Guitarist Xan McCurdy Reflects on His Experience with Joe Satriani
Xan McCurdy, the guitarist of the band Cake, reminisced about his time studying with renowned guitarist Joe Satriani. He shared that the teaching method utilized by the master did not align with his musical personality.
Disagreement on Study Approach
In a recent interview with Guitar World, McCurdy explained that the disagreement over the study routine ultimately weakened the relationship between student and teacher. According to him, Satriani was deeply focused on technical proficiency and speed, aspects of playing that did not capture his interest at that time.
Lack of Musical Relevance
McCurdy expressed, “I felt like he was trying to build an army of shredders, passing me things that were nonsensical, not musical at all, but merely finger exercises. It wasn’t even about practicing scales; it was just about making the hands flow and achieving maximum dexterity. And that was not what I wanted.”
Musical Shift and Influences
During his early years, McCurdy aimed to be a hard rock musician to impress his brothers. However, he quickly developed an interest in British sounds and the style of Chuck Berry, as well as the blues genre. This shift in musical direction eventually distanced him from the meticulous technical rigor proposed by Satriani.
End of Lessons with Satriani
“I stopped taking lessons with Joe Satriani—and by the way, he doesn’t even remember it. I didn’t have many lessons, and he didn’t like me because I didn’t practice enough,” he revealed. “Later on, I met a guy who just smoked a joint and said, ‘Alright, what do you want to play?’ It was a much more relaxed environment,” he joked.
Joe Satriani and His Renowned Students
Joe Satriani is widely recognized for having taught several influential figures who significantly shaped the guitar landscape in rock and metal. Notable names who attended Satriani’s classes include Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett from Metallica, Alex Skolnick of Testament, and Larry LaLonde from Primus.
McCurdy’s Career with Cake
Even without adhering to Satriani’s advice, Xan McCurdy has established a solid career as a guitarist for Cake, where the emphasis has always been on feeling and good taste in melodies rather than on extreme technicality.
