Steve Vai's Unbelievable New "Joint Shifting" Technique

[@StevenSiroVai1]

Hey Tyler, Vai here, (really). This video is outstanding. Thank you so so much for posting it. There’s nothing that lights me up more than to see someone find inspiration in something I do. I know that feeling because I’m inspired by so many. Your enthusiasm here is palpable. A few things about the technique. I don’t think the idea of it is unique. As many have posted here, they have been fooling with it. And there are many other incredible guitar players that have employed something like it. I have seen Jerry Donahue’s name come up and oddly enough, I was never familiar with him, but I checked him out for the first time a few days ago. Yes, he’s doing it and much more! Perhaps differently but the concept is there. But we all have a different way of approaching a technique and Candle Power was my way. I had the technique in the back of my mind for decades but never focused on it because it requires a guitar with no whammy bar, which as you know is very unlike me. Then some years ago I heard Doug Rappaport. Check him out, incredible player. He does this thing that sounds like he’s using a slide, but he’s not. So smooth and elegant. Although what Doug does is a different type technique, that’s when I heard the potential quality in this joint shifting technique. The reason I call it “joint shifting” is, I discovered the best, and only way, to play a riff like this is to approach the string with the tip of the finger and bend the note at the top joint so only the joint moves and not the whole fingers. Getting the independence together and keeping intonation is the real bitch as you pointed out. I used Ernie Ball 10-42 strings. Any lighter and the integrity of the width of the tone suffers. The more difficult example of this is in an earlier part of the song. On youtube version that would be at 1:21. I believe I can say, that’s the hardest riff I ever attempted, but I got the gold on it. It’s important to note that the reason the riffs even happened the way they do is because I was following my inner ear for the melody. Doing things for technique sake usually comes out sounding that way, like a technique. But I always strive to make it sound like a piece of music and that requires the listening to the inner ear. The melody and song are always first for me. It’s obvious from some of these posts that the song and the technique, and me in general, are not the taste of some folks. That’s fine. I’ve learned that that’s to be expected. How could it not? Everyone has a different perspective of the world in general, not to mention the music and artists they like. But I have always found that diversity is the zest of life. I would love nothing more than to see other aspiring guitar players see this, be inspired by it, and take it way way beyond what I’m doing. Sort of as if I would have discovered this when I was in my 20’s and developed it for 40 years. But I guess I was working on other things back then and have to rely on my 60 year-old self to do this for the first time. It would be nice to have 40 more years to tweak this technique and develop it myself. Then I believe you might see some truly amazing things. But evolution is inexorable, especially in the guitar community. I enjoy seeing that too. I’ve just replanted some seeds. Based on all the other things I have on my plate, it’s unlikely I will take the opportunity to develop this technique to where my mind can actually see it go. But that’s what handing it off is all about. It’s not my riff, it’s our riff, all of us. Oddly enough, I'm not a huge fan of country music, as is evidence in my entire catalog. I don't believe there's even one song that resembles a conventional country type song. The moment you take a clean sounding Strat or a Tele and start plucking with the fingers, it will have a country type sound to it. I love great country style picking guitar players. All the ones mentioned here, but I never felt compelled to play anything like it, nor did I feel that way when composing this song. Any country sounding reference is because of the parameters I set up to play the song, not because I was trying to emulate country sounding guitar playing. Why? Virtually every country player I know destroys me with that technique. This was the first time for me. With your wonderful consideration of bringing things like this to your fan base, you are doing us all a great service. You are the oil in the engine my friend and we are all grateful. I’m here for you. All of you. I am at your service really. I have always felt a brotherhood of sorts with other guitar players. We are in this together. Now come on all you players, It’s your job to raise the bar far higher… if you dare. Deep appreciation Tyler. You are killin’ it my brother! Steve Vai

[@Brian_Dean-O]

Happy Birthday, Dude! Now what's your secret to looking 20 years younger than you are lol. Saw you in Tulsa a few years ago (maybe been longer idk) at the Cain's, truly one of the best concerts ever. Come back sometime and please For the Love of God talk Joe into bringing this next G3 tour to Tulsa!

[@hotblackdesiato3451]

Happy birthday Steve - You should check out Jerry Donahue's album Telecasting. Just imagine what he could do if he had a whammy on there too!

[@shannonm7981]

Wow, I've never seen such a high profile musician comment on a video, especially as humble & in-depth as this. I now have even more respect for you, which I never thought I could give as your already one of my top inspirations as a guitarist & I listen to your music everyday. Thanks for being such a humble & down to earth guy who has inspired me & millions of others & revolutionizing electric guitar forever.

[@lallas92]

Yes! I was screaming “Jerry Donahue!” at my screen! Love Steve. Love Jerry.

[@shannonm7981]

@@whalewinner6328 it seems legit. It's an '09 account & hes commented on one of Rick Beato's videos. I could be wrong though.

[@josiahp.6960]

Maybe if he'd used that against Ralph Macchio, he would've won.

[@johnnybrown9581]

It was fixed

[@Miguelplaysguitar]

crossroads was phenomenal

[@chunkymonkey5458]

Johnny Brown nah he lost fair and square

[@sailen7298]

Its much harder to fake your lost though 😆. Funny comment

[@lutfiramly4168]

nah.. ralph macchio would use double joint shifting technique

[@lizarrrdbeth]

My uncle died two weeks ago today. He was my guitar hero. We would play 2 to 3 times a week on Zoom. He was diagnosed with cancer and in less than a month he was gone. It's so cool to have a guitar community like this, and people like Tyler who show you things because who do I have now? I have all you guys.. so thank you Tyler!! Keep up the good work! You make a difference.

[@GodsUnrulyFriends]

May the Creator grant your Uncle peace.

[@gabycapoirizarry]

So sorry about your enormous loss Beth. If it's any comfort, I think people that are connected to music leave traces of their life and soul in music, that can be found throughout time at pleasantly unexpected synchronized moments in life. I agree with the common artistic belief that we are a collective soul. May your uncle find peace and rest as he dwells in the space of souls we all draw inspiration from.

[@mrjebadia2582]

Sorry for your loss He will always be with you

[@chrisking6695]

@@gabycapoirizarry there's no such thing as a soul. The best answer is we don't know. Stop claiming certainty on a subject we can't even properly examine because it's said to be of supernatural origin.

[@gabycapoirizarry]

@@chrisking6695Lacking much on comprehension, aren't we? I said "I think".

[@jimmynorris]

This is a pretty common technique in country guitar trying to sound like a pedal steel. Via has of course taken it to a whole different direction, and is top notch. His use is so exotically melodic.Very, very cool.

[@belpack8989]

I was going to say this. Vai, great as he is, did not invent this technique. As you say, it is used in country music.

[@TomoFujitaMusic]

Wow! Really really hard!!

[@uncleNito]

hi Tomo! :D

[@carternevill]

Steve Carell is giggling right now😅

[@Jamsville]

Next step: combining joint shifting with tapping

[@johnnybrown9581]

Combine joint shifting with sweep picking

[@angadgianirogers1844]

Unpopular opinion but muted sweep picking sounds like farts. Especially on a clean tone.

[@fragtagninja1633]

@@angadgianirogers1844, I'm not huge fan either.

[@birdb0i327]

the random asian: I´M FUCKING WORKING ON IT

[@NivanSharma]

Joint shifting with legato

[@punksnotdead4314]

STEVE VAI IS 60??????

[@Nightshade1881]

Yup he’s looking very old these days :(

[@Shevchenko_DBR9]

Punks not Dead Yeah

[@chunkymonkey5458]

JAM Guitars that means 60 pretty much

[@chunkymonkey5458]

JAM Guitars ok good I was unsure

[@NivanSharma]

emilio olivas he doesn’t look that old

[@levicull626]

3:37 when some one cuts you in line but you don’t want to make a scene

[@hathushrobert6483]

Hahahaha underrated comment XD

[@TrevorRS05]

LOL

[@dogboy0912]

Hahaha

[@offensivedude2760]

“Legendary Licks you think are licks but are actually the whole tongue”

[@felkikid]

lol underrated comment

[@bjdooi]

Even though another guy has done this before- it's a really unique skill that brings Vai wayy out of his comfort zone. At the end of the day you have to be able to commend him for expanding his range to a ridiculous degree

[@alanpreyra7898]

Well said. Steve is as complete a player as they come and it's great to see him flex a little fingerstyle muscle!

[@JumboJimbo015]

Vai’s just giving us his take, on a old technique. Check out Jerry Donahue, and his work in The Hellecasters. These kind of bends have been in his vocabulary for years.

[@EricGomesOficial]

and Jerry said that he discovered this sound by a mistake, it's kind fun that most of really new ideas comes from a mistake

[@anibalsantanderjeria6420]

Yep, nothing new under the sky

[@dirkda2451]

yeah upgrade of country 101 lead style

[@caseyodonnell6621]

@Rohan Kay I was about to post the same link. I saw that when it aired on AFN in Germany in the 80's and it blew my mind. Jerry's control multistring and behind the nut bends is incredible.

[@andrewryder1319]

@Rohan Kay Thanks for the Donohue link. Here's Richie Kotzen using Donohue's technique -oops! uh, the one Vai just invented :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnTCpXSinZ19f6c

[@BoxOfBananas]

"Can't wait to practice this on my 13-gauge strings" - a masochist

[@nigel5634]

I’d suggest you get ready for the trip to the ER .

[@LayMyBurdenDown]

8 strings to the joint.

[@patty3288]

12s are the move

[@chrisphilipson8609]

Stevie Ray Vaughn begs to differ

[@alonsomoscolosco]

@@patty3288 Hell no. You are all abducted by the "thicker strings = more tone" theory. Like BB King once said: Y'all working too hard!!

[@Will-en3kn]

When people post "Great video" 9 seconds after a 10 minute video is uploaded

[@slenderkitty4251]

"Thank you steve vai for lighting a fire in me that hasn't been lit in awhile" That just gave me chills. It makes me happy to see him passionate about something new like this

[@bkmeahan]

I swear, you could post a video of Steve Vai walking on water and someone in the comments would say "see, Steve Vai can't swim"

[@chillchimichangas9978]

Too true

[@ianplonka1148]

It’s actually harder for Steve vai to play this technique than a beginner

[@tommymetzger1136]

Nobody: Steve vai: i invent a new technique on a 300 year old instrument

[@TheAgentAssassin]

I was already doing this though. 😥

[@216trixie]

@@TheAgentAssassin nice

[@couchcamperTM]

@@TheAgentAssassin correct, that's not new, I did this years back and I am not even playing the guitar. I was allowed to hold one while my guitarist got new beer. so a half-drunk drummer came up with this and now the world celebrates a world famous guitarist for it. FML it's always the same lol I still like Vai, though, even if he is just a guitarist. (wandering off into the mist bending all but the middle finger, uttering inaudible guitarist jokes...)

[@croakhilleburg9155]

Keith Newberry Same.

[@elleymeows]

@@couchcamperTM I guess it should also be said that steve vai is the first to fully fledge it out, and (potentially) bring it to the masses. That isnt to discredit you though, Im just giving my piece.

[@RC32Smiths01]

Happy Birthday to Vai of course! Quite easily one of the most unique guitarists who ever picked up the interesting. It really is amazing that he is still pushing the boundaries and finding the most interesting techniques.

[@christopherbraune04]

Imagine SRV doing this on 13 gauge strings

[@JoshuaBenitezNewOrleans]

Why would you put that in my mind!? Just thinking about it turns my phalanges into crushed up mozzarella sticks

[@matsum2332]

@@JoshuaBenitezNewOrleans hello I'm a 13 gauge user

[@FunkadelicPancho]

He used a mixed set and tuned down a half step

[@moron5716]

stevie actually used 17s for a bit according to rene martinez

[@atrocitor4206]

Anytime I see Stevie mentioned, I upvote.

[@colemiller3971]

When I read joint shifting I thought I was about to see a man dislocate his fingers and play that way.

[@m3swatson]

That’s what I was thinking also

[@substrate001]

Amazing job, bro. It sounded perfectly natural & un-forced in that short clip of the song. You made it sound *_very_* close to Vai; and that's a HUGE compliment! You inspire players to play. You explain hard stuff & basic stuff. Your playing is beautiful. Thanks!

[@henriquemontalvao8492]

I used to do this when I started to play bar chords, but the bends were out of tune

[@matejdudjak9969]

I am a piano player, and play guitar sometimes, I do this on power chords sometimes for the lowest note, and sometimes on some other chords I transfer from piano, coz I think it sounds good. xD

[@eluherlu]

Lol I feel you

[@brunettobrunetti9644]

hahahah eres bueno tiooo

[@frederickkrug5420]

Use a tele

[@dudeman5303]

@@hler7576 yeah ive been doing it for years, I am surprised Vai is getting credit in this for doing it. I assumed what i was doing was at the very least not a common technique, people tend to obsess over shredding and other shit like sweeping and tapping, so it made me happy how well I could use my fingers independently using this technique, but I didn't think it "hadn't been done" before.

[@MusicisWin]

The master has done it again! What is your favorite “odd” guitar technique?

[@joolliann]

Yo mom 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@razertooth6030]

Using a pick...on a bass

[@cosimoaltozano7134]

Anything guthrie govan does

[@blackfangj3251]

Dude I love you Chanel it's helped me so much and made me want to play the guitar I just want to say you are the best most helpful KZbin Chanel in the universe. Rock on🤘

[@Shevchenko_DBR9]

Music is Win I like the double pull offs in Jambi by Tool

[@cmbestkey8114]

David Gilmour when he sees those bends: “Finally, a worthy opponent!” bRuh (edit) tHANK FOR lIkEs AHHWHSHRHRHRJRJR

[@mogu-mogu2335]

On standard tuning on guitar, C#m Best Key. As for me.

[@konijntjesbroek]

That Lightnin' Boy Martone better watch his back. . .

[@tyleraho2485]

No threat detected. Gilmour is an OG.

[@steveg6199]

One of the licks reminded me of the intro riff to "Shine on you crazy Diamond"

[@bijoythewimp2854]

Steve vai DIO walking towards David Gillmour (meme)

[@jonwaite5660]

Jerry Donahue has been doing this since the 70's. Granted Steve is a little more technical with it.

[@jamonmusic940]

I just commented similar 'bout JD, ahead of his time.

[@kevdmiller]

Yep. Vai (in his comment on this video that's pinned to the top) mentions that Jerry inspired him and makes the point that the technique isn't his invention. He basically *named* it.

[@brunoblivious]

Came here to say this. Jerry's been using this "new technique" for decades.

[@belpack8989]

I thought of country guitar (and specifically Jerry Donahue) as soon as I saw this video.

[@moreblack]

The Claw FTW

[@thomastaylor6102]

Wow Tyler! What a wonderful response from the master maestro. That is beautiful to see that your dedication to learning the more difficult techniques and your eagerness to share them with us all has inadvertently earned you the praise of a true guitar god, a title maestro Via would refute and replace with kindred spirit. All I can say is I’m so happy for you and all who watch your channel. You most certainly deserve the props he gave your efforts demonstrating that technique and the time and thought he put into his response on your channel. It says a lot about the guy and what he thinks of you, something your viewers have known for some time.

[@albertotatulli]

It's like Goku's training in the Time Chamber

[@AdwaitPatil]

Vai = viz

[@NivanSharma]

😂

[@Nimrods7]

It’s like Goku’s SS3 transformation

[@AdwaitPatil]

@@Nimrods7 that makes us all either babidi or buu, I call dibs on buu !

[@HooksBill]

"I'm doing the work, I'm baby-stepping, I'm not a slacker!" - Bob Wiley

[@TheDistortionist]

steve vai: here’s my new technique country guitarists: am i a joke to you?

[@nikolabarantiev6452]

country guitarists use b or g benders

[@bishalgiri7487]

You mean that technique existed earlier.

[@bishalgiri7487]

JAM Guitars i don’t even know what that means

[@bwall615]

Country players have been doing this for years. Brent Mason, Johnny Hiland don’t use B or G Benders.

[@theonlyredspecial]

Steve is playing it in quite a different way than the country guitarists. You should watch his video

[@jecky82]

I'm a few months too late, but this obliterated my calluses.

[@Hipsters_N_Hippies]

What’s worse... that’s exactly what I was working on last week. BUT I NEVER SEEN THIS! Well. that’s the way it goes sometimes. And I had to take 2 days off after the first day, it’s just like learning guitar all over again. So be prepared for that! Because since we are already used to pushing past that discomfort it can get really bad after a few hours on noodling. But after 2 days you should be good to go with some thick boy fingers. Haha

[@Hipsters_N_Hippies]

Oh and it can be bad on carpal tunnel. And just your joints and wrist. So some pain can come outa nowhere. So be prepared for that too. Just an honest warning people. Either take it or leave it. Up to you.

[@bigsmoke1887]

Same bro lol

[@mladen777]

That DADGAD part is Amazing!!! Thank you man, you’re so amazing, keep doing what you truly love!!! 🎸❤️🎼

[@youngexpeditions1738]

Joint shifting: Steve vai discovers country guitar at age 60

[@jrnew1378]

👍😂 Truth!

[@HUGEGUY405]

Dead!

[@jasonwilliamshuck]

Yea. Listen to Jerry Donahue from the Hellecasters. Vai’s application is super cool tho.

[@Dzeroed]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 🤘

[@chevy11786]

100

[@sergioserramusic]

Steve still innovating while we're all still trying to get right what he did two decades ago

[@justmetal227]

4 decades ago xD for me lol

[@blueroses7468]

@@justmetal227 the number doesn't change bruh age doesnt matter

[@drivebye2709]

Except he didn't.

[@sergioserramusic]

The Weasel with a b bender tho

[@magicruss1]

There's a folk rock guitarist called Jerry Donahue who does something similar

[@HankMarquardt]

When I first listened to Candle Power, the first thing I thought was "this is all over the Hellecasters records" ...

[@brian_mccomedy]

He goes through it in this clip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3XTeoiae6uladk

[@GavinMorris1]

@@HankMarquardt to be fair though, they use a b-bender to do it, I think.

[@johnwilkes2815]

Jerry was doing that years ago without a b bender.

[@MrStrato81]

Jerry Donahue is a Master on this. The diference os that Steve searchs a diferentes Melody more freak

[@PetePapadakos]

WOW. Vai has blown me away since I first heard him in the 80's. ... and now, YOU're blowing me away!

[@cosasDEguitarra]

what I loved on that video is there are many influences created by new great guitarists and he have implemented such many things I've recognized on that new guitarists... It is fantastic he is 60 years old and he is influenced by modern guitarists and he applies it on his music being a god!! Man! the best example on a always learning mind!!

[@hankhill2940]

I'm early to the comment section, so hopefully Tyler you see this. I've been subbed to you since you were at 200,000 subs, and you have never failed to put out good content. You are such a talented musician and have the best sense of humour. Whenever I have a bad day I go to your channel and I'm instantly happier. Thank you and don't ever stop what you do.

[@nameisrubin191]

So wholesome. Here! Have my like. :D

[@kimikimonnn]

I smell new generation technique for guitar👀

[@dylanc3744]

I've seen Martin Miller do this when he played Travels on several interviews. Blew my mind.

[@pkm1988]

exactly its on the andertons music interview

[@brandongrayson456]

Martin Millers band deserves more attention in my opinion.

[@dylanc3744]

Brandon Grayson Ikr?? It's a perfect line-up of master musicians.

[@felkikid]

I saw this for the first time with Albert lee in one of his instructional video. I saw your interview with him and he’s right when he says it’s not the exact same thing that’s been done, but in a lot of ways it’s been done for years. The only thing that matters is that it got people like you and I and others excited about playing. That’s what makes it special

[@jelleepit]

Thankyou for your commitment in learning some of this to show us, that is some seriously hard practice. I saw this yesterday and was blown away too. Steve keeps knocking it out the park! Puts the other shredders in their place

[@ericspencer4599]

Johnny Hiland been doing this for a minute. At high speed

[@JDhomieG]

came to say this

[@kriskollmar9728]

60 seconds isn’t very long dude.

[@JDhomieG]

@@kriskollmar9728 Steve Vai turned 60 YEARS, not seconds. Happy b day Steve.

[@GuitarStarAcademy]

Read through comments just to avoid repeating this one myself lol. A lot of country players have been doing this for a while. Vai did kinda take this to the extreme here, but yea not an invention

[@chrisbarnes7367]

Came here to say this. Red Volkaert, James Burton, Will Ray....but then again, EVH is credited with inventing tap harmonics.

[@ToxicTerrance]

I've seen other guitar players use this kind of technique, they just never had a name for it. That and it's usually just one chord that they'll bend a note on. I've seen the guitarist from Wormed use that with tritones to bend the high note into key. It's really neat.

[@dis.infectant]

Yeah.... It's not actually new. A way of emulating lap steel. Steve should know better.

[@angelc.4422]

Wormed rules

[@dis.infectant]

Still... Not the easiest technique.

[@CptFoot.]

I saw when he posted it and knew all my guitar teacher subs would be reviewing It. Lol incredible stuff

[@AutismRocksOfficial]

Steve Vai is just incredible. - Micah's dad

[@jspacone]

Damn. I watched Steve’s video, and thought, “Hmm, that was kind of interesting.” He made it look so easy, I had no idea it was so hard. And can we all agree that Steve is one of the most innovative and imaginative guitarists there’s ever been?

[@totos_music]

I thought that was already a thing

[@kokomumu7420]

Yeah Guthrie Govan used this

[@matthewlyle3295]

No matter what it is Guthrie has done it before

[@odgeUK]

I feel like I've seen / heard this already too. Just can't place where.

[@azzka6361]

Greg koch

[@ColeFoumtain]

Synyster Gates sorta does it in the God Hates Us solo. Reason I still can’t play it.

[@alrightkewl8235]

Halo 2 Theme: Mjolnir Mix will always be my favorite music from Vai

[@ursus327]

"I'VE GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!!"

[@anon5252]

Your four bar bit at the end sounded amazing. Please develop it into a 2-3 minute track for us to listen to :)

[@gdawgs101]

Man, that DADGAD jam at the end was super inspiring! Thanks again, Tyler!

[@ToAnEnd]

I saw a meme one time that said, “Steve Vai looks like your aunt who can’t stay outta the liquor at family parties” 😂

[@Josh-qh8ec]

Looking forward to seeing what people can do with this. I'm sure someone's already working on something amazing using this, besides Steve Vai Update: tried it and its hard.

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

Johnny Hiland has been doing this for years. This is not a new technique at all, he explains that since he is legally blind guitar player he couldn't really tell if some of the country players he was listening too were using B or G bender tele's so he improvised and did what he thought he heard. If you haven't heard of Johnny, he is the nicest guy ever, legally blind, and FLOGGS almost every player I have heard. He was actually on Steve Vai's record label Favored Nations yrs ago so I have a feeling Steve has been working on this stuff for a while....after watching a bunch of his videos, remember, he is blind. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXSmcmylYt5serM

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

another where you blows minds kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZqpf6ScfpejrZI

[@realreally5927]

@@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX i agree ...johnny is absolutely awesome !!!

[@dominicr5326]

GUITAR WALTER GUITAR WALTER GUITAR WALTER GUITAR WALTER GUITAR WALTER GUITAR WALTER GUITAR WALTER GUITAR WALTER

[@timothyferiyadi5743]

I used to do something like this with volume pedal to emulate a pedal steel because i cant afford one but stopped doing it because it absolutely destroyed my fingers everytime i do this

[@siegmac3267]

"No middle finger, you will not move!" -Tyler

[@mayorrodgers7446]

I’m so glad that you have brought attention to this. I’ve been playing for over 39 years and when I came to that point in the video I was like, “wait a minute what was that?” And I had to watch it again.

[@bryanmchugh1307]

WOW OP! That sounded GREAT. This technique is NEW? I have been doing this for 30 YEARS. It comes from the American south. I like it a lot. Great respect to master Vai.

[@JohnMartin-th9zh]

Steve vai didn’t come up with that. It’s been around in country music for years. Look up some Brent mason and Danny gatton. They combine “joint shifting” with hybrid picking and fast double stops. Good country pickers can do this technique no problem

[@Retrograde6]

Brent Mason. That's the name I was looking for

[@jaygilbert4546]

And Jerry Donahue, as I mentioned above....

[@lucasetienne6573]

Classic tune Windy and Warm has this technique. Chet Atkins and Jerry found this much earlier and did it on acoustic guitar instead of electric which would be much easier. Also Django Reinhardt literally did this all the time. What the actual f*ck , how can you graduate from music college and not know this.

[@connerbeckett7193]

Lucas Etienne awesome song one of my all time favourites on acoustic

[@robgrant7683]

Jay Gilbert and Albert Lee too. Yeah, this is not new stuff.

[@frankwaters2510]

isn't this kind of what clapton does with the hey hey riff

[@mcbrodz1663]

Probably

[@MrHandsomeStudios]

Cow- _"PERHAPS"_

[@fmills1583]

Jimmy, did you use your black magic to cast a curse on Eddie and the Hot Rods?

[@MerijnH]

Yes he kinda does! Don't think he bends a full step tho, and it's acoustic and blues so I don't think he keeps his other fingers that specific on their original note (which isn't a problem). But the base does indeed seem to be the same

[@MerijnH]

Jamie Carter it is, he plays this hendrix e7#9 and then bends the b-string up a half step while his other fingers stay in (somewhat) the same position. It's not the exact same, but it's certainly very similar

[@PineappleCommando]

Steve Howe already did something very similar on "The Clap" in 1971.

[@EssensOrAccidens]

No bending, or "The" in "Clap".

[@EssensOrAccidens]

Grateful for the vote of confidence, but I'm starting to have my doubts about my own assertion. Regarding bending in the song. As I go through it in my mind I recall there are a couple of multi string bends I believe. I may be due for a helping of humble pie. Tastes sour at first but I'm finding myself getting used to it more and more over the years.

[@alanpreyra7898]

Steve is a beautiful human being and a wonderfully gifted player who is well known for generously sharing his talent and his stage to help promote other players. I expect this recent work, which is quite lovely, was inspired by fellow guitar virtuoso Adrian Legg, who was actually the only fingerstyle guitarist to EVER tour on the G3, who was twice voted Guitarist of the Decade and is on the Top 100 all-time guitarists list. Not only has Adrian been doing this for decades, he is widely regarded as the father of this particular style of playing. Don't believe me? Just ask Steve.

[@DominicGaudious]

I've been doing this for 20 years just for fun but he is a master and complete genius!!!!

[@marcusaurelious3826]

also check out some Chris Poland stuff his bends are crazy, self taught such an amazing player ...

[@joecooper1703]

Chicken pickers have entered the chat. They'd like a word about this "new invention".

[@Stratodave]

Johnny Hiland seems specially interested.

[@joecooper1703]

@Iam Turtle to be fair to Vai, I've been trying to do it for months, and I'm still much worse at it than he is after a few weeks.

[@andybaldman]

Adrian Legg has been doing it for decades, and he got it from the chicken pickers.

[@MrAndersonmm]

Ha, i was thinking this when i heard it. I was like... "But... I do that in one or two country licks I just have in my back pocket because I'm not a country player." It's pretty standard, yeah?

[@johncasu4066]

Jerry Donahue. That is all.

[@iamtorrego]

“Steve Vai created a new technic called joint shifting” Johnny Hiland and his chiken pickin’ wants to have some words.

[@gabycapoirizarry]

"you want to keep you thumb really perpendicular up and down straight with the neck" (pops thumb off way over neck even more than before @7:23)🤣

[@Zee7099]

It's awesome and I do appreciate it. Country guitarists have been doing pedal steel licks with this technique forever.

[@alexojideagu]

Yes this is nothing new. More like the emperors new clothes. I was messing around with a guitar lesson in a magazine on country bends 25 years ago.

[@MacPro8CoreMan]

I can’t even do Mr. Spock’s “Live Long and Prosper” hand thing. No friggin way I’m ever getting this right!

[@alexkna8808]

*It is making a REALLY beautiful Pedal Steel like sound*

[@AlekSaint]

wouldn't call it a "new" technique, it's basically extended Double stops, still pretty awesome though

[@tomdijk5549]

Double stops doesnt even involve bending or am I silly rn?

[@Cornholio02D]

Jerry Donahue did the exact same thing as Vai did here. Nevertheless its ultra-awesome

[@ernesterz]

Also sweep picking its just alternate picking but not alternate...

[@aaronmattis]

John Jorgensen does this. I think he has for a long time. I do it a little; it’s VERY difficult.

[@irem71]

@@ernesterz hahaha that was good

[@kortmeyer]

I'm learning "Run to the Hills" from Iron Maiden" The beginning lick is similar to the Steve's technique. Not to the extreme that Steve does. but I think it is similar. When you hold the b string on the 15th fret and bend up the g string on the 17th fret to match the pitch of the b string. Very cool and painful at the same time. Thanks for making learning fun.

[@hgarner2000]

I guess one is never too old to keep growing and improving which is very inspiring for us older dudes.

[@zerothreefive6014]

Django Reinhardt, Merle Travis, and Chet Atkins we're all using this technique

[@brianunderwood9891]

Yea But I Think Steve Took it To ANOTHER LEVEL !!!

[@kevdmiller]

Don't know about the other 2, but with only two fretting fingers I don't think it would have been possible for Django to do this...maybe something similar but a key element of what Vai does here is bending with 2 fingers and holding a 3rd and/or 4th unbent. Though I'm happy to give him credit if he did an early version of this technique; Django was a frikken' wizard. Even if he had all his fingers he'd be legendary, but missing 2...such an inspiration to all.

[@RedRose4711]

I should imagine that playing with 8's would make this whole process somewhat easier.

[@musketeer5135]

33 seconds after upload, damn I've never been this early

[@alanoffer]

I wasn’t expecting a lot when I saw vais new track a couple of days ago but I was blown away by what he did to stretch himself . I really felt inspired .

[@Dyadactic]

I’m so glad I’ve been doing a mild version of this for a while now. So it won’t be insane to approach. I can’t wait to play now.

[@tito9107]

Yeah I play guitar G: Only U: Ever I: Plays T: The A: Pentatonic R: Scale

[@nevermind2322]

it is rage inducing how wrong that is

[@jasonkell6159]

Never Mind that’s the point

[@StealthBeeKid]

Never before have I been so ofended by something I 100% agree with

[@chocomalk]

Check out Johnny Hiland, he has been doing this for years.

[@blueskylizard1]

Thats exactly what I was thinking !!

[@spicealbert4904]

Or Adrian Legg in the UK. When someone famous starts doing something, that doesn't mean they've invented it.

[@tannergill7514]

Danny Gatton as well. Don’t you love when rock guitarists discover chicken picken? Lol

[@chocomalk]

@@tannergill7514 I had no idea Gatton did it, I thought he used a bender.

[@sunnysideup5826]

Johnny who? Exactly

[@asuperstraightpureblood]

Ive been noodling with this for years. I didnt know it was a thing.

[@floridamankyle5461]

I was blown away by that green JemCaster guitar he was playing then he starts joint shifting notes, what a guitar, WHAT A SOUND.

[@ronlyster5667]

Your composition at the end was killer!!! ... and inspiring! Thanks for all of your great content!

[@jim62000]

I GOT BLISTAHS ON ME FINGAHS!

[@templategaming275]

Have you played Helter skelter on Beatles rockband

[@akosszakacs]

I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!

[@pauloprzybylski6522]

"Maybe get a blister on your little finger, maybe get a blister on your thumb".... hmmm, think I've already heard that before....

[@mattbacon285]

Johnny Hiland has been doing things like this for years

[@PRCMGP]

Dude, Guthrie Govan has been using this technique through the years.

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

Yeah this video rubs me the wrong ass way.

[@guywithoutthought]

I was about to comment similarly, Guthrie taught me about 12 years ago, and amongst the many insane things he did, this was one of them.

[@juanchopolo9928]

guywithoutthought you really were a student of Guthrie govan?

[@davidthomas9960]

Juancho Polo He taught at ACM in England. He taught me too

[@3allz]

@@juanchopolo9928 He taught my brother too at ACM Guildford.

[@talastra]

Seems like I had to go a long way down the comments to find a compliment on your four-bar thing; sounds like a great start, really liked it.

[@pranavkamath4329]

I've been doing this for a few years now! I started with and still play a lot of classical guitar, where finger independence is a huge thing you work towards, so I've found lots of right hand techniques especially on electric guitar to be easier for me when I use my finger instead of a pick, along with some left hand ones like this and quickly changing between crazy chords. I'm still a relative novice with a pick, currently working on the fast SRV style tremolo

[@ChadWesley]

Nashville called. They said: “Cool story, Bro”.

[@natrixxvision6997]

Sounds like something Jerry Donahue does. It’s a pedal steel thing.

[@alesis100]

Exactly! Music Is Win is clueless.

[@natrixxvision6997]

alesis100 That’s a little harsh....but maybe it’s time to take a break from listening to shredders and check out some other shit. Find out where these ideas really come from.

[@Drygore]

But Steve Vai himself is putting this out as it's a new thing, and he, if anyone, should have known if someone else has done the same thing. Right? I'm not saying you guys are wrong. But did the other guys do exactly the same?

[@natrixxvision6997]

Mikael Skoglund Yes. Country players have been using that technique for YEARS. Vai did not invent it,...hell he didn’t even invent the electric guitar. So let’s stop acting like he did.

[@alesis100]

@@Drygore look up Jerry Donahue. There's some lessons from Guitar magazine here on KZbin. Look up ",Around the Bend".

[@bradleyjones9156]

That four bar you played at the end was so sweet!

[@charliebabbit4325]

A few years ago, I saw this technique. It was done by a young Asian kid who plays rhythm, lead/vocal notes at the same time, his timing was amazing, strumming a chord whilst bend a few strings Sungha Jung

[@kokomumu7420]

Guthrie Govan used this

[@kwyatt261]

I feel like Jeff Beck has done this in his free time

[@armff4817]

Strange, you just bend one note and rest the others, country uses a lot, a lot of blues licks with double stops bending are too for a lonnng time right?

[@bridge4241]

@@armff4817 wait no that's not what's happening I thought this too but it's actually bending one string, resting one, and bending another string another direction, that's the bonkers part. Basically bending 2 strings at the same time but keeping the middle string unbent

[@wiggy009]

Where?

[@kaiser7695]

What would these new chords be named though

[@nameisrubin191]

I assume they are named as usual but with a side note like "JS" (for Joint Shifting). You don't name arpeggiated chords differently, isn't it?

[@gabrocki]

@@nameisrubin191 Yeah, naming them like that does make sense because of the shapes. However, by bending some of the notes in the chord you're shifting their pitch, so it's not really the same chord anymore is it? That doesn't happen with arpeggios. Or am I wrong here? I didn't study a second of music theory so do correct me if I'm wrong.

[@acgm046]

Maybe the new thing would be a notation to indicate in a sheet of music how to do the shifting, or something like that? Or it probably already exists? I really don't know

[@NytronX]

Paging Rick Beato!

[@nehemiahzo_]

It’s just called hell chords. Finger rippers.

[@johnwallace2319]

wait, you never heard anything like this? you've never doodled I see... i cannot believe you think this is groundbreaking, it has been done many many times, maybe with Vai in this song, he is featuring it everywhere... but please get your facts right, this is not "new" to the rest of us. Playing a chord and bending only a few notes is very common. Vai is amazing and maybe he coined this term, but i don't think he thinks he invented this.

[@mrfahrenheit677]

Although you’re probably right, saying “you’ve never doodled I see” is one of the most ignorant statements I’ve ever read on this channel

[@madden7732]

@@mrfahrenheit677 I think its a way of saying it. Gotta appreciate Tyler's work and his stuff, but its not really an otherworldly thing.

[@kaynesantor8136]

Dude, nice job deconstructing this so easily. And, excellent job recreating it in so little time. You, sir, are also a great player. Nice work, I'm glad you found a muse. Ima try that shit now. Thank you. And thank you Steve, for just being awesome.

[@rubbertoe9112]

Crazy! Now what if you combine Steve Vai’s “Joint Shifting” with Tosin Abasi’s “Selective Picking”? I think the world may implode from such a thing.

[@gchris461]

Check out the great Richard Thompson, he’s done this for years and makes Via look like an amateur at this, really nothing new

[@AdwaitPatil]

All you negativists saying that this technique is 'not new' just think about it from his perspective and see what different stuff can do to different people ! If this works for him and inspires him to any extent then my friends "music is win" (no endorsement) also I'm not a musician,no where even close but I'm an enthusiast who believes music is about finding that one thing that works for you .

[@dooterscoots2901]

Well they aren't necessarily being negative it just isn't new? There's nothing bad about that its just more accurate.

[@aravinddacorreiasantos4357]

dooterscoots exactly, I’ve been doing this for a while tbh lmao. Not saying it’s bad just that it isn’t necessarily a new technique. It’s like saying michael Jackson didn’t make the moon walk but he made it popular bc it wasn’t mainstream/well known before etc etc

[@guitar.knackshack2210]

@@aravinddacorreiasantos4357 So someones opinion is negative because the technique is not new? Ok thanks.

[@SquidVet]

Steve Vai needs to calm down. 😂

[@joelcprice]

Vai proving why he's always been at the top of the guitar game. Yet again. All hail.

[@deathmetalmachine]

I've been doing this for years I thought it was normal but I like how Steve Vai incorporated it with chords

[@danielhayun304]

bruh isn't that in every country song

[@MarkFryGuitar]

👍