Make an exercise out of everything you can’t do. Steve Vai More Quotes by Steve Vai More Quotes From Steve Vai Criticism can be devastating. When push comes to shove, we are all very sensitive. Steve Vai sensitive criticism I've learned over the years that you're going to be most successful at the things you're most excited to do. Every artist has a special set of tools. When you really use those tools, and you make yourself feel really good about the product you create, I think you'll find an audience for it. I've been very fortunate in that respect. Steve Vai artist successful thinking You can never deny the immense talent, rock credibility and iconic historical contribution that Van Halen made. Steve Vai rocks talent historical There's very notable dynamics in all of the collaborations I've done. It's hard to say if one is more important than the other, but if I had to think of all situations and point to one band that I enjoyed most it would be when I was eight years old. I had a band with my little sister and the kid across the street. We sat around all day playing music and it was bliss. I didn't have any expectations or do it for anyone or worry about selling an album. That was really my favorite band. We were called Hot Chocolate. Steve Vai eight kids thinking I didn't have any aspirations of becoming famous or successful; in fact I was scared to death of all that. I remember somebody once said that if a rock musician goes on tour, he goes insane. I was very impressionable and I carried this useless weight of fear around with me about going on tour, all because of this thing somebody said. Steve Vai rocks insane successful I don't think I approach my songs differently from other artists. You get a big picture of it, and you imagine the song and hear and feel it, and that big picture is like a snapshot, and it comes to you as fast as it takes to click a camera. Steve Vai artist song thinking The guitar is the coolest instrument in the world. Steve Vai instruments guitar world If you want to be a virtuoso then you have to set your sights above me. You have to go beyond what I'm doing. And that's for you to figure out. Because if you can do that, then I'm going to be trying to go beyond you. Steve Vai sight want trying If I remain true to what's in my heart, that's all the success I need. Steve Vai my-heart heart needs I've been approached many times to write all sorts of books about my past and my personal life. I get interest from people who want to do reality shows, and somebody just offered me a huge amount of money to write my spiritual memoirs. I'm just not interested. Steve Vai spiritual writing book I think every artist subconsciously wants to evolve themselves. Sometimes they get stuck in ruts because of pop culture, peer pressure, stuff like that. But what excites me most is exploring my own musical insights and expanding upon them. Steve Vai musical artist thinking It's very hard to come across as a passionate human being in print. People can't hear the inflections in your voice. Steve Vai passionate voice people Reps once took chances on art, History's most treasured musicians were believed in and cultivated to reach their potential. Today, it would be difficult for those musicians to get deals. Steve Vai musician would-be art The older I get, the more I just like plugging directly into my amp. I'm tired of trying to impress myself with weird sounds. It's about the notes more. Steve Vai tired sound trying The classical guitar has a dynamic to it unlike a regular acoustic guitar or an electric guitar. You know, there's times when you should play and there's times when you gotta hold back. It's an extremely dynamic instrument. Steve Vai acoustics guitar play When I was young, I wasn't a misfit or anything. I had friends in all the different social groups. But I had issues - just personal issues, insecurities and other things that had happened in my life. Steve Vai insecurity issues groups We have the insight and the tools to identify and bring to fruition the dormant talent that our artists possess. Favored Nations will be branded as the home base for inspired musical talent. Steve Vai musical artist home I dedicated all the time I had to it. The 10 hour workout was just what I put in the magazine at the time, but for me it was every waking moment. Steve Vai guitar workout player I can tell you this: I'm an extremely passionate individual. I try to be careful how I display it because you never know how people are going to take it. Steve Vai passionate trying people ... you watch Jimi Hendrix literally reinvent the instrument. He was playing from somewhere else. He was really a kind of hybrid, and I can't even begin to imagine where he came from Steve Vai music somewhere-else watches