We’ve just uploaded our interview with Terry Syrek to the Cracking the Code platform.
This interview is a revealing conversation about an elite player learning to live with a condition that severely affects his playing: focal dystonia.
We’re interested in learning more about musical health and the sorts of injuries guitarists face, and we were glad to have the chance to sit down with Terry and hear what it’s been like for him adapting to life with this disorder. He’s both a great player and a humble, friendly guy, and we hope you enjoy hearing his story.
You can find the full interview here:
And here’s some additional detail about Terry and the interview, if you’re the yes-please-I-want-to-read-all-the-words type! —
Terry is not only an incredible shredder, but a vocalist, producer, writer, and instructor. He’s been recording and releasing music for decades, and has performed alongside such legends as Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci, and Zakk Wylde. He studied at Berklee, and has over 20 years of teaching experience.
He also has focal dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that affects the motor control of his fingers and limits what he can play. It’s not well understood, and there’s no magic bullet treatment. Terry visited a number of experts to try to figure out what was going on, and his diagnosis was just the start of learning to live with a new reality.
While it’s altered his relationship to playing the guitar, this condition hasn’t entirely quelled Terry’s virtuoisic chops, and it certainly hasn’t dampened his musical creativity! In this interview, we learn how Terry found ways to continue to write innovate, virtuoso prog guitar excursions despite his dystonia.
The conversation ranges from Terry’s time studying at Berklee, and the rigors of professionally competitive practice schedules at a top-tier music school, to his journey of self-discovery and healing after being diagnosed with this condition.
Years ago I took lessons from a piano teacher who believed that dystonia and similar problems were the result of misuse of the body – problems with technique. The theory involved came from Abby Whiteside and Sophia Rosoff. The basic idea was that smaller levers – the fingers – were attempting to do work that should be done by the larger levers – the upper arm.
Pianists who tried very hard to make everything legato – making muscular, finger connections between notes – were the ones who tended to have problems. Pianists with superior technique – Art Tatum, for example – have fingers that “never move,” an illusion caused by letting the upper arm be in control of distances.
On the guitar, David Leisner is an example of someone with similar ideas, who managed to cure his own focal dystonia.
Hey guys, I’d just like to say thanks for watching the video I did with Troy. I had a great time, despite the heavy topic. I appreciate the support and kind words more than I can say! I’d also like to thank Troy, again, for having me. You guys are in good hands, here at this site; Troy is a fantastic player and educator!
-TS
Great to have you here Terry. I really enjoyed your interview, some fantastic playing. It’s incredible that you’ve overcome your problems in the way you have. Hope you’ll be featuring in future Code material at some point!
I think your comment on the last paragraph about believing you can do something is significant. Not just in guitar playing but in every facet of life really.
In my late 20’s -early30’s I found myself in a rut. I was working a mediocre job with a mediocre car and mediocre apartment. I was drinking pretty heavily and I was quite overweight.
One day, seemingly for no reason out of the blue I took a long hard look at myself and finally realized that my current path was one I wasn’t meant to go down. I BELIEVED I was meant for more.
I got some help for the drinking, i put myself through truck driving school, got myself to the gym and actually a few years later competed in a bodybuilding competition. I didn’t win the whole thing but I still came home with 2 trophies.
Today I’m married to an amazing woman, have a great job, drive a nice vehicle, own my own home and have tons on quality musical gear…all because I believed I could.
The power of the mind is undeniable.
Thanks, TheCount! Happy to be around, as I can, and thanks for the kind words.
And Gtrjunior… thats fantastic, man! Big highfive to you and much respect.