Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players

[@asch251]

Imagine if Vai wrote a book on composition as a whole. And delved into all the aspects he uses to compose. I would buy it in a second

[@ATX0705]

Oh man that would definitely be amazing!

[@christianolmeda]

As a self-taught player, the older I get the more I encounter gaps in knowledge that although I bridge to get through writing or executing, I’m reminded how even in the fundamentals I’m missing valuable aspects. This is wonderful!

[@alecsavoye2698]

Vai always strikes me as the opposite of an egomaniac rockstar. Like so humble and straightforward and honest. Huge huge respects.

[@PrinceWesterburg]

Wow - Only Steve Vai can make reading the titles of chapters interesting! :D

[@B0yardigi0rn0]

Thank you for giving back Steve, you're a wonderful human being. I wish this book was around when I was 15!

[@alexvieira7945]

I want it now!

[@hfm2hfv]

It's on Amazon.com, too.

[@heckler73]

I want it 20 years ago...does it come with a time machine?

[@hfm2hfv]

@@heckler73 LOL - seriously! But once I get it, I'll be making up time!

[@IAmTheWoodmeister]

heckler73 when you find a flux capacitor let me know. We will take it back and know theory like Steve Via by now. Of course we would give Steve all of the proceeds. Lol

[@alexvieira7945]

@@IAmTheWoodmeister lol yea

[@SendilSelvan]

Thou has had me live in an ocean of love for thee and thine music all my life O great Master Steve. Your lessons have always been the kind that open infinite doors and windows towards the silence within. Somehow after delving in your music for well over two decades has been crucial and elemental in shaping my musical imagination. A simple thanks is a meagre attempt to convey my gratitude for thee. Adore you. Always

[@MrTarlecon]

"How deep you can go with your ideas and imagination and how much courage you have to express them without excuses"... Fantastic! So much wisdom! Dear Steve, greetings from Chelyabinsk (Russia)!

[@MemoriesRR]

Ordered it from Amazon Prime. Never to old to learn. That includes learning to appreciate Steve Vai's music. Thanks for the videos.

[@mdeguitar1378]

This is literally a dream come true! Some many good vibes and positive energy!! Thank you Steve Vai for your insight throughout the years. The very person who inspired me to pick up the guitar!

[@bwjtsa]

Picked this book up a few days ago. Out of all the theory books I have this is quickly becoming a favorite. I can’t say any of this information is new to me. It is however written in a way that means more to the guitarist. He also outlines some methods for internalizing these concepts in a solid way. I’ve already started using his methods.

[@intervalkid]

Music theory is extremely important for musicians to know, it can lead to much more original material. Instead of just basing everything off of stuff you've heard, you also can enrich your ears with sounds that you have not heard others perform. This of course with more advanced or eccentric theory for which you must first understand more usual or basic theory. I really like the part on instrument ranges and transposition/clef of different instruments as well the articulations and dynamics. It is really excellent to have those in a reference book for beginners as well as sometimes for even advanced composers (sometimes I forget an instruments range and key). Sounds like a great book.

[@shipwright90]

Hey Steve. I just wanted to let you know. You inspired me as a musician. All I played was death metal growing up and then I watched For the love of god lol. It changed the way I played and looked at music forever. I just wanted to thank you for being such an inspiration to so many. Also I finally bought my first jem and I've been ruined for all other guitars since lol.

[@mr.incognito9247]

I just got it as a Christmas present and I starting lecture. Thank you Santa Steve for this incredible gift!

[@OddScienceHarry]

Thanx Mister Vai - After almost 25 years of playing guitar I started on the road of Theory!! This Video inspired me, Ordered the book and I'm Blown away of it's contents and now have the feeling that I can do This and Need it to become more in tune with my ideas. Again Thanx for this great book!

[@phantomofoaktown]

Please do a book on ear training Vaideology 2 Do it Steve Do it do it!!!!!!!

[@lolzlarkin3059]

Surely it needs to be an audio book?

[@phantomofoaktown]

@@lolzlarkin3059 that's right! Even better! I hope Steve is taking note from these comments and hopefully there will be an ear training course with all of Steve's insight, idiosyncrasies, and nuances. Steve does believe that a well trained ear is what makes a musician a musician.

[@phantomofoaktown]

@Ancient Strings I caught that the first time that I saw it, I guess I got too excited, when I heard heavy on the ear training... I was thinking a course specific and expanded with every exercise imaginable, a detailed guide to exactly everything steve had done to develop his ear. I pray that the heavy on the ear training entails all of the drills that he put himself through, just got too excited and maybe was thinking along the lines of no way lol, thanks for the reply!

[@TheGazza83]

He wrote articles in Guitar world about ear training. Google it.

[@diogosanches6623]

It would be great

[@ForbiddenOldman]

I looked at all the famous guitarists of our time and I had the opinion that Steve is the most friendly and open of them)

[@ruiseartalcorn]

This looks like a great book! I've been playing for 54 years and have always violently fought against leaning "boring theory", however, somehow I have managed to absorb quite a lot of it ;) It seems that I actually do find it fascinating but have never really allowed myself to admit it, because when I started it wasn't "cool" ;) However, this looks like fun and I will definitely grab a copy! Many thanks Steve and keep on doing what you're doing! :)

[@danwilson9530]

Hey Steve, if you’re reading this comment, thanks! FINALLY a guitar focused music theory book written in a way my 50 year old brain can more easily absorb. I played guitar as a teen, even attended M.I. 32 years ago, but due to life circumstances I ended up taking what turned out to be a 25-ish year hiatus away from the instrument. I recently started playing again, but one forgets A LOT in 25 years. I happened to come across your theory book in GC and I’m glad I thumbed through it. I could quickly see by the way you presented the material that this book was GOLD, so I bought it and tossed aside the other theory book I’d already purchased months earlier. That book is good, but yours fits my needs perfectly. Steve, your book is helping me big time. Thanks again for taking the time to write it. I’d highly recommend this book to any guitar player of any age.

[@chadcraig5774]

I just got my copy in the mail. Extremely brief focused explanations that completely make sense. I am 100% happy with my purchase. Thank you Mr. Vai for making something understandable without taking the subject way out in the weeds forgetting the purpose.

[@darylm.stephens9603]

I love your humble sincere personality Mr Vai and of course your 🎶 music you are a blessing to the music world .

[@KOLDBLU3ST33L]

Steve, You ALWAYS come-off as so chill. Down to earth brother. Someone with your resume' is often unapproachable. NOT you sir. Thank you for your humility and inspirations. Rock on 😎

[@jettisonedguy257]

Looks great Steve. I'm keen to advance further on the electric guitar and as I've been a big fan of your music and productions for decades. Vaideology is a calling card. Thanks for all that you do for us Artists/ Musicians Steve and all the best for you and the channel in 2019

[@cleaningsuplydepot8595]

Thank you Mr. Vai for sharing your wisdom and knowledge and passing it on to others....I have watched you grow from being in Frank Zappa's band to transcribing for Guitar Player on the little records in their books to teaching others and also being in a lot of great bands. I just want to personally thank you and say that God has truly blessed you with your talent and will bless you much more for sharing it with others! =) Keep on rockin!

[@DudeSmokedd]

Instant buy. Thanks vai

[@NeilSummersgill]

Lilwayneology also out soon But I'll be getting yours Steve

[@christopherswing8457]

Ur a fucking cock Neil,now Neil down to the VAI !!!!!!!

[@briansanford169]

Christopher Swing He was just making a joke I think man.

[@leerobbo92]

It's just a joke. A very old, very unoriginal, very stale joke, but a joke nevertheless.

[@ikhsanhasbi657]

I personally plan on getting the Nickjonasology.

[@ZakEdwardsOfficial]

Kanyeology is dope

[@gianluigidautilia6417]

I have always been so negative in learning theory but when Steve speaks reaches your mind and inspires you just by showing a book. My guitar personal taste is not totally into vai , but as musician is so respected and charismatic that is with no doubt the biggest electric guitarist nowadays , well in the last 30 years

[@williamgoz4895]

I love you, Mr. Vai!!! I always wanted a book like this since I began playing guitar, almost 30 years ago (I’m self taught). Now I’m up to begin again learning from zero... but with lessons by my Guitar God!!! Thank you very much!!! Greetings from Mexico

[@Cole-ek7fh]

mr. vai, the most important thing for guitarists to know is as follows: practice sober. compose sober. record sober. play sober. jam while drinking.

[@brentonchattin]

Just purchased the book! Can’t wait til it gets here. Thanks Steve for sharing your knowledge with people. Love from down under!

[@sacredgeometrymusic3290]

thank you steve for all the works you gives to our world

[@BneiAnusim]

I remember when I listen to "Passion and Warfare" for the first time I was like.............. it changed my life musically. Thanks Steve for so many years of incredible music and congrats for your new book!

[@Ibaneddie76]

Yes! I have every transcription, lesson, video, and tab book Steve has ever put out, I think haha, Can't wait to get into this. All of his workout lessons helped my playing immeasurably. VAI RULES!

[@juanmelgar152]

Oh yeah baby, just bought it. Cant wait for it to arrive. I know nothing of music theory. Just a bunch of tabs I have learn from songs. You have thought me so much Steve, from technique, to feel and being your self in the guitar. Thank you so much for that. I think I will learn a lot from you book.

[@reidedgmon3217]

I ordered this the day it was available on Steve's website. Thank you for everything you give us Steve!

[@bubbles3161]

I studied music theory for years , sounds like a great book . A roadmap makes it easy to get where you want to go and if you use it , soon enough you won't need it anymore because you will remember how to get their that's when things get interesting . But , It's always good to revisit the basic fundamentals . Steve Vai studied at Berklee and is a master of music you can trust this guy he takes his craft very seriously he wouldn't put his name on something he doesn't believe in . Music theory gave me the ability to remember riffs write songs fit in at jam night learn a song i hear on the radio . . .

[@CAA-hq2kp]

Thanks Steve for all what you've done, for my ears and my heart. And for who you are, inspiring me and feeding my enjoyment of life.

[@dvincentblack]

Ordered! I've already been to music school but I can't wait to see what you've added to the topic! Thanks! Don

[@drinkspecials]

I started learning just before TABS came out. All of that rewinding and dropping the needle really trained my ear. Now I am appreciative that I went through that.

[@Diggerdog2nd]

Thanks Steve. I'll be picking it up. Been playing since 1979. I can't believe 40 years this year & I never have learned theory so I think maybe its about time. Even though not knowing it hasn't held me back I don't ever want to stop advancing (like most guitar players) ..And I'll probably get fewer funny looks from other guitarist that assume everyone already knows it.

[@A.D.D.O.C.D.T]

You are the reason I started to learn guitar ,for the love of god ,blew me away when I first heard it.

[@Iku1971]

Hi, Steve! It's incredible how productive and talented musician you are. You're the most innovative composer nowadays, your music has so many dimensions. Obviously your Zappa days weren't so bad afterall.

[@sophiafake-virus2456]

Yea but he goofed on the name, it should have been. VAIOLOGY, right?

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

This is THE book I been looking for to unlock further music potential . Thanks steve

[@mattohara957]

A true professional. I love this guy.

[@you0nlylivetwice]

Man we love you Steve, just in time when I need it!

[@TheChadPad]

Awesome man! This is a great service to guitarists world-wide. My nephew is totally excited about getting it, and you're his guitar hero. Thank you

[@eddiedoyle3607]

Beatos theory book is so good it is frightening ! But Steve's book doesn't go nearly as far as that , but is great for anyone who doesn't know theory very well , and it also contains much info on other music concepts , etc , which I'm not sure beatos book covers ? I would say vai book is a must have for most aspiring guitarists , and is presented in a way that is easy to grasp ( well , non of this is easy , let's face it ) but if I had this book 20 years ago , I would be 100 times better than I am now ( and my learning a lot faster ) get this book and really use it and take the time to fully understand and implement everything contained within it , thank you Steve !

[@OspreyEye]

Yea Beatos book is great if you like learning from handwritten pages.

[@CharlieKnolesPlus]

Can’t wait to buy this! Dude. This is what we’ve all needed.

[@FedericoLoddoShaman]

Infinitely thank you for your precious contribution :)

[@Sleepy8]

Steve, thank you for all you do.

[@conniemoats8937]

Wow think you Steve a must have. I am a 68 year old grandmother learning to play the electric guitar. Will enjoy all the info I can.

[@LuckySinghMusic]

Awesome Steve, I have a feeling this book is going to be gospel for a lot of guitar players and musicians out there. Just like your music and your career has spawned some of the best, congratulations brother 👌🏾

[@telefunkenyou47]

10 quotes that apply to martial arts, music, life. "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 techniques once, but I fear the man who has practiced one technique 10,000 times." "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." "Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own." "Always be yourself. Express yourself. Have faith in yourself....Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it." "If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you'll never get it done. Make at least one definite move daily toward your goal." "Choose the positive. You have choice, you are master of your attitude, choose the positive, the constructive. Optimism is a faith that leads to success." "Don’t fear failure. Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail." "The knowledge and skills you have achieved are meant to be forgotten so you can float comfortably in emptiness, without obstruction." "Life itself is your teacher, and you are in a state of constant learning." "Simplicity is the key to brilliance." ~ Bruce Lee

[@angusorvid8840]

I'll definitely be getting this book. I've been playing about 40 years, but there are a lot of gaps in my knowledge that have tripped me up at times and I want to get beyond that and understand what makes music tick and how to communicate, how to think about music in a more meta kind of way. I remember in my teenage years when I was jamming a lot with a jazz band, but they were way more advanced than me in expressing musical concepts, and although I could always gel with what they were doing, the inability to express concepts meant were lived in different worlds and I wanted to stand on the same plane. Like many guitarists I got off on the wrong foot. I had to go through five teachers till I found one patient enough to teach me to read guitar music. The other four thought it wasn't important, which was absurd as two of them went on to be very in-demand session players in the L.A. scene in the 80s. I got very good at playing by ear, could do all the shreddy stuff, but there was something missing, and that thing was theory. It's very, very important.

[@arnulfoparra9498]

Love and RESPECT for you Mr. Vai

[@simcoe75]

Just ordered mine, now. Thank you Mr.Vai 🤙🏻 It would be great if you also produced a book on your philosophy too. I always enjoy hearing you talk about life ✌🏻

[@harryiii3361]

exactly what im looking for and i feel better knowing the incredible work and skill of the artist who wrote this book

[@richieismyhero]

Thanks Steve, you give so much back to the world, from hearing you for the first time on the whitesnake slip of the tongue album, you have changed my life. So glad I got a chance to meet you. Thanks for everything I will be buying this book.

[@dampcarpet2607]

Vaidiology is gonna be a new religion

[@raybbaby]

Naw, you're thinking of "Vaderology". Beware the dark side.

[@hino-ucanada4506]

@@raybbaby hmmm, Damp Carpet might be right, here's a quote from the book: "Merge your being with the name of the note...."

[@humbuccaneer84]

@@hino-ucanada4506even though a note is only represented by a letter. I will recluse myself and make an album on a single one the 'G'. because it hits the spot....

[@dampcarpet2607]

Hino-U Canada omg I hate Steve’s esoteric spiritual BS he says/says and he thinks it’s cool

[@vr-virtualreality8875]

I have been worshipping that religion for the last 25 years.

[@jimmaculate5]

What a wonderful, thorough explanation of your book.

[@Surgicalsteel222]

This was EXACTLY what I was looking for! Ordered mine today!

[@eliotmccann2589]

I used to love Vai's "Alien Love Secrets" column in Guitar Player magazine in the late 80s. This sounds like an excellent follow-up.

[@Woundstring]

Oh my GAAAAAAAAWD........ Thank you so much for doing this Steve!!! Buying and telling every student from now on it's an essential. Ive been waiting so long for you to do something like this...truly great great news :D

[@SANDS78]

Very cool, you are one of the best representatives of guitar. Thank you for all your great contributions, we all owe you a big “thank you”

[@vanionsteele]

Brilliant resource, thanks Steve.

[@jamesvasey6091]

I've been waiting for a video like this

[@jamesmurff193]

I ordered this today. I have read and reread Little Black Dots, so many times, in my guitar journey, and have gleaned quite a bit from the guitar workout also. You are a great teacher. I'm counting down the days, because I've had a difficult time with music theory. Maybe it hasn't sunk in.

[@emochinchilla]

Thank you for all you do to help others. So humble and amazing.

[@CuriousKitchen]

Ordered one! Done! Can't wait now.

[@GregoryPearsonMusic]

I am going to buy a copy as soon as I can - I appreciate the theory aspect although I do know some of the intellectual aspects from playing trumpet and violin all these years. It might be an idea for you to make a companion book on how to practice - unless that is all in there as well. I am rediscovering your music lately here on YT and am really being inspired and fulfilled by the videos - music and interviews you have done - appreciating your authenticity.

[@swissarmyknight4306]

I don't mind throwing Vai some change. Thanks for all the good times.

[@stretchhfab7315]

I’m not a pro musician but I’m sooooo glad I learned music theory, and really got to understand how to use it. Learn it !! Even a little. This looks like a great book and will be going into my library!!! Thanks Steve you da man !!!

[@thomaszonkowski2115]

Steve your a damned treasure! A very powerful communicator

[@austinlawrence8477]

I just ordered a copy. I like technical things - cars, cyber security, electronics etc. but I've never gone deep into music theory. I play a good bit and have learned a lot by ear and have learned some scales (which I really only mentally understand as patterns which makes it easy for me to piece musical ideas together or to learn others music). Excited to dig into this, thanks Steve :)!

[@martinversalusmartin8708]

Greetings dear Dr. Vai. With all you said about theory in the introduction of this video, you almost made me quit as one of your greatest follower ever dude. But later on you said you love music theory and so I made up my mind and again I am not quitting being your greatest follower ever dude. Dr. Vai allow me to congratulate you for all you do to make all of your dreams come true. Remember that I have a great respect ✊ for your persona. Bye 👋🏽 it’s always good to hear whatever happens with the master inside your head.

[@saepiumv3813]

Wow! Looks impressive and with lots of information. I love music theory! Going to add this to my book collection.

[@ruben-alfredodelclanharkes450]

Master !! .., I follow you from your beginnings with Zappa (another grosso ..) .., the innovative style that you always expose in your works is what attracts me most of your music .., in addition to your unique technique .. , congratulations for your book and .. for more music that completes us so much! .., cordial hug!

[@RohannvanRensburg]

Man, spot on descriptions. All the best of the best recognize theory as grammar, and that studying it exclusively academically will get you nowhere practically. The idea of "experiential" vs exclusively "intellectual" is such a fundamental philosophical component to how we learn, especially language. The intellectual can orient you, help you analyze and communicate, but the experiential is how you truly understand and apply, vs abstractly memorize. The reason the North American gradeschool education system has been impoverished for so long is because of the exclusive focus on abstract theory, rather than true understanding through the process of continual "doing" in context. Watch a child learn to crawl, walk, run, speak, etc. They don't write tests first. The part about honey makes me wonder if he's read Nagel or Searle. Looking forward to picking one up!

[@BumblebeeofORLANDO]

Steve I always wished you wrote a book. This looks amazing! We have met a few times and I always wanted to tell you that you should write a philosophy piece. In the eyes of Mr Vai. You have done some interviews etc that had some importqnt life changing advise. You get your point across and really hit the heart and soul. Maybe one day we will see this book. Ty for everything you give from your mind and soul Steve! Ty Kevin

[@rolandlemus203]

Wow! I will check it out! Thanks Steve!

[@publicserviceannouncement4777]

You rock! I started learning guitar with Steve Smyth from Nevermore. I haven't played guitar in years but I finally have my own place to practice after experiencing years of homelessness. This book could help me pick up my acoustic guitar collecting dust in the corner of the room. I just bought my daughter a kid size guitar for Christmas. We can learn together. Kids are like geniuses. She encourages me to just pick up an instrument and play around for fun. She helps me get over my crippling perfectionism. Thank you for keeping your book simple. I'm highly considering purchasing!!!

[@publicserviceannouncement4777]

Holdsworthean 4ths I more than lucked out that he happened to be teaching guitar lessons in my town at the time. It was a "freak" coincidence. One cool part is that he played me a song he hadn't released yet, at that time, and he asked me what I thought about it.

[@publicserviceannouncement4777]

Also, thank you for reminding me of the correct spelling of his last name.

[@ElijahMendiola]

Steve from nevermore?!? Wow, that’s a name drop , I friggin love every album

[@shirtsguitar]

Awesome

[@Peetie_Wheatstraw]

Lots of useful subjects explored in this book. I may buy it.

[@Thunder1an]

I already ordered mine from Amazon, can't wait! Greetings from Chile

[@DimTim81]

This seems like it would be an amazing reference manual. A compilation of all the good stuff in one place.

[@davidwallace639]

Looks great Steve ! Can't wait to get it , I'm sure it'll be helpful as a teaching guide as well

[@sandervanoosten]

Just ordered mine, can’t wait!

[@Geotubest]

Digging the artwork Steve. Well done.

[@NicBurrows]

I will want this. Having watched your interview with Andersons I understood your background so much better and made me wish I knew some music theory. Now I need to find how to get this to my part of the world

[@RGMDG]

Congratulations on fulfilling that dream. I’m going to check it out.

[@theguitarvirtuosoforgod1152]

I’ve been waiting for this.

[@IAmTheWoodmeister]

The book that I have needed all of my life! I am somewhat of a songwriter (self proclaimed, ha) that has written songs received well by youth to people in their 90’s. (I definitely consider myself an amateur but that was a major accomplishment for me. Lol) Not even in the same galaxy as you, but still my passion. I have some knowledge of theory but not great at it. This is probably the missing link for me. I can’t wait to get my hands on this! Thank you!

[@brotendo]

This is amazing. I can't believe this is all just "basic" music theory. Will definitely order.

[@user-oy7gz5bf2h]

It goes way further than what I'd call basic.

[@kenai561]

My copy is on the way. Looking forward to it getting here!

[@lithon01]

steve vai is so great. such a likeable guy and of course a legend of the instrument

[@garrettendi]

I love you Steve Vai! Thanks for writing the book I've been needing for 16 years! Oh and ditto on the request for a book on ear training :D

[@skystahley3707]

Hello Sir! Just ordered my copy, thank you for all you do!

[@AntonioGazzaneo91]

God bless you mr. Vai, you're an endless source of ispiration and a great man, thank you for everything

[@Proghead88]

Simply amazing! The same human understanding and depth I hear in his music shows through in this book. Makes perfect sense :)

[@z_supernova]

Awesome Steve ! Thank you very much for this book, I just ordered it :)

[@KurtRichards]

Dear Steve! Please add a library of sound examples to your book! that's what I truly miss, especially concerning the advanced stuff! and also for beginners, sound files would give your book much more life, especially for the ones who hate music theory. hope you read this, all the best and lovely greetings from Vienna, KR