John Petrucci recently discussed the challenges he faces when revisiting guitar parts he wrote in his youth, noting how overwhelming it can feel at first. However, he mentioned that after some practice, he becomes comfortable with the material once again.
“I don’t want to get too philosophical about it, but we’re all getting older. Here we are in our 50s and 60s. You start to think about the reality of, ‘How much time do we have left?'” Petrucci reflected, explaining Dream Theater’s reunion with Mike Portnoy last spring. He emphasized that no one involved wanted to fall into a “Roger Waters—Pink Floyd situation.”
Despite the passage of time, the band’s chemistry and musicianship remained as strong as ever, as evidenced by their successful 40th-anniversary show. Petrucci, however, admitted in a recent interview with The Prog Report that diving into guitar parts he wrote decades ago requires some preparation. “I don’t have a problem remembering the arrangement. It’s trying to wrap your fingers around what you might have done when you were 25 or 30, doing it when you’re 57, and having to relearn it,” Petrucci shared. He explained that this process requires reworking certain techniques that he may not have focused on in a while, though the parts themselves come back to him easily unless he’s unwell.
Petrucci also spoke about the overwhelming feeling that comes with revisiting deep cuts from Dream Theater’s catalog. “What’s interesting is that when I hear a Dream Theater song I haven’t played in a while, it’s hard for me to imagine playing it. It feels almost overwhelming, like, ‘Oh my god, I have to go back and learn this! What did I even play, and how did I do it?’” However, he continued, “Once I start, it all comes back. I’m like, ‘Oh yeah. Oh, wait! I remember that!’”
While initially daunting, Petrucci noted that it becomes easier with time and practice. When asked about his ideal superpower, he jokingly said, “If I could have any superpower, it would be to always be able to play anything at any time without having to relearn it.”
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