Many guitarists have tackled covers of my song “Perpetual Burn,” and it’s always interesting to hear different interpretations. I’ve particularly enjoyed Jeff Loomis’ version on YouTube and Alexandra Zerner’s take, both showcasing incredible skill. However, I’ve noticed some players find the intro licks tricky, and that’s understandable. The truth is, I didn’t play them perfectly clean on the original recording.
The reason for that slight imperfection comes down to a bit of a technical challenge in the studio. My amp was feeding back quite a bit between those intro licks. Instead of having dead silence, which wasn’t ideal, I used the whammy bar to manage the feedback and create a smoother transition. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, a way to work with the limitations of the situation. As Marty Friedman wisely said, “A craftsman never blames his tools.” Sometimes, you have to adapt and find creative solutions, even when things aren’t technically perfect.
Many aspiring musicians make excuses for not reaching their full potential. Often, the simplest explanation is lack of practice. It’s crucial to strive for proficiency on any guitar and amp setup you have. However, technical proficiency isn’t everything. Let’s break down those “Perpetual Burn” intro arpeggios.
The first arpeggio is based on a pentatonic scale, but with a couple of notes intentionally omitted: the high G and the lower A. The second arpeggio follows the same pattern, but with a subtle change – each B note is altered to a C. It’s a compact and efficient fingering pattern.
The third arpeggio is a bit more unconventional. It’s really just a sequence of notes that appealed to my ear at the time. I was drawn to unusual note choices that would hopefully surprise the listener and add a unique flavor to the music. This exploration of unconventional sounds is something that has always been part of my guitar playing and composition style.
Why arpeggios? Well, initially, it was simply because I was good at playing them! But beyond that, I discovered their compositional value. Arpeggios are rich; they inherently contain elements of chords, melody, and rhythm within a single musical idea. They’ve become deeply ingrained in my sound and are a signature element of my guitar playing.
Looking back at the “Perpetual Burn” intro, I can tease myself for not achieving pristine cleanliness in the original recording. But honestly, it doesn’t bother me. While clean playing is admirable, and many guitarists dedicate countless hours to it, capturing a certain vibe and attitude is, in my opinion, even more crucial.
Imagine if Jimmy Page had obsessed over perfectly executing every note, sacrificing spontaneity and feel. He wouldn’t be the legendary Jimmy Page we all admire. Of course, we aren’t all Jimmy Page, and there’s a danger in going too far the other way. Many contemporary players adopt a deliberately sloppy style, mistaking it for personality, but without the underlying magic or musicality to back it up.
It’s not always just about endless “practice, practice, practice.” But it’s also not about believing your personality alone trumps the music itself. The ideal approach lies in finding a balance between technical skill and expressive musicality. Both are essential ingredients for compelling guitar playing.
If you’re curious to hear a cleaner rendition of the “Perpetual Burn” intro, closer to my original intention, you can check out the demo version on my CD, The Blackberry Jams. It features a version of this part played with more precision, offering a different perspective on the same musical ideas.
