Regardless of leaving Deep Purple, the passing of his spouse, and a extreme arthritis prognosis, superpicker Steve Morse continues his musical path with Triangulation. It’s a sonic feast on which Morse delivers the fireworks.

How did the challenges you’ve confronted have an effect on the way in which you composed songs for Triangulation?
I’m solely writing what I can do (laughs). So long as the melody is there, I’ll discover a technique to play it. On “Tumeni Partz” are a number of components the place I do a flurry of sextuplets. Relatively than write in accordance with what can be greatest as a composer, I wrote it for what can be greatest as a participant. It’s a extremely lengthy tune at a quick tempo, however I used to be capable of make it fall extra simply onto the fingers.

Earlier than your arthritis prognosis, had you written belongings you couldn’t carry out?
“Tumeni Notes” is precisely that. I set the bar a little bit too excessive. It was actually arduous to maintain up these chops. With evolving arthritis, I began having points with the cross-picking components on the finish, that are 10 occasions more durable than the primary half. They turned the weak hyperlink.

Most guitarists discover each little bit of “Tumeni Notes” inconceivable to play (laughs).
It’s a great selecting train (laughs), all the time has been for me as a result of it entails a little bit little bit of every part – linear selecting within the first half, single-note arpeggio selecting within the second, and a pleasant up-tempo solo. After I write now, there’s extra space. The one actual change is that the quick reverse selecting figures are restricted in tempo to what I can do. With the fixed-wrist selecting I do now, I can nonetheless play quick tempos and sextuplets. It simply needs to be organized on the strings a sure method so I can get each observe clear.

How do you course of hardship?
The primary time I noticed a three-legged canine, I keep in mind feeling sorry for the canine. However the canine was comfortable. He doesn’t know there’s an issue. He simply performs. He can do something. He couldn’t win a race in opposition to a four-legged canine, however he may take part in life and carry on going. At any time when I get discouraged, I maintain searching for methods. Identical to the three-legged canine, you gotta make it work, and it does.

I’m on my technique to an oncology clinic to get radiation for my arthritis. I’ve tried nearly each remedy, and I’m nonetheless making an attempt. I’m discovering methods to play. If there’s music inside you, you’re going to discover a technique to specific it with all of the nuances we’d like in an effort to make the music attraction to folks. The issue is training. After I do gigs, I am going past the ache threshold. It’s no drawback since you’re being motivated in an enormous method. The issue is, what are you able to do each day to maintain your chops up? If that entails ache, you’re most likely not going to stick with it for the remainder of your life. I just about should keep away from ache after I observe and do what I can. To take care of tremendous chops, it’s important to observe.

Listening to you and Eric Johnson play collectively on “TexUS” is such a deal with.
He’s such a terrific, immaculate participant. After I first heard him within the ’70s, we have been enjoying gigs collectively. I felt there have been kindred issues occurring, musically. I’ve all the time appreciated Eric’s enjoying and his affect.

You and John Petrucci even have nice chemistry.
When folks heard him a long time in the past, it was apparent he had mastered the electrical guitar. He retains getting higher in all areas. I heard him enjoying at his instructing camp. His command of the instrument has gotten higher; it’s arduous to fathom how good he’s. I’ve all the time tried to do what he’s doing, however I by no means bought to that degree. I’m amazed.

Are you utilizing any new gear?
I’ve been utilizing my new Engl Signature 20 amp. I used my Engl Signature 100-watt with Deep Purple, The Dregs, my solo stuff, and Flying Colours. It may well get fairly loud, so I wished one thing that was small that I may carry round. I can swap it from 20 watts to 5 watts to 1 watt. I can play it by means of audio system, and it has a speaker emulator and a direct out. I can put it in my suitcase. I additionally use it for recording. It offers me a distinct sound than the 100-watt. – Oscar Jordan

This text initially appeared in VG’s January 2026 challenge. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.