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Is Petrucci a Nowhere Man or Street Fighting Man? Read on and find out (© David Atlas/Retna Ltd./Corbis)

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Dream Theater's John Petrucci admits that he chuckles inside when he reads the hyperbolic terms that have been applied to him over the years.

"'Guitar god,' 'shred monster,' 'axe genius'...I mean, I know people who are genuine 'guitar gods,' and believe me, they can play me under the table."

So how, then, would the Long Island musician prefer to be known? He thinks for a second and laughs. "'Pretty good picker'! I don't know. I just do what I do the best I can and hope people show up for the gigs and buy the CDs."

Currently, Petrucci - that pretty good picker - is on tour with the rest of Dream Theater (which also includes vocalist James LaBrie, drummer Mike Portnoy, bassist John Myung and keyboardist Jordan Rudess) in support of the band's 11th studio album, Black Clouds & Silver Linings.

Does the six-song album (yes, you read correctly: a couple of the tracks clock in at over 16 minutes each) contain moments of six-string derring-do? More than you can shake a whammy bar at. Petrucci winged most of his solos - the album was written and recorded in the studio - but those occasions when he was "somewhat perplexed at what to do next" seem to have added spark and spontaneity to his technical precision.

Last week, Petrucci checked in from Madrid, Spain to answer questions from MusicRadar readers - and one very important one of our own.

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Nacho says, I'm a 17-year-old from Argentina who's trying to decide what to do with my life. I've been playing instruments since I was 11, and I would really like to become a professional musician. I would like to ask John if he ever doubted becoming a musician and what he would do for a living if he hadn't become one?

"To answer the second part first, I have no idea. I'm kind of a one-trick pony. [laughs] Basically, I know how to play guitar. So that's a tough one to answer. But I never doubted myself.

"One of the keys to success is, you kind of have to have tunnel vision - you have to do everything you can to achieve what you want to do. I had that at an early age. I think it's important. You have to be extremely focused. Whether you want to go to the Olympics as a gymnast or have a successful rock band, it requires the same focus. You can't be distracted by doubt."

The next question comes from Ritchie (Blackmore) Randall -

"Nice!"

Ritchie wants to know what was the most important thing that helped you play clean and technical rhythms and solos?

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