7 Questions with Laurence Juber
Describe your first experience playing music.
I got my first guitar for my 11th birthday. It was a cheap flattop with a bolt-on neck and a floating fingerboard.
I had to stuff cardboard under the fingerboard extension to make the action playable. There was a book called “Play In A Day” by Bert Weedon, a well-known British guitarist.
It had the melody of “When The Saints Go Marching In” written in notation – there was no tablature in those days. One rainy Winter afternoon I figured out how to read it.
What has been your most significant musical experience?
Career-wise, I’ll have to say playing with McCartney, but that really was part of a much larger musical experience. I try to play in the ‘musical moment’, so each performance can be significant.
What is the best advice on pursuing a career in music you were ever given?
I realized at around age 13 that I wanted to make a living being a guitarist, so that became an all-consuming passion. It was a time and an environment where there were constant opportunities and developing the skills to be a pro came naturally to me. I didn’t truly learn about the business of music until much later. The best piece of musical advice came from an old school jazz guitarist who told me to play ‘big notes’.
What is your favorite sound?
The voice of the guitar itself – there’s a sweet spot where the instrument sings and everything resonates. It moves depending on the style, the tune, the kind of guitar, but it’s there on acoustic and electric. Think of Clapton’s tone on ‘Hideaway’ or Django on anything.
Name some of your biggest non-musical influences.
My wife Hope, who helps me focus my creative imagination. Various teachers of Alexander Technique and meditation. Comedians and actors – performers who communicate with humor and drama.
What is the most memorable concert you ever attended?
Jimi Hendrix at the Albert Hall in 1968. He played there twice in one week – the second was filmed, but the first was magical. He played ‘Red House’ on a white SG custom. Second was the Cream farewell concert. Third place goes to lutenist Paul O’Dette who played at a church in West London in the early 70’s. I had never heard notes spinning out of an instrument with such liquidity.
Put your iPod on shuffle and name the first 5 songs that come up.
The Beatles – All My Loving
Bix Beiderbecke -Davenport Blues
Van Morrison – Astral Weeks
Dave Matthews – Shake Me Like A Monkey
Billy Holiday – Stormy Weather
Visit Laurence at www.laurencejuber.com
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