Hey there, fellow guitar enthusiasts! Let me take you back to the 90s when I first picked up the guitar. At that time, my heroes were Paul Gilbert and the guys from Mr. Big. I was all about those lightning-fast solos and intricate riffs that made you want to practice until your fingers hurt. But as I got deeper into the world of guitar, I started hearing about other shredders like Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci of Dream Theater, Tony MacAlpine and many more. These guys were on another level, pushing the boundaries of what was possible on the guitar.
One day, flipping through a guitar magazine, I came across a name that piqued my interest – Andy Timmons. Unlike the other shredders I followed, Andy had this cool bluesy vibe to his playing that I hadn’t explored much. I was curious to hear what he was all about. Being a fan of Ibanez guitars and discovering that Andy uses them, I became even more eager to listen to his music. Most bluesy players I knew tended to favor Fenders or Gibson Les Pauls, so I was curious to see how Andy played his music.
When I finally listened to Andy Timmons, I was blown away. His bluesy style wasn’t just about speed and technique; it was melodic and soulful in a way that really spoke to me. I couldn’t believe how he could make the guitar sing with such emotion and tone. The note choices he used in his solo lines were very melodic. I remember thinking to myself that I wished he had an REH instructional video, like many other players did back in those days, because back then, there were no YouTube videos. It was all about the VHS REH videos to see your guitar hero. From that moment on, I became a huge fan of Andy Timmons. His music resonated with me in a way that few others had. But it was one particular song, "All Is Forgiven," that really grabbed me.
The first time I heard "All Is Forgiven," it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. The guitar solo was detailed and full of emotion, with beautiful melodies that stayed with me long after the song finished. I immediately downloaded it and i remember i have used limewash back in the days. Listening to that song over and over again, I started to understand why Andy Timmons was such a respected guitarist. It wasn’t just about playing fast or showing off; it was about telling a story with every note. "All Is Forgiven" became my go-to song whenever I needed a boost of inspiration.
Discovering Andy Timmons and his music taught me that there’s so much more to guitar playing than just technique. It’s about expressing yourself and connecting with your audience on a deeper level. Andy’s ability to blend technical skill with emotion has had a lasting impact on my own playing style.
After many years of exploring the YouTube world and watching numerous great players, I always find myself returning to Andy Timmons' music. His playing remains my go-to for melodic sounds. Though I can't play like him, his ideas inspired me to prioritize melody in my guitar solos. I've realized the importance of balancing melodic expression with the shreddy stuff I've always enjoyed.
So, whether you’re just starting out on guitar or you’ve been playing for years, I encourage you to explore Andy Timmons’ music. You might just discover a new perspective on what it means to truly rock out on the guitar.
Make sure to watch the video above; it's the live version, and I'm thrilled that he decided to perform it live. I couldn't find any other live footage of that song on YouTube. It's a great thing and brings back memories of my teenage years when I first started learning guitar. Rock On
Philippians 4:6
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.