Quick Licks - Steve Vai: A Journey Through Advanced Guitar Techniques

"Quick Licks - Steve Vai" is a comprehensive guitar lesson series that delves into the world of one of the most innovative and skilled guitarists of our time. This series of lessons from Andy James is meticulously designed to cover a range of techniques synonymous with Steve Vai's style, including modal scales, two-hand tapping, arpeggios, and whammy bar use. Each lesson is crafted to not only teach the mechanics of these techniques but also to convey the musicality and emotion that Vai infuses into his playing.

What You Will Learn In This Course

35 killer metal licks in the style of Steve Vai. This course also includes a backing track to play over. The techniques you will learn include:

• Modal Scales
• Two-Hand Tapping
• Arpeggios
• Whammy Bar Use

Technique Breakdown

Modal Scales

Steve Vai's use of modal scales is a critical element of his distinctive sound. Modal scales, which are variations of the major scale, offer unique tonal flavors and emotional expressions. In these lessons, you'll explore how Vai uses modes like Lydian, Dorian, and Phrygian to create his evocative and atmospheric soundscapes. Learning these scales will not only increase your technical ability but also enhance your capacity to create mood and emotion in your music.

Two-Hand Tapping

Two-hand tapping is a technique that allows guitarists to play complex and rapid melodies that would be difficult to achieve with traditional picking. Vai's approach to tapping incorporates both rhythm and melody, using it to produce intricate and harmonically rich passages. These lessons will guide you through the basics of two-hand tapping and build up to more advanced applications, enabling you to add an extra dimension of creativity to your playing.

Arpeggios

Arpeggios are a staple in Vai's solos, offering a way to outline chords and create flowing, melodic lines. Unlike standard chord strumming, arpeggios break chords into individual notes, creating a more melodic and expressive sound. You'll learn various forms of arpeggios and how to incorporate them into your solos and improvisations, enhancing your ability to convey emotion and tell a story with your guitar.

Whammy Bar Use

The whammy bar is a tool for expressive pitch manipulation, and Vai is a master at using it creatively. From subtle vibrato to dramatic pitch bends, the whammy bar can add a unique vocal quality to your playing. These lessons will teach you how to use the whammy bar to its full potential, allowing you to add expressiveness and flair to your guitar solos.

Practicing Over a Backing Track: Contextual Application

Each technique is practiced over a backing track, which is crucial for understanding how to apply these skills in a musical context. Playing with backing tracks not only improves your timing and rhythm but also helps in developing your improvisational skills. It provides a platform to experiment with different techniques and understand how they fit within the framework of a song.

Steve Vai’s Guitar Style

Steve Vai is known for his technical prowess, innovative guitar techniques, and the emotional depth of his music. His style combines elements of rock, jazz, classical, and more, making him one of the most versatile and respected guitarists in the music industry. By studying Vai's techniques, guitarists can learn to push the boundaries of what is possible on the guitar, both technically and creatively.

The Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Mastering these techniques offers several benefits:

• Expands your musical expression through the use of modal scales.
• Enables you to play complex melodies with two-hand tapping.
• Enhances your soloing with melodically rich arpeggios.
• Adds a new layer of expressiveness with creative whammy bar techniques.

Guitar Techniques Used in "Quick Licks - Steve Vai"

Upon completing "Quick Licks - Steve Vai," you will have honed the following techniques:

• Modal Scales
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Arpeggios
• Whammy Bar Tricks

"Quick Licks - Steve Vai" offers an invaluable opportunity for guitarists to explore and master the techniques that make Vai's playing so extraordinary. Whether you're a beginner looking to expand your skills or an experienced player aiming to delve into more advanced concepts, these lessons provide the tools and insights needed to elevate your guitar playing to new heights.