Tracy Silverman goes beyond classical music with his six-stringed violin.

“I play the instrument as a frustrated electric guitar,” he said.

The six-string violin has the ability to strengthen its sound like a guitar.

Silverman studied the classical violin at the Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York. Silverman also studied at the Chicago Musical College.

“That was the only genre of music they taught with the violin then,” Silverman said.

His parents enrolled him in violin lessons at an early age. He has not put the violin down since.

“It is always fun to play the violin,” Silverman said. “This instrument is pretty much new.”

Today at 7 p.m., Silverman will perform in the Bridge Lounge at the first Open Mic Night of the semester.

The violinist, composer, singer, teacher and songwriter said he looks forward to his performance tonight.

“It is fun to play at colleges,” he said.

Silverman plans to entertain the crowd with a range of music from artists such as Lord Zeppelin, Santana and Stevie Wonder.

Silverman said he finds his musical inspiration from the works of Miles Davis, Jimmy Hendrix and the Beatles.

Despite being a full-time musician, Silverman also finds time to inspire other musicians.

He currently teaches at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.

“I teach my students rock and jazz violin,” Silverman said.

University Board Members decided to bring Silverman to Eastern after seeing his performance at the National Association for Campus Activities convention.

Matt Caponera, stage director for UB, thought Silverman was the most unique act.

“He was doing things on the violin that people would normally do on a guitar, he said.

Caponera said students should attend the event to see a rare breed of music.

“Rock violin is rarely heard of,” he said. “He plays to perfection.”

Jillian Staley, graduate adviser to the UB, said she hopes for a good turnout for the Open Mic event.

“This is not the normal acoustic guitar playing open mic night,” Staley said.

Staley said there will be a very relaxed setting for all attendees.

UB has ensured Silverman’s needs are met.

“He was a real easy artist to take care of,” Staley said.

Silverman only requested a few bottles of water and a dressing room.

“I was like, ‘Are you sure you don’t want anything else?'” Staley said. “‘Maybe some gum?'”

Silverman focuses on his music, not the perks.

He said he takes pride in his work.

“If you want to make music your living, you have to love everything about it,” he said.

“This takes a lot more discipline than what people think.”

Factbox:

The British Broadcasting Company recognized Silverman as “the greatest living exponent of the electric violin”.

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or jmleggin@eiu.edu.