Yngwie Malmsteen recently highlighted the crucial role of recording oneself to improve guitar playing, while also sharing the challenges of performing without fixed setlists.

Known for his relentless dedication, Yngwie Malmsteen rose from the Hässelby-Vällingby district in western Stockholm to become one of the biggest guitar sensations in the US during the 1980s. His commitment to pushing his signature neoclassical style has been a constant throughout his career.

In a recent interview with Guitar Player Magazine (as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar), Yngwie emphasized how essential recording himself is to truly evaluate his playing:

“What I quickly realized was that, in order to really judge where you’re at, how good or bad you are, is to record it. Because, if you sit there and play something, there’s so many things going on; your brain is concentrating on the picking, bending, and all this stuff. So, I will always record, and I realized very quickly that was the only way I could say, ‘That’s good, that’s bad, that needs to be fixed,’ and so on.”

He shared that his perfectionism started at a very young age, recalling that even at seven or eight years old he was already recording himself to track progress. Over time, he learned that everything—from writing and improvising to execution—must be captured on tape.

Although Yngwie is a strong believer in improvisation, he acknowledges that its success often hinges on factors beyond his control. When asked about the most difficult piece he currently plays, he said:

“The thing is… If I know a piece that’s very difficult to play, I’m not worried about that. That’s something I can play it. It’s the improvisation. It’s the unspoiled moment. That I can’t always control that, because that’s got a lot to do with audience response, the sound of the hall. It’s got a little to do with the lighting and the smoke bombs, and all this stuff. And everything has to go right, because you can knock yourself out of the right mode and maybe not be so inspired.”

Yngwie described his mindset during live performances using a concept he calls “tennis memory” — focusing only on the moment at hand and ignoring past or future mistakes. This approach helps him move past errors and continue playing at his best.

He also explained how not having a fixed setlist adds to the challenge:

“I know some people have exactly the same setlist, same solos, same intros, everything. And I don’t do that. That is challenging… It’s like jumping onto a battlefield, you know?”

Yngwie Malmsteen’s insights reveal that disciplined self-assessment through recording, coupled with adaptability and focus, are vital ingredients for mastering the guitar.

At just 23 years old, Robben Ford found himself playing lead guitar for George Harrison’s solo band—a gig many would expect to be a major learning experience. Yet Ford reveals that the musical challenge was surprisingly minimal.

Back in 1974, Ford had already made a name for himself. After moving on from Charlie Musselwhite’s band, he joined the fusion group L.A. Express, closely linked with Joni Mitchell. The band’s core, including Larry Carlton—whom Ford replaced—had played on Mitchell’s acclaimed album Court and Spark. Ford joined in time for the supporting tour, during which he first encountered Harrison.

In April 1974, George Harrison attended one of Mitchell’s London shows. Shortly after, Ford and L.A. Express were invited to Harrison’s Friar Park estate to record with him. They worked on tracks like Hari’s on Tour (Express) and Simply Shady, released later that year on Harrison’s Dark Horse album. Impressed with their work, Harrison took the band on tour.

However, despite being selected to join the legendary Beatle’s band, Ford has since admitted the experience did little to stretch his guitar skills. “The music was very simple,” he told Guitar World. “I don’t mean it negatively—it was mainly cowboy chords like C, D, and G. Just triads, minor and major chords. Nothing challenging at all, so I didn’t learn anything from it.”

Shifting from L.A. Express’s complex fusion style to basic chord progressions was an easy ride for Ford. Still, Harrison had confidence in his playing. On tour, the roles were clear: Harrison sang, and Ford played lead guitar. “There was an absence of input from George,” Ford said.

Despite the simplicity, Ford remembers the tour fondly. Some of his best memories were when Harrison would pick up one of his vintage electric guitars and play alongside him, especially on While My Guitar Gently Weeps. “I really enjoyed playing that song; that’s where George and I traded licks back and forth,” Ford recalled. “Our styles were very different—he played simply with long notes, while I liked playing many notes.”

Though the musical challenge was limited, Ford did gain valuable lessons, particularly about gear. Harrison’s guitars, including his pre-CBS Stratocaster and “Lucy,” the iconic ’57 Les Paul smuggled from Mexico, far outshone Ford’s own Guild Starfire IV. “It wasn’t a very good guitar,” Ford admitted. “I was still learning about electric guitars back then.”

Beyond musicianship, the tour gave Ford significant exposure and boosted his reputation. While he was known in smaller guitar circles, sharing the stage with Mitchell and Harrison elevated his profile. “That exposure really made my career,” he said. “At such an early age, working with those artists put me in a position to play with great musicians.”

Following those pivotal tours, Ford went on to record with Steely Dan—delivering the memorable guitar solo on Peg—and contributed to Kiss’s Creatures of the Night album. He also briefly worked with Miles Davis and earned several Grammy nominations. Although George Harrison’s band didn’t challenge his guitar chops, it spotlighted Ford’s talent and helped launch a lasting career.

After a major 2024 success with Caribou, Dan Snaith is shifting focus back to his side project, Daphni, with the release of his new single, “Sad Piano House.”

This marks his first Daphni release since 2022’s Cherry. The multi-talented Hamilton native shared some insight about the track in press notes:

“I DJ’ed a lot last year leading up to the Caribou album and ended up creating a lot of new music for those sets. I made this one but wasn’t sure about it or when it would be released, so I sent it to Ben UFO. He started playing it, and people began asking me about it. Now, I’ve finally finished and released it. I originally gave it the temporary title ‘sad piano house’ because it’s piano house… but not that kind of piano house. I didn’t intend that to be the final name, but after it showed up in some tracklists and people kept asking, the title just stuck.”

Want to keep your brain sharp? A top neurologist recommends learning something challenging—like piano, which she started playing in her 40s.

Dr. Lara V. Marcuse, codirector of Mount Sinai’s Epilepsy Program, found an unexpected way to boost her brain health when she borrowed her son’s piano lesson book one evening. “I’m a 1980s New York City club kid. I grew up loving house music and never cared for classical,” she told Self magazine. Yet, seven years later, she’s still at the piano—not because she’s an expert, but because the challenge benefits her brain in essential ways.

Science supports this approach. Taking on difficult new skills builds and strengthens neural connections, which may help guard against cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Learning music, in particular, activates multiple brain areas at once, enhancing brain plasticity and memory. A 2021 review in Frontiers in Neuroscience confirmed that playing music improves brain adaptability and leads to lasting structural changes.

The secret isn’t to become a master; it’s about regular practice and pushing your brain. “Just try to do it often, and keep sessions short,” Marcuse advises. Even a few minutes count. Whether it’s picking up a language, painting, or tai chi, the activity must challenge your thinking. Research from 2020 shows that regularly engaging in demanding hobbies lowers the risk of cognitive problems and depression in older adults.

“Everything you do to protect your brain will improve your life,” Marcuse says, noting that piano practice brings “beauty and hope” to her busy routine.

Joshua Ferdman has crafted more than just music—he has restored a sense of silence through sound.

His latest album, Verdant, stands out as perhaps the quietest and most emotionally intimate piano record of the decade. Entirely recorded on location within a forest sanctuary in the Pacific Northwest, the album serves as a meditation on natural rhythm, grief, and sensory healing.

Unlike typical ambient piano works, Verdant integrates organic field recordings—such as falling branches, distant birdcalls, and flowing riverbanks—with subtle, meandering melodies that intentionally avoid traditional resolutions. Each track is improvised spontaneously in response to authentic environmental moments, without the use of metronomes, grids, or edits.

Ferdman collaborated with a small team of audio engineers, utilizing solar-powered equipment, ribbon microphones, and analog tape machines. The final product is a record rich with natural sounds—creaks, hisses, and lingering tones—eschewing sterile polish for a sense of raw vitality.

The album is presented without singles, music videos, or deluxe editions. Instead, it offers a single, extended breath of sound, pressed onto wax, hidden beneath moss, inviting listeners into a unique experience of stillness and presence.

Music legend Billy Joel has been diagnosed with a serious neurological condition known as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), prompting the cancellation of all his scheduled concerts through July 2026. The disorder, which results from an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, can lead to memory loss, impaired vision, and balance problems. The development has shocked fans around the world and cast uncertainty over the future of one of the most iconic figures in American music.

Concerns over Joel’s health first surfaced in February when the 76-year-old singer stumbled and fell onstage during a concert in Connecticut. Although he managed to finish the performance, the fall raised immediate alarm. In the months that followed, close friends and family observed troubling signs of confusion and instability. These symptoms were finally linked to NPH, a condition that, while not instantly life-threatening, can cause irreversible harm if not diagnosed early.

Sources close to Joel revealed that he had been feeling unwell for some time before receiving the official diagnosis. As the demands of performing appeared to exacerbate his condition, medical professionals advised him to step away from the stage. He is currently undergoing targeted physical therapy and has been instructed to avoid all public performances during his recovery period. The progression of the illness and the delayed recognition of its signs have heightened concerns about the long-term impact on his health.

Joel’s wife, Alexis Roderick, expressed gratitude to fans and supporters for their ongoing love and encouragement. She emphasized how fortunate the family felt to have received a relatively swift diagnosis and shared their hope that Joel would recover fully in time. Despite the seriousness of his condition, the family is reportedly focused on healing and remaining optimistic about his future.

Medical expert Dr. Gabe Mirkin, who has not treated Joel personally, explained that NPH often leads to walking difficulties, frequent falls, and cognitive decline, including behavioral changes and memory loss. In some instances, the disorder may progress into dementia. Treatment typically involves the surgical implantation of a shunt to redirect the excess fluid from the brain to another part of the body. However, the success of this procedure heavily depends on the degree of damage already sustained by the brain.

Billy Joel has not made any direct public statements since the announcement of his diagnosis. Instead, he is said to be concentrating on his recovery and spending time with his family. He shares two young daughters, Remy and Della, with Alexis, and remains close with his eldest daughter, Alexa Ray, from his previous marriage to supermodel Christie Brinkley. His loved ones remain hopeful that time away from the spotlight and appropriate medical care will allow him to regain his health.

Although Joel’s music career has spanned over five decades and left an indelible mark on the world, his immediate focus is now on healing rather than performing. His fans continue to stand by him, holding onto the belief that the man who gave voice to timeless classics like “Piano Man” and “New York State of Mind” will once again rise with renewed strength. For now, the stage remains empty, as Billy Joel embarks on a far more personal journey—one that requires all the resilience and grace he’s shown throughout his storied life.