STEVE VAI – “Understanding Deep Music Theory Is Not Necessarily Important In Regard To Being An Effective Musician”

Guitar legend Steve Vai has shared the following message with his fans:

“Vaideology: Basic Music Theory For Guitar Players is a book I wrote that came out 6 years ago today (January 28) through the excellent folks at Hal Leonard Publishing. For as long as I can remember remembering, I was always fascinated with music theory. I started studying it at a very early age, before even picking up the guitar. I knew it held the secrets to not only unlocking the guitar neck, but also giving me the tools to compose for huge symphonies, which was also something I knew I wanted to do. It was a language I absolutely knew I wanted to master.

Through the years I had planned to one day write a book that consolidates music theory in a way that can perhaps make it less intimidating for players who I feel can benefit from it. My feeling has always been that understanding deep music theory is not necessarily important in regard to being an effective musician, but it is good to at least know the basics of the language. It helps in communicating as a musician and if a person finds interest in music theory, understanding the basics offers fantastic tools for creativity.

On the surface it looks like a thin little document, but this book goes pretty deep. It covers much more than the basics if you want to go there.

But perhaps the biggest surprise to me about this book is how well it’s been received over these last 6 years. It’s actually been growing in popularity for which I’m grateful for.

There’s various other books I would like to write that cover other aspects of the life of an independent musician. Books that can help guide musicians in various aspects of their musical life that I have had a lot of experience in. Some of the books I had in mind are how a musician can properly and effectively protect their intellectual property and monetize what they do as there are many ways to secure income as a musician. Also, a book on what to expect on tour, a book on finding your inner musical voice. All of these would be under the banner of different Vaideology banners.”

Vaideology: Experience must-know music knowledge and wisdom through the highly focused lens of legendary guitar virtuoso Steve Vai. This full-color instructional book written by Vai himself features in-depth discussions of the music theory fundamentals that every aspiring (and veteran) guitar player should know, packed with practical exercises, diagrams, tips, inspiring ideas and concepts, practice methods, and ways of looking at music that you may have never considered. Topics covered include:

• academic vs. experiential learning
• reading and writing music
• key signatures
• chord scales
• rhythm basics
• guitar harmonics
• modes
• and much more

Vai states, “One of the questions that I’m usually asked by aspiring guitar players is, how much music theory do I really need to know, and is it necessary? My answer is usually, “You don’t need to understand music theory at all to be an effective player, but it will always help to at least understand the basics”. So, I wrote a book that I believe contains the basics of music theory that can aid the student to be musically literate, and perhaps much more.”

In the pages of Vaideology, he shares, “Since as far back as I can remember remembering, I always had a deep fascination with the written language of music.  On paper, it looked like beautiful art to me.  It felt like a warm, safe place (a bizarre analogy, I know). It was this mysterious language that I instinctively knew could unlock my musical expressions. To be able to write a composition for a large group of people by starting with a blank piece of score paper, with its infinite possibilities for inventiveness, was absolutely spellbinding to me.  I always had an intense desire to understand it fully and master it completely. Although I’m still a work in progress—because the evolution of music theory is infinite—I so much enjoy being able to use what I do know, and I still continue to study it.”

Vaideology: Basic Music Theory For Guitar Players is available via Vai.com.

Photo by Larry DiMarzio. Image manipulation by Michael Mesker