There is still a very strong subculture of people who want to do great things on an instrument, and who are stimulated by hearing people who can. That's reassuring. But it's gonna take a person - and I don't know who this is - to come along and reinvent the guitar as a virtuosic instrument in a completely different realm than any of us have done, or anybody else in the past. That's the clincher. Maybe that will happen and maybe it won't.

Steve Vai

Categorized in : Past Strong Music

The level of achievement that we have at anything, is a reflection, of how well, we were able to focus on it. Because the only thing that's holding you back, is the way you're thinking.

focus reflection thinking

The tone is in your fingers, not in your amp or effects. by Steve Vai

The tone is in your fingers, not in your amp or effects.

effects fingers tone

If you want to play something that you can't, you need to see and hear yourself doing it in your minds eye. It will start to happen

eye mind play

In the physical universe, there are objects that include suns, planets, all life, and all matter in all dimensions. And then there is the space where all these things exist. That space is the vital element. For virtually every kid since 1968 who picked up a guitar to find his voice on the instrument, Jimmy Page has been the space that enables all our notes to be played.

guitar voice kids

Find what you're best at and exaggerate it. by Steve Vai

Find what you're best at and exaggerate it.

musician

It's always funny to me when people use the phrase 'Best guitar player in the world'. There are too many variables such as technique, uniqueness, emotional investment in the notes, etc. But If I had to pick one, it would be Tommy Emmanuel. Watching him perform can be a study in artistic and virtuosic human achievement.

guitar emotional player

The only thing that's holding you back, is the way you're thinkin... by Steve Vai

The only thing that's holding you back, is the way you're thinking.

way thinking

Besides being a guitar player, I'm a big fan of the guitar. I lov... by Steve Vai

Besides being a guitar player, I'm a big fan of the guitar. I love that damn instrument.

being-in-love guitar player

Play slow and perfect - that’s the way to becoming a virtuoso. by Steve Vai

Play slow and perfect - that’s the way to becoming a virtuoso.

perfect play way

All musicians practice ear training constantly, whether or not they are cognizant of it. If, when listening to a piece of music, a musician is envisioning how to play it or is trying to play along, that musician is using his or her 'ear' - the understanding and recognition of musical elements - for guidance.

understanding practice play

I knew that I was going to have a life as a musician, because I always felt the pull. I don't remember ever having to make a choice.

musician choices remember

A good solo is like a book. It will start out in a phrase, it will go on in paragraphs, and then it will have a great ending.

phrases goes-on book

If you're feeling emotional when you're creating something, it'll... by Steve Vai

If you're feeling emotional when you're creating something, it'll sound that way.

creating emotional feelings

I have a deep love for life and my fellow human beings. I try to understand everything that everybody does, even if it seems wrong to me.

deep-love love-life trying

Possessing a healthy imagination is a necessary ingredient for cr... by Steve Vai

Possessing a healthy imagination is a necessary ingredient for creativity.

creativity healthy imagination

I was always one of those guys who was a seeker after truth. I wa... by Steve Vai

I was always one of those guys who was a seeker after truth. I want to know what's going on.

guy knows want

My past is very interesting, and I treasure it, but to write abou... by Steve Vai

My past is very interesting, and I treasure it, but to write about it, it's just not on my radar.

writing past interesting

I could never overstate the importance of a musician's need to develop his or her ear. Actually, I believe that developing a good 'inner ear' - the art of being able to decipher musical components solely through listening - is the most important element in becoming a good musician.

musical believe art

I've always considered transcribing to be an invaluable tool in the development of one's musical ear and, over the years, I have spent countless glorious hours transcribing different kinds of music, either guitar-oriented or not.

guitar musical years

Critisism is just reflection of the person that speaking by Steve Vai

Critisism is just reflection of the person that speaking

persons reflection