| 2007-09-11 14:57:26 |
Moderator |
Welcome everyone! Jordan will be joining us at 3pm. Please wait until then to begin submitting questions. The questions will be moderated. We cannot promise to answer all questions, but Jordan will do his best! |
| 2007-09-11 15:06:39 |
Moderator |
Welcome everyone! Please submit your questions. |
| 2007-09-11 15:07:26 |
Moderator |
Jordan, how long did it take to record your new album? And was there a particular synth that you used more than others? |
| 2007-09-11 15:08:11 |
Rudess |
I had a real field day with The Road Home as far as synthesizers go. I relied heavily on my Korg Oasys-Roland Fanotm and Kurzweil 2600 instruments |
| 2007-09-11 15:08:27 |
Rudess |
I worked on the album on and off for a number of months. |
| 2007-09-11 15:08:46 |
Rudess |
Fantom! |
| 2007-09-11 15:08:55 |
Moderator |
Jordan, how do you find the 2-hr with opening format on the recent DT shows as opposed to the Evening With format? |
| 2007-09-11 15:09:17 |
Rudess |
I love it! It still feels like a long set but it gives us a little chance to be more HUMAN! |
| 2007-09-11 15:09:19 |
Moderator |
Hi Jordan! Which Dream Theater songs where most difficult for you to learn written by former keyboardists of the band? |
| 2007-09-11 15:09:37 |
Rudess |
Well- ya know the hard ones like Metropolis |
| 2007-09-11 15:09:43 |
Moderator |
Greetings from Berlin, Jordan! A question: what keyboards do you think have the best piano sounds - those of Roland or Korg? |
| 2007-09-11 15:10:00 |
Rudess |
Honestly I always loved the Kurzweil piano sound! |
| 2007-09-11 15:10:22 |
Rudess |
These days the best piano sound is made by IVORY which is created by Synthogy |
| 2007-09-11 15:10:27 |
Rudess |
it is software |
| 2007-09-11 15:10:29 |
Moderator |
Hello Jordan.. After recreating this wonderful selection of classic tunes on your new album, did you learn any new things about this music even having listened to the tracks for many years? |
| 2007-09-11 15:10:59 |
Rudess |
It was a great experience. I LOVE those songs so much and did learn more about what is really "inside" the music. |
| 2007-09-11 15:11:27 |
Rudess |
For years I would imitate styles without learning specific songs. This was a cool opportunity to make this happen! |
| 2007-09-11 15:11:28 |
Moderator |
Good to have this kind of chat again Jordan! How is the tour hanging on? My question is - how do you keep your sound levels on your equipment balanced? Thanks! -Jure |
| 2007-09-11 15:11:53 |
Rudess |
It's always a lot of programming for me. I'm ALWAYS tweaking my sounds and adjusting levels. |
| 2007-09-11 15:12:16 |
Rudess |
These days things are pretty dialed in though and the show runs smoothly. I have SO many patches that it is a big job. |
| 2007-09-11 15:12:26 |
Rudess |
I'm programming at home right now for the next tour!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:12:28 |
Moderator |
Since you have been in DT almost 10 years now, what is different about your playing style now than it was when you first joined? |
| 2007-09-11 15:13:32 |
Rudess |
I think I have settled down in the sense that I am more of a band player. More comfortable and understanding of just being able to lay back and fit into a groove. I really appreciate groove playing and letting the music settle in!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:13:34 |
Moderator |
How long did it take for you to transfer your old Kurzweil sounds onto your Korg Oasys? |
| 2007-09-11 15:13:41 |
Rudess |
FOREVER!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:14:30 |
Rudess |
I had the help of the infamous Bert Baldwin and he and I tag teamed for a couple of months until the job was done. That was no easy task. Now that it is done- my life is better and smoother because the Oasys is a great tool for this job that I do! |
| 2007-09-11 15:14:40 |
Moderator |
Jordan, we all love your new Zen Riffer and the Continuum. What exotic instruments do you imagine yourself using 10 years from now? |
| 2007-09-11 15:14:52 |
Rudess |
Oh man- I like that question!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:15:13 |
Rudess |
I like the Zen Continuum idea that some person created in photoshop over at MP's forum!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:15:24 |
Rudess |
I'm always interested in new stuff!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:15:26 |
Moderator |
Jordan, if you were to name one thing that every single keybaord out there is missing, what would it be? |
| 2007-09-11 15:16:41 |
Rudess |
Too many keyboards do not have visible controls when playing on stage in the limited lighting conditions. Almost all of them suffer from not being able to see what you need to see while performing. Keyboards should have the dashboard approach. |
| 2007-09-11 15:16:44 |
Moderator |
Jordan, if you could pick only one of your instruments/keyboards/and so on to put on a show with, which would it be? |
| 2007-09-11 15:16:55 |
Rudess |
The Anniversary Voyager is on the right track!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:16:58 |
Moderator |
Do you still miss the missing patch hold function of the OASYS? |
| 2007-09-11 15:17:51 |
Rudess |
YES.... I really want keyboard companies to know that this is a crucial design element and needs to be on the top of the list rather then the bottom as far as making it right. More keyboardists need to express there desire for this musical functionality so they hear us! |
| 2007-09-11 15:17:52 |
Moderator |
Do you have a favorite song to perform live? |
| 2007-09-11 15:18:10 |
Rudess |
Presence of Enemies is a great song to play live. |
| 2007-09-11 15:18:19 |
Moderator |
Which new artists/band have you been into lately? |
| 2007-09-11 15:18:43 |
Rudess |
I'm looking forward to the new Murcof album |
| 2007-09-11 15:19:39 |
Rudess |
I like a lot of newer electronic music like Boards of Canada- Richard Devine- Autechre and of course my love for Prog Rock. Just discovered the Frost album which is quite good. I love Porcupine Tree! |
| 2007-09-11 15:19:41 |
Moderator |
When did you compose "Piece of the Pi?" You said you originally wrote it for Dream Theater. Did you present it to them? How much did you edit for the "The Road Home" version? |
| 2007-09-11 15:20:33 |
Rudess |
I composed the Piece of the Pi tune during the writing sessions of the new DT album. I submitted it to Mike and he loved it although we wrote ourselves out of that whole idea!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:20:40 |
Rudess |
I really did not change it after that' |
| 2007-09-11 15:20:50 |
Rudess |
just happy that the piece had a good home!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:20:51 |
Moderator |
Jordan, what subjects in particular did you study at Juliard? |
| 2007-09-11 15:21:04 |
Rudess |
did you guys all see the free download of that? Don't all answer at once! |
| 2007-09-11 15:21:44 |
Rudess |
I studied PIANO- EAR TRAINING - THEORY- COMPOSITION- less extensively orchestration mostly |
| 2007-09-11 15:21:46 |
Moderator |
We read in a recent interview with James Labrie that Dream Theater got an offer to play in Israel. Is there any process or updates about it |
| 2007-09-11 15:22:13 |
Rudess |
I know that the offers from Israel have come in. I hope that we will be able to get there soon. It is a favorite place of mone! |
| 2007-09-11 15:22:15 |
Rudess |
mine!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:22:28 |
Moderator |
hey jordan :) you're the most amazing musician i have known, and your playing inspires me all the time. anyhows, my question is this.. when was the last time you had music in your head, and it diddnt come out correctly from your head to your fingers/instrument? are we talking years and years ago because of your perfect pitch? its my ultimate goal as a musician, and im getting close, but im guessing with you it must be amazing, to just lay your hands down and have the magic arrive. any tips? thanks weez |
| 2007-09-11 15:22:51 |
Rudess |
Well that is a good/ long question!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:24:25 |
Rudess |
I am always working on my mind to hand connection and it is different ALL the time depending on many factors. Things like if I am warmed up- loose- relaxed- comfortable. If I AM those things the flow of events from my brain tend to come out smoother. It is a life process for sure. There are things that people can do to improve that connection like meditation (even if it is in the form of music) focusing and breathing and studying of course! |
| 2007-09-11 15:24:27 |
Moderator |
Hey Jordan what's your favourite DT unison? |
| 2007-09-11 15:24:32 |
Rudess |
aha! |
| 2007-09-11 15:24:57 |
Rudess |
I like the unison in Blind Faith although JP would hit me if I said that |
| 2007-09-11 15:25:21 |
Rudess |
The reason is - is that it is not laid out that well on the guitar fret board. |
| 2007-09-11 15:25:24 |
Rudess |
sorry JP!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:25:31 |
Moderator |
When did you first start playing guitar? |
| 2007-09-11 15:26:05 |
Rudess |
I started playing guitar when my older brother was taking lessons many many years ago. I was like 9 years old. |
| 2007-09-11 15:26:20 |
Rudess |
I just learned by being a fly on the wall actually |
| 2007-09-11 15:26:22 |
Moderator |
In the making of 'Systematic Chaos' DVD, it seems like you guys had a lot of fun recording it. Has there ever been a time you remember in which recording sessions haven't been fun, whether it be due to a bad track, musical disagreements, or anything else? |
| 2007-09-11 15:26:45 |
Rudess |
yeah, The recording process is a BIG emotional intense experience. |
| 2007-09-11 15:26:57 |
Rudess |
I always go through a lot of "changes" surrounding that process. |
| 2007-09-11 15:27:08 |
Rudess |
Think of it like having a baby. |
| 2007-09-11 15:27:27 |
Rudess |
Of course the changes I go through are very different when I am working on a solo album. Still tough but very different |
| 2007-09-11 15:27:31 |
Moderator |
Hello Jordan! Since you already have so many solo compositions behind your back, do you have any plans for doing some solo shows in the near future? Keep up rocking the world :) |
| 2007-09-11 15:28:27 |
Rudess |
Thanks-= I will try. I want to get out of course and do more solo shows and have many ideas about it. Love to do some solo piano shows like the ones i did before Blackfield as well as electronic/rock stuff. |
| 2007-09-11 15:28:29 |
Moderator |
What's your favorite movies of all time ? |
| 2007-09-11 15:28:40 |
Rudess |
nothing scheduled yet though! |
| 2007-09-11 15:28:48 |
Rudess |
too busy with the DT tour!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:29:13 |
Rudess |
Wizard of Oz with the Pink Floyd sound track. |
| 2007-09-11 15:29:38 |
Moderator |
Hey Jordan, I find whenever I read any interviews with you, your musical influences are very interesting - especially the electronic stuff, like Aphex twin and as mentioned before, Murcof. What is it especially about this sort of music that you like, and do you find it at all similar to your prog influences? |
| 2007-09-11 15:30:18 |
Rudess |
I think that these electronic music artists are VERY prog. |
| 2007-09-11 15:30:38 |
Rudess |
They experiment with sound color and are not afraid to try new things that are very futuristic. |
| 2007-09-11 15:30:54 |
Rudess |
Prog after all should be about moving forward. |
| 2007-09-11 15:30:59 |
Moderator |
Was it difficult learning all of Dream Theaters Songs? |
| 2007-09-11 15:32:05 |
Rudess |
One of the challenges of my life! Keeping all that stuff and all those sound changes in my head. My approach is very different then the other guys who played in DT. I really try to achieve the album sound or something just as sonically cool so there is a lot of work in pre production AND a lot of sound changes to make while playing live! |
| 2007-09-11 15:32:06 |
Moderator |
do you prefer playing live or the process of making music? |
| 2007-09-11 15:32:35 |
Rudess |
I like both. LIVE is very exciting and being in the studio is a very cool vibe (most of the time) as well! |
| 2007-09-11 15:32:57 |
Rudess |
I like tweaking all the synthesizers and creating my own colors and that is a really studio mindset |
| 2007-09-11 15:33:00 |
Moderator |
Jordan, What have you found to be the biggest reward so far in your career? |
| 2007-09-11 15:33:55 |
Rudess |
The amazing relationships I have with wonderful people all around the world and the opportunity to visit so many different countries on our planet |
| 2007-09-11 15:34:06 |
Moderator |
What shall we expect from the new LTE CD which will soon be released and contains the sessions w/o JP during the LTE2 writing process? I am really excited about it! |
| 2007-09-11 15:34:33 |
Rudess |
Mike and I are excited about FINALLY seeing this come out (Oct 23rd by the way). |
| 2007-09-11 15:35:03 |
Rudess |
There are some great jams that were captured between the three of us. I think the album has a lot of great musical smiles on it for everybody~! |
| 2007-09-11 15:35:05 |
Moderator |
Hello Jordan, My question is : In what state of mind do you write music (solo) and with Dream Theater. What inspires you in both worlds? Greetings from Yste Jammers Israel. |
| 2007-09-11 15:35:08 |
Moderator |
Jordan, what are some of the more recent concerts (other than your own!) that you've been to? What did you think of them? |
| 2007-09-11 15:35:28 |
Rudess |
I'm usually incredibly stoned for the writing process |
| 2007-09-11 15:35:35 |
Rudess |
not really. |
| 2007-09-11 15:35:41 |
Rudess |
its a joke people! |
| 2007-09-11 15:36:38 |
Rudess |
Actually I write alot of music when I am half asleep or while dreaming. I find that the music writing head is VERY different for me then the "real" world dealing with everyday life headspace. Doesn't matter how delirious I am- sometimes that helps! |
| 2007-09-11 15:37:49 |
Rudess |
I saw a great BT show a while ago- very
talented man there!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:37:51 |
Moderator |
Do you think it is possible to do every patch you have ever had on your keyboard using only VST plugins and soft synths? If so, why haven't you switched to that completely? |
| 2007-09-11 15:38:46 |
Rudess |
I am not comfortable yet with the idea of just using software. Someday maybe. |
| 2007-09-11 15:39:04 |
Rudess |
I don't think the software is dialed in for the type of live performance I do. Not yet! |
| 2007-09-11 15:39:08 |
Moderator |
what's your pink floyd's favorite song? |
| 2007-09-11 15:39:23 |
Rudess |
I need to change sounds and a lot of them very quickly without
interruption |
| 2007-09-11 15:39:51 |
Rudess |
I love all of DSOTM |
| 2007-09-11 15:39:56 |
Moderator |
Note: Please do not message Jordan directly. He cannot answer questions outside of the chat, and it is slowing him down. Thanks! |
| 2007-09-11 15:40:03 |
Rudess |
thanks! |
| 2007-09-11 15:40:16 |
Moderator |
are DT going to play in M?ico on this tour? |
| 2007-09-11 15:40:33 |
Rudess |
I imagine so but I don't no any specifics yet! |
| 2007-09-11 15:40:40 |
Rudess |
Mexico is a great place for DT! |
| 2007-09-11 15:40:59 |
Moderator |
Did you already read "The Inner Game of Music"? Someone in your forum proposed it to you when you started the "In the Moment" thread a longer while ago. I think JP read it a couple of times, didn't he? |
| 2007-09-11 15:41:17 |
Rudess |
I read it. Very good thinking there. JP and I are really into that. |
| 2007-09-11 15:41:24 |
Moderator |
Are you ever able to use Ivory in a live setting? |
| 2007-09-11 15:42:13 |
Rudess |
YES!@ I used it for all the piano shows I did opening for Blackfield. Sounds incredible. One day I would like to use Ivory with DT but I am waiting for the RECEPTOR to be cooked enough for that to happen |
| 2007-09-11 15:42:29 |
Rudess |
that is a MUSE product by the way. Pretty cool stuff. I think we are close! |
| 2007-09-11 15:42:30 |
Moderator |
What made you decide to start using a Keytar, for lack of recollection of the name of that thing... |
| 2007-09-11 15:43:17 |
Rudess |
Charles Tentindo is the man. He came up with an
awesome design that just looked soooo cool. He showed it to me out in CA while we were in rehearsals and I asked him to leave it with me for the tour. |
| 2007-09-11 15:43:20 |
Moderator |
Do you plan on ever writing lyrics for a Dream Theater song? |
| 2007-09-11 15:43:27 |
Rudess |
zenriffer.com |
| 2007-09-11 15:43:39 |
Rudess |
The lyric thing is a tricky
question. |
| 2007-09-11 15:43:42 |
Rudess |
Because.... |
| 2007-09-11 15:44:34 |
Rudess |
Although I like writing lyrics DT is very set in our ways on a lot of levels and introducing a brand new element like that to the fold might be more than I would like to deal with |
| 2007-09-11 15:44:51 |
Rudess |
I have my hands full (literally) anyway!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:44:59 |
Moderator |
Any plans for a new Rudess-Morgenstein project? |
| 2007-09-11 15:45:37 |
Rudess |
Rod and I have done so much material and I was just talking to him the other day about it. Our schedules have not permitted us to finish sadly. |
| 2007-09-11 15:45:47 |
Rudess |
one of these days we will. |
| 2007-09-11 15:46:02 |
Rudess |
Things like DT and solo albums keep getting in the way!!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:46:04 |
Moderator |
Jordan, where can I read more about your musical journey between the time you got out of Julliard and when you played with LTE? I have not found much about that period of your life. |
| 2007-09-11 15:47:26 |
Moderator |
Jordan's official bio can be found on JordanRudess.com |
| 2007-09-11 15:47:29 |
Moderator |
In addition: |
| 2007-09-11 15:47:37 |
Moderator |
|
| 2007-09-11 15:47:48 |
Moderator |
Here is another bio from M1: http://www.jordanrudess.com/jordan/m1bio.html |
| 2007-09-11 15:47:54 |
Rudess |
thanks Dani |
| 2007-09-11 15:48:06 |
Moderator |
when can we look forward to the next Key Fest? |
| 2007-09-11 15:49:08 |
Rudess |
I want to do another Keyfest at some time in the not so distant future!! Probably plan it when I get off the road after next summer |
| 2007-09-11 15:49:25 |
Moderator |
Jordan, can you tell us how you found the guest artists for The Road Home? |
| 2007-09-11 15:50:28 |
Rudess |
Well a lot of the guys are familiar to the prog community- some great players like Ricky Garcia are newer to our scene. Ricky is an incredible player whom I
discovered when he was a student at Berklee |
| 2007-09-11 15:50:56 |
Rudess |
Marco Sfogli was a Labrie discovery. Awesome player as well!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:51:30 |
Rudess |
I was very lucky to have great players on this album. Dani will post a link for those of you who are not familiar with the other guest artists. |
| 2007-09-11 15:52:02 |
Moderator |
Jordan, can you tell us a little about the future of the OC? |
| 2007-09-11 15:52:32 |
Rudess |
Well we are going to be getting pretty serious in the guitar department pretty soon. Some surprises coming up! |
| 2007-09-11 15:53:31 |
Rudess |
Also I am looking into technology for video treaming so I can do courses with live video and students around the world. If any of you are in that business or have thoughts about the best way to do it- please contact Dani |
| 2007-09-11 15:53:49 |
Moderator |
You can find the full list of guests on The Road Home at: http://jordanrudess.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=566_11778 |
| 2007-09-11 15:53:55 |
Moderator |
What did you think about that you own hero (Keith Emerson) thought your album was so good? |
| 2007-09-11 15:54:32 |
Rudess |
A shout out to my transcribers: Chris Romero- Jordan Baker and Ryan Maziarz |
| 2007-09-11 15:54:50 |
Rudess |
Those guys can hear anything. |
| 2007-09-11 15:55:19 |
Rudess |
I am tripping out that Keith loves my version of Tarkus. What an honor!!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:55:27 |
Rudess |
couldn't be any cooler than that!! |
| 2007-09-11 15:56:29 |
Moderator |
Thank you all so much for joining us in this chat. We will be doing another at 8pm EST. The chat will last around another 5 minutes or so, then Jordan's gotta go! |
| 2007-09-11 15:58:10 |
Moderator |
What prevented you from joining DT in '94? |
| 2007-09-11 15:58:54 |
Rudess |
I had just been offered a gig with the Dregs as well as having a cool job with Kurzweil and on top of that my wife and I had a one year old in the house! |
| 2007-09-11 15:59:45 |
Rudess |
it did not make sense given all the parameters of my life back then. Hey- everything worked out well. |
| 2007-09-11 16:01:01 |
Rudess |
Thanks everybody. This has been fun! I will be back at 8pm EST. Hope to see you then. Thanks to Dani Koesterich for figuring out how to do this and all of the amazing JR supporters around the world. See ya!!!! |
| 2007-09-11 16:01:05 |
Moderator |
Don't forget to check out Jordan's new record, The Road Home, being released tomorrow! http://jordanrudess.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=566_11778 |
