Steve Vai: Evolution of an Icon

After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com/gearfest for incredible deals, artist appearances, workshops, and amazing performances, June 25 and 26, 2021! 👉 imp.i114863.ne...
World-renowned guitarist Steve Vai shares insights on his technique, how his style has evolved over the years, his signature Ibanez guitars, the high Synergy preamp system, and much more.
Check out more videos from GearFest Online 2021 👉 • GearFest ONLINE 2021 a...
#Sweetwater #GearFestOnline

[@lucianradusart]

He is not a guitar player...he is an artist.

[@JbfMusicGuitar]

40 minutes of Vai chatting about guitar stuff??? Yes please!

[@BeatsAndGuitars]

The details that Steve gives us about his journey playing guitar are incredibly relatable and deeply intimate. Thank you Sweetwater for hosting...thank you Steve for being completely transparent with us.

[@rickdeckard1075]

my thought was "jeez gary oldman can play anyone"

[@relaxationmusicsanctuary3664]

He’s a great: as a musician, as an artist, as a teacher. It’s always a pleasure to hear him talking and showing things

[@vincentl.9469]

there's a touch of eastern music influence here

[@ShredHeadJHJ]

Steve Vai is a treasure to the guitar community.

[@richiegrohs9137]

You got that right and so am I.

[@richiegrohs9137]

He looks like HOWARD STERN HERE BUT HOWARD STERN IS KOOL ONCE HE REALIZED BIDEN SUCKS..

[@kspocketngroove3973]

that little “nod” to EVH, was humble, respectful and pure admiration !

[@AdamSpade]

And real. EVH was a big deal.

[@kspocketngroove3973]

@@AdamSpade like Steve said, “game changer”

[@josem2558]

EVH........STEVE VAI.EVOLUTION.🤘🇺🇸

[@cindyinnew]

He adores EVH

[@KauffeyBean]

"How can I fail if I don't give up" Thanks Steve - you have been a valuable inspiration for decades 💙

[@RayC234]

That seals it! My new band name is gonna be "Electric Ham Sandwich"

[@georgeohwell7428]

Al Bundy needs to be on the cover of your first album.

[@RayC234]

@@georgeohwell7428 Yes indeed!

[@dannyhood7433]

That idea reminds me of BLT jack Bruce, bill lordan, robin trower. Good idea. There's another reference too frank Zappa , when he says 'everyday is just like christmas' was something frank used too do with tape recording I forget? I think was like sampling? I could be wrong. Somewhere on KZbin Steve is at a pulpit telling Zappa stories to the audiance

[@8evolutions]

Thank you, Steve, once again for the reminder of following our joy, enthusiasm and excitement to more effortlessly create/manifest our preferred reality! Always inspiring and encouraging! I know we’re reminded of these things from others, but it’s great to hear it from someone in my chosen field. Thanks, Sweetwater, for hosting this presentation!

[@cansee0]

It’s hard to believe, this guy lost to Ralph Macchio

[@bakarenibsheut12]

He didn't, he lost to himself. Steve recorded Macchio's parts.

[@hansvandermeulen5515]

Only in Hollywood.

[@steveg219]

Mr Vai’s tones are even better than before, this rig sounds really smooth with great sustain

[@loubadabin420]

Nice guy, interesting music journey to his tone awakening.

[@TheWilliamHoganExperience]

Loved the outro, and everything that came before it. What really comes through here is Stevie's sense of humanity and humility before this magnificent instrument called the guitar. Just like with love itself, no one ever truly masters it. The reward is in the journey. Thanks for the inspiration Mr. Vai.

[@russell_szabados]

Very well said.

[@NeilTurnbull007]

Steve has been a huge inspiration to me since the mid 80`s not just for his incredible technical ability and his sheer creativity and sense of melody ,but also his wisdom and humility add another level to what can be learned from this true star.

[@MrClassicmetal]

It's quite remarkable that he's been at the forefront for so long. That's quite unique.

[@43captrexkramer]

This is so true, met him once after a show backstage and he was quite reserved and humble, as nice and friendly a megastar of his stature you could meet.

[@bradotto2251]

Thank you, Mr. Vai!. Thanks, sweetwater.

[@Mr.D34]

Great video Sweetwater, thanks a lot! Steve Vai doesn't stop his evolution. Every album and every tour it's always fresh and new. A true artist and a genius.

[@tamirkeren6750]

Had the pleasure to see him play live twice . He's my all time guitar hero.

[@tylersmith4078]

Me too bout to see him a third time in march already got my tickets my favorite guitarist of all time hope he's coming through your area so you can see him a third time too.

[@geraldt7052]

I often wish FZ was still around shaking the earth & maybe Mr. Vai & FZ would cross paths again for one more tune that would surely shake the universe! --Thank You, Steve!

[@DrMurdercock]

Vai's videos have been popping up all the time lately. The advice he gives, is one information that people would've sold their souls for and I'm not even joking. To the youngsters whom may see this....Back in the day, people would travel STATES away to try and see a player live or try to get lessons from him. INformation like this wasn't common knowledge yet to the average player and this kind of information wasn't just kicked around lightly. Appreciate this completely because this is priceless information.

[@odgeUK]

To me. Vai's tone and attack changed significantly after Fire Garden. Wish he'd spoken more about how he evolved from the Rock sound of DLR and Passion & Warfare, to today's tone which I think has elements of a modern synth sound in it.

[@panavisionnot7180]

Steve Vai's focusing on ( music ) task is what a black hole is to a Galaxy..

[@billtilghman2232]

Thank you Steve. Too late for me but hope some youngsters will watch.

[@chrismitchum7474]

Dude! Had a blue Teisco in 73...thought music was religion. Thinkin da wurl wuz mon...😝

[@davez7616]

Good grief...such greatness and humility combined! Who wouldn't want to hang with Steve for a beer or two? What a great video! And yes, I had to look up "mellifluous"... thanks Steve!

[@pawlpoche8736]

I love when vai doesn’t play a lot of notes, it’s so much better. Ask Alex Lifeson

[@fabiofmetal]

Supreme Master OF ALL!!! Steve Vai Ladies and Gentleman!!! Art, Philosophy, Music and precision in everything that he THINKS AND DOES! Brasil Loves you Master!!!

[@sweetwater]

🤘🤘🤘

[@BakerImageGroup]

Who would have thought Steve would have an uncanny resemblance to Detective Gordon in 2021.

[@Charlie_Chicago]

I didn't even know Jeff Goldbloom played guitar.

[@tranquilitybase6417]

I'm drooling over all the Eventides. Can NEVER have enough Eventides!

[@loucifer8009]

Franks tone was in his head. Hendrix's tone was in his heart and soul and that is really where it ultimately comes from.

[@doctoribanez]

Steve's such a great guy

[@automan1223]

Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson made the 1990's into the 2000's pure electric !! Nothing but respect for these incredible musicians !!! "Little Stevie Vai.... What a nice little boy" .....

[@markwelner5788]

wow I didn't know Groucho marx played guitar

[@kendallivy8922]

Steve is so intense, passionate and controlled that he did this entire video with just a few edits! A guitar player’s guitar player. Loved this so much because our journey of discovery is layered with so many discoveries, milestones and experiences mixed with visions and dreams, but to us it’s all one thing and he conveys that so well. Great story. Great guitar player. One of the GOATS. Thanks Steve for being so,……You! lol ❤️

[@rtaylor1105]

thank you for a lifetime of inspiration...and sore fingers

[@stephenbedford1395]

It's great that he's playing again after his hand injury but he seems to be playing a little less aggressively than before... which is probably a good thing.

[@octavarium008]

It's nice to see that after all these years, he still uses the ubiquitous DS-1.

[@voxpathfinder15r]

Why not? I own several modded DS-1s, a Japanese made one - but one I am using now is a bone stock Taiwan model. You can certainly push the tone knob into disgusting screeching territory. But if people got away from the paradigms of everything at noon or guitar volume and tone knob on 10…they might discover that the DS1 can be an awesome pedal!

[@BobGuido]

I never imagined as a kid that one day I would get to have a music lesson with Steve Vai, especially one on the most important aspect of being a musician - Finding Your Artistic Voice. FYAV as I like to call it. Takk-Grazie Steve!

[@imoffendedthatyouareoffended]

We truly live in a fantastic time. Where our legends have connected with us and have tried sharing their techniques and how they attack things or new methods that simplify things.

[@BobGuido]

@@imoffendedthatyouareoffended Indeed. I don't play anything like Steve after years of developing my own style of music but I really appreciate hearing from him and also finding out what a great person he is. You often imagine all people in Steve's position to be complete ego maniacs who believe that the entire world revolves around them. I suppose Steve's parents did something right when they raised him to be a nice person who tries to be authentic and generous. I think Steve really tried to help Yngwie Malmsteen get off his high horse but I'm not sure how well Yngwie has received Steve's gift. Steve can be quite silly and corny but he's always been that way and I appreciate his honesty. I'm sure his children adore him and that's something that is likely paramount to Steve's happiness and his continued growth as an artist. I would love to hear an album of Steve's where he only played slow. I think it would be so creative and very interesting melodically. He has an ear unlike anyone else and hears things in a unique way and I often imagine what that would be like if it were removed from the kinetic guitar maneuvering he's prone to. It seems possible that Steve could reduce his note count and be more interesting as an artist.

[@michaelscaccia1454]

What I love most about his playing is the circular vibrato. It looks and sounds so cool

[@wolfgang4136]

I love hearing him talk. Everything he advises can not just be for the guitar or music…. You can apply it to all aspects of existence. I’m convinced he was a psychologist in a past life

[@MrAwesomeSaucesome]

somewhere in the distance, Eric Johnson is putting on mech armor and tooling up over that batteries comment

[@markberkovics4542]

If Steve ever decides to become a life coach, I'll be the first to sign up :) This talk is so motivational, so full of wisdom and inspiration. Thank you so much, Steve.

[@melodiejones7100]

Go to KZbin and check out his Under It All series. I believe there are a couple not on there but only on Patreon, but most are on YT for free.

[@dancame2517]

The "warm up" was breathtaking! What a wonderful human being. Such an inspiration, both as a musician and a human being.

[@spricy3374]

That was amazing! I loved guitar as a kid. When I first hear Yankee Rose, that was it. I got a guitar.

[@KRayxKodessA]

There will never be another Steve Vai. I had the pleasure of hosting a meet and greet with him years back, and he's an absolute gentleman. I love how he continues to push the boundaries of what the guitar can do after so long, while still maintaining his humility.

[@xiyx9748]

Richie Allan already is

[@ledhendrix5054]

Steve is bang on right about really wanting something so bad , I wanted to play real good and spent alot of my time practicing playing listening and reading about guitar , 35 years later im still learning and progressing

[@robertsole9970]

Whatever happened to "Jack Butler" after he got beat in the contest?.......

[@Charlie_Chicago]

I feel like he's telling this story in real time

[@ignisraendl3721]

such a great mind you have mr Vai. feel privileged to have Passion and Warfare hit when i was a teenager. thanks for enhancing my ears and my mind.

[@sweetwater]

The Audience Is Listening 🤘

[@RonnieVaiArovo]

@@sweetwater For The Love Of God, I agree 👌👌👌

[@sweetwater]

@@RonnieVaiArovo This guy has the Answers 👆

[@meerkat7406]

Alcatrazz's album with Steve is an amazing all around entertaining hard rock gem of an album.

[@clydeterry2289]

🤔🤔 I understand what you mean about riffs playing somebody else's Rifts it's like still in their soul techniques come from feeling different Souls have different sounds I may go far for somebody else's playing but I have my own style but Steve you're right it feels funny to play somebody else's riffs and solos

[@clydeterry2289]

I made some typos up there like stealing somebody else's soul i did not have to change it and I'm staining 4 guitars 🎸

[@COTG666]

I could listen to him warm up all day long. Friggin amazing.

[@barnpostmedia]

I want to see Steve Via and Victor Wooten team up. Throw Billy Sheehan in there as well.

[@jamesmarcin4787]

Awesome, I remember first being introduced to Steve Vai in the early 80's when my friend who passed a few years ago let me borrow his Flexible Album. Been a fan ever since.

[@crossroads900]

The man has most definitely paid his dues to get where he is currently...and we're all benefiting 🤩 Thanks for all the great work 😊

[@aladar451]

E’ un legatore, la tecnica è quella!

[@jeremythornton433]

You're also allowed to dream as an adult. I do it all the time. Thank you, Steve for all the great music! I've seen you play multiple times and always leave happy!

[@laufonseca4444]

Steve Vai is pure gold.

[@hummahumma3585]

Fascinating listening, even though I am not guitarist.👍

[@kevinklampe2350]

Note precision efficiency at its finest. Every note carefully selected by this mad man I know so well.

[@palumbodiablo3031]

"I never want to be the greatest guitarist, just wanna be a great player."

[@LIGHTintheHALLS]

I love to hear him play slower and create those amazing bends.

[@DadRockProject]

You sir, are an inspiration and a legend.

[@superblondeDotOrg]

One of the coolest things Vai ever did was to copy the idea of the Micheal Angelo Batio quad-guitar and double-guitar to create the Vai "heart shaped 3-neck guitar", more for looks and showmanship than playability or musicality.

[@jollyvoqar195]

That's one badass looking guitar. Decent playing too. :P

[@azwris]

I have seen Steve in Greece once. He played 3 hours that day. Unbelievable artist.

[@kevinklampe2350]

The Choice of notes that Steve Chooses, irregardless of sequence, are incredibly superp & far superior then apmost anyone. It makes me curious as to how much of an influence Zappa was & is on Steve Today. No matter how many times I hear this I never cease to be in awe. The trippy thing is, it has nothing to do with speed. It's more about choice of notes, feel, & practice. The man is amazing. Looking forward to sitting down & watching full documentary & Sweetwater!

[@diego2246]

Great talent and hard work. But also great luck of having an incredible teacher that oriented him in the right direction.

[@orroworld]

The wisdom that shines through Steve's words is universal and can be applied onto life itself. Thank you!

[@duranjerome]

When I think of electric guitar-playing, I think of Steve Vai. Right up there with Eddie Van Halen. It's just a different context. Great interview, thanks Sweetwater!

[@RogerSullivanNOLA]

When he talks about how your fretting and picking affect tone, and how all the parts of the guitar affect it, it makes me wish he'd done this video back in the day when I was arguing relentlessly over this on guitar forms. Tone is in the fingers...and the guitar, and the amp.

[@alwaysopen7970]

Tone is between the ears.

[@vincentl.9469]

I've often been told long fingers or short fingers -it don't matter, but watching him here , I think it does

[@murraywebster1228]

Great personality, didn’t think anything much about it before but what a straight, downright , feet on the floor guy 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@COLDMKULTRA]

Steve Vai should definitely consider taking up the guitar for a living ! But Seriously Folks .... (what an utterly great and inspiring Legend / Bloke)

[@randymartin3575]

Thank you Steve for being so inspirational ,you hit it so dead on

[@the92project]

Fumbled notes fear Steve Vai

[@axeaddiction796]

What great insight from a musical genius

[@kentvanschuyler9520]

I have a 1992 seven string Universe.... still working! But how in the world could you do this clip never once mentioning your collaboration with Ibanez...nor amps, pedals.. and the other 'ecoutrements' that are a huge part of the Vai sound??? God bless and protect you and yours, dear mystro+

[@nxesr]

It's like he is going into the sounds of randomness and making music from this, pretty awesome 🔥

[@thmp3r]

I understand it. The myriad of styles included. He absorbs and recreates better than anyone else’s with more variety. I’ve known if Steve for 18+ yrs? But as an older person - 5 notes changed your life off of Led Z. And Joe…………. Man!!! Secret top 5 overall hero.

[@tasteapiana]

I never noticed how flat fingered Steve plays. That's interesting to me. I started on violin at age 4 and got familiar with playing on the very tip of the finger from day #1. I switched to guitar at 10 and only used the pads of my fingers for certain chords, still today I only flat finger when doing mostly jazz chords, never on runs or quick note sequences. His actual fingering technique seems like it would be a super sloppy style but somehow he does it :/

[@lucasgm03]

Steve sweet and humble dude god bless him!! keep rocking!

[@Tyldenfilm]

Vai is such an inspiration. Been playing guitar for almost 30 years and have never been into that whole solo virtuoso thing, can't play it either, but I love listening to him talking about the guitar as a vessel for you inner self.

[@truescotsman4103]

i just purchased the JEM7VP Alder body with ebony fingerboard. Thank you Steve!!!! Can't wait!!

[@COLDMKULTRA]

Black Napkin ... Watermelon In Easter Hay ... For The Love Of God ... These compositions all came from "somewhere Else"

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I was 16 in1985 and Motley Crue just released Shout at the Devil. The little town I lived in had a music store that was a BC Rich authorized dealer. And there was the Warlock that Mick Mars played! But when I took it off the rack and plucked the strings, I remember thinking “that sounds nothing like what’s on the record. The salesman told me I needed a distortion pedal. He hooked it up and showed me how to play power chords. I had that same reaction that Steve had when he played that Zeppelin lick. I CAN DO THAT! So I had my mom buy that Warlock, a Tube Screamer, a Fender Twin. She agreed to co-sign the financing as long as I made the monthly payments. Back then it was $30/month. Oh, and tuning forks were still the way to tune, so the salesman agreed to throw in a Korg digital tuner. That and all the cables. I sat in my room with the vinyl record and learned every song on that album by ear.

[@aptosdrone5273]

Unbelievable intro!! Way to go Steve!

[@FlankinspanK]

wow that gold inlay is pure "Steve Vais youngest son".....ok....I'll see myself out. LOL!

[@GeoZero]

Steve Vai taking lessons from Joe Satriani... that just blew my mind.

[@GeoZero]

@@UR_Right24 Never knew that they lived nearby.

[@AndyMangele]

There is only one Whitesnake album I really like and that's "Slip of the tongue" - the reason is quite obvious!

[@mikedtubey]

Love it! Your story really resonates with me! Mathews Music Roosevelt Field Mail!!! I loved and frequented that store, myself, as well as Sam Ash when it was in Hempstead and Focus II Guitar Centers. I idolized you! I was lucky enough to meet You and Joe Despagni after the backstage Whitesnake, Jones Beach Boardwalk Restaurant. Thanks for talking to me at the bar. I was so in Awe!!! I also was lucky enough to grow up with Larry Mitchell, the same way you grew up with Joe Satriani. Larry Mitchell used to teach me in his apartment in Far Rockaway. Thanks for all you do Steve!!! Actually when i used to go to Focus II I remember they had to tom shultz rockman guitar rack effects. and Joe Despagni Jem Guitars. I just remember playing throught that equipt and i imagined I was you on the eat and smile tour. lLoking back, to me, the the sound was dead on for the live tour sound of eat em and smile. I remember that rack either said Vai on it or eat em and smile. Do you remember if you actually programmed the Rockman equiptment at Focus II? Thanks again!

[@Elias_Frost]

Back in 2008, I bought my first electric guitar (Ibanez, of course) and a few minutes later Steve Vai have signed it for me at that guitar shop:) So, technically, Steve Vai sold me that guitar XD

[@mattmclean1306]

You sir, are in a big line of guitar demigods. You have inspired me since the first time I saw crossroads and heard flexible on a turntable. Thank you for the new grand hurdles you gave, throwing my playing to the next realm. My creativity went into overdrive after your example. Thank you for that. You are one of my top 5 zen masters & will always be. So glad you are here with us on this planet. You help make the stay here worth while. 🎸🎸🎸

[@marcobaek1378]

the beginning of this video is Steve Vai Building the Church ahem.......(scatters on)

[@questionableabsanity]

you know when you stop being a kid, is when you stop dreaming and that's when you become boring! (and strangely infantile... believing what you are told and being obedient)... never stop dreaming, coz thats where progress is born!

[@tommyfunk693]

VERY informative. I took notes on this. I MUST apply.

[@kevinklampe2350]

Note Mastery Note Efficiency Every note carefully selected Culminates into an incredible Electric Inspiration

[@robertgmerek]

"How can I fail if I don't give up"...it's that simple. Thanks Steve

[@danielmcguinness3497]

Thanks Steve, enjoyed your insights on tone… gave me a new perspective.

[@kara-patri-astral-maps]

OK..so I used to be..(and still am)..one of your biggest disciples ..yet..I understand something... Jimi burned on acid when he did Machine Gun @ Winterland

[@MikeUIibarri]

Caught him live, a few times. One the Best on the Planet. Just can't get into some of his "out there" stuff. Like the opening here.

[@l8tapex]

yea... this backing track set up he has been using for years. The musicality is not of norms but repetition of trying to be different. From E johnson to the vey young Max Oto they have more melody which keep the masses more interested vs the intelectual OCD learner.