\	the ANDY ALEDORT interview August 13, 2000 with Joe Matera for

This interview is published with the courtesy of Joe Matera--songwriter, guitarist and freelance writer. Joe's website DiBliss Music provides guitar and bass lessons, the Official Aria/Aria Pro II Guitar Page, recording credits, and interviews with other artists.

Any guitarist who reads Guitar World magazine would know Andy Aledort, from his many accurate transcriptions for the magazine and feature articles. He has also authored many guitar transcription books on such artists as Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, Metallica, Joe Satriani , Stevie Ray Vaughan and Frank Zappa. He is also one fantastic Blues/Rock guitarist who has also played with Albert Collins and the late great SRV. Andy recently got together with guitarist and writer Joe Matera to talk about his transcribing work and guitar playing.

the ANDY ALEDORT interview

JOE MATERA: Tell us about your background, what made you pick up the guitar, your influences, education, bands etc?

ANDY ALEDORT: I was initially inspired to pick up the guitar bcause of the Beatles. I saw them play on the Ed Sullivan show in 1963 when I was 7. But I was interested in the guitar before that, and tried to play it on my own. There was a guitar lesson correspondance course that was taught over television--Laura Weber--and those were the first real lessons I received, which covered folk songs. Then I began private lessons at 12 with a renowned local jazz guitarist named Joe Monk. I studied with him on and off, and began to play in bands at 15. By 1973 I had my own band that played about 30 Hendrix songs, plus Beck, Johnny Winter, Zappa, Trower, Mountain--anything with heavy guitar on it. It was a power trio and we learned all of the songs on our own. We very obviously very into Hendrix.

JM: What are some albums that your playing is heard on?

AA: I play on a record with David Clayton Thomas, the singer from Blood, Sweat and Tears. It's an all-blues record called "Blue Plate Special." I also play on a record by a group called Allstar.

JM: You have been a transcriber for many years with various magazines like Guitar for the Practicing Musician, Guitar and now Guitar World, and have many guitar transcription books under your belt. What does this work entail?

AA: Transcribing is difficult work that takes a lot of concentration--I usually use headphones and I use a switching box which allows me to hear the right or left channel only through both sides of the headphones. This helps when trying to zero in on a particular guitar part. A thorough knowledge of music notation is mandatory also--I've used different books to help me--the best is Music Notation by Gardner Read.

JM: Could you give a run down of a day at the Guitar World office?

AA: I work at home, so I'm not at the office all that much. When I'm there, we talk about the issue at hand and ideas for future issues, and what music is interesting to each of us at the moment.

JM: What is your gear set-up both live and in the studio?

AA: My normal set-up is a 1967 Fender Super Reverb, a 1961 Strat w/rosewood board, a 1966 Vox wah, a TS-9 Tube Screamer, a Boss Super Overdrive and a Hughes and Kettner Tube Rotosphere. I also use a 1964 Firebird V and a 1970 Telecaster. I string my guitars with D'Addario XL 125s (.009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046) and use Fender heavy picks.

JM: You have a new album out?

AA: Not yet--just "Put A Sock In It." I hope to put a new album out within the year.

JM: What was the writing process like for the album?

AA: Some songs go back quite a long way--the main lick from "I've Got aThing About You" was written in 1974. Other songs were written during the making of the album. Each song is a little different. "Buried Summerville" is a song that I dreamt.

JM: Any touring ahead?

AA: No--I don't have a booking agent. But I'd like to.

JM: What do you think of the Internet, and how it's opened a whole new world for guitarists, where anybody can get their work heard?

AA: It's great, but it's still hard to reap any real benefits. But its nice that someone in Australia or China can hear my record and buy it instantly if they'd like.

JM: What has been the highlight of your career?

AA: There have been many great moments for which I am grateful--playing with Albert Collins, SRV,Johnny Winter, Double Trouble, and B.B. King are right up there.

JM: What advice would you like to give to guitarists?

AA: Always work hard at playing, and pour your heart and soul into it. It will mean more to you, and it will also mean more to those listening. Never give up trying to become a better musician and a better player. With hard work, you will reap the benefits.

JM: Where do you think you will be in 10 years time?

AA: I don't know, but I can say where I'd like to be: With my two wonderful kids and wonderful wife, still playing and enjoying it.

JM: Thank you for your time today, Andy.

AA: Thank you!

You can check Andy Aledort out at www.andyaledort.com. "Put A Sock In It" Andy's current CD is available through his website.

Special thanks to Joe Matera for the use of his interview with Andy Aledort. See Joe Matera's website at DiBliss Music where he posts guitar and bass lessons, the Official Aria/Aria Pro II Guitar Page, recording credits, and interviews with other artists.