Ah! nice to hear from a player who KNOWS!!
BTW, Frank Zappa had a piece called 'The Secret Chord Progression of Carlos Santana', as well!...If you WATCH Carlos play one of those long pieces, then you already know how much of it is bullshit!...I mean he's got his tricks...but hell, ANYONE with that percussion section could just about play anything, and it would sound hot!
If you've ever watched his performance at Woodstock, (after he dropped a hit of acid), he picks up after the drum solo by Michael Shrieve (which he carried the piece), Carlos starts his guitar 'solo'(?)...in the wrong key!! Plain as day....BUT, his finger PATTERN was right..just in the wrong position(fret). You might amuse yourself with that, if you watch the footage!

Back to Zappa...he smoked that one!!..though I preferred his 'City of Tiny lights' and 'Yo Mama', from the 'Sheik Yerbouti' album. My brother, a drummer and in the 'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame' had jammed with Frank, back in the '70's &'80's....Jeez, I'm straying from the thread..but being as you took notice, of what I posted, I thought I'd share that tidbit with ya'!

HEY!!....Super Regards To You!...and for goodness sakes..KEEP PLAYING!!!

GfS