A: Audience R: Rafael   A: How do you train up your ears? R: You can start by playing a long note on the guitar, then wait and let the note lead you. By doing so, you can avoid automatic movements. Playing a long note is a good way to practice, because you have plenty of time to think in between one note and another. Therefore, instead of you commanding the note, the note is actually coming to you.   A: What kind of role do scales play in a guitar solo passage? R: If there were too many scales appearing in a solo, the theme of the paragraph would be vague. The functions of scales, is to lead you from one place to another, but not a theme. Scales should bring excitement and dynamics to the music. When abused, your audience will be bored. It's just like a dog that is trying to get people's attention. When he barks for the first time, people may think he is cute. When he barks again, people may feel bored. If he barks for the third time, people may think he's annoying. What is in common among great guitarists like Yngwie Malmsteen? Their solos are groovy and melodic.   A: Besides rhythm, what can we add to the music to create a Brazilian feeling? R: Typical Brazilian music is based on the 7th chord and the 9th chord. You can try inversion and extended chord too. To Brazilian's understanding, it's poor if you always stick to the same chord. You can also find the neighbors of the chord. Meanwhile, the melody of the song will decorate and help building your chords. We also pay attention to the application of counterpoint. We have a strong tradition of playing Nylon guitar and by playing that, we learn the basics of counterpoint. Normally parents would buy a Nylon guitar for their kids to learn first. If they're okay with the Nylon guitar, then they'll let them proceed to the electric guitar.   A: I tend to write songs without soul. How do you relate your personal experiences to your music? R: First of all you have to know what you want. Try to picture who's your audience will be. After that, you'll start looking for the right sound. And it will be a lot easier if you like music. When I play a note, I feel pleased. Therefore, it's important to like the music. Writing music is similar to the work of a sculptor. It is rough at the very beginning, but after you've gone through all the processes, it'll be fine in the end. You should look for the structure, shape, balance, as well as the harmony in your final product.