Black Pick Student Profile: Lincoln Hyde

What are your earliest memories of music?

“My parents played music in the house a lot. My dad was a huge Guns n Roses fan. He also showed me a video of Jimi Hendrix when I was little, I was blown away by him. I think it was something like Purple Haze. It just felt amazing and really inspiring seeing him play guitar. I also remember listening to a lot of Queen songs at that time, I was still very young. Also, my first concert was a Queen tribute band that also covered some Journey songs. I left before they did all the Journey stuff cause I wasn’t into it, really.”

Was there a band or artist that first made you want to play guitar or music in general?

“When I first started playing guitar I wasn’t super committed, but a couple months after I started playing, my dad told me about Black Sabbath and that is what I think made me actually want to get really good. Before that I used to be a fan of the band Green Day, you know that Pop Punk band. I learned a lot of their songs when I first started playing. Queen also made me want to get good at guitar, you know Brian May from that band, he’s an amazing soloist. Later, I found out about The Scorpions. One of my favorite heavy metal bands or bands in the heavy metal “zone.” I heard “Rock You Like A Hurricane” on the radio and I wanted to sound something like that. Also, I really liked Tony Iomi’s guitar playing and Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals in Black Sabbath.”

How old were you when you first picked up an instrument?

“I remember going to a drum store one time when I was pretty young and playing the drums and I really liked them. Also, I would drum all over the place. On the walls, everywhere. I played for a few months but then I stopped playing them, I don’t really know why. I think my parents got rid of it. And then later when I was 12 I started playing guitar. My dad was a guitar player.”

What was your first guitar?

“Fender Stratocaster - My Dad got it for his 40th birthday, I think it was a gift. I kind of just started playing it. It has a white pick guard and I don’t know what the color’s called but it’s kind of reddish/brownish. A kind of sunburst texture.”

Did you have any other music lessons on any instrument before Guitar Ninjas?

“No. None.”

What were your favorite bands or genres growing up? Favorite artists currently?

“I wasn’t really into heavy Metal but when I got into Scorpions I got really into heavy Metal and that kinda stuff. That’s when I got into Guns n’ Roses even more. Motley Crue. Van Halen. KISS. Def Leppard. Then I got into even more stuff like Skid Row and Dio.”

Do you have a favorite guitar player? 

“Eddie Van Halen. So revolutionary. His tapping. Everything. It’s not just his playing, it’s his attitude. Also his guitar, The Frankenstrat. It’s so original, you know? His tone, the “brown sound” - that describes his tone. In fact I actually have one of his amps, a 5150 Iconic Amp… He’s very flashy, not just with his guitar playing - his stage presence is awesome, very flamboyant. That’s what Randy Rhoads did, Eddie was an influence on him and then Randy started using some of his techniques like guitar tapping and tremolo picking which helped shape his signature guitar style. And then what was really unfortunate was Eddie thought Randy was kind of copying his style because he was using similar techniques. A lot of guitar players in the 80s era used Eddie’s techniques. They’re called “shredders,”guys like Steve Vai or George Lynch. If I had to pick a top two or three that’s really tough but I’d probably go with Randy Rhoads or Michael Schenker.” 

How did you discover Guitar Ninjas?

“My dad found Guitar Ninjas and signed me up for lessons. I was kind of nervous, I was not super committed at first. My first instructor was this guy named Walker, Walker Satterwhite.”

What was your experience like during the first few GN pick levels?

“For sure it was challenging. Trying to play power chords and muting strings underneath. I remember learning Jailhouse Rock (Cellblock Shuffle) and I was struggling with that for sure. I couldn’t really alternate pick. And I couldn’t downpick fast without getting a lot of tension.”

Was there a breakthrough moment for you when you felt playing guitar became easier?

“Just practicing a whole lot. I think around Green or Blue Level. I just really started practicing a lot.”

How much do you practice on average? 

“About an hour per day. Pretty much every day. I usually practice in my room. I tend to use tablature, especially for songs I learn on my own on YouTube.”

What are your typical practice habits/methods?

“I use the tabs, Lesson videos and Play Along videos on the Practice Portal. Always plugged into an amp. The Play Along is most helpful personally for me. The count-in click at the beginning helps so I can get right to playing when the song starts. I also like to review the lesson video in case I forget anything during my lesson.”

Was there ever a moment in your journey that you realized or made a conscious decision that you were going to make it to the Black Pick no matter what? 

“Ever since 2 years ago. It was challenging at first but as time went on, it got more and more exciting because my technical skill was increasing and I got to learn more complex pieces, which can often be fun to play.”

What were your favorite songs in the GN course? Most difficult or challenging GN songs?

“ I loved Back in Black by AC/DC. Livin’ Lovin’ Maid by Led Zeppelin. Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix is a really good one. Most difficult? Probably Stairway to Heaven. The solo. I nailed the rest of it pretty well but the solo was exceptionally challenging. Not because I wasn’t playing the notes right… I was playing the notes right but I was trying to get the feel and the precision right.”

Why do you think Guitar Ninjas worked for you as a method to learn guitar?

“I was a beginner. You guys know how to help beginners learn. Somebody who hasn’t ever played guitar before, it’s good at showing them what to do, what chords to play. The basics. You just progress and progress and progress. That’s what learning guitar is. That is essential. Progressing your technical skill level one step at a time.”

How has playing guitar changed you or changed your life? 

“It helped give me a purpose. If I didn’t pick up the guitar, I don’t think my life would’ve been as exciting. I think it makes my life more exciting, it gives me more exciting opportunities that your average person wouldn't normally get. Like playing shows. I’ve played maybe 5 or 6 shows before. I’ve only played at an actual venue one time, but I’ve played shows at home for friends and family and at school by myself. Like last year when I was in 7th grade, I would go to my old elementary school and play entire setlists of songs from my favorite artists. I actually felt really amazing. People get to listen and enjoy it and it enhances the experience.”

What has been your proudest moment with the guitar? 

“When I first learned how to solo and started to be able to play fast. Some solos that heavily contributed to that were Stairway To Heaven and Livin Lovin Maid by Led Zeppelin, Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC and Purple Haze by Hendrix.”

What’s your favorite thing about playing guitar? 

“Writing my own songs and covering songs from my favorite artists. Those are some of my favorite things about playing guitar. My favorite song of mine I’ve ever written is “What We Could’ve Been.” It’s a heavy metal power ballad.”

What is your biggest dream when it comes to music or playing the guitar?

“Playing in a band. Being a songwriter. Being a frontman like a lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of a band. Being a charismatic frontman like David Lee Roth from Van Halen or Paul Stanley from KISS.”

What are you excited about next? What are your future goals when it comes to guitar and music generally?

“Right now I’m trying to get into art school, a performing arts school. I would love to get into acting and be in a tv show or movie. Let’s say Marvel comes out and says “We have a new superhero… maybe one day I’ll get to be that superhero. My superhero power would be electricity. Very AC/DC-ish.”

Would you want to start a band and what would you call it?

“I’ve never had a true chance to start a band but I do have a friend named Augustin who plays drums who I play with occasionally. It went pretty well, it’s just when I think of having a full-on band it wouldn’t be JUST guitar and drums. I would also want there to be bass, maybe even two guitars so there’s rhythm and lead. I would call it Suvari. Named after my sister’s cat. Recently I found out it means cavalry soldier in Turkish. So not only did I get it from a cat - it’s a name with a lot of attitude. Good name for a heavy metal band.”

Do you have any advice for current Guitar Ninjas students?

“If you want to improve your technical skill, I’d suggest practice a lot. As much as you can. Even if it’s just like 20 or 30 minutes. Just practice. Let’s say you’re trying to learn a piece, but you're struggling to get it. You have to keep trying to get it over and over. Repetition. Over and over until you get it. Practice is hard work and I sometimes do see it as a chore but it can also be fun like when I’m learning songs I love, like KISS songs. KISS is my favorite band. My goal was always just to get better. Play faster and cleaner and more accurately, and have more precision. And learn unique flashy techniques. So just practice, a lot.”