JUDAS PRIEST's K.K. DOWNING: 'Playing Guitar Motionless Has Never Excited Me'

JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing has posted the following message in the blog section of his official web site, KKDowning.net:

"I just thought I would talk a little about guitar playing in this blog, as I know many of you are interested to know how the mind of a professional player ticks.

"I will start by saying that we are all different and for many reasons, most of which are not particularly important. What is important is to understand that it takes time for your own uniqueness to develop, therefore you must be patient! Also your attitude to playing plays a major role in becoming a noted guitar player.

"Guitars are not like any other instrument because from the first day you put that guitar strap over your head, you feel a sense that you have put on a suit of armour and you have just picked up an AKM machine gun.

"Playing guitar motionless has never excited me and has never seemed natural. Some people perceive that whaling the axe around is just showmanship, but to me, it enhances my ability to get what I want from the notes and the sound.

"Please don't get me wrong, it doesn't always happen. That's why you may hear someone complain, 'It was a bad-sounding room tonight' or something to that effect. In other words, bad acoustics are nobody's friend.

"I remember my good friend and producer Chris Tsangarides telling me once that when he was a tape operator at Morgan studios he heard me doing my solo in 'Victim Of Changes', so he pushed open the studio door and saw me throwing shapes as though I was on stage. Well, that's exactly how I thought recording was done at that time. Anyway, he went straight to his boss to ask if he could work on our sessions and that's what he did. I think that Chris being a guitar player himself, understood exactly how my emotions dictated my movements when I was playing and vice versa.

"I now must ask you all, how many of you put on your axe at home and stand in front of a mirror to play? Do you stay still? Hell you don't! That's because you can get some amazing feel into your playing; great notes and sustain can be heard when you swing the neck around making the notes slightly bend as the tension on the string changes. Just watch the great Jimi Hendrix do it and you will hear exactly what I am talking about.

"Strangely enough, another good friend and producer Roger Glover (DEEP PURPLE) thought that I would be an even better player if I were to remain static whilst recording on the 'Sin After Sin' sessions. Back in those days I had just two guitars: my 67 V and a 61 Strat.

"I am sure that by now many of you have realised that the Fender is by far the axe to have if you want to really get into throwing an instrument around. Its smooth curves fit nicely into the body and you are less likely to do mischief to yourself. Having said that, I have given myself some serious bruises in the past.

"Anyway, it's not surprising that the Strat is so popular. I wonder if it could be that most players often dream of one day swinging it around like Jimi or Yngwie when they made their purchase.

"Anyway, can't go without giving you some reasons why I love my flying Vs. I simply think they look better than any other guitar and were far ahead of their time in design. This is proven by the fact that so many follow up versions have been manufactured. I think now you would agree with me that their sharp edge look has become the lifeblood in metal."