I learned a lot about lead; you don't have to blow your cookies in the first bar. It is much harder to be simple that to be complicated during solos.
From a technical viewpoint, I have certain things I'd like to present in my solos. To do this, I have to get the right material. It has to swing, and it has to be varied.
I don't dictate the solos and I don't dictate the vocal harmonies.
'Even Flow' is the best to play live because of the long solos. It starts out slow and builds, and, depending on what the audience does, I can reflect that in the solo.
Learn to play the piano, man, and then you can figure out crazy solos of your own.
I love classical music; I love the way it's worked... all those chord sequences so I often use that sort of effect in my solos.
It's always fun to improvise. What's weird is that when you're recording, you're by yourself, for the most part.
And I've always loved playing solo.
