to turn it back on and it sat there, seemingly dead to world. I apologised to Steve and stepped to one side to let the next person have their turn.
Ok, hit the switch and the camera is
definitely on. Move back in for photo opportunity. Steve has flown in from Madrid, spent three and a half hours talking and playing and another hour signing things and talking to people. He must be absolutely knackered. The bloody camera turns itself off again. Fortunately, someone standing nearby offers to take a picture with their camera and email it to me. Only their camera won't work. We try once. Twice. I am now laughing at the absurdity of the situation (and feeling sorry for Steve for having to put up with me!) and the camera finally goes off. So, Steve - if you read this - REALLY sorry!
But, equally, if you do read this - I want you to know that yesterday had a profound effect on me and that while, to this point in my life, I'd always enjoyed you as a guitar player I didn't realise that I'd find you such an inspirational figure. I came out of Alien Guitar Secrets determined to effect change in lots of areas of my life; buzzing with positive energy and ready to do things
right (and not just with my picking technique!). Personally, I can't thank you enough.
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Anything of this magnitude (and costing 120 euros) I put in my agenda... 