Steve Vai - "Freak Show Excess" Demonstration

Steve demonstrates the techniques and inspiration behind "Freak Show Excess" from the 2005 album "Real Illusions: Reflections".

[@wesmatron]

I think Zappa would be damn proud if he saw the journeys Vai has taken on the guitar

[@user-gv4bf4zx2s]

Appreciating and studying a diverse range of music, especially beyond 'Western Music', demonstrates how Vai is a *Musician*, not just another shredder.

[@zackcoffmanguitar]

Agreed. Even if he didn't study eastern music your statement would still be true.

[@Patrick96322]

His days with Zappa paid off !!!

[@einarabelc5]

You haven't heard about what he spent his time doing in Berkeley have you?

[@kinderwagen6168]

Every 1-2 years 'Bulgarian wedding music' pops up in my mind, and then I watch this video. It is legendary, nice explanation, fluent, and a look inside Steve's brain... Topper!

[@jlij8952]

Yes this! Had just that moment when I made some Coffee at home 😊🤜

[@Geeetarr]

Steve Vai is the nicest guy on earth, so talanted and so humble!!

[@Stitchman3875]

I had the honor of hearing him speak at a music store. He was totally chill, humble, and friendly. He was praising other Guitarists (of course Joe Satriani), like Eric Johnson. He was way cool.

[@jamesglynn4192]

Dave Grohl has enteted the chat

[@erikprater3595]

Absolutely amazing, for someone who has been playing at the utmost for years and to watch a video of how he is still trying to reinvent himself. Steve Vai you are a guitar master...never stop getting better at the craft you love.

[@Egoblivion]

I think this video is around ten years old, but yeah he's still going.

[@QuistJam]

LEGEND

[@1n35pbso]

True talent and real example for every musician. That's what money can't buy!

[@ShadovvV]

1n35pbso Convoluted crap. Most of Steve's music is completely lame and boring, much like himself. It's like a stick in the mud. Hardly redeemable rehashed garbage.

[@Joepepelombardo]

ShadowⓋ There are a lot of others we here dont care about what u like or think

[@ultimateclassic4092]

+ShadowⓋ Lol why are you even watching this then?

[@ShadovvV]

Magnus Imperium It came across my path.

[@ultimateclassic4092]

ShadowⓋ So it played by itself, or did you click the video? Then you had to scroll down to the comment section to say something on it? You know, usually when someone has distaste for something, they just ignore it and move on. Commenting on this in a negative way, just shows that you're either trolling to get people upset, or you seriously feel insecure about something.

[@Low.Key.Music01]

It's like Steve simultaneously becomes his own student and teacher, which makes him so great because he's constantly learning

[@123jozef]

This is, of course, one of the reasons that Steve is who he is. He is unique in his perspective and takes an exciting approach to his music. He has also somehow managed to make each note he plays very important and significant. Most of us "improvise" or we think we are 'spontaneous'... probably because of our mentors. Steve has never been stuck in that rut of apathy-- which is why he is one of my favorite guitarists. One can only hope...

[@dogmoons]

Great His virtuosity never ceases to amaze me Just a beautiful musical genius

[@TheJoelcottrell]

Whilst Vai's music doesn't really do anything for me, I never fail to be utterly fascinated by his insights into composition, his skill, his ability to articulate concepts and his relentless creativity.

[@ryankharl]

Unbelievable virtuosity, talent, music and beyond. He is like a painting full of beautiful colors, sophisticated but beautiful!

[@zletahthegoat]

4:54 Hahah "Its really easy.." continues to play with lightning fast speed

[@TheCrazyHeadGamer]

he reprensents the real difference between amateurs and pros. He actually thinks every notes he plays, even in those very fast licks, no random notes Thanks for making me remember that i suck at guitar ! mind blowing

[@utooberblooper]

+TheCrazyHeadGamer you suck at guitar because your focus is on what 10 billion other mindless fools are on: gaming,its not original,its not a job,its not worth having in your name,it doesn't require talent.its for lazy tards that dont work and hope they can do fuck all instead of doing something productive.

[@TheCrazyHeadGamer]

+trillriff-axegrinder +trillriff-axegrinder Wow ! Are you real ? You know my focus only by looking at my KZbin name ? You're a fucking genious ! And thanks for the insults as well, hope you feel better now !

[@BAmalakas]

+trillriff-axegrinder you really do have an axe to grind don't you?

[@Pratt-zp5mr]

+TheCrazyHeadGamer I understand what you mean from a drumming perspective. Kinda like listening to Neil Peart break down one of his tracks part by part and, only then, do you realize that he's obviously thought about every drumbeat that is played for the song, even those that are allowed to be "spontaneous" ("Don't leave spontaneity to chance"- N. Peart). Seems all us mere mortals can try do is trod is these very big footsteps laid down by our influences. Glad I'm not alone in this thinking

[@akbuilder7626]

+byagtrafdlo If you lack the ability to appreciate a gifted musician then yes it probably does seem boring.

[@jacksempleband7577]

MR Vai is a visionary ,cutting edge creativity ,technique, and humor !A true guitar God!

[@ConspX]

Bulgarian music ftw, my parents are both Bulgarian wedding music professionals and have a lot of respect for Steve both as a musician and as an ambassador of our music around the world.

[@KarlGeorges]

I want all of his albums explained and commented like this.

[@agustinares930]

Karl Georges Me Too!

[@TheKirkYates]

What a tease this ended up being lol

[@rayzor5026]

The more that PURE artistry shows it,s powerful face, do we all so see the emptyness of non-understanding opinion These artist endlessly try to reshape lifetimes of effort solely for the love of it all you CANT beat any one who has such passion but you can LISTEN ... A lifetime player !!!

[@tasiociafancelli9912]

well said is not even close!

[@rushnut2112]

This guy is on such another level...he hears melodies in places most would never find them. Incredible.

[@axemon2000]

Steve, not only are you a great musician, you are a fantastic teacher. Thank-you for being an inspiration

[@SpaceCattttt]

Bulgarian divorce music should be pretty wild.

[@brk932]

Yes it is. First hand testimony. "Ripping out your scrotum through your wallet" blues particularly

[@vessela84]

Dude, what on earth is Bulgarian wedding music?

[@wonder6789]

Bulgarian procreation techniques must be pretty kinky.

[@VasilBelezhkov]

@@vessela84 Just the music I grew up as a kid with :) I wrote some classical guitar music in this style (if you are interested you can check 'Krivo Chirpansko horo' or 'Dimcheva rachenitsa' here in my channel).

[@raulperez2308]

@@VasilBelezhkov man that was cool as shit, thanks for some new good music to learn :D never heard of the style until now

[@PatHeathGuitar]

Such a great insight into your playing Steve. Its funny that all these years guys like me had to do it by ear, and now for kids everything is so available to see first hand! Joy, for those of us who can appreciate the difference anyway! You really are one of the all time greats mate! Thanks for the music! (And videos)

[@pianystrom8137]

After watching this I almost felt like playing my guitar, which I haven't done in tooo many years. Thank you, Steve, this was an inspiration, a pleasure to listen to and a learning experience! Bulgarian wedding music rocks:-)

[@TheGoddessCaroline]

That fret board is gorgeous. I've listened to this song a lot but loved the lesson here.It's great to know how it came together. Thanks for the lesson and turning me on to new styles of music. I love that! I

[@metalchug426]

I like this tone so much.

[@darenpeycheveternal]

I'm glad you like bulgarian music. Greetings from Bulgaria!

[@Gregorypeckory]

Steve is a great model for the rest of us, in regard to how he loves what he does, is always exploring new ground, and enjoying working his ass off as this video demonstrates. The looping exercise is great! Aside from his stellar career, he deserves a lot of credit for sending a ton of people to check out the badass Ivo Papazov and his band. It cracks me up to imagine the reactions of some of the metalheads who normally listen to nothing but rock virtuosos, upon hearing those guys rip.

[@MyExRebirth]

Still Blown Away in 2021!

[@ambycakes]

I wouldn't even know what to do with such a studio. I'd honestly never leave that room

[@guitarslim56]

I would leave periodically for beer.

[@nospillblood]

no one cares

[@Joepepelombardo]

I LOVE THIS GUY

[@xxArcanexx]

What a great lesson Steve. Thank you so much for teaching us how your genius ideas are made into riffs and eventually an entire song.

[@ClassicalRay]

I have alot more respect for Mr. Vai after watching this video. He is very intelligent and thoughtful in his playing. Exploring new ideas and concepts is vital to keep the juices flowing and the energy alive. My hats of to you Steve!

[@johnbidochka2795]

I can understand why the compositions of Ivo Papasov would interest Vai, it's pretty dense stuff. His album "Balkanology" has a lot of interesting things in it. Granted it won't be for everybody.

[@neoshaolin1]

"A toung twister for the fingers" hahaha his analogies are great.

[@ladyjane8023]

This is brilliant. He is Joda with the guitar, a real master...Steve, God bless you

[@nikolaykolev5143]

Feels so great to be Bulgarian looking this video!! Thanks Steve!!

[@KingOfShadows1500]

Potwheelz What the fuck are you talking about? Getting your inspiration from somewhere isn't the equivalent of ripping off something. If he had transcribed a Bulgarian traditional piece and published it as his own, that would have been a rip off. Did he do that? No. He simply listened to a lot of Bulgarian music, which influenced him and brought a new colour to his own music. Why don't we just listen to Bulgarian music instead? We do, but we also listen to Vai because they're two entirely different styles and feel very differently. By the way, I'm Bulgarian and: 1) We're white too. 2) I don't feel like he's ''ripping off'' my culture.

[@Don_of_the_Dad]

Potwheelz Satriani taught Vai, dude...

[@michellenejones1332]

KingOfShadows1500 hfjtgdm ,

[@therunzone]

Steve say's something so true around 4:50 that really sets him apart from guys like Malmsteen, and he does a quick example of it. "Going up and down scales is easy". It's the "Making something speak" part that he does like no other. Just awesome Steve, keep um coming!!

[@HrhFish]

Even when you play fast licks you should avoid playing the obvious. This is what stretches your technique on the instrument. I'm working on 64ths at the moment and I look for the patterns that really twist your fingers and stretch those tendons. Particularly between the G and B string as your first finger can become lazy from playing bar chords all the time. People tend to slag shredding off to much cos they can't do it. Playing really fast makes you aware of how much time you have between each beat and it helps you take the time to get the nuances on the notes in your phrasing. It also improves your accuracy.This is a really cool video and he makes some very interesting points. To change the subject I also feel that people should stop slagging things off and being abusive on line. It's so easy to insult. People that slag each other off behind their backs have boring lives and nothing to talk about. Its harder to be positive and complimentary about someone.

[@tasiociafancelli9912]

truth has been spoken!! thank you for this little class of guitar and for stating one of the biggest problems in this so called advanced civilization

[@jonosborne334]

64ths at what tempo? meaningless unless in the context of a certain tempo.....64ths at 120bpm impressive....64ths at 60 not so much

[@benelphick5870]

The heart.. He means every single one of those notes. He's such an inspirational and humble human too... A real inspiration for myself personally on a HUMAN level and of course as a guitarist. Thanks for the music and positivity Steve. All the very best

[@eveoflow]

Steve is a true Jem in the Universe.....' brilliance of melodies of earth and space with such inspiration in so many ways for so many reasons

[@volodymyr.kushnir]

someone said, to became professional you should spend 10 000 of hours doing something... a little of math: 30 mins per day ~= 55 years, 1 hour per day ~= 27 years, 3 hours per day ~= 9 years, 5 hours per day ~= 5.4 years, 8 hours per day ~= 3.5 years, last record the most interesting cause this is how much time you typically spend on your regular work... now you can imagine where you are...

[@petecabrina]

+voffka 0xff Then on top of that you need some form of natural talent, whether physically or instinctually/creatively. And as with many things in life it is also a confidence game, doubt prevents most people from being able to push themselves, adapt and excel.

[@srvonguitar.1765]

Once upon a time.Before 1920s 30. Its was common knowledge A person had always best creatively.Between time they morning till 4pm Roughly 8 10 hrs. .Breakfast To Dinner this dates b Back to Adam Or Beginning of man. Where ever your at on that one. Work was usually was tend to Animals or crops at sun rise. Andsunset. There's your 8 to 10 hours. To be creative. and man was. No TV. lot less influence from Propaganda Elitist. more Awareness of self. Today we have the worse case's of Identity Crisis This Earth has ever see. Mr Jenner Thinks He's Ms Jenner. Folks it doesn't work that way.. To think it does,Makes you sick in the Head. That was by Design by Fed govt using.K thru 12. Education System to Brainwashed and Indoctrination.That a fact you can Google up.

[@crimsun7186]

Unless someone actually performs a study on such statement, everyone is parrotign th same truism without actually thinking about it.

[@jervistetchyousician8351]

I'll be there within 6,5 years or somethin' I'm practicing 4 hours per day.

[@KarlGeorges]

'doing something' is certainly not good enough. It's not so much the number of hours that count (then I would be be as good as Vai by now LOL) but the quality of the playing and exercises. Concentrating on boring things instead of jamming, that's the clue.

[@Thelizzwizz]

4:50 ... that's the best legato I've ever seen!

[@MM-ve5wb]

Well you should both listen to Allan Holdsworth or Brett Garsed...

[@juansotillo4829]

Listen to Tom Quayle!

[@rockinroy]

i am envious of the set up area where he is able to play in such an encouraging environment and all especially with the serene ambiance of the scented candles....thank you for the video. you're the greatest.

[@fasteddie4145]

very refreshing.....only a guy with great self confidence and soul is THIS open to sharing his music and technique.....

[@xkalivasx]

Thanks a lot for the 7 string guitar Steve!

[@warpfac101]

Thanks for the look inside. That was a lot of fun.

[@lonewolfsanctum8634]

This is the ONLY guitar player on the planet that I don't care about his albums, the titles of his songs, just to watch and hear him play, man that's all I need.

[@GoldgunMM1]

i dont know why but this video made me proud of being a Bulgarian. I hope that Steve makes a show in my country, cause I would love to hear his virtuosity live!

[@Joepepelombardo]

He is every bit the genus Zappa was

[@MakMuk]

Zappa wasn't a genius.

[@Joepepelombardo]

Mak Muk No he was a musicale one tho facts don't lie im mean i ant going to get in to no stupid conversation ether lol i got more in portent things to do than argue on line lmao Don't say something about something you think you know cause if i had the time id show you,But you can find out on your own if u want,Or be like the Zappa haters that took one or 2 stupid songs and judged his whol carrer on it if thats the case shut the phuck up lol

[@Joepepelombardo]

Mak Muk Look uo Steve Via talks about Zappa on You tube or others to ive learned a lot in 8 years of having a pc and well thats that im tired now i remember why i stopped hanging on you tube comments there stupid people out there arf!! I know lots of facts about Zappa in 45 years im a freak facts don't lie

[@Joepepelombardo]

Mak Muk Do you think Steve Vai is one lol

[@Joepepelombardo]

***** Big head big brain to

[@Tropicsca]

now I'm going to go out and buy a Bulgarian wedding music cd

[@TheSnaveeelPlaysGames]

This is perfect advice for creating any piece of music!

[@guitarspeare]

Man his fingers are just so graceful and so smooth. He is indeed a god!

[@stonerdemon]

4:50 Relax, guys. Steve can do all that. He's just not interested anymore.

[@armageddonibliz4807]

Exactly. Vai knows everything about the guitar... How to make them and how to play them with all the different styles there is... But when he compose a song, it's all about being VAI.... His addiction to making melodies that expresses a certain emotion....

[@spectraphantom6597]

Chris Manzi When does he play Flamenco?

[@vessela84]

4:51 "It's real easy to sit here and go: $*%&(#@*#%" Really??!?

[@jordanturner7917]

Not to mention he carries on a casual conversation without missing a beat on the guitar or his words 😂😂😂😂

[@StratMatt777]

Practice what he is doing there for 1 hour and you'll be doing it. Don't give up before you try. You could have learned it 2 years ago if you thought that you could learn it. (I'm not being judgemental... I'm just saying, "Give yourself more credit because you can do it too".

[@charlesc775]

He's always been a great.. I like very much hearing someone with his background doing new things .. Aces to Steve Vai!!!

[@gearmeister]

Ok, 3rd time I watched this one, Stevo... It comes up every couple years as a recommended vid! Only one SV.. Peace

[@vichkata17]

Българи, тука ли сме?!❤️ 🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬

[@darkorange5164]

Тъй вярно

[@bobwreck3775]

If it wasn't for the candles none of this would be possible. Kidding.. love Via

[@reggaefan2700]

Bob Wreck Does he not know that his music has no soul?

[@TM42]

Reggae Fan Listen to For the Love of God and tell me he has no soul in his playing.

[@ShadovvV]

Trent Morrison He ripped that one off from an eastern folk song. Listen to what he says in this video, he even admits it.

[@ShadovvV]

***** Delta Blues has "soul" IMO.. none of which Steve has. Steve is more akin to an ancient Chinese space cadet.

[@palonazo]

ShadowⓋ Nope. He says he infused musicality and phrasing from Bulgarian wedding music. To me, that's not ripping.

[@nicklev2211]

Feeling proud so I'm bulgarian!!! Thank you Stave ! Aloha !

[@torcelular]

in my opinion the best and most armonic guitarist.his talent has no limits

[@guitarslim56]

He aromatic, too.

[@lilyjordy2859]

So funny to see butt hurt idiots getting all jealous and insulting Vai. He is nothing short of intelligent, sexy, inspiring and a beautiful soul, if you're hating on this sensitive, humble talented legend who was chosen by FRANK ZAPPA then you better go to your local dumpster dive event or something. Have a good day everyone ;)

[@spamnegg.1798]

+LYLI j Whats a dumpster dive event?

[@piotrhobbysta5614]

+trillriff-axegrinder Who is she? So why doesn't she teach us and show plenty of her extraordinary achievements?

[@markmasoner]

+Kenn71 purty sure u meant definitely ; ) Just saw Steve and the gang and the generation axe show, he rocked!

[@Kenn71]

+mark masoner Shit. I had to say "At least we can spell" didn't I? LOL. Ya got me. HAHA!

[@mostlyirishcarguy8955]

trillriff-axegrinder but I'd like to see the 8-9 year old Asian write all the great songs that vai has

[@naturebc]

Good job Steve! If you delve into some eastern european/balkan music you will find lots of these interesting bands and phrasing that will blow your mind. Look for gyspy music too.

[@omegapointil]

Damned generous of him to contribute his counsel to the masses for nothing. Its very much appreciated.

[@maribeldelafuentegarcia883]

18 juliol in Madrid ( Spain ), in REAL JARDIN BOTANICO ALFONSO XIII vamos a verte... you the 22 hs.. ¡¡¡ Thank you very much Steve Vai !!!

[@PeaheadProductions]

Steve made me look up "Bulgarian Wedding Music", I think that his actual goal

[@RachEspinosa]

what is that green thing on his neck pickup?, and what is it for?

[@RachEspinosa]

***** thanks :)

[@diggingwithmartin]

that's tape. when you hit the strings hard, the high e string can get caught under the pick up edge....... his words, not mine.

[@diggingwithmartin]

it happens to my jem I got from him, but I don't have the tape on it. I don't like how the tape looks & every now and then my high e string does get caught under the pick up edge.

[@diggingwithmartin]

no, its actually a problem with most neck humbucker equipped guitars without pickup covers. when you get them adjusted up to the strings for a good strong signal, they are a possible string catch if you hit down very hard on the high e string. that's why a lot of gibsons have covers on their humbuckers. i love my jem and i don't want to put tape over the edges of my pickups, im just careful but it still has happened at times.

[@diggingwithmartin]

it hasn't happened that often to me either but mr vai is an incredibly aggressive player and I could see how he would need that prevention. if you watch his older videos of the white jem's, they don't have the tape on there yet and I have seen it happen to him on live video. if you listen to his latest venture with Ibanez making a limited exact production of flo, he actually explains the reason for the tape.

[@michaelvigil1417]

Steve Vai is a musical genius and awesome guitarist!!!! My brother played for me this video of a performance he did years ago, and it really blew my mind....Very Talented!!!!

[@AleksisPelli]

Best stuff from Steve since Passion&Warfare and Crossroads!

[@SkinsConrad]

This is insane. It's like watching a video of Albert Einstein in a lab showing you how to build an atomic bomb. Here's a guy still trying to come up with miraculous stuff and not resting on his laurels like EVH.

[@thatnorwegianguy1986]

EVH is resting on his laurels because he has made a fuck ton of money he is worth a 100 million. Steve I believe is worth 10 million both are great guitar players.

[@bankruptbritain6103]

I prefer Van Halen though, perfection isn't always that exciting

[@tonypowell250]

EVH is actually shit compared to Vai.

[@commentfreely5443]

einstein making meth

[@WickedJester77]

@@bankruptbritain6103 Thats such a cop out answer.

[@MatrixRZ5]

Steve Vai is too talented.

[@free_jazz]

Each note is nuanced and interpreted with the exact words

[@warnerww83]

jesus....with a flick of the wrist Vai shows a mastery of the fret board. He throws these riffs out there like its nothing and I'm fumbling trying to get my jaw off the floor.

[@mihneazoican2479]

17/16 or 7/16? There are 4 groups of 7 there

[@davemartinguitarist]

Mihnea Zoican 7/16 definitely. Where he’s got 17 from, I don’t know... 🤷‍♂️

[@fortsechs]

@@davemartinguitarist That´s what I would say as well. When he said it´s in 17/16, I thought "wow, that´s really odd a meter", but then what he plays is clearly 7/8 or 7/16, which is relatively common. So I guess it was a slip of his tongue.

[@davemartinguitarist]

@@fortsechs If he phrased the lick as: ||: 1234 123 1234 123 123 :|| Then of course he would be correct, but like you I’m hearing 4 bars of 7/16 on the record

[@puertecitos6888]

Paganini reincarnated.

[@ShadovvV]

Puertecitos68 Pffff.. sure, if Paganini did LSD regularly maybe. Most of Steve's music is a convoluted and noisy mess.

[@puertecitos6888]

ShadowⓋ its about his guitar playing not his goofy tunes. Paganini was the real deal and no lsd required.

[@ShadovvV]

Puertecitos68 The comparison is way off. Maybe Vivaldi or somebody like that, but certainly not Paganini. No way.

[@puertecitos6888]

ShadowⓋ Vivaldi? no. Paganini? yes. since you're not a musician (and I can tell by your ignorance) go compare Michael Jackson and Bieber because that would be at your low level of musical taste . stay away from the classical greats because you are waaaaaay off.

[@ShadovvV]

Puertecitos68 Ignorance? Actually, you're not even educated enough to know that Paganini's music sounded nothing like Steve Vai. You're an idiot. Steve's musical career has shown a far more eastern sounding (almost oriental) or put it in terms your imbecilic mind can comprehend, a 'happier' sounding eastern edge. It's not even close to the more eerie haunting sounding Italian violin pieces that Paganini composed in his time. You're WAY off. Paganini was also referred to as being "satanic" by the church and when he died, the local church refused to bury his body on consecrated ground, instead putting his body in a church basement for decades until it had a proper burial. Furthermore, Paganini hardly ever performed in front of people because he was an introvert who everyone thought was evil (especially when he played), which is COMPLETELY 360 degrees the opposite of Steve who's extremely outgoing and in his early career played daisy tripping oriental sounding songs about happy "little green men" coming to play with his toys in his bedroom as a child. NOW, tell me - wise ass, does ALL OF THAT sound ANYTHING like Steve Vai? I think not. Steve is a happy-go-lucky goofball who wore spandex in the 80's writing songs about partying in New York with David Lee Roth. That's not even remotely close to the lifestyle Paganini lived. LEARN fool.

[@intrsoul]

Wow - I've been a fan for years. Add 'great teacher' to his list of talents... very articulate and inspiring.

[@VirgilGuitar]

Thge closing statement really helped me - I am in the middle of an instrumental rock CD DVD project and it's taking such a long time, mainly because I refuse to "Settle" on the old riffing. It takes TIME to get stuff sounding unique. I will probably never be like Steve Vai in the way he plays, but I certainly am on his level when it comes to the love of creating music. I think it's awesome that he posted something like this. Thanks Steve!

[@TheLegend-yb4ok]

my god...how to reach this level of playing? you have to be born with it

[@j_freed]

+The Legend - Steve 'worked very hard for everything' he got out of the guitar, 'none of it came easy' to him. What does that tell you to do as a player?

[@spamnegg.1798]

+The Legend Some don't realize all the great guitar players practised really hard and played as much as possible and still maintain this commitment. If you practised so hard with concentration you will be good.

[@j_freed]

Yes, Spam'n'Egg - even Randy Rhoads (who appeared effortless & gifted) learned and worked constantly. "You have to love the guitar. Don't be lazy." - words of a guitar god who perhaps had more natural potential than most, but regardless made the MOST of it and was unrelentingly focused & passionate.

The Legend Nop, you gotta work on it

[@bryanmannoia8410]

it helps to have natural ability but you have to practice to get good at anything. steve said he used to play 8 to 9 hours a day. he also had satriani as a teacher and zappa as a mentor. put it all together to get the genius of steve vai.

[@Joepepelombardo]

Yo WTF we like what we like who cares

[@Joepepelombardo]

***** Really to much shit talking here

[@j_freed]

Wolfy I did not see Joepepe anywhere in Steve's video. Though he tried.

[@ibfreely8952]

Thanks to steve for getting some spotlight on Bulgaria, very cool.

[@wed746jdhue]

thanks for the glimpse into your creative process. it's incredibly instructive

[@hillarychapman1]

Very creative but his playing doesn't sound melodic to my ears

[@beefcake0354]

Hillary Chapman Me too

[@hillarychapman1]

Mendelsohn, Ellington, PAarker, Beethoven, etc.. their music is organically developed from the inside out rather than assembled from different pieces. The harmonies unfold from the inside led by melodies

[@lukessummerguitar]

Hillary Chapman He hasn't wrote one in years ( if ever ).

[@abradfordajb]

Sorry ..... it's "American Idol" for you.

[@justanotheranhedonicguy5132]

Then you must be deaf, this is just pure melody. Go listen to your blues shit if you can't appreciate modal changes nor fast music, fucktard.

[@gorethem]

I agree the candles and the lighting are killer off the frets !!! This is a great video to learn from also. Steve Vai is the best !! Gorethem

[@RolanTHUNDER]

Vai is the KING!Great advice and insight that actually helps us guitarists as always :)

[@elvisrios756]

I love how he shares his secrets with us. Even telling us about the obscure bands he is being inspired by. Most guys would just keep it hidden.

[@phphreak]

Wow. Great video. The fact that Vai would take the time and do this for his fans is amazing.

[@ivanho6574]

So awesome for insight to your creations ! Thanks for the great posts !

[@m14k15ts29]

I need to pause and rewind all the time to figure out exactly how he does this. Steve Vai is really amazing, there is really no one like him!

[@tinypeckerwussy2835]

steve vai and joe satriani are two of many of the greatest guitarists ever of all time but they also know how to create a perfect piece of music as well ! not everyone has melodies and solos in their heads like they do ! i put their styles and techniques into my playing along with many other types of music and guitar player's as well !!!

[@AJB-mn2bx]

God what a beautiful player, lovvve that improv at the start.

[@tomkeefe2051]

My appreciation for what he does and how he approaches an idea just rose 110% I love that Bulgarian gypsy sound. Very cool.

[@handsheal]

Very inspirational! It's great to watch someone who is so passionate about his craft.

[@prestonprice9416]

I have checked with lvo and I owe you for something I didn't know I could love thanks Mr Vai !!!

[@K2shadowfax]

A Master Craftsman at work. Thanks for sharing.

[@RsinsRpaid]

I just love everything this guy does man. NICE!

[@Jmilillo]

Steve’s tone is otherworldly

[@Satchwood]

Thank you Mr Vai - just some awesome pointers to help a guitarist "think"...."play" outside the box - great stuff!!!

[@jcdenton616]

It's fantastic hearing him describe the nuance of his pharasing and his little idiosyncrasies, gives me far more respect for him as a guitarist as if it was possible to respect the guy even more than I do!

[@ClockworkDave]

Brilliant song, awesome breakdown and lesson. And now you've turned me onto the genius of Ivo Papasov (wow) there is no going back. Ever.

[@gerrymancuso]

This was inspiring to watch. Lots of gems of info in this one. Thanks Steve. ✊

[@mmichels]

So great to have a class like that!! Thanks to youtube and Steve Vai!!