Quotes from John Petrucci

By adding open strings to even the simplest chords, you can create voicings that sound sophisticated, but are really easy (and fun) to play. They're practical, not intimidating, and most certainly don't sound like 'jazz chords.'

It's amazing how well real strings blend with metal, like that whole sound.

I do remember one of the first great experiences of going to Europe was playing in Rome hearing the people sing our music so loud. It was louder than the music we were playing.

When we tour in America, the shows are great, and the fans are just as passionate and excited as anywhere else in the world, but in other parts of the world, in parts of South America and in parts of Europe and Asia, the size of the venues and the amount of people we get at concerts is considerably more.

I've been fortunate to work with companies that I endorse because I love their gear. Whether Music Man, Dunlop, or DiMarizo to me these companies have supported me in such a way that's invaluable.

Before you start a practicing regimen, you have to be aware that the study of music is a lifelong process-it's a discipline. And the key to mastering any discipline is consistency.

Sometimes just allowing yourself to noodle without any structure will enable you to stumble upon great new ideas, culminating in creating your own distinct voice on the instrument.

Dream Theater music, there's a lot of background and context to the songs, as far as the subject matter and the albums they come from.

Just because something is melodic or catchy doesn't mean that it doesn't have depth and substance and progressive sensibilities.

Obviously the best way to retain the most profit is to not give any of it away. That's something that you certainly learn through the years.

Just because you have developed the craft on your instrument doesn't mean that you don't have the ability to be expressive emotionally on that instrument, or vice versa.

Music is great, because you can do that pretty much until you drop.

For me, it's always easier playing with a drummer.

There's successes you have in your career. For me, for example, as a guitar player, as somebody in a band putting out albums, the success that we have in our field and how we're viewed by our fans; that type of success means more than anything to us.

I see every new album as an opportunity to start over. To either build or improve upon a direction that has been evolving over time or to completely break new ground.

Songs come alive every night and can be a new experience for someone. You might have someone in the audience who has never seen us before and hearing it for the first time. We are aware of that.

I know we play a part in the story of progressive music, but for us those influences are the real fathers, the ones that we were interested in.

I think I'm a father, but a father of three kids! :)