My short bio: Hi folks, Steve Vai here. I am an American guitarist, songwriter, singer, and producer who has sold over 15 million albums and toured the world for the last 35 years. I’ve played, recorded and toured with Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Alcatrazz, etc (http://www.vai.com/discography-full/) - I have released solo records, DVDs, and performed on countless records, soundtracks and concerts. I’m here to answer any questions you may have about guitar, composing, orchestration, recording, distribution, technology, etc. My Proof: https://www.facebook.com/stevevai/posts/10153842731279026

Comments: 505 • Responses: 43  • Date: 

randommusician104 karma

What's your favorite Frank Zappa story we haven't heard?

EDIT: been a huge fan of you and you're playing since getting into Zappa and seeing you in Crossroads

VaiHimself160 karma

There's too many to mention. But a recent quote that I remember and that I use is definitely worth sharing. Frank said, "You have to learn how to own and operate the word no."

VaiHimself133 karma

He also said, "There's only two things to remember. Number 1: Don't stop and Number 2: Keep going."

VaiHimself88 karma

Well folks I've gotta run. A huge thank you to everyone that stopped by today. Wish I could have gotten to everybody's questions. I look forward to doing this again sometime, and hope to see everyone on the road very soon!

AtomicStiuca52 karma

STEVE!! What's your favourite Joe Satriani track (no, you can't pick all of em)?

VaiHimself72 karma

Cryin

travo845 karma

Are there any specific exercises for increasing picking speed and accuracy that you recommend? I can finger pick decently but my picking is garbage. Thanks!

VaiHimself153 karma

Too many to mention but the important thing is starting very slow and listening carefully to every note to make sure each is coming out clear and beautiful. If something comes out wrong you have to go back and work on it until it sounds perfect. Then increase the speed form there. Your right hand technique is very important. You need to focus on moving your wrist and fingers as little as possible but making sure the note is coming out beautiful. This way when you start getting faster, you don't have to move so much. I call that economy of motion.

TheEvilDrPie39 karma

Why a handle in your guitar, Mr Vai?

Surely it came with a case?

VaiHimself74 karma

Because I knew out of all the unique elements that were introduced when that guitar came out, the handle was one no one would copy.

2feetorless36 karma

Are you better than Ralph Macchio in real life?

VaiHimself40 karma

According to what you are expecting of me.

kfm94635 karma

Hey Steve! I have 2 questions for you:

  1. What are the top 3 songs that you have the most fun playing on guitar? (From any artist, including yourself)
  2. Do you ever find yourself lacking inspiration or motivation to pick up your guitar and play? And what do you do to re-inspire yourself?

Thanks for doing this AMA! You've been a huge inspiration for me as a guitar player and musician. Keep up the great work!

VaiHimself111 karma

  1. My next 3.
  2. I'm usually never not inspired to pick up and play. But sometimes uninspired things come out. When that happens, I put my focus deeper into every note and that usually does the trick. Another cool thing I can recommend, is whenever you come up with something that feels inspired, even a little piece of music or riff, try to capture it on some sort of device, like an iPhone, etc. If you find you're in a dry spell, if you go back and listen to something that felt inspired at the time, there's a good chance it can ignite a flame within you in that moment.

Gamer_Stix34 karma

Hey Steve! I've been a fan of your insane guitar skills ever since I heard you play in the Halo 2 theme. Did Bungie approach you about taking a part in the soundtrack, or did you already have an interest in the series? A dream of mine is to get involved with making video game / movie soundtracks!

VaiHimself73 karma

My friend Nile Rodgers was producing the soundcheck. I was in Seattle where he was recording and he asked if I would be interested. I wasn't sure I wanted to record for a video game. I called my kids and told them about the opportunity. I think it was the first time they thought how cool I was. I really enjoyed it and was happy to come back for the anniversary game.

a12bari32 karma

If you could tell your 18 year old self anything what would it be ? I won't say much about being a fan and what not; just that you inspire...

VaiHimself108 karma

"You're doing fine." And I would tell my 18 year old self that because that's the one thing I really needed to hear when I was 18 that nobody said. On top of that, advice is seldom relished. Especially when you're 18.

fastfingers66629 karma

Hi Steve,

I've loved your playing since I was 10 and try to play guitar to a fraction of your ability. I love your signature JEMs, but am wondering something about them. Why have none of the models had a sustainer pickup like your own #2, FLO? I love the possibilities you can get with the sustainer, and think that tons of guitarists would love one in a JEM. Thanks again for the music!!

VaiHimself88 karma

Good question. Any sustainers that I've purchased in the past have a tendency to be inconsistent. So for every 3 or 4 that I buy, usually one is useful. So I'm uncomfortable putting something in one of my signature models that may potentially be under par. But they're an easy add-on for anybody interested... Well, maybe not easy.

IAm_Alive25 karma

How are you on bass?

VaiHimself108 karma

It's about as good as my slide playing... Which is about as good as my Italian... Which isn't really great.

JCShroyer25 karma

Hey Steve! I don't really have any questions for you after spending most of my life reading about you and following your exploits.

Can you just say 'Hi' to me?

Thanks. :D

VaiHimself62 karma

Hi!

Angel_Gael_77723 karma

Hi, Steve! Your left front tooth used to be chipped, and I always wondered what the story was behind that! Wanna share? :D

VaiHimself56 karma

In third grade, while standing in line out on the playground, I was holding a cigar box filled with Matchbox cars. Somebody hit the bottom of the box really hard and my favorite green racer shot up and hit me in the tooth and chipped it. I left it like that until I was about 45 years old and then I had it capped. Now I don't look like Jethro.. as much.

LavenderG0Omz21 karma

Do you think there's a chance for Crossroads 2? Jack Butler changed my life.

VaiHimself73 karma

Jack Bulter sure hopes so because he wants to kick that little shit's ass.

ianblack818 karma

Steve, how did you manage your anxieties during early years of your career, including fear of public speaking and performing, and how did you eventually overcome them?

VaiHimself65 karma

There was two kinds of fears. One was naturally based in front of getting in front of people and being the best I could be. But the only fear there, was a concern that everything would go well and that people would appreciate what I'm doing. But that fear dwindled away because I realized that things go wrong sometimes, and you just deal with them if they do, when they happen. And eventually the fear of unacceptance went away because it's foolish to think you can please everybody. One way to circumvent fear of performing is to have the sincere desire to please yourself first, and put your attention in the present moment and nothing else. What I mean by that is, enjoy the process of playing the guitar when you're playing it. And don't let other thoughts enter. Because the only thing that creates fear is your own thoughts that you're allowing yourself to embrace.

Peidorreiro17 karma

Have you ever farted while playing?

VaiHimself87 karma

The questions is... Have I never not farted while playing? No matter what anyone does or says about it, farts will always be funny. They make one of the funniest noises on the planet, it comes out of your ass, and it smells like...

flayingwithwords17 karma

Hey Steve. As your myth and legend have grown, is there anything you see written about you that you disagree with or refute?

VaiHimself50 karma

No. Because anything that anyone writes is based on their perspective and everyone has a right to their own perspective. Having said that, I have seen things that were just in error like wrong information that is not opinion based. But thats common for all musicians. I don't get caught up in opinion any more. It took me awhile but the freedom in it is delicious.

ianblack817 karma

Steve, how do you keep yourself feeling good, especially during / after rehearsals, soundchecks, shows and public appearances that would seem to drain a lot of physical and mental energy? You’re always constant, accurate, intense, relaxed, and you enjoy every moment. What are the keys to that?

VaiHimself73 karma

The key is deciding what thoughts you're going to think about any situation. Within any job or relationship or creative environment, there is always what you're perceiving and if the conditions of your thoughts are more negative, then what you'll see in the world will correspond to the kinds of thoughts you're thinking. And that will be your truth. But there is a multitude of truths for any one situation. I just look for the truths in any situation that make me feel good, and then that becomes my experience. A lot has been written these days about the power of positive thinking, but it could never be underestimated, passé, or trendy. Positive thinking is the key to finding peace within yourself. But the only way to effectively embrace positive thoughts are by first recognizing in yourself the negative thoughts you've been imprisoned by.

labeth16 karma

Are you disappointed that your awesome riffs have yet to create a neon, rock-centric, time-traveling utopia?

VaiHimself35 karma

Not if I'm the alien that you think I am. And how do you know I haven't done that?

LookWhatIDidAgain16 karma

Hey Steve,

I have just started to learn guitar at 28 & I was hoping that you had any tips for a late starter?

VaiHimself78 karma

First tip: don't worry about being a late starter, and congratulate yourself for starting. Second tip: find the thing that you love the most about playing the guitar and throw yourself into it with joy. Third tip: don't worry about the future. Actually, don't worry about anything. If you find what you really like, and you invest yourself in it, you'll always enjoy playing. And that's always the biggest payoff no matter what age you're at when you pick up a guitar.

dispatcher_8315 karma

Steve - what is your LEAST favorite guitar to play? Who is someone you've always wanted to play with but haven't had the chance to?

Personal note - Jibboom, Frank and the rest of Ultra zone is one of my all-time always go to albums.

VaiHimself43 karma

  1. One with no strings.
  2. I would love to sit in a room with Tom Waits and bang out some stuff.

angothemango115 karma

Hi Steve! Really big fan, saw you in Glasgow a couple of years ago (please come back!) I've got a million questions to ask, but I've narrowed it down to three:

1)Out of all the guitars you've played, which is your favourite?

2)How do you approach songwriting? Do you just mess around until something appears or do you systematically use intervals to construct a tune?

3)Apparently you're an avid beekeeper. Do you ever play to your bees?

VaiHimself52 karma

  1. EVO
  2. I listen for an idea in my mind's ear and then I use any means necessary to bring it into the physical world.
  3. The only song they recognize is "Wind Beneath My Wings" and oddly enough, the last hive that I had was from Bette Midler's house. Maybe that's why.

goozemar14 karma

Hey Steve! Do you ever miss Long Island?

VaiHimself28 karma

Yes. I miss the fall and the spring. I miss New Yorkers themselves. I miss old friends and family and i miss the New York state of mind. I get back often enough for a fix.

DinoZ_Official13 karma

Do you play sports?

VaiHimself78 karma

I like to run, swim, bike, and lift weights but I am not a fan of competitive sports. The best way to get better at anything and remain feeling good is to compete against your own last accomplishment. When you see somebody in the world who may have more refined tools then you, instead of competing with them, you can use them as a source of inspirations. It is a better and healthier way to get better at anything.

MarinaArbat13 karma

Happy 25th Passion and Warfare Anniversary!! What about the Passion adn Warfare 25th Anniversary Tour dates? Are you coming to Europe? Can you tell us approximmately when?

Thanks for stepping by!

VaiHimself30 karma

Thanks. I working on a 25th Anniversary package release that will come out middle of next... so more like a 26th anniversary but there will real surprises in it. And yes I am looking to do a Passion and Warfare world tour where I play the entire record. There will also be other production surprises on the road if I can swing them. They are pretty ambitious.

swal9511 karma

Who is your favourite guitarist ever? What is the one album you'd recommend for guitar players?

VaiHimself28 karma

Allan Holdsworth... The album would be according to what style the like. For me Jeff Beck's 'Blow by Blow' is one of my favorite guitar albums.

bethebryant11 karma

Do you still need a fan on stage without your glorious long hair to blow around and look amazing?

VaiHimself22 karma

Yep! Because even short hair looks amazing when it's being blown around.

lllamanation10 karma

Do you remember when I played your guitar on stage at wolverhampton civic during some audience participation act?

VaiHimself16 karma

Ah YOU were that guy...

Boldizzle10 karma

Hi Steve,

I saw you play at a G3 concert a couple years ago and I'm totally convinced that you are either an Alien or a Cyborg as your guitaring abilities were simply not of this world.

If you are an Alien, which planet are you from?

If you're a Cyborg, I don't know where John Connor is.

VaiHimself23 karma

Technically, we're all aliens. I'm an alien but I'm from Earth. And we could all be cyborgs too. Perhaps someone else's experiment. And it doesn't matter.

6pacalypseNow10 karma

Hi Steve! Thanks for doing this AMA. I have a few questions:

  1. From your experience, what are the biggest differences between writing music for guitar and composing for the orchestra?
  2. Are you planning to write more music for the orchestra?
  3. What advice would you give to beginning composers?

VaiHimself27 karma

  1. With an orchestra you have such a vast palette of colors to choose from and have a lot more ability to make harmonic and melodic power and depth. Whereas even though the guitar at the right volume can devastate an orchestra you only have a limited number of strings. Composing for an orchestra makes for a completely unique creative experience.

  2. Yes I do plan to do a lot more. Focusing on getting the most out of my fingers now before they start to revolt.

  3. Exercise your inner ear by transcending technique and music academics because that comes first. The ideas you come up with are paramount and the way you note and understand musical notation is just a tool. At night before bed, I like to sit and listen to music in my head and how it would sound. I don't think about notation at that point. Gardner Read's Music Notation and Alfred Blatter's Instrumentation and Orchestration are both great tools to help you get your ideas to the manuscript paper.

whatswhat6110 karma

Hey Steve! What are some recent releases from current artists that you've enjoyed? Anything that might surprise us?

VaiHimself20 karma

I like the new Sonny Landreth record. I like the new Zappa record that was released by the estate, it's called "Dance Me This". I bought the last Lee Ritenour record, and that was a first for me.

exwasstalking9 karma

Steve, what young guitarists out there do you think are ready to carry the torch once you decide to retire? Any promising young talent out there?

VaiHimself26 karma

Anybody that really loves the instrument and really finds their own voice on it, which is happening all the time, but i cant point to anyone particular. It could be you.

crearias9 karma

Hi Steve, what was the most exotic place/venue where you have ever played?

VaiHimself22 karma

It was in Greece on top of a mountain surrounded by desert as far as you could see. There was a village on top of the mountain with a stage built into the rocks. The audience was amazing. I think it was on the Real Illusions tour.

Tayrenroar_968 karma

What is your favorite color?

VaiHimself23 karma

Alien Love Secrets Green

SamFletcha8 karma

Hey Steve! I actually just bought my first guitar about a week ago and was wondering, how did you get started playing the guitar?

VaiHimself15 karma

The first time I saw somebody play the guitar that I remember, had an impact on me. I was 5 years old and the kid that was playing was 9 years old. That's when I knew I wanted to play the guitar. But I didn't actually pick it up and start playing until I was 12, after I heard Led Zeppelin. And I used to watch the Partridge Family on tv and especially Danny Bonaduce. And I thought hey, if he can do it...

ianblack88 karma

Steve, which are your favorite keyboard synthesizers? You have very distinct synth sounds on your recordings since “Skyscraper”.

VaiHimself16 karma

They've changed constantly. But I do have a gigantic bank of samples that I migrate from one sample player to another. These days I use Kontakt within Pro Tools and many of the libraries that are made for it. But I also create my own libraries of sounds. As far as keyboards go, I usually go right to whatever the latest Korg keyboard is.

Camel_Wearing_A_Fez7 karma

Hey Steve! I'm a huge fan and super pumped that you're answering all these questions. I've just got one. According to the liner notes of Flex-Able Leftovers, you buried a handful of coins on the beach in San Sebastian, Spain back in the 80's. Do you know if anyone has found the coins yet?

VaiHimself38 karma

I've buried multiple things around the world, just for kicks. And I have little treasure maps for them. None have been posted and nothing that I know of has been found. One of my earrings is on the top of Mt. Shasta. There's stuff buried on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. There's things on the islands of Rottnest Island off of the coast of Perth. In the bowels of Russia, in Siberia, Rio, and many others. But as of right now, they're my secret alone.

dimplejuice7 karma

If you could go back in time and have been a fly on the wall in the studio to see one album being made, which would it be?

VaiHimself17 karma

Good question... Probably Bone Machine by Tom Waits.

Mrtnwlkr4 karma

Hey!

When did you start playing guitar and for how long have you been playing?

VaiHimself14 karma

I started when I was 12 or 13 and I am 55 now.

Savart3 karma

Hi Steve, With all yourr history and accomplishements is there still a dream project that you'd want to do?

VaiHimself7 karma

Far too many to mention. Having said that, I feel great gratitude for all that I have accomplished. I never thought I'd accomplish so much. So anything from here on is gravy.

LDM953 karma

When did you realise that you were very good on the guitar?

VaiHimself4 karma

When the day comes that I stop feeling like I'm not good enough and I hope that day never comes. I enjoy striving and thats what it is all about.

ismellliketuna1 karma

Are you a fan of the technical death metal genre and if so are there any bands you're at the moment?

VaiHimself4 karma

No. I might be if I exposed myself to some of it. But whatever you allow into yourself, has a tendency to transform you into it. And most of the music that I've heard in that genre has an emotional dynamic that just doesn't feel good to me.