Well, because i listen to so many different guitar players throughout my 14 years of guitar playing, its really very mixed yet staying on the same path. Guitar solos, instrumentals on abit of every genre. Ballads, Hard Rock, Metal, etc. But primarily guitar instrumental music.
2. What are your influences/idols?
Very very long list. lol International as well as local influences all played a major part in creating what i offer today. In 1999, i went to the Jazz festival and was so amazed at the fluidity of Lee Ritenour and Tuck Andress with chops and passages that were beyond what i ever imagined how it should be played, at that point of time. haha I also met Bani Faizal and Raizan in 1999. Totally opened up alot of gaps in my mind about guitar playing. Along the way, I discovered Dream Theater, Andy Timmons, Neil Zaza, met and talked with our very own Paul Danial. who is such an inspiration and influence up till today.
3. Which one song would you recommend to Play Guitar Singapore readers for an introduction to your music? Please provide the Youtube link if possible.
Ah, i have many originals and covers on my youtube, al together about 60+ videos haha some funny ones too haha you can visit my channel and check out all my videos and add me as a friend!! and Sub :P www.youtube.com/dhalif
4. What instruments do you play? And which one of them are you most proficient in ?
I play the guitar and piano. Primarily guitar of course. Had a crash course piano lessons with our very own Mayuni Omar, songwriter, composer. It helps me alot when i write music or ideas to get a different perspective in general.
5. How long have you been playing?
I started when i was in primary 4/5 so that is about 14 years now, and it has been a long long way for me. Still remember the crazy days where i sit for hours after school with the metronome and practice. I STILL do it now when i can clock in a few minutes but its fun to spend the whole day practicing during your schooling days :D
6. For the interest of the bands out there looking for an axe-man - are you currently in a band?
Nope, i am curreently not in a band! haha Time is really hard for me but please do send me an email if you want to hit out and jam \m/
7. Could you list the guitar gear that you possess currently?
It is nothing fancy really, currenly my main guitar is an Ernieball Musicman JP6 and that going through a Line6 POD X3 Live to my KRK monitors at home. and YES i dont own an amp. haha won't disturb the neighbours.
8. Your desert island guitar/pedal/other gear?
well definitely the 2 things, my musicman and my x3 live. wont go anywhere without it.if u look at my recent youtube videos.. i kinda like my sound that way, so thats the 2 devices to get that sound haha:D
9. An age-old question – to you, is tone in the fingers or the gear?
BOTH. Fingers to nail down your basic tone.. sorta like your USUAL tone,, and then GEAR to REFINE your tone. i always believe that.
10. What do you think of the music scene in Singapore?
I think the music scene in Singapore is still growing, it is a culture i feel, in this one big culture you have so many other different sub cultures. But it is nice to see everyone supporting each other. I do gig in Australia often more than Singapore and i would say its different in a way of what people expect to hear from you.They like to hear original music, we like to hear cover music ha ha! but hey.. different culture.
11. How is the compositional process like for you? Do you start with the guitar when you write a song?
Really depends! on one of my songs called The Old New Life, which u can find on my youtube channel started out a vocal melody then converted into guitar lines. But like i said, could start out with a melody, a chord on any instrument, sound or noise i can make. haha
12. Do you compose with any other instrument besides the guitar?
Yes the piano mostly.
13. Do you teach? If you do, where? Could you describe the syllabus for interested readers?
Yes i do, you can contact me directly to arrange schedules.
I just have two categories for students, ones that NEVER played before or touched guitar for the first time which will be learning many fundamentals chord construction and fretboard familiarity, and ones that started shredding the solos which will be focusing abit on fundamentals and more on the acrobats to refine the techniques and work on a even higher level. haha either way we can work something out. Its flexible..
14. Do you think that the internet is a good or bad thing for music? What is your view on illegal music downloading?
Times have changed, as we look more into the future.. many things have become accesible, Good thing is your music gets spread even further and faster. Bad thing is cost of producing it and many people involved in that produce will suffer in financial aspects.
15. Do you gig regularly? If you do, where and when? Sometimes, maybe haha i record more than i gig. Mostly fun gigs.. but all in all just love playing guitar =)
But do check out my facebook i would usually post it up there if i play. =))
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