The Spiritual Side of Santana

For real rock fans, Carlos Santana will be most remembered for his appearance at Woodstock and his '70s albums rather than the lollipop music of his recent duets with the likes of Rob Thomas, Everlast and Michelle Branch. Despite being engaged with contemporary artists, however, he isn't a great fan of the Guitar Hero which features some of his music:

“I probably wouldn’t be very good at it, I’d say if you’re going to spend that much time and energy, get yourself a real guitar. If you’re going to make the jump - jump! I’m not into virtual anything, if it’s not the real thing, man.”

He does have some pretty unusual tips for budding guitar players, I think we get what he means though:

“Take the time for 15 minutes a day to visit yourself in innocence and silence, Imagine a new baby that just popped out. See the eyes of this new baby child and you see purity and innocence. That’s what we want to hear in the music.

“When you do that, it’s like gravity disappears and problems disappear. It’s like a blind man remembering the curvatures of woman.

“Don’t ask me what kind of amplifier or strings I use. Ask me what I’m thinking when I’m playing. I can give you the same amplifier and strings, but it will still sound like you.”

He compares his approach to playing with jazz greats Miles Davis and John Coltrane rather than other guitar heroes. Like Dylan and Springsteen, he doesn't like to play a song the same way twice.

“Every sunset and every sunrise is different, they’re the same, but they’re all different. It’s the same with making love: If you’re doing it the same way every time, you’re doing something wrong.

“In the middle of the set, I venture off into the unknown. I know people want to see and hear certain things, but they don’t have to hear them a certain way.”

Santana is currently touring the U.S. with the another brilliant guitarist, Derek Trucks, who also plays with Eric Clapton.

Hopefully Rob Thomas won't be invited!