John Petrucci

Biography, Composition Histories & Listening Guide

Biography

John Petrucci Is…

World renowned GuitaristSingerSongwriterFounding Member of Dream Theater

Origins…Born on July 12, 1967Raised in suburbs of Long Island, NY.Started playing at the age of 8.

Early Progress…Finished High SchoolAttended Berklee College of Music in

MassachusettsCreated the band Majesty with Childhood

friend John Myung, alongside Mike Portnoy.Later with band members Kevin Moore and

Chris Collins the band would change their name to Dream Theater.

Influences…RushIron MaidenYesSteve HoweSteve VaiAl Di MeolaYngwie MalmsteenAllan HoldsworthSteve Morse

80’sCollins (Singer) was replaced by Charlie

Dominci which didn’t show much more success.

Release of first album in 1989, “When Dream and Day Unite”.

90’s…New lead singer James LaBrie joins the band.Release of second album, “Images and

Words”.Growing popularity despite Seattle based

rock music popularity and growth.Petrucci instantly recognized for guitar skills,

hailed alongside his inspirations such as Steve Vi and Joe Satriani.

Petrucci’s Notable Awards and Recognitions…2007 Guitarist of the Year. 2010 Best Metal Guitarist.2010 Readers Choice Awards poll.Three Platinum and Two Gold Album

certifications with Dream Theater.Over 17 Dream Theater releases.

Petrucci’s Side Projects…1998 Liquid Tension Experiment.1999 Liquid Tension Experiment 2.2000 started own record label, Sound Mind

Music.First release – “An Evening with John Petrucci

and Jordan Rudess” – Acoustic-instrumental live concert.

2005 First Solo Release, “Suspended Animation”

Today…44 years old.Married to wife Rena with three children;

Samantha, Reny and Kiara.Enjoys family, movies, eating out, skiing.Lives in Long Island.

Composition HistorySong: Lines In The SandAlbum: Falling Into Infinity

Background…Forth Dream Theater studio album in 1997.Members: Mike Portnoy (Drums), John

Petrucci (Guitar) John Myung (Bass), James LaBrie (Vocals) and Derek Shernian (Keyboard)

Minimal success compared to previous albums, “Awake” (1994) and “Images and Words” (1992).

Negative Influences…Attempt to divert from darker sound of

“Awake”.Record label pressure.Record label want more commercial album.Record label recruitments of various

songwriters.Ending result: Dream Theater felt as if they

were losing a grasp on their creation.

Lines in the Sand…Religious connotations.Story of a person who is missing something

in their life. Fills void with organized religion.“Lines in the Sand” can be referred to Jesus

drawing lines in the sand before saying “Those who are sinless, cast the first stone”.

Continuation…The song continues to take the person away from

religion and back to the previous life he lived beforehand.

The individual starts to question if Christianity is really the answer.

The bad thoughts are brought out of the closet and are sewn on his sleeve so they will not be able to hide anymore.

Patrucci expresses his disproval and disappointment with organized religion and the lost hope due to the corruption within the system.

Timed Listening Guide…Song: Lines in the Sand

Written: John Petrucci

Performed: Dream Theater

Link (Enjoy): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZQdloRniuI

Part 1…00:00 Intro - The song starts off with a long one

minutes instrumental where the melody’s pitch is ever changing as the songs lowness and highness kept shifting.

1:20 Verse 1 – As the song continues there are no lyrics to be heard and the tempo keeps rising as the progressive metal starts to pick up.

2:51 Verse 2 – As the lyrics start the tempo and timbre remain subtle like the singers voice and the harmony flows well.

3:21 Chorus 1 – The song carries a emotional sound of help from the singers voice as we know the person in the song is struggling with certain life and religious issues.

Part 2…3:38 Verse 3 – Petrucci’s guitar takes on what is practically a

solo as the dynamics is without a doubt at its strongest point in the song.

4:22 Chorus 2 – This course has the same dynamics as there is a sad depressive sound to the singers voice which really gives a good feel for connecting with the emotion of the lyrics.

5:03 Verse 4 – The dynamics are once again on the rise as the guitar is killing it, making the blood race as the song is building up. The song continues with more backup vocals from Petrucci.

5:44 Chorus 3 – If you had never heard this song before one would think the song was winding down to its end as the dynamics completely drop and the song is entering as if the “next phase”.

Part 3…7:35 Chorus 4 – Like in chorus 2 the tone of

the song is almost saddening as the singers voice is soft and low and accompanied by the same type of playing of the instruments.

8:06 Verse 6 – The vocals are put to the test as the sound is more high pitch and extended all the while the dynamics which accompany it are quieter than usual for this song. 

9:47 Verse 7 – The song repeats the same verse from verse 2, as if to bring in a conclusion for the end of this wonderful song.

Ending…10:04 Verse 8 – A darker melody as the

keyboard is highlighted more than any other part of the song.

10:43 Chorus 6 – High dynamics with a great timbre and nice melody.

11:24 Verse 9 – Wrapping up the song the lyrics and instrumental playing is repeated as it was in verse 3.

12:05 – End. - The character of the song where earlier verses and Choruses are brought back around again gives the song a good finish.

Bibliography…

"John Petrucci Biography." Danang Fadian | Dnx Rockabilly Zone | Chords, Tabs , Lyrics, Chord Lagu Terbaru, Lirik Lagu Terbaru. 23 May 2009. Web. 27 June 2011. <http://danangfadian.blogspot.com/2009/05/john-petrucci.html>.

Prato, Greg. "John Petrucci Biography & Awards | Billboard.com." Music News, Reviews, Articles, Information, News Online & Free Music | Billboard.com. Web. 27 June 2011. <http://www.billboard.com/artist/john-petrucci/bio/94438>.

 The Official John Petrucci Web Site. Web. 27 June 2011. <http://www.johnpetrucci.com/>.

"SongMeanings | Lyrics | Dream Theater - Lines in the Sand." SongMeanings | Welcome. Web. 28 June 2011. <http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/83744/>.

"Dream Theater | Progressive Religious Ideas." Webs - Make a Free Website, Get Free Hosting. Web. 28 June 2011. <http://www.freewebs.com/inferno_coombsie/linesinthesand.htm>.

 

References…"Dream Theater | Progressive Religious

Ideas." Webs - Make a Free Website, Get Free Hosting. Web. 28 June 2011. <http://www.freewebs.com/inferno_coombsie/linesinthesand.htm>.

"SongMeanings | Lyrics | Dream Theater - Lines in the Sand." SongMeanings | Welcome. Web. 28 June 2011. <http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/83744/>.