"HeYaaaandy!" - Steve Vai Riffing on "The Moon and I."

Here's a clip of Steve working on some riffs from his latest track, "The moon and I." Get it here... bit.ly/cKsscR and download the PDF booklet (I designed it) that details how "The Moon and I" came about. The song features an amazing solo & Steve takes a minute to show us how he did it. I hope you enjoy this video. -Andy

[@Raygon84]

After I saw this video I realized the most beautiful thing. A lot of people don't like Steve for how technical and complex his playing is. They interpret it as him trying to show off. But as you can see in this video, he's the same alone as on a CD or on stage. Same guitar treatment, same facial expression, etc. He plays for himself and when he's on stage he shares it with us. All the flashy elements from his performances are none other than a result of who is. He is not trying to please anyone

[@virtuosodm3327]

Exactly what i wanted to say about this candid look into who Steve really is

[@brucesguitardemos8197]

He’s genuinely genuine ❤

[@SiGoes]

Yessss❤

[@lilcbeats1995]

For some reason I keep coming back to this video year after year. The sound of that guitar always returns to my mind. Steve Vai is such a gift to us all.

[@TheAbb0t]

Dude, christain bale should totally play him in a movie !

[@woodsy555]

Dont look welsh enough o_o

[@PistisSophia.1]

@@woodsy555 Vai is Italian-American.

[@ejat9059]

No steve Vai should be Batman.

[@smashingpumpkin1986]

"Am I in trouble?" :D Steve is a cool guy.

[@Freezaen]

"It needs work." Steve is so humble... I LOVE YOU STEVE!

[@go1988]

I realized this the first time I saw him live. He doesn't play notes, he celebrates them, it's like the notes flow through him, he lives through the notes he playes. There are so many technically stunning guitar players, but I never saw someone so truely passionate about each single note.

[@ThePlushInterior]

"I just kinda sit & work on it for a long time, and then the right things will start coming out"... what a great work ethic... great inspiration.

[@ollisto]

Steve, great as always!!!

[@BozKiller]

I love that!!! beautiful atmosphere.

[@royabelrh]

Great work Andy you rock!

[@sjtg]

Those opening chords to "The Moon and I" are honestly the most beautiful sounds ever created on a guitar.

[@mporettim]

Steve has one of the most recognizable sounds ever.

[@EdwardPizzo]

ok im jealous for the first time in my life the thought of being able to walk in on Steve Vai talk with him and just listen to him play is absolutely amazing , if theres a way to teach teach him nunchucks so i can meet him, i would do it in a heart beat.

[@agent19kentuckypotbaron15]

Hey, I need someone to teach me nunchucks. I can trade you some lessons in naked dance.

[@stitcha123]

I can teach you how to poo into a hat?

[@NickAndrewsGuitar]

This is so cool....a glimpse of greatness at work!! Mr. Vai is the man!

[@davtones]

i love the colors on that guitar!!

[@tvtuber12]

amazing riff steve just like always....you never fail to impress

[@masanag703]

I will always love his music, and his creativity!

[@kdenn71]

Thanks I love seeing the creative process in action. Inspirational!!

[@andrewsonfire]

love that jem.. amazing.

[@arnaud360]

amazing!!! I love your JEM ! And I love you!

[@vaifan7]

Love it! and his cool collie hanging out too.

[@showmyoface]

This video is just another reason I enjoy Vai's music...very cool!!!

[@SGCespedes]

INCREIBLE!!

[@Lovely_Lizard]

We want more videos like this, gives us a different feeling of Steve Vai and plus is like we get to hung out with him for a while, and who doesn't like to hung out with the person you admire. great video.

[@FFXGuitar]

I bought the track about 2 weeks ago. Amazing stuff! Some of the sounds that Steve creates on the guitar I couldn't even imagine.

[@carbonfreeze6635]

That was so cool to see a master working with the instrument in a humble way to discover new ideas and techniques with a vague idea of where it might lead. It's inspiring to see you in experimental mode, that space half between making music and enjoying playing the instrument to see what it can do. I hope you can do some more surprise videos! In many ways it's more inspiring than the finished piece!

[@JCVTHESPIRIT]

this is my favorite youtube video! i always wanted to see this! its perfect! i love you steve!

[@jesusani]

well done Andy gr8 vid as always mr. Vai himself the best

[@BrodyCobb]

I love you Steve Vai, thanks for the inspiration.

[@FenderRobMan]

Whatever job you have is flippin awesome.

[@creativeguitarstudio]

That was cool.

[@dvmarcilio]

Steve is just awesome. I´m very glad that we are able to keep hearing his music. Not just hearing but experiencing it. Can´t wait till he comes here again so I can attend to another EVO experience, pretty cool.

[@RayPluton]

I really dug this! This just goes to show that talented genius is bolstered by hard work. Thanks for posting.

[@Ballardmusic]

What amazing sound!!!😍

[@pabdala7777777]

Steve never ceases to amaze!

[@trex257]

DEAR GOD THAT WAS AWESOME!!! PLEASE Andy, PLEASE give us more of that type of stuff!!!!

[@rpgavan]

Very cool! I love that after all these years, Steve Vai still gets excited about the guitar...how inspirational is that?

[@robonez]

Very Cool! Steve Vai keeps it fresh and original. Amazing player!

[@KennethRMullins]

You always are on the edge of everything which is cool on guitar ! I loved the riff and pulling up the bar on the last note of the riff on each string...very cool !!!

[@shadowsong1]

i love how natural and unguarded he is before he notices "Andy" is there - he's just riffing around - exploring some ideas

[@Jedizen07]

Every note he plays here has its own " zip code. " Absolute zen focus can produce magical results. Amazing. Thanks for this, Steve and Andy!

[@christianbispo1]

you're a incredible man cause i know that you have been live for the world guitar and for it i'm so grateful...thank steve for your representation in this life! feel yourself a man accomplished

[@MrCroMega]

The first minute of this video is gold. The rest is, of course, superb. I wish more videos like this were made of Steve Vai.

[@Kramermanhimself]

always amazing :D

[@didiermermet-projetevolution]

Nice too see you working, trying, shearching ... 🎶🎸

[@fletch2u]

totally awesome! Steve is phenominal!

[@DRAGIANNI]

great! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE,once again! :)

[@Tubyboulin]

I like Andy; I want to see more of him :D And Steves playing was awesome as usual. A really cool video.

[@bvkwekpkpkwogkg]

Awesome!!!! nice job!!

[@gorethem]

Great sound as always. Even messing around is so artistic.

[@tfox922]

Love this! Awesome.

[@Joebuddha]

Thanks Steve. It's really inspiring to see you go through the same trial and error process as the rest of us.

[@thefaceguitar]

I could sit and grab a popcorn and keep watching this all day :D

[@slyde6784]

This is awesome

[@Zorron93]

i love the way youu play thats clean notes ...

[@stratblooz1]

in my opinion, relevant to my musical taste, the best guitarist on the planet today. More importantly this video shows him to be kind and compassionate......... makes this one of the best clips of Steve Vai i've ever seen.

[@FloridaChuckBlack]

brave and inspiring to see an artist in the middle of working on something that is not where they want it to be. Steve shows that being a genius is a LOT of work. Thanks for sharing Mr Vai...12 days to the ORLANDO MASTERCLASS!!!!! Please peek in at Jemfest...that would totally rock all of our lives.

[@VaiGarden777]

nice video.. steve is the best!

[@TheMetallkylling]

Hes just so in the zone :D Its awesome!

[@superagnitio]

great stuff!

[@SamBrockmann]

I want more of these.

[@jimmyttt]

Awesome video and cool desert sun yellow JEM!

[@Ghop7577]

this is a great video!!

[@VLombardi01]

Sounds cool!!

[@JohnnyMbGood]

It's nice to see Mr Vai chillin' like some mere mortal on the guitar !!!! ;-)

[@mickaellenel]

good to see the guys is still try to be creative after so many years of playing !!

[@garrethdavis]

he is so humble its incredible

[@CammedFox]

LOVE seeing steve still jam on the original Jem 777. the DY is my dream guitar. some day i'll own one.

[@tubesoupio]

I just got mine! 1987 DY #8705xx...complete with original palm-rest :) Hope you get yours one day!

[@olegen77]

Thank you very much Steve!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@wwnc]

Vai is absolutely outstanding guitarist and musician, watching him play like this, i'm really impressed

[@wolfgoddess48]

that some fantastic playing

[@SteveVaiHimself]

@Keimatsu Haha! I survived, this time... -Andy

[@markrushing23]

Ever get any music from fans Steve, just random written music that someone has written thereself, rythem and solo parts...

[@markrushing23]

Never played with anyone, but I'm will to put my own stuff just for laughs out there, it in a minor. Bs-1, ce-3 & dd-3. All a minor

[@markrushing23]

Anyway, hey, thanks for the inspiration, you and Joe.... Cool clan.

[@frankbraker]

what a great time to be alive!!!

[@72chevelle156]

That was cool. It was almost like hanging out with Steve Vai for a moment.

[@Soundillusions94xyz]

Those riffs at the beginning while andy is talking are beautiful, specially the ones just before he walks to where Steve is at. Steve gets the most amazing sound ever, I mean, who gets that type of sound in their life? I wish I could get that type of equipment to get that sound so clean and polished, beautiful, it's all the legacy amps and the beautiful jems.

[@ShreddFly]

That! is really cool !!

[@useapen]

That Was Awesome

[@fccctorres]

it is a cool camera!! creates a really cool effect with the focus. cool

[@Dothreban]

Holy Shit! The thing Steve was doing with the Octaves was freaking unbelievably amazing! I'm going to go play my guitar right now and try it! You have an amazingly gifted musical soul Steve. Thank you.

[@tvtuber12]

i purchased this song a couple weeks ago....so amazing

[@ticklesitter]

The master in his chamber of solice, words can't describe how awesome this is. Light that fire Steve :D

[@spencerrr321]

wow even when he is just jamming he still blows my mind! steve he seems like such a chill guy, i would love to hang out with him

[@HugoManriquez]

Increible , simplemente el mejor

[@martinhapes]

Woow....I love this guy......I always think that he is the best.

[@pkerlover]

so clean

[@steviez33]

Happy Birthday Steve!!

[@AdamLeeGuitarist]

I love that camera! I'm after a 7D soon, too! So cool! :-) Steve, you are embody all that is associated with the mastery of your instrument. What awesome licks! Loving Moon, too! :-)

[@shreddidawg]

Great idea. Unreal. The strings tuning while moving. Only you can pull that off let alone think of it.

[@Sawlon]

So cool ... I love the dog also! I have two collie's, both brothers. Thanks for sharing!

[@Soundillusions94xyz]

And one more thing, when i see him play and improvise and connect with the instrument the way he does in this video, I start to try to picture Steve in his younger years when he was a teenager practicing for so many hours learning guitar. I picture him practicing scales, chords, rhythms, music, theory, so many things that have to do with guitar and music, and now look at him, his hard work paid off, but that picture in my head is very interesting, and now to see this.. wow..

[@nocolopa28]

HOW AWESOME!!! He seems like a nice guy, Steve that is ^-^ I so love him I've been listnening to he's music ever since I was born

[@Demka03]

On a late night, im sitting here, trying to improvise, find some ideas. And im so sucks. But then im watching videos like that and realize, that there it is... There is the momentum. Insparation is not so far, than it seems. Steve, i love you.

[@fergonza_03]

beautiful

[@StarlinkTrader]

Whoa! Way cool.

[@frankblackburn]

Happy Belated Birthday Steve!

[@lemop]

i love to see people practice when they think thy are alone! its amazing, pure undisturbed thought :) great vid!

[@AyanTheChosenOne]

That camera is the best!! Reminds me of the office for some reason. I demand a TOUR of Steve Vai's house!!!

[@chewymids]

As a 777DY owner I'm pleased to see Steve will still grab one of these from time to time. Great little film.

[@vobbl4275]

We love u steve!

[@nauldokinha]

He's my hero! I have no doubt about that!!!