I do perform live on stage as a guitar or bass player in rock bands. My instrumental songs have never been performed live on stage, though - as far as I know. Except for "To the Havens" which I did perform live with the German rock/metal band "Taranis" and with vocals and lyrics from our singer Andy Kamp.

It's a great medium to present your music to a large audience. And that is what every artist wants, isn't it?

Of course I would. I can't think of any other way to get your stuff into the charts right now.

I started to record my own music in 1985, with a guitar, a keyboard and a simple tape recorder. Later, when I earned my own money, I was able to buy some better equipment and do it more professionally. I was serving in the military then, and some comrades listened to my music and asked me to copy it for them. That's how it all started.

Yngwie Malmsteen, Helloween, Angra, Heavens Gate, Rhapsody, Blind Guardian, Boston, Mike Oldfield, Queen, Van Halen

My own boat somewhere at sea or in a quiet harbour.

I used a PC with MIDI software and later harddisk recording software, a Yamaha MU 80 sound module, a Roland S 50 and an 8 track tape recorder (forgot anything about it).
I also always used guitars with different multi effectors, and sometimes a bass.

Well, just don't expect high quality recording. All of my songs have been recorded at home with affordable (thus quite simple) equipment, not in expensive studios, and of course without any help from professional sound engineers.