Q&A: Sarah Biernat rocks out on the strings

Rocking out on three different string instruments is how Sarah Biernat, 20, likes to spend her free time. She plays electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and the ukulele. She attended Huntley High School, McHenry County College and will be transferring to Northern Illinois University in the fall. Here are the questions I asked her about her musical talents.

Dreamereamer Blog: What made you choose instruments from the string family over any other family?

Biernat: It was just kind of something I gravitated towards. My dad plays it and he used to pull out his acoustic when I was little. They’re definitely easier to pick up and more accessible than other musical families too, and since they’re used in modern music it’s a go-to for a lot of people, I guess.

Q: When did you start playing the instruments?

A: I got my first acoustic when I was seven but didn’t really get into playing until about a year ago. I picked up the ukulele first last February because I got an idea from a classroom observation for a class at MCC to use live music in my future lesson plans; I knew ukulele would be more kid-friendly, and then within a month or so got committed to guitar. So, I picked up the ukulele with a purpose at first, and then it became a hobby.

Q: Do you prefer the electric or acoustic guitar? Why

A: Depends on my mood. I play a lot of punk music so electric fits the mood and tone of those songs better, but a lot of them translate well to acoustic. Since the only real difference between the two guitars is the string material and hollow sound, you can play one song on either. Since I recently got a new amp, I’ve been using my Telecaster (electric) more.

Q: Do you perform for others or is it more of a hobby?

A: Haha that’s funny. I don’t have that confidence. I play in my room and if I can tell my parents may be able to hear, I stop playing if that tells you anything. My friend, Jon does open mics across McHenry County when there isn’t the covid and he’s so good at playing guitar it motivated me to do better so I can gain that confidence.

Q: Are your parents supportive of you playing them? I know some can get cranky about the loudness

A: My parents love it! My biological dad is the musically talented one in my immediate family, my mom enjoys it, and my stepdad, Andrew, is equally as passionate about music as the three of us. Before typing this actually, I was sitting outside with Andrew listening to different styles of reggae, good times.

Q: What is your favorite song to play?

A:Favorite song to play is ‘One Trillion Dollars” by Anti-Flag

Q: Why?

A:Because, one they’re one of my favorite bands, two its got a great message, and three it’s something I picked up pretty quickly so it’s just become a staple.

Q: What is the hardest song for you to play?

A: The hardest song I can play in full probably “Blue in the Face” by Alkaline Trio

Q: Why?

A: Simply due to its palm muting and I suck at palm muting when it comes to muting only specific strings so there isn’t any open, unintentional sound. For instance, for most of the song I only need to hear the 4-6 strings, so I need to palm mute 1-3 strings otherwise it sounds really messy. I love the song nonetheless and besides ‘One Trillion Dollars,” it’s a favorite to play. The hardest song I’ve been attempting to play is “Ace of Spades” by Motorhead and it’s challenging because, well, it’s heavy metal with punk influences so it’s really fast.

Q: For those that may not know, what is palm muting?

A: You take your palm and lay it on the strings near the bridge of the guitar (bottom part) when strumming to create a muffled effect.

Q: If you can learn how to play any song, what would you choose?

A: I have a few I wish I could just pick up right away: Of Peace, Quiet, and Monsters by Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room (beautiful fingerpicking rhythms), The Breeze by Dr. Dog because it puts me in a good mood every time I hear it, and Scott Pilgrim v. My GPA by Mom Jeans. It’s just another acoustic track I love by a band I love. Oh! And literally, any song off Remo Drive’s record “Greatest Hits” because it’s one of my favorite albums I’ve listened to in 2020.

Q: What instrument do you hope your kids play one day? Do you want them to follow in your footsteps?

A: If my kids played guitar that’d be incredible, but I won’t force them to do something they don’t want to do. I don’t care what they’d play as long as they were passionate about it. My kids will be raised on an eclectic taste of music though so who knows if that will do anything to influence their choices.

Q: what is your favorite kind of music to listen to? Favorite band?

A: I listen to a lot of punk, some hip hop, a generous amount of indie, and reggae. I have a lot of favorite bands but to simply: Alkaline Trio, Anti-Flag, Mom Jeans., Remo Drive, and Rancid have been on repeat the most lately; so all are either some form of punk or emo. A close follow up is Dr. Dog for most listened to in the last couple of months.

Thanks for reading and thank you, Sarah, for the interview,

Elisa Reamer

“We must Remember How fortunate We are in the first place To exist On such Heavenly Soil.”-Heavenly Soil, RH Fowler

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