Ernie Ball: String Theory featuring Steve Vai

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  • Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
  • String Theory is a web series from Ernie Ball that explores the sonic origins of some of music's most innovative players. In this episode, Ernie Ball​ artist Steve Vai discusses his influences, his history with playing guitar, and his Ernie Ball strings.
    Watch additional episodes of Ernie Ball: String Theory here: ernieb.al/1QtdTx9
    Steve Vai plays Ernie Ball Super Slinky electric guitar strings: www.ernieball....

КОМЕНТАРІ • 567

  • @pjmusc1001
    @pjmusc1001 7 років тому +857

    Classic, "Dammit, I don't know how to put these strings on. Hey, Joe Satriani, can you help me out?"

  • @JamesSmith5234-v7m
    @JamesSmith5234-v7m 7 років тому +1165

    His playing sounds like the universe being created

    • @WeeFreeMan78
      @WeeFreeMan78 7 років тому +49

      Dude, that is the comment of the year, seriously... \m/

    • @Mevlinous
      @Mevlinous 7 років тому +38

      I guess that makes him God?

    • @matthewshort7904
      @matthewshort7904 7 років тому +6

      Would be awesome to see him do a concept album revolving around the big bang theory. (not the show.)

    • @erikbos2262
      @erikbos2262 7 років тому +5

      Slowpoke the Wise Especially wenn you're high😂

    • @douglasmoterani1748
      @douglasmoterani1748 7 років тому +3

      You can put in words all I always think about his musics or guitar´s sentences...

  • @fiveish77
    @fiveish77 3 роки тому +104

    Imagine being the guy who inspired Steve Vai to play guitar and never knowing.

  • @sgtsquidgems4515
    @sgtsquidgems4515 7 років тому +119

    that tone......gives me goose bumbs

  • @reddit8172
    @reddit8172 7 років тому +253

    I love what he said about Kurt and BJ!

    • @umrasangus
      @umrasangus 7 років тому +32

      Red Dit a real guitarist knows that every guitarist is amazing when they got they're unique style. Like they're unique way of performing with a guitar. That's what makes you a great guitarist.

    • @joshuahickman4613
      @joshuahickman4613 7 років тому +9

      I couldn't agree more on that every guitar player has their own sound and its not about being the best guitarist in the universe its about playing what's deep in your soul and your creatively and that what makes a great guitarist.

    • @MetalHeart8787
      @MetalHeart8787 7 років тому +2

      he was being Nice that's the kind of guy he is, I will tell you straight out kurt & Billy both Suck.& many Guitarists must hate it when some one who sucks compared to them gets more popular. it's about popularity. don't get me wrong Nirvana & Green day did write some good songs I don't hate them. but in some ways Vai is under rated.

    • @MICKEYISLOWD
      @MICKEYISLOWD 6 років тому

      Me too. He was talking about when he gets into the 'Zone' and brilliant ideas start flowing. This is how he created Passion and Warfare. His masterpiece. Love the Queen pic too. My fav is Queen I and II. They just blew me away when I first bought them especially QII...the best album ever created along with Pet Sounds and Magical Mystery Tour.

    • @harveydents
      @harveydents 6 років тому +2

      Steve is just one of the sweetest guys i have ever met. Of course he said nothing bad about them. Is he fans of them? I highly doubt it. He is just a warm kind guy.

  • @jstephen1
    @jstephen1 7 років тому +142

    I could watch Steve play for hours... That immense wall of tone and that smooth seamless playing is just mystifying...

  • @CutterSavage
    @CutterSavage 7 років тому +425

    "... so I go on over to Joe Satriani's house with a pack of strings ... "

  • @paulorizal3333
    @paulorizal3333 4 роки тому +536

    I love how he respects punk guitarists like Billie Joe Armstrong and Kurt Cobain who people online love to make fun of. He's a giant compared to the two of them in terms of virtuosity, but he understands that the beauty of music is beyond virtuosic playing. It's the emotion and process of creation that matters.

    • @Killadey
      @Killadey 4 роки тому +42

      I'm not really a fan of Vai's music (though I admit he is hugely talented) but I like to watch his interviews because he's such a wise and perceptive person, full of humility and integrity, and is open to see the beauty in things, no cynicism.

    • @TheMeJustMe75
      @TheMeJustMe75 4 роки тому +7

      He says that what makes a great guitar player is the willingness to not apologize for how a person plays.

    • @Gustavoarenassoto
      @Gustavoarenassoto 4 роки тому +6

      And yet he is still working on pushing and breaking that infinite skill cap and technique in such a humble and passionate way....... Simply amazing

    • @MetalHeart8787
      @MetalHeart8787 4 роки тому +2

      That was Funny because his stuff is a Million times harder to play than Nirvana. he was being Nice, BUT if you are a Fan of Vai you might want to check out his cd flexable left overs - song F**k yourself - he does put down Grunge Music, witch is OK because it was weird to see other Guitarists who aren't as good as him become popular.

    • @commentfreely5443
      @commentfreely5443 4 роки тому +2

      creating music when a new idea came up.

  • @Bouillestfu
    @Bouillestfu 7 років тому +57

    Now I'm just dreaming of seeing Vai pick up that Majesty and try it out. For my eargasm.

    • @michaeltrimble7680
      @michaeltrimble7680 6 років тому +3

      Phillip Bouille Vai on Petrucci’s rig...bloody hell.

  • @rkwjunior2298
    @rkwjunior2298 6 років тому +28

    His sound is just mesmerizing. His influence has possessed me to pick up a guitar for the first time at 43 years old.

    • @Max-rn3eb
      @Max-rn3eb 3 роки тому +4

      how are you doing now?

    • @lomarsweed6604
      @lomarsweed6604 Рік тому +2

      @@Max-rn3eb He can play Smoke on the Water now.

  • @gpeddino
    @gpeddino 7 років тому +188

    This reminded me of something Maria Callas once said... Every day, she would stay at the conservatory where she studied for at least ten hours, from 10 AM until the last pupil left, watching and listening to all the other students. Someone asked why she did that and she said that even "with the LEAST talented pupil, he can teach you something that YOU, the most talented, might not be able to do."

    • @TomGoldsmithguitar
      @TomGoldsmithguitar 6 років тому +2

      Gui Porto good point

    • @MetalHeart8787
      @MetalHeart8787 6 років тому +3

      TSS I would bet 9 Million Dollars that there was nothing kurt did that Vai couldn't do, Guitar wise.the only thing kurt did that Vai didn't was shoot up.

    • @evanherb5900
      @evanherb5900 5 років тому +10

      @@MetalHeart8787 Depends on how closely you look at it. Emulating someone else's technique for the right and left hands is easy enough to do on a superficial level, but there's always a step further that it can be studied, more depth to the note choices, until you essentially are the other player. It's not as simple as learning a few Nirvana songs - even the simplest player has levels to their playing.
      Vai is amazing, quite probably the best guitarist alive if you really pinned me down and made me say my pick, but nobody can never quite have *everything* that another player has.

  • @muse-mech-moda
    @muse-mech-moda 7 років тому +252

    He still has it .... damn

    • @CmgDeadman
      @CmgDeadman 7 років тому +6

      Yes he does......Just Damn....

    • @IgnacioCentu96
      @IgnacioCentu96 7 років тому +9

      For me, the best, always

    • @sealevelcain4664
      @sealevelcain4664 7 років тому

      Rohan Leach Yup....just like kirk hammett still.....has.....it.

    • @industrialfansettolow8313
      @industrialfansettolow8313 7 років тому +6

      Sea Level Cain Still has his wah pedal...

    • @CapOlimar
      @CapOlimar 7 років тому

      I seen him live a couple months ago, fantastic show!

  • @michaelsnydermusic
    @michaelsnydermusic 2 роки тому +13

    Whomever films and lights these videos does an incredible job. Being able to go into a musician’s practice space and getting that consistent and modern look each time is to be commended.

  • @bobparsonsartist564
    @bobparsonsartist564 5 років тому +12

    Might be the coolest playing i’ve ever heard from SV...the love always comes through no matter how badass the music gets.

  • @TheMusicfan189
    @TheMusicfan189 7 років тому +59

    It's so cool to see someone like Vai complimenting BJA! Billie is under-rated as a player, I can't believe how much power and energy he puts into his live performance both guitar wise and interaction wise, anyone who's played live knows how hard it is to do what Billie does.

  • @JimDewdGuitars
    @JimDewdGuitars 7 років тому +36

    what an iconic tone!

  • @FerdUsiel
    @FerdUsiel 7 років тому +36

    Intro Song= "Sisters" One of my favorites

  • @jimkon1479
    @jimkon1479 Рік тому +6

    I have got to have listened from 11:13 to the end at least 5 times already. Even a throwaway solo on a promotional vid is a masterpiece by Vai.

  • @ManuNarang
    @ManuNarang 7 років тому +192

    The title was misleading. I came here expecting some theoretical physics!

    • @4572dk
      @4572dk 5 років тому +1

      How is it an oxymoron? Do you know what physics means? It is knowledge of nature and having a theory is having knowledge. Just because it hasn't been proved doesn't not make it knowledge.

    • @JoshTaylor-xw5jg
      @JoshTaylor-xw5jg 4 роки тому

      Bro you got me there😂😂

    • @hansvandermeulen5515
      @hansvandermeulen5515 3 роки тому +2

      String theory with Brian May would be about theoretical physics.

  • @ThatOtherRaccoon
    @ThatOtherRaccoon 4 роки тому +15

    He described Billy's guitar playing as "visceral"...and I think that's a fitting word. So true what he's said about Kurt and Billy Jo.

  • @douglasmoterani1748
    @douglasmoterani1748 7 років тому +7

    Steve Vai can get tears out of my eyes even when he advertises ...

  • @Shockme17
    @Shockme17 10 місяців тому +1

    “Not natural at playing guitar, I had to work really hard.” Yet one of the greatest to ever play!

  • @motordrum7749
    @motordrum7749 4 роки тому +7

    His vibrato is a thing of beauty.

  • @kiro7956
    @kiro7956 3 роки тому +2

    As he was playing, I can picture the earth and beyond forming. Stars, Galaxies, everything...

  • @tonygunk6795
    @tonygunk6795 3 роки тому +6

    I saw Steve at a G3 show in 2003, he played with Joe satriani and yngwie malsteen. It was a hell of a show

  • @michaelbarber7792
    @michaelbarber7792 7 років тому +36

    Probably the greatest guitarist of all time

  • @san85putra
    @san85putra 4 роки тому +6

    7:35 such a musical wisdom and the highest music consciousness... respect to you Mr. Vai...

  • @futurekarlos5256
    @futurekarlos5256 7 років тому +168

    That time Joe Satriani was the first person to show you how to restring a guitar....

  • @shirleyallen7960
    @shirleyallen7960 4 роки тому +2

    Vai has reached a level of not only technical ability but an incredible melodic sensibility that I love. A great musician!

  • @zhafirful
    @zhafirful 4 роки тому +4

    He speaks like his guitar does ..very poetic .full of philosophy

  • @Thatmellofello
    @Thatmellofello 3 роки тому +3

    When all you can do is smile when hearing his guitar, you’ve come to the right place!

  • @tastybaconsensation
    @tastybaconsensation 7 років тому +253

    Did I actually just hear Steve vai compliment Billie joe Armstrongs guitar tone? See I knew that shit was good 😂

    • @GinoMarks
      @GinoMarks 7 років тому +26

      tastybaconsensation I actually just seen Green Day a couple of weeks ago and I can tell you right now that was some very good guitar tone and he was exactly right when he said that it sounds freaking huge and it's just him. I never really looked at Billy Joe Armstrong as "the guitarist" but after that show I can tell you he's got an awesome huge sound and he himself is just an awesome player

    • @Corehinduism
      @Corehinduism 5 років тому +5

      Billie is awesome and kurt too

    • @DweeD1516
      @DweeD1516 4 роки тому +1

      @@GinoMarks I wish we had more guitarists like this. Right on dude.

  • @dimesnake
    @dimesnake 7 років тому +8

    what a great guy. A living guitar god. Go Steve!!!

  • @Sethary.
    @Sethary. 6 років тому +4

    8:30 I literally smiled and chuckled while saying "what is going on" lol

  • @Artty-fl8ul
    @Artty-fl8ul 6 років тому +1

    One of the few guitarist I can listen to shred and not find it boring. His soloing is beautiful. Every note!

  • @anthonyhart9567
    @anthonyhart9567 7 років тому +2

    I have loved this guy all of my life, true legend

  • @trydigama3
    @trydigama3 6 років тому +4

    You know BJ has always been under rated when it comes to his guitar playing but the truth is he is just as awesome as lots of other guitar players that have had greater recognition through their hole career

  • @geronimosantacruz4110
    @geronimosantacruz4110 3 роки тому +2

    This is not an interview, this is a Masterclass

  • @lowvolumeunited5672
    @lowvolumeunited5672 4 роки тому +1

    This guy is so passionnate it's beautifull to watch

  • @Imperialmusicfan
    @Imperialmusicfan 7 років тому +19

    Cool vid! While it's nice to see him noodling and stuff I think what's really needed at this point is that Alien Love Secrets style guitar album he's been promising...hope it's still happening! Think a lot of his fans have been hoping for one for quite some time now.

    • @Mevlinous
      @Mevlinous 7 років тому +1

      I would prefer a Passion and Warfare type album, but hey, beggars can't be choosers

  • @olafvanrijnsbergen1177
    @olafvanrijnsbergen1177 5 років тому +17

    Changes gauges mid tour with a Floyd Rose Bridge..
    I really hope you pay your tech well

  • @flix9124
    @flix9124 7 років тому +23

    "It was in the bed with me," well, she has an input jack and a whammy bar. Steve Vai quotes. Priceless life lessons.

  • @joanjett8814
    @joanjett8814 4 роки тому +2

    A special thanks to Steve’s older sister for bringing home the LED Zeppelin 2 and the friend with the great buy on his first guitar ... if not for those two people the world may have never had the pleasure of hearing such a guitar genius... passion rules any game ..

  • @Anglovox
    @Anglovox 7 років тому +8

    Best commercials EVER. Ernie Ball.

  • @sleightlyhandy889
    @sleightlyhandy889 5 років тому +4

    Isn't it weird how both Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett both ended up learning from Joe Santriani at different stages in their career and both used Ernie Balls without any particular reason.

  • @deepenwadhwa4027
    @deepenwadhwa4027 6 років тому +1

    This, right here, is my favourite human being at the moment. Love this guy!

  • @markvyaodai7772
    @markvyaodai7772 5 років тому +1

    In every interview i've seen he comes across as a nice, down to earth person.

  • @GGMattt
    @GGMattt 4 роки тому +6

    I've always heard the name of Steve Vai, like a myth or urban legend, but I've never actually heard anything from him until now... Oh my fucking word... :O He's probably explained music the exact way I've thought about it but I could never actually put it into words.

  • @markusantonio4866
    @markusantonio4866 7 років тому

    He has been a influence since the late 80's. Since then I've discovered and liked many guitar players, but I always go back to Vai. My ears and heart have a deep connection with him and his playing.

  • @barrysmith916
    @barrysmith916 4 роки тому +3

    Steve is in his own area of rock guitar. It's his own style/universe. Very different from the rest of the Titans of guitar.

  • @Mkbguitarplayer
    @Mkbguitarplayer 4 місяці тому

    Should see him in concert will blow you away

  • @ovejanegra7355
    @ovejanegra7355 7 років тому +1

    Wow, this is such a fantastic video, it has everything I could ask for. Awesome playing, Steve's typical wisdom and on top of that, from a visual point of view it's just perfect. Whoever was in charge of the shooting, hat off to you.
    I'm still trying to recover from Steve's tone here. It's so thick, dense and crisp, I love it!!!!

  • @Gornflyin
    @Gornflyin 5 років тому

    I could listen to him talk about music all day long. The passion is infectious :)

  • @Jedizen07
    @Jedizen07 7 років тому +2

    My hero.

  • @TilenSapac
    @TilenSapac 7 років тому +1

    Nothing but a brilliance from Mr. Steve Vai.

  • @BillLarkinmusic
    @BillLarkinmusic 7 років тому +2

    I love this guy!!

  • @shawnmartin6210
    @shawnmartin6210 7 років тому

    Saw Steve Vai and his band in Nanaimo last October. They were amazing!

  • @LedZepUltimateFanPage
    @LedZepUltimateFanPage 6 років тому

    I met Robin during the 09 NIN tour. An amazing man..very friendly and soft spoken. Always loved his work with NIN

  • @warpath6666
    @warpath6666 3 роки тому

    When he started to play "Sisters", one of my female cat's ears perked up ... as her sister is in the other room and I love that song so very much ❤

  • @DennisTeti
    @DennisTeti 6 років тому +1

    “Sisters” in the beginning there. With other songs, Par Brahms, etc, blended in as he plays along. Very cool video. Bravissimo, maestro.

  • @RKCMUZIK1111
    @RKCMUZIK1111 6 років тому

    much respect for SV his words make so much sense his music will live on 4ever !

  • @TheMeJustMe75
    @TheMeJustMe75 7 років тому +1

    Now that is the sound! If I was to just sit down and jam that is the sound I would want. If I was playing hard rock or metal then I'd want that super crunch, sounding like a clap of thunder. But to sit and play, this sound is awesome!

  • @hermanmelville3871
    @hermanmelville3871 6 років тому

    Ever the student. Nice to see someone so humble and open minded at that level.

  • @ecstasteve
    @ecstasteve 4 роки тому

    dude is just straight up a monster on the instrument and thoughtful and a brainiac while backing it all up wit the most fun visceral shit like alcatrazz and DLR band.. to go from zappa through all of that and become his own legend.. a true guitar god.

  • @cesarninja
    @cesarninja 7 років тому +50

    "I'm not a natural on guitar"??? really?

    • @mondragon9282
      @mondragon9282 7 років тому +17

      César Alberto Olivares I think not being natural is what leads people to be the best. They have to work harder to develop the skill, so the ones who are serious about it will be better than everyone else.

  • @thomasmichaelbass
    @thomasmichaelbass 7 років тому +1

    good words from a great guitar player

  • @rohitdhanorkar
    @rohitdhanorkar 7 років тому

    That tone is lovely.

  • @umpygoodness2369
    @umpygoodness2369 5 років тому

    6:00!! FINALLY a guitar tone that is NOT generic, from Steve (who usually goes with generic overdrive) (and generic wah). This saturated tone with touch of wah is DELICIOUS!

  • @axics2936
    @axics2936 4 роки тому +1

    One of the few guitar GODS whos representing a legacy satriani,hendrix etc

  • @TheMeJustMe75
    @TheMeJustMe75 6 років тому

    Rewatching this video, I find Steve Vai to be very Zen about everything.

  • @colico14
    @colico14 5 років тому

    Steve Vai is the real deal; a thoughtful, intelligent man, and a true musician. Much respect.

  • @DatMetalBoi75
    @DatMetalBoi75 7 років тому +2

    This man is a God

  • @SixStringFiasco
    @SixStringFiasco 5 років тому +5

    "When I was twelve, my sister came home with Led Zeppelin II". Thank God he said the album title in it's entirety. Otherwise, Jimmy, Robert, and John would have had a funny story to tell...

    • @Killadey
      @Killadey 4 роки тому

      Oh I'm sure they've got some stories to tell 😉

  • @ericcrittenden7553
    @ericcrittenden7553 4 роки тому

    Vai is fricken Zen master.... could listen to him talk, or play, for hours. Smart and talented dude.

  • @danielsalazar7516
    @danielsalazar7516 3 роки тому

    Very distinct & clean sounds. 1 of thee best

  • @kaiserwilhelmii1827
    @kaiserwilhelmii1827 4 роки тому

    I've never heard Vai play before and holy fuck this is probably the greatest guitar playing I've ever heard

  • @nachosxd4894
    @nachosxd4894 6 років тому +3

    I've never listent any steve song.i'm a hardcore punk guitar player.but i listen to him talk about guitars,technic, music and the 'spirituality' behind it and, man, is very inspiring!! All my respect to him.sorry for my english

  • @johnjakubowski2304
    @johnjakubowski2304 5 років тому

    Thanks Mr. Vai. You are an inspiration.

  • @jimkon1479
    @jimkon1479 Рік тому

    In terms of musicians I'd like to have dinner or a coffee with, Steve Vai is on that list. Great storyteller, great imagination been up and down the road without a hint of an ego.

  • @fraser_cummings
    @fraser_cummings 7 років тому +7

    First second of the video and I've already liked the video.

  • @paulosrgo
    @paulosrgo 4 роки тому

    9:38 that’s what I needed to hear. Thanks Steve and Earnie Balls 🤟🏻

  • @nicolasrioscardona
    @nicolasrioscardona 7 років тому +2

    0:24 I see the years, I see the wisdom, I see the Alien Love Secrets of the Master

  • @biggsteevo31
    @biggsteevo31 4 роки тому

    “4 or 5”?......God what a genius..thank God for that “Connection”.. could u imagine Life without Mr. Steve Vai?

  • @s3xinv3gas
    @s3xinv3gas 5 років тому +5

    I love Steve's voice. It makes me so calm, listening to him.

  • @tyrussnow-pickering8642
    @tyrussnow-pickering8642 5 років тому +1

    If all those guitars are is in the background my life will be complete

  • @Kibwunga
    @Kibwunga Рік тому

    Those Gem guitars in his hands has the body tone I ever heard

  • @samperez8650
    @samperez8650 6 років тому

    This guy is just playing guitar on another level,i will never understand,just to good, he is so good, that i cant understand it,wow

  • @robertrandolph9756
    @robertrandolph9756 3 роки тому

    ONE WORD LITTLE STEVIE VAI: WOW!

  • @nihlhinz488
    @nihlhinz488 5 років тому +1

    The best are humble always pointing out someone else.

  • @TheBli7krieg
    @TheBli7krieg 7 років тому +33

    Do a String Theory with Tosin Abasi please!

  • @zoltantoth1787
    @zoltantoth1787 4 роки тому

    music steve, thank you this is music

  • @brianmccrory3778
    @brianmccrory3778 7 років тому

    WHAMMY!! Love the shot of his foot...

  • @rodsdaytona
    @rodsdaytona 6 років тому

    Woody! I held that guitar when it was new. Vail Colorado, August 2015

  • @user-hm8xi5zt5c
    @user-hm8xi5zt5c 6 років тому

    Originality Masterclass. Such depth, such unpredictably, blessed by the mother of invention. He has flow, it’s the ability to translate personal thought 💭 into a meditative musical intelligence.
    We all have this musical intelligence, however the beauty is that even the best of their craft have a infinite options left to explore.
    It truely is string theory. The furthers you go the stranger it gets.

  • @Jwick1518
    @Jwick1518 4 роки тому

    I’m just gonna put this on repeat for the next few hours.

  • @mikedervos5974
    @mikedervos5974 7 років тому

    this is from another planet!!!!

  • @adithyagopinath933
    @adithyagopinath933 6 років тому

    A Master Craftsman.

  • @ja7941
    @ja7941 5 років тому

    Would give anything just to meet him just a guitar master in my time I'm just happy I've got to hear his music I just don't think they'll be another guitar player like him ever

  • @krissimms4775
    @krissimms4775 Рік тому

    Wonderful

  • @Yafi16
    @Yafi16 7 років тому +6

    we need a pursuit of tone episode with steve