JAG PANZER Guitarist Talks About His Playing Technique, Group's Upcoming Plans

Australia's HailMetal.Com recently conducted an interview with the guitarist Chris Broderick from JAG PANZER. A couple of excerpts from the question-and-answer session follow:

HailMetal: You guys are obviously overdue for an album! There's talk of a live CD/DVD in works with Century Media or is there a studio album? Can you share some insight in the writing process?

Chris: We have talked about all of the above, but the live CD will depend on if we can get the budget from CM for a decent recording. The studio CD is definitely going to happen but we would like to release a live CD first.

HailMetal: I am aware that you play with seven-string guitars on the new album? What advantages does it hold over a six-string? Any disadvantages? Does it involve a different technique and is there a significant change in sound?

Chris: "The advantages are that you don't have to re-tune to get lower than standard notes. The technique is exactly the same. It would be like someone going up to a guitar player and saying, 'I play a five-string guitar. Why would you want to play a sixth string?' In the end, for me, I like the sound you can get from the low seventh while still having the first to solo and phrase with."

HailMetal: Interestingly enough, you have recently started teaching students guitar lessons, and over the Internet at that. How to you provide guitar lessons over the net? How does it work?

Chris: "I provide them in real time, as if I were there using instant messaging. All one would need is a computer, web cam with a mic, and the rest is free software that I use to send tabs and standard music notation. One can see exactly what I play for illustration and I can view them to check that their technique is correct."

HailMetal: How do you recommend doing exercises?

Chris: "This is a huge question. I would always tell anyone to slow it down with a metronome. Remember it's not how fast you play that makes you good, it's that you are good that enables you to play quick."

HailMetal: What's your view on alternate tunings?

Chris: "I haven't used them that much, because I used to always think that it was a kind of cheaters way to do certain things, but now that I have had more experience with them they enable you come up with tonalities you might not have otherwise thought of."

Read the entire interview at HailMetal.com.