Yngwie Malmsteen Quotations

Yeah, I figured that out myself. From listening. I would have learned a lot quicker if I had someone to show me that shit. But I don't think you can be taught to be creative. It's like a computer. The computer will give you what you put in it, you know, or make an equation or something. I shouldn't talk about computers, I don't know anything about them. But you don't get out of it more than you put in. Basically that's what I'm trying to say. I think you can get pointers, but I don't think you can learn to be a complete musician. That has to come from within. And it entails a lot of sacrifice.

This was a huge, huge undertaking. I composed this concerto from the ground up. It took about two years total to compose, but there were interruptions when I was touring and making rock albums,

I'm completely stunned that the DVD came out as great as it did. There was some greater power watching over us. It was a huge challenge, ... We only had about a half day's rehearsal and were supposed to film for two nights but only did one night. I also did all my playing by memory without the score in front of me. Maybe the crazy circumstances made it better.

I don't personally know Michael Angelo or his music, but regarding contests and who is faster or whatever. It doesn't interest me. Trying to determine who picks more notes per second is ridiculous. What is important is the quality of the music and how well it speaks to fans who love it.

The classical world is a completely different planet from the rock world. But I was welcomed with open arms by the orchestra musicians. I walked into their world, they didn't walk into mine. Once I worked with them they were very impressed and I gained their acceptance.

The classical realm is dying because nobody cares about new classical composers. My concerto suite was an injection of something new,

I'm working on guitars for free, because I love working on guitars anyway.

My mom really wanted me to be a musician so she gave me a guitar for my fifth birthday, but I didn't start playing till I was seven.

The only thing I ever really wanted was a Strat .. I started playing guitar after seeing Jimi Hendrix on TV the day he died...then I got Deep Purples' Fireball album which was also a big influence .. I have a collection of more than 200 of them that includes Strats from every year since March 1954 - the first month the Strat was made

I wasn't very big on going to school. I tried to get a gig as a luthier.

I've always been heavily influenced by classical music, mostly by baroque music.

I don't think you can learn to be a complete musician. That has to come from within, and it entails a lot of sacrifice.

What I think is the most important thing to learn about any instrument is the basics of music. Learn your ABCs before you write a Hemingway novel.

Fast is only cool if it's melodic and has substance.

... Ritchie Blackmore was a huge early influence on me, but after that I had to find my own way ... Johann Sebastian Bach was probably the most influential guy ever on me ... Vivaldi, Beethoven and eventually Paganini ... all of a sudden I was thinking in all these other areas, instead of blues riffs ...