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Originally hailing from the small town of Red Oak, Texas, guitarist Nikki Stringfield is a force to be reckoned with. After touring internationally with popular tribute band "The Iron Maidens" and shredding originals with "Heaven Below," Nikki decided it was finally time to release her debut solo EP, "Harmonies For The Haunted." Filled with powerful guitars and driving, melodic vocals, it has already been met with an enthusiastic response worldwide from her loyal and ever-growing fan base. With her second signature model Schecter guitar in tow, Nikki is hard at work on her much anticipated first full-length album.

NIKKI STRINGFIELD Nikki was the ﬁrst professional guitarist I interviewed. She really helped set the tone and trajectory of the book. After speaking with her, I gained a new perspective and outlook for the project. Myself, being a completely unknown person with just an idea and a laptop, I was skeptical and shocked when I received my ﬁrst “yes” response from Nikki for an interview.

What is your background in guitar? I started playing guitar when I was fourteen. My dad was a musician and both of my parents were into rock and metal. My dad got me my guitar, and it took me a little while to play because I was into the Backstreet Boys and all that was popular when I was young. I finally got inspired to play by listening to Nirvana and I never stopped after. I was self-taught. I never really had anybody to play with until I moved to Los Angeles. I don't think I knew any female guitar players until I moved to Los Angeles and then my world opened up when I moved out here. I met so many girl guitar players and now it's like I'm finding out about new ones every day. It's so awesome.

What do you think of the following quotes? “I haven't thought anything of gender playing a role in guitar playing. Guitar playing is for anyone that's interested.”

Whoah, a female guitarist? People ask what the pros and cons are and there's definitely both. When I first started putting up YouTube videos when YouTube was first starting, there weren't a whole lot of people putting up content yet. I would just plug in my guitar and play. I think I was probably one of the first people or girls that started doing that, so of course I got more notice because I was a girl. I accept that because at the time it was like “oh, girl guitar player”, and people would automatically assume that if I played guitar I played acoustic. Which is great, I mean, I love acoustic too, but people would just say “okay, kind of pretty girl, whatever, she must play acoustic or she must be a singer”. So I was constantly having to prove that I could play electric. I can play whatever the guys can play. That's definitely something I have thought the whole time. Like I said, there was never really a whole lot of females being represented as guitar players at the time that I was really familiar with, so people would think “oh, cool, it's a girl, let me check her out!” or it would be automatically “it's a girl, she can't play.” So I’d automatically be written off. Or if she's kind of dressed a little bit sexy then she really must not be able to play. Or “she's great only because she dressed like that.” It's both sides of it and I’ve fought it this whole entire time, unfortunately.

“Just play the damn thing” do agree with both. My dad was super supportive. I was always more of a tomboy growing up, so a lot of my guy friends played and I never really at that time thought about it. There was Lita Ford of course and Joan Jett and people like that, but at the time there weren't any huge female guitar players that I really could look up to. I just thought, “this is what I love to do”, and everybody was cool with me doing it around them. Girls can do anything, if not better.

Is it getting better? I've definitely noticed some changes lately from social media that I've seen. I noticed Guitar World posting a bunch of female musicians now. I think it's changed and it’s being more accepted. With the rise of the internet I feel like it's a lot more accepted. People are finally accepting it more. We're finally making some progress.

Signature Schecter I'm actually on my second signature guitar now. That was a total dream come true. 2016 is when the first one came out. I’ve been playing Schechter since I was fourteen, so well over half my life now. I think they first saw me on YouTube when I was just a teenager playing in my room. Then I started really playing out and doing a lot of shows, so they were like “hey, let’s collaborate and design a guitar for you.” A total dream come true.

Advice for Teachers I went to two different teachers because I wanted to learn theory and I already knew how to play. One of them was kind of a friend and the other one was my Dad's friend. They're both phenomenal teachers, but it would kind of go from “all right, teach me theory” to “all right, let's just jam this song.” I never got what I wanted out of it even though I was already a very capable player. Treat us as equals, we can learn anything. Girls love music just as much and are totally capable of anything.

Being Sexualized Just be yourself. You don't have to get all hot and overly sexy to get on stage to get the attention. Just have the talent, and then if you want to dress up and be sexy, go for it. Do what you want to do because it just doesn't matter what other people think.

What is Being a Female Guitarist, Anyway? The question I get all the time is “what's it like to be a female guitar player?” and I'll say “well, I've always been a female, and I'm a guitar player, so I don't really know the difference.” Hopefully one day that will go away. I saw a funny meme the other day of a girl holding a guitar and a guy holding a guitar and it said “guitar player” under the girl and it said “male guitar player” under the guy. I thought that was funny. Seeing it that way is a little more eye-opening. See how ridiculous that is? If you just close your eyes and just listen to the person, you would never know.

Discrimination That's a big one. It's like it's stuck in people's heads that girls just can't play as good as guys. When I was on tour with my old band, I would try to go backstage and as I'm walking around, they would stop me and say “oh, band members only.” and I was like, “but... I'm in the band.” “Oh, I didn't see. You are a singer?” “No, I'm one of the guitar players, man.” Unfortunately the discrimination is still there and stereotypes that we should maybe “stick to singing” or something.

Physical Challenges I'm small up on my shoulders. My first signature guitar was pretty heavy and my shoulder was killing me. Even though I love it, and I mean, I did design it, but it's a pretty long body, so it does look pretty huge on me. On my second one, I got them to take a lot of weight off because during my two hour set, five nights in a row, my shoulders were just totally slanted from the weight of the guitar. I do have pretty small hands as well. Smaller guitars would definitely have been good when I started out.

College Music I wanted to go to college for music but I didn't know the theory, so I went and played for the professor when I tried out, and he's like “well, you're really good, but you're going to have no life because you don't know the theory.” So, he basically told me “you don't want to do this.”

Advice for Female Guitarists Always do music from your heart and do it for the right reasons. Do it because you love it. I was always very shy. I was the nerdy, goth kid in all the honors classes and I always really cared about what people thought of me. I was always worried that somebody wouldn't like my music or what I did or how I looked. If I could go back and tell myself anything it would be “just do it for you” and you've got to turn it all off in your head and not care what anyone else thinks because it doesn't matter. There will always be people that talk down on you. Doesn't matter who you are. The greatest guitar players of all time, even. There will always be haters. Just do it for you and shut out the negativity. Just keep playing and keep getting better for you.

“Always do music from your heart and do it for the right reasons. Do it because you love it.”

STEPHANIE JONES

Stephanie Jones’ childhood resonated with the sound of music from a very young age. She played many instruments, beginning first with the piano, and progressing to the violin, viola, saxophone and flute. However, it was the guitar with its captivating range of sounds and great versatility that especially appealed to her, and it quickly became her first love. Stephanie Jones is a world-renowned soloist and chamber musician who specialises in classical guitar performance. She is currently based in Germany and studying Konzertexamen at the University of Music Franz Liszt with Prof. Thomas Müller-Pering. Stephanie continues to perform extensively around the globe in multiple tours and festivals, and has released three solo albums; “Open Sky” (2020), “Colours of Spain” (2015), and “Bach, the Fly, and the Microphone” (2009). She is also a member of the acclaimed Weimar Guitar Quartet, releasing their debut album in 2019. Stephanie has a number of devoted followers that span all across the globe, their support shown not only packed concert halls, but also through her online presence. Over all her social media channels she has over 150,000 followers, her youtube channel being one of the largest in the classical guitar world, accumulating more than 100,000 subscribers and almost 11 Million views. Stephanie has also won numerous awards in prestigious competitions, including first prize at the Hannabach Guitar competition, Uppsala International Guitar Festival Competition, and Fine Music Network Young “Virtuoso of the Year” Competition. Stephanie is passionate about sharing her music with others and is recognised as an innovative and deeply musical artist. She plays a 2012 spruce top guitar by Perth luthier Paul Sheridan, a 2020 resonated crossoverwith guitar by Daniel andyoung a age. She played Stephanie Jones’ childhood the sound of musicZucali, from a very double top spruce guitar by Altamira. classical guitarfirst has found a brilliant interpreter in violin, Stephanie many "The instruments, beginning with the piano, and progressing to the viola, saxophone Jones. She delivers a magical sound the deepest musical expressions."Sérgio (2020) and with flute. However, it was the guitar with its captivating rangeAssad of sounds and great versatility that “Her presentation, composure, and lightness of touch were Rarelyherhave the depth andJones is a world-reespecially appealed to her, anddelightful. it quickly became first love. Stephanie energy of Walton’s Bagatelles been so well conveyed.” Guitar Magazine nowned soloist and chamber- Classical musician who specialises in classical guitar performance. She is currently based in Germany and studying Konzertexamen at the University of Music Franz Liszt with Prof. Thomas Müller-Pering. Stephanie continues to perform extensively around the globe in multiple tours and festivals, and has released three solo albums; “Open Sky” (2020), “Colours of “Bach, the Fly, and the Microphone” (2009). She is also a member of the Stephanie was one ofSpain” the(2015), ﬁrstandpeople I reached out to. Her online acclaimed Weimar Guitar Quartet, releasing their debut album in 2019. Stephanie has a number videos are really what caught my displayed of devoted followers that attention span all across theand globe, their support shown what not only packed concert an exquisite player she Asthrough ourher conversation began, I could halls,is. but also online presence. Over all her social media channelstell she has over 150,000her followers, her youtube one of the largest in the classicalof guitar world, right away that she loves craft, butchannel shebeing is also very aware accumulating more than 100,000 subscribers and almost 11 Million views. Stephanie has also won the challenges it brings. Stephanie also inspired the title of this numerous awards in prestigious competitions, including first prize at the Hannabach Guitar compebook. As soon as shetition, said “Just call Guitar me Festival a guitarist,” interrupted Uppsala International Competition, andI Fine Music Network Young “Virtuoso her and said, “That’s ofit! has toStephanie be the title of the book. the That Year” Competition. is passionate about sharing her music with others and is recognised as an innovative and deeply musical artist. She plays a 2012 spruce top guitar by Perth luthier Paul Sheridan, a 2020 crossover guitar by Daniel Zucali, and a double top spruce guitar by Altamira. "The classical guitar has found a brilliant interpreter in Stephanie Jones. She delivers a magical sound with the deepest musical expressions."- Sérgio Assad (2020) “Her presentation, composure, and lightness of touch were delightful. Rarely have the depth and energy of Walton’s Bagatelles been so well conveyed.” - Classical Guitar Magazine

What is your background in guitar? I've been playing classical guitar since I was eleven, so for sixteen years. I grew up in Australia and I studied there, then I came and did study in Germany, where I'm based now. I usually do concerts, a lot of things online, recordings and videos, and I like to play a lot of new music.

What do you think of the following quotes? “I haven't thought anything of gender playing a role in guitar playing. Guitar playing is for anyone that's interested.” “Just play the damn thing” I mean, of course guitar is for anybody, and it would be nice if it was just about playing guitar. “Just play the damn thing”; so that's a nice little mentality but it's just unrealistic. We live in a society that takes these issues into account and I don't think the classical guitar world is some utopia where gender doesn't exist and race doesn't exist. Of course all of these issues exist. It’s very unproductive and a bit irresponsible not to consider these sorts of aspects of the career and the lifestyle. We've got to be better and we've got to take these things into account to make things better for ourselves and for the next generation.

What is being a “female guitarist” anyway? I don't like it when someone says “oh, you're such a good female guitarist.” Just call me a guitarist! I mean, this is different from noticing the issue, unlike the comment that we made in the quote. There's a meme where someone was selling t-shirts or something and they had “guitarist” and then “male guitarist.” It spoke to me on a very personal level. The amount of comments I get “oh, you're such a good female guitarist,” like yeah, I'm a good guitarist. I just happen to be this gender.

Looks I think one of the biggest challenges is the online stuff. Of course you get a lot of strange comments online on your videos. A lot about focusing on what you look like. I get private messages that people want to see my feet... All sorts of things, like really weird stuff. You have to have a bit of a thick skin. There's people that have long arguments about my hair under a video. It's a very exciting topic, apparently. And that’s not the focus, it's not the point of it. I think a lot of people have this “I think women get a lot more focus on things that don't matter as much” mentality. I put a lot of time and integrity and passion into my music playing, and there's a lot of people who respect that, and there's a lot who don't. Then, there's another side to that. There's a lot of people that don't take me seriously because they think “oh, she's just a pretty face,” so they don't even think that I'm a good musician. I think for women, it's more like a prerequisite almost. There’s a lot of guys that can do really well and they don't have to be really careful about their looks. You don't have to be conventionally attractive. For us, it’s almost like to do well, of course you've got to play guitar, but you've also got to put attention into your looks as well. It's not fair that you have to look good and then, okay, maybe you can do well. When people say “oh, she's just a pretty face,” it's like that's the only reason why she's getting so many views, that’s the only reason she's doing so well online. No, that's a prerequisite. I have to look a certain way, and then I know how to play well. I think that's quite annoying. There's also plenty more male guitarists that have more views, more subscribers, more whatever. So this opinion that women get an advantage because of their looks is really frustrating

The Boy’s Club I've been in a lot of instances, and this is not always the case, of course, but there have been times where you're the minority and you're stuck with a bunch of guys, and it's a bit of a toxic environment. They start going into talking about lots of sexual stuff, just uncomfortable things, you know. That has happened to me lots of times. You know that they're probably relieved when you go because they can be more comfortable about it. You just want to be able to belong.

Being Sexualized I've been at a festival before and have been straight out sexually harassed. I'm sorry for laughing, it's just people are persistently inappropriate with you. It's something you have to be worried about. And it does happen. It's good for people to be aware of this. As a public figure in a way, I have to be careful when I'm dressing for a video. I make sure that I think about what other people can see and make sure that nothing nothing comes out. It's an annoying thought to think about, but it's unfortunately part of the experience with posting online and being on social media. I think people should be confident in their sexuality and body positivity. All of this is really good, but I don't want weird comments and messages coming my way, noticing my collarbone, or whatever. I usually delete most of these. (Eye roll)

Representation Because there are less of us and there's less of a representation, there's sort of this competitive environment that grows. I think it's gotten a lot better, but it's still there. Sometimes amongst women, we can also get competitive, which is a shame. When I was younger, I was looking for people to look up to, and then when they don't like you because of who you are... I guess, in a way, maybe a threat? I don't know. It's a shame. There are instances where people sort of have this token female in a festival and it creates a sort of urgency that shouldn't exist. I think that would be solved with more representation. Sometimes people look at a woman and they think they're just generally not as good as the guy, which is… Screw you. There's so much good stuff going on too. There's this Festival in Germany that's just for female musicians. It's just amazing all the stuff that's coming out and developing now.

Discrimination

Compositions

You hear about this sort of stuff and we do experience it. Sometimes men don't like how this person plays because they're female in a competition. It's happened, I've heard about it happening quite a few times. They would never say it to me or to a female player, but that happens. It's a problem. There’s a very famous audition they did for orchestra and they did it all anonymously, and the number of females that got into the orchestra afterwards was much higher. It's definitely something that happens a lot. People associate a female guitarist with not being as good and that's just a reality that exists. A lot of people don't feel this way, but it is for others. It's something we definitely have to take into account and hopefully improve.

I remember in school, they have these posters up and they have this list of “amazing composers” that exist. And they're all all white German guys. And they're still good, but I have not played many compositions by women. That's something I definitely want to change. My plan for my next CD is that I want to do an album completely of female composers. There are so many good compositions out there and there needs to be more commission as well. I do have the online platform so I do have an opportunity to bring these pieces out more. There are really cool compositions out there, they just need the exposure. You just don't know about them.

Small Hands

“You never want to be dismissive of people's experiences, and if you don't experience problems, that's really good. But it doesn't mean it doesn't exist for other people.”

I have quite small hands, and that's a characteristic that, not all the time, but a lot of women do have smaller hands. I think you’ve got to make sure that you if you're teaching or giving fingerings and considering these sorts of things. There's so many little tricks that I've learned and I do that can help me do things that would be helpful to include in a method book. Method books don't address these sorts of things and I think that's a really really good topic to explore and want to see. I mean, there are a lot of advantages to small hands. I think they can move quicker, I don't know, I like to make myself feel better. Maybe agility or something? Small things have more agility right? Sure, we’ll say that. You can adapt your approach, and if there's certain things like small hands, I think you as the teacher should really try to build their confidence and encourage them. Things may be a little bit more difficult and there's less confidence and more insecurities. Just let them know that they can be just as good or better.

What advice would you give to those teaching female guitarists? You never want to be dismissive of people's experiences, and if you don't experience problems, that's really good. But it doesn't mean it doesn't exist for other people. I think we need to make sure we take care of that and prepare people for that. The advice for teachers I would say recommended videos and recordings and compositions by women composers. Make sure that you give that representation to the student because I think that's really important and really motivating. It gives confidence as well. With any student, the good teachers adapt to the individual.

What advice would you give female guitarists or aspiring female guitarists? First and foremost, be kind to yourself, because it can be quite a critical world as an artist. Try and build your confidence. That’s something that can be practiced and that really helps when you get into certain situations. Don't let people make you feel uncomfortable. Perseverance is really important and the sort of balance between these two is a really good way to grow and get better.