WorkshopLive interview with Pat Johnson
Started: Age 21 in 1991
Education: BA, Environmental Studies Trent University, Ontario
Instruments: Guitar, mandolin and bass
Styles: Roots,
blues
When did you start to play? At 21, I bought my first guitar with my first cheque out of University.
When did you find your voice as a player? I was at a friend's place and put a tape on of me playing, but didn't tell him it was me. He instantly recognized my playing. It had nothing to do with how good or bad my playing was at the time. It had to do with him recognizing MY "voice." I can't say that I've ever found "my voice." I don't have much choice; it's mine whether I like it or not.
How do you keep your playing fresh? When it starts to feel stale, I look for something new to work on. There is an unlimited supply of things to work on.
What do you do when you get stuck? I'll analyze the situation then try to come at the problem from a more vulnerable angle. Or sometimes I just freak out and throw my guitar. Have you heard The Who song "Guitar & Pen"?
What do you still find hard to do? Most everything, guitar is not easy for me. It has been mostly stubbornness and reminding me to be patient with myself.
How often are you surprised by your playing, or what you're listening to, or music in general? Now and again I play a gig where I feel like I'm particularly "ON", I'm feeling good about my playing, singing, rhythm and that surprises me. Wow, look at me I'm a musician and I'm not half bad, who would have guessed? As for being surprised by music in general I can never tell when it will hit me. But I think it may have to do more with my mood and how open I am to the music than to what the actual music is.
Do you have a regular practice regimen? Do you have a practice "tool-kit"? My practice regimen is dictated by the gig. I practice for the gig. Now and again I go in fits of disciplined practice; then I break out the metronome. It sometimes helps me to focus and evaluate my progress. I have a room in my house that I use for practice. I like to play to my tropical fish. As for practicing on the road, I have somewhat reverse engineered it so that if I need more practice I'll book more gigs and it forces me to play more. I play a lot of solo gigs so sitting around the house playing my tunes to myself and my fish only goes so far, I might as well book a gig and have an audience.
Is there a piece of gear you just can't live without? Not really. I tend to acquire gear and hold onto it. So I can't say that I know what it would be like to live without any of it.
Are there one or two core ideas that are central to your teaching that you make sure every student learns? I like to listen to my students. A good question makes for a great lesson. If a student tells me "Yep I get it", that's not good enough. I get them to prove they understand it. I make them play it, or I make them teach it back to me.
Do you find yourself returning to listen to the artists who inspired you when you first started to play? Who are they? My inspiration to first start playing was to write songs. I still very much like to listen to those songwriters. Some peoples CDs I buy upon release are John Hiatt, Tom Petty, Warren Zevon (RIP), I could go on and on. There is an extensive list on my website – check it out.
Does your playing change when you switch instruments? Guitar is the only instrument I had any formal training on, it's also the instrument I first learned. So the way I play guitar is the way I play guitar. Whenever I switch to Mandolin or Bass I tend to just "blast away", not taking myself very seriously and generally having a good time – no pressure.
How often, when you're playing, do you find those moments of pure music, when your head is clear, your fingers are working, there are no distractions, and it's just you and the music? Not very often. It would be nice to think I could sit in my little practice room and play to my tropical fish all day long but that is not the case. My day is filled with phone calls, email, and the general business of running a business, getting gigs, teaching students etc. As a matter of fact, I could probably go so far as to say that I would almost never FIND those moments. I have to MAKE them. Which I do.
What music would you suggest for students? I don't know. I'm not sure what they like. Maybe they can start right here and check out the WorkshopLive teachers. If you know you like rock check out the Rock teachers, if you like Jazz check out the Jazz teachers. Most of us have CDs!!
What are you listening to these days? Do you search out music that's new and unfamiliar to you? I just discovered Randy Newman - not exactly new, but sort of new to me. I've been meaning to give him a listen for some time. There was his disc in the bin so I picked it up. I mostly discover new music from friends whom I appreciate their taste. But I currently have well over 1,000 CDs (not to mention vinyl) and I really should sit down and listen those discs more.
Do you have a musical wish list - other instruments to learn, people to play with, artists or styles to explore? I would like to learn Pedal Steel guitar.
Have you ever had a really great teacher? What made him/her so good? I was fortunate my first guitar teacher was and still is a 200 proof guy. I believe that what made him so good for me was that we got along so well. That may seem silly but I genuinely believe that the rapport you develop with your teacher has everything to do with how well you relate to them. And that's the whole point. Find an instructor you understand and you can learn from them.
How do you learn best? I like to see what I'm trying to do. I seem to learn from books and visual instruction well. However, it is necessary to hear music to put it in context, to get the feel.
visit Pat at www.patjohnson.ca
