Next to the lead singer, I think the number one role kids aspire to be when they grow up is a guitarist. It’s hard to miss a good shedder! I thought it was only appropriate to kick off this series not only with the show-stealers themselves, but more specifically with some of my favorite guitarists. Today we feature interviews with Zave Demonte of Kerbera, BK Reckless of Skiver, and London Mckuffey of Farewell, My Love. 

 

Click HERE for Skiver's new single "Slur"

 

Meryl DeWitt: How old were you when you got your first guitar? What was your first guitar?

 

London Mckuffey: I was nine years old and my parents got me a nylon string Hohner classical guitar for me.

 

Zave Demonte: I think I was 13. My dad is a guitarist too, so I played on his guitars for the first year. He saw how dedicated I was to playing so he got me a guitar for Christmas. It was a J&D Brothers Deluxe model. Looks like a classic Gibson Les Paul.

 

BK Reckless: If I remember correctly, I was 13 years old when I received my first guitar. It was a Fender Starcaster from Costco (Basically, it was a starter kit Strat)

 

Meryl: For anyone wanting to learn, what would you suggest as a starter guitar?

 

BK: It's all up to the guitar player in terms of preferences. I would definitely recommend something that is affordable. Anywhere from starter packs to affordable brand guitars such as Epiphone or Squier.

 

London: There is the theory that all players should start on acoustic or classical to build a proper background. I don't subscribe to this mentality myself, because if you aren't excited about what you're playing, you'll give up, especially in the early stages. If you want to start with electric, go for it! If you're starting out and on a budget, I'd suggest Epiphone or Schecter. Those are the best quality-for-price instruments I've played in my experience.

 

Zave: I play Schecter guitars because they have really great guitars that plays great, looks great, yet still being price worthy. They have a sub-brand called "SGR" which has cheaper guitars that are perfect for starters.

 

Meryl: Through trial and error in your career, is there any of your mistakes you'd warn young guitarists to be cautious of?

 

BK: In specifics, accept that you will make mistakes, use a metronome, be sure learn your scales and theory, take things slow when you're first learning them, and to practice at a good pace. Greatness doesn't happen overnight. In terms of the overall progress and the journey itself, I highly recommend viewing the journey of learning the guitar to progress of professional athletes. You see the amount of time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears they put into mastering their craft for their sport, and comparatively, its virtually no different with guitar (or any other musical instrument.)

 

London: Speed isn't everything, practice with a metronome, and be very mindful of your tone.

 

Zave: 1. Play to a metronome when practicing. It makes you understand

timing and will make you become faster and tighter.

 

2. Relax your muscles while playing. If you stay too strained and tense you won't ever reach top speed (even if you think so) and will eventually hurt yourself. If you learn to play like that you will have a hard time de-learning it, believe me, I know. In worst case scenarios you can get an infection in the arm. So... Relax, kids!

 

3. Don't get signature guitars unless you can afford or already have a standard guitar first. I love my signature Avenged Sevenfold guitars, but when I jumped on the band I didn't have any other guitars so I had to borrow from friends and quickly get other ones.