Steve Vai "How to Play Building The Church" Presented by Berkleemusic.com & Guitar Player Magazine

Learn how to play the intro to "Building The Church" through Steve's Online Course at Berkleemusic.com/vai

[@danterolf6707]

It's so good to hear that he needed hours and hours to make it good =)

[@JakobStrand]

Still doesnt sound anywhere near as good on my guitar. Despite hours and hours... yes, I´m humble.

[@shawnbopko858]

building church joe satrieni thougt vai how to play gutar

[@danielhadida3915]

It took me 10 minutes to get it under my fingers. So why did it take Vai "hours and hours" ? Because Steve knows he has to play it perfectly, standing, his hands tired because it's not the first song of the concert, etc. It didn't take him "hours and hours" to get it under his fingers, but to be able to play it with the level of perfection he is known for. He could be dead drunk and still be able to play it flawlessly.

[@DBicakci]

Exactly Payne. And sorry for your loss.

[@arthurvandelay4225]

It's probably because of a phenomenon known as the "Morphogentic Field" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphogenetic_field

[@anongrey]

To see such an incredible talent come across as being so humble is quite refreshing. You have to love Steve.

[@Ahtnagarp]

Steve Vai : For hours, and hours, and hours... Me : For years, and years, and years...

[@raoulmeynard666]

😂😂😂 It 's the same thing for me. But never give up.

[@Bifrons]

"I have to do this. This is what I'm here for" LOL It's refreshing when you see someone with a sense of duty. Thanks for the video and all the music over the years. BTW, the online lesson was great. Again, Thanks

[@guitarcrazy019]

I have been teaching guitar for the past year and half to mostly young kids and when steve said in the video that he practiced getting each note perfect before speeding it up is awesome. When us mere mortals watch him on stage and videos we get to see the end result of years and years and years of practice and hard work. I preach this to every student that anyone can learn to be a technical guitar wizard if they put the time in like Vai and others did

[@kristofor12345]

It is really good of him to make videos like this. When you see guitar gods it can naturally be discouraging since they play so effortlessly, so knowing that it took him hours of struggle to get it right is very inspiring.

[@carmaj156]

One of the things I like about Steve is that he really works on his stuff. A lot of us think he´s gifted (wich he is) but he´s very disciplined and we want to nail his work without any effort when he himself has to work very hard to get his work well done. He´s an example of constance and effort.

[@JayFromEarth]

still one of the coolest things i've ever heard anyone do on a guitar

[@L1VE3V1L]

I always thought it was some sound effect or something and when I saw him play it live I almost shat myself when he did it.

[@GregJonson]

Not only I learned how to play this piece, but I've been also able to use the technique in a few songs of mine. It's really not that hard when you get used to it. It's kinda like playing the piano. :)

[@dajzilla]

Its tough isn't it?! But yeah...its one of those things (reminded of learning a tough piano piece as a matter of fact) and then one day it "clicks" and you got it!

[@TheKb24BM]

dajzilla the cool part about is you can practice it without the actual instrument, at least the sequence of notes itself. Just practice on any solid surface, and start tapping with your fingers, as if you're drumming. Practice alternating the fingers between 2 on the left hand and 3 on right hand. It's kind of like tapping your head while rubbing your tummy!

[@Baz97__]

I have just been trying to count the timing of the groove whenever I listen to the song to get used to how it's played over a big halftime groove. It's been a long journey JUST for that.

[@lPlanetarizado]

for me the hard part was the index finger at the right hand -aside from the speed-, it taps three times and next time you dont play it, and then play the exact same thing...my index finger wanted always to tap the forth time lol

[@sheepball]

he always inspire me and makes me pick up my guitar every time i watch one of his vids

[@AdamSteinzOfficial]

It's so refreshing to see that you are indeed, Human! In my opinion, your humility is as inspiring as your musical capabilities! Thank You.

[@MrHugosantos1982]

this track was actually my first favorite from Vai. and still love it.

[@dorpho55]

Probably Steve are not gonna see this, but still...: It is so good to see this testimony; Everyone has to take one step at a time to climb a mountain. Some people when they see you play, they can not imagine how many failures, how many hours you spent to get to the top. That gives me more strength, more patience to learn a little bit more to play my guitar, even if very little compared to Steve. Tnks Steve, this is a real-life teaching, you inspire me. God bless you! Rodolfo

[@350kph]

It is such a kick-ass riff. Thank you Steve for bringing it into this world.

[@spookypen]

I'm glad someone out there takes the time to figures out stuff like this. Awesome technique.

[@TheKorfish]

Mr.vai you never cease to amaze me.

[@deepair007]

my buddy practices this technique all the time, i love listening to it. thanks for sharing Steve

[@Reaper2k]

Fact: the electric fan Steve uses on stage is only for show. His hair just dances naturally when he plays.

[@FloridaChuckBlack]

No one has ever worked harder to be extraordinary. A lesson for all of us in dedication to purpose.

[@light487]

Thanks Steve.. this is exactly the kind of inspiration that we need. I've had similar moments myself, though I am far from anything you have done, and I can totally relate to a lot of what you have said. It's nice to see you being so honest and down to earth about the entire process behind these things because it really does look effortless when you do it on stage..but it's all those hours of REAL work you put in that counts.

[@crisDAwog]

steve proves that with hard work practice and passion u can become an amazing guiatrist

[@frankbraker]

L1,R1, L2,R2, L3,R1, L1,R2, L2,R1, L3,R2 repeated = 12 notes in the pattern. Times 2 is 24 with 8 left over L1,R1, L2,R2, L1, R1, L2,R2. Thank you for the lesson and love Steve!

[@jessbpowers]

saw steve last night, he played this song flawlessly

[@playalot86]

Man Steve Vai is a wizard. Awesome.

[@GuidoPerdomo]

this is so good. thank you for posting this video! it shows how much effort even great musicians like you have to go through to get a sound or even something that you really want to do!

[@1n35pbso]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEVE. GOD BLESS YOU

[@zubareus]

Hey, I`ve seen that tapping riff in one of the old Steves live perfomances, with Alcatrazz, I guess)

[@Alexr26]

always so humble , Great Vai! thx master

[@biodag]

In a way it's good to see that it can take even the best musicians "hours and hours" of practice just to get a riff etc just right. You kind of take it for granted the can turn their hands to anything but obviously not the case. This video has helped put my own practice into perspective esp' if it takes me days and not hours to get a riff/solo down. Thanks for sharing and letting us know in a way your not above a great deal of practice Steve!

[@mrkentleong]

He is the legend man for created this riff.....

[@doughnuts420]

My favorite Vai song !

[@dfranks50]

Great video Steve. It's very interesting when you talk about how you had to struggle on a particular lick. I know it takes me playing a single lick about 100 times before I really begin getting comfortable with it.

[@ifluxion]

I just realized now when Steve Vai said, that the intro tapping was indeed polyrhythmic. Fascinating!

[@SlackerSlayer]

Steve, you are the man!

[@jaguarcesar]

Thank you so much for this great lesson Stevie!!!

[@zamusician]

I swear I play this riff like every day. It's so fun :D

[@Soundillusions94xyz]

Awesome, see guys it's all about passion, practice, and effort that's all, and patience of course. I like your hat Steve, i was looking for it, It's a Bula hat, I was looking for his exact same hat, but.... I've never been able to find it... man i love his hat!.

[@007WillSch]

Steve Vai is so awesome

[@lukes_guitars_]

thank you God Vai for the lesson. 777

[@metaldude21]

dude seems like a really cool guy as far as being a person goes -- as far as guitar ... awesome!

[@SebastianPersini]

Thank you Steve Vai for being Steve Vai :-)

[@wiresystem]

simply ...... AWESOME!!

[@moondog50002000]

After doing those 12 hour workouts in the 80's I am disabled now . My body hurts just hearing technical music. I guess it's because the neurons are still firing in my head creating patterns. weird . lol ..I will have to take some meds before I try this. hehe..love it !

[@LedSatriani]

It took me a half hour to just memorize the notes and the pattern, and then an hour and a half to just be able to play it in 16th notes. I'm really close to being able to play the intro at full speed. It's one of those things that's freakishly hard to play but one you finally figure it out it's awesome.

[@Barkilax]

wow thats awesome and i really love the guitarhe uses on the stage in the nd with the blue light up dots

[@willow1974guitar]

great lesson steve, great vision to come up with the riff in the first place :)

[@The1chihira]

REAL ILLUSIONS REFLECTIONS BUILDING THE CHURCH AMAZING

[@rnzmatt]

hats off to you man !!!

[@SuperHocus]

¡Muchas gracias por esto Steve! Te queremos!

[@H057IL3]

Thought of learning this song, think I'll do it!

[@Joshrg10]

LOOVVVVEEE THAT GUITAR!!!!!

[@At0mmic]

man is steve vai unbelievable...

[@ShreddyPaws]

As a guitar player I got goosebumps when he said "this is what I'm here for"

[@WhelpHaiBai]

Every song Steve has ever written is badass...

[@alexnackley]

At first when I watch this video and he talked about his shoulder burning I laughed, after about 20 minutes of practicing I realize he was not kidding. Also the biggest challenge of the song so far is playing the notes without hitting other strings and getting a whole bunch of noise.

[@alexnackley]

@MU2GTR you're absolutely correct , thanks. if you look at the video you can see him wrap his ring and pinkey finger around the neck which keeps his left palm down.

[@IsleyTribute]

Just TOO awesome!

[@marvin6df]

Amazing!!! Vai you are a god!!!

[@ilusionwiibrawl]

Steve Vai you are the BEST musician in the life¡¡ and my most important influence i dont really know if you reading this but had to say it... or at least try Pd: sorry for the bad english

[@ClaudeSirois]

Bravo Steve Explaining that you had to rest your arm was very good. Claude

[@EzriHielmiCheDaud]

Thanks so much for the lesson sir, we really2 appreciate this. Thanks again = ))

[@MattSanGiovanni]

@progate23 It's all one riff. That "second part" is just the end of the riff. If you pay attention to when he first plays the whole thing, that part is in it.

[@HendrixJimi85]

I believe you, but its interesting how people talk how they fast they learn certain technique or riffs, but on stage probably FREEZE (definitely with this riff). You must be prepared 120% like Steve is, I respect his effortless performance and his psychology of music, concentration and slow playing. And from other side is how U play not just what U play and how fast U learned. :)

[@ColorIce09]

beautiful vid! love u vai boo

[@zamusician]

@MuseManMike Same song as the riff he's teaching. It was the live version of "Building The Church" from Minneanapolis. It's from the DVD "Where The Wild Things Are".

[@ilmelangolo]

Stevie's guitar lessons on youtube?? This must be a dream...

[@mordred612]

@sigzor Hell yea. I saw Stanley at a concert he put on back in college in the early 90's. He's awesome with this two handed technique.

[@dimass.1206]

I am not sure, but I thing I've heard this start tune long before the record was released. This melody was in the computer game warcraft 2. When you play the human campaign and you order a peasant to build the church, during this process, when you click on that church, you can hear this pretty cool sound, as it on the Steve's track. After the building is complete, the sound changes, when you click on that church. So i think Steve steels the main idea from computer game sound. And that is why the name of track - Building the Church

[@paulojungmann]

excellent, steve!

[@AdamHaga]

@WoxHax Thats's right... His FLO III (The guitar he is using in this vid) is fully scalooped. From 24 - 21 the frets is really scalooped and from 20 - 1 the frets is lightly scalooped.

[@ManuelJBD]

@INKASANT Building The Church, as he played it in the DVD "Live In Minneapolis - Where The WIld Things Are". What you hear in the beginning is how it ends.

[@InsanityType66]

Just learnt it. COOLEST. TAPPING. EVER :) (my opinion, if anyone has suggestions of songs with outstanding tapping, please message me!)

[@facundogimenez1679]

Hey 2020 here! We need this in at least 1080p!!!

[@esharpferdinand]

@IbanezMS1995 I know, but in this guitar it looks like it's been fully scalloped, and it is. Like AdamHaga said, from 1 to 20th fret it's a light scallop, but from 21 to 24 its a full scallop.

[@espectaculardavidrcq]

Steve Vai, el mago de las guitarras electricas!!!

[@fufoNGSG]

such an inspiration!

[@RushFanPix]

I really love this. Thank you so much! :-)

[@mssmmgnn]

Wow... just wow...! And this riff - he said - is quite hard to play... not to mention - I think - the second take, the one beginning at 3'26" in the entire track...!

[@pharoahscurse]

just tried this on my bass.. sounds cool..

[@MaximumPayne12]

we want more!

[@foxns7]

Akira Takasaki of Loudness did the same technique too on the 'Soldier of Fortune' and 'In The Mirror' solos...he's one of the best tappers out there till today..anyone agree?

[@pryor68]

You're like a wizard steve vai...especially in that sweet robe you're wearing on stage

[@camshreds]

@AciDXRaiN27 they are used in drums, but the band animals as leaders uses them A LOT! they use odd time signatures on guitar and layer that over a 4/4 drum beat and that is what i meant buy the polyrythm. What steve is doing is different.

[@neilreynard]

Thanks Steve. I'll give that a bash and i'm gonna tell my brother that i had a lesson with Steve Vai......if it realy is you of course. YOU THE DADDY!!!

[@maya44mk]

O cara ta cada dia mais louco. Are you crazy man?

[@Lachance8]

You make it look easy, but being married to an amazing guitar player, I know it is not. it is hard work. Great job! :) Liz

[@aurelius5534]

Highly recommend you try this standing, helps with the arm thing

[@lampylamp1]

Love this

[@RevinFreddy]

Thanks Steve!!!

[@lennyhan4039]

Respect sir❤

[@BarryMcCockiner1000]

at 1:42 it sounds like the notes from Close encounters of the third kind when we make contact with the aliens. lol. Steve's an alien hahaha.

[@wonnie]

Is the neck of Flo II scalloped? Because it looks like it's fully scalloped rather than just 21-24 being scalloped.

[@TheeDevilWearsPrada]

I wish I got guitar lessons from Steve Vai. I wish I was as good as him...

[@REV_hat]

@kelmaur sure okay, that makes sense. it's just weird because most of the time in his songs (e.g., bad horsie) he plays the other way. I guess it comes down to figuring out the best combination of comfort and efficiency for the riff being played

[@RiquezaEmGotas]

The most difficult thing is not playing it, it is actually creating the lick , the melody and the harmony (chords) that go with it. I think many players can play lots of licks but how many can compose interesting music like he does? Not many!

[@SunAndMirror]

@ICEMANdrake214 He has a sustainer pickup which allows him to play a note and basically have it sustain forever. Then he just hits the tremolo bar. probably muting other strings with his other hands too

[@kermheat]

Thanks Steve !!::!:!

[@turtleygirl]

@Ratchettheman the song is out, it came out in 2005.

[@jessbpowers]

So I figured out the tapping thing Ina few days, I figured it out faster than vai. That makes me feel good about myself :)

[@Big_betty2]

Upanishads is a really cool song and I’m kinda sad that that intro riff wasn’t in that song after he did modern primitive. But I understand why it’s not.