STEVE VAI – “It’s Difficult For Me To Try To Sound Like Someone Else; I Couldn’t Sound Like My Heroes”

Guitar legend Steve Vai will bring his 25th anniversary tour for Passion & Warfare 25th Anniversary Tour to the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, California on Saturday, October 8th. In an interview with The Press Enterprise, Vai discusses his path from pop music lover to rock guitarist, and his determination to have his own sound.

“It’s difficult for me to try to sound like someone else,” he said. “I couldn’t sound like my heroes. Why would anyone do that? It was important to develop my own style, to create music and playing that was unique to me.”

Read the full interview at The Press Enterprise.

Find Steve Vai’s current tour itinerary at this location.

Vai recently announced Vai Academy 2017: Passion and Technique. He checked in with the following update: “The schedule for Vai Academy 2017 has been posted at this location. This intensive four day camp, called Passion and Technique features Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Al Di Meola, Carlos Alomar, Stig Mathisen, Dave Weiner, Philip Bynoe, Jeremy Colson, Doug Doppler and special unannounced guests! You won’t want to miss this one! To reserve your spot click here.”

Vai has now revealed the list of songs that his band will be able to play with attendees during the “Play With Steve’s Band” sessions:

“Bad Horsie”
“Crying Machine”
“Gravity Storm”
“Whispering a Prayer”
“Liberty”
“Erotic Nightmares”
“The Animal”
“Answers”
“The Riddle”
“Ballerina”
“For the Love of God”
“The Audience is Listening”
“I Would Love To”
“Blue Powder”
“Greasy Kids Stuff”
“Alien Water Kiss”
“Sisters”
“Love Secrets”

The Vai Academy schedule for this year is available here.

Vai Academy 3.0 trailer:

The third incarnation of Vai Academy offers 4 days and nights of non stop guitar, start to finish, January 2nd – 6th, 2017 at the beautiful Asilomar Center, positioned in the oceanfront village of Carmel, California. Visit VaiAcademy.com to reserve your spot today.

From Steve: “Friends and fellow guitarists, welcome to the third year of Vai Academy. It feels great to say that! I’m so excited that this has been as successful as it’s been, and it seems to become more interesting every year. If you’re new to the program, we’re excited to meet you for the first time. If it’s your second or third year, thank you for coming back!

For 2017, we’ll be at the Asilomar Center in beautiful Carmel, CA January 2-6. It’s a great week because everyone’s ready to start the year fresh after the holidays. It doesn’t hurt to ask for admission as a holiday present either—just a suggestion!

We always pick a theme for this thing. I listened to you guys very closely this time around, and I’m doing something different for our Master Classes. This year, we’re going to focus on guitar technique. Many young guitarists always want to know things like: How do I bend notes properly? What’s the best way to approach vibrato? How do you pick so that you get the most out of what you’re trying to achieve? What does it feel like to play effortlessly in 11/16 timing? How does my intonation work into all of this? We’re all in need of guidance regarding these things: I know I still am occasionally!

At the same time, I’ll actually get a chance to go deeper than the technique portion. As you’re getting that part down, we’ll talk about finding inspiration within yourself to write melodies and songs. The technique is the tool. It’s your most useful friend to express what’s inside. Let’s unlock that together. As always, I’ve invited some friends to join me. We have one of my idols, the legendary Al Di Meola, and the wonderful Carlos Alomar—in addition to a few special guests which we’ll be announcing soon.

We’re starting with the technique as the foundation. What’s great is that will grow in whatever direction you personally want it to. Ultimately, the main goal of Vai Academy is for everybody in attendance to feel incredibly enthusiastic when thinking about their goals, their future, and connection to the instrument. You’ll hopefully leave with a few new buddies and maybe band mates too. I look forward to seeing everybody at Vai Academy 2017.”