VAI.COM

Did you attend the first Alien Guitar Secrets Master Class at the London International Music Show?

Please post your review in this thread.

Thanks,

Mikey
vai.com

i attended the alien guitar secrets master class in london on the 13th in london.

Overall i would say it was one of the most enjoyable guitar related experiences of my life.

steve was clear and informative in everything he said about guitar and the music business and life in general.

i was the third person to be able to jam with steve during the jam session, i was the the one who kept making mistakes and going out of key. (if anyone has any pictures please post them or p.m. me). I'm still in awe about that one minute i spent playing guitar with steve, ill never forget their (albeit how bad i was )

steve signed both my naked tracks box set. and my RG 370.

thanks to steve and everyone who help organize and arrange the master class. great job.


remember anyone who has pictures of the jam session please post them
thanks

What an amazing day! Listening to SV talk to us about his experiences throughout his musical career to listening to him play The Trooper alongside Nicko McBrain. I'm still buzzing!



At least you had the balls to get up and jam. Well Done.

It was good to meet up with Anibal (Seraphim) again (albeit very briefly), looking forward to the Stonehenge trip!

Thanks to everyone involved in organising a great day.

James.

They played Trooper? Was Bruce D. there?

Well, I'm probably going to write something really contentious here, however I'd be doing the wrong thing to not speak my mind honestly on the matter.

My brother and I caught the masterclass on Saturday 13th, and it was a really great experience, but honestly, it wasn't what I expected, and I was a little disappointed by it.

Now before you jump the gun, start spouting hateful comments about me and think that I'm somehow besmirching the class, please do read on. I'm not saying that the class was bad - in fact it was excellent, and an experience I'd recommend to anyone, mostly because of the anecdotal stories and the intimacy of having Steve in front of you talking away. It removes entirely the barrier of performer-audience and it becomes more like sitting in a pub talking to him.

What was disappointing about it, however, was that most of what Steve spoke about was common sense, and I personally didn't learn anything new. The other disappointment about it was that because a lot of the class was opened to audience questions, the programme that had been laid out was lost about half-way through because a lot of the time had been taken up, and nothing ran to schedule. Therefore, the really interesting parts that I was looking forward to, such as advice on the music industry, didn't really get covered in any detail.

I attended the masterclass in 2007 at the LIMS where Steve was on stage with Phil Hilborne answering questions. Personally, I found that to be a lot more revealing than the AGS class, because he went into more detail on guitar playing and techniques. Perhaps having seen that particular show, it tainted my expectations on the AGS - I probably expected more for the higher price.

I would recommend to anyone to take the opportunity to go to the class. As I said before, the intimacy of it is brilliant - almost totally surreal having him sit in front of you, stripped of his "Steve Vai Stage Persona" and having this man chat about things. It was interesting to see that even Steve can get easily sidetracked and go off on tangents during his discussions. It was definitely the quickest 3 hour lecture I've ever had, and I could have sat through 8 hours straight without getting bored. It was interspersed with performances of Steve's music - starting with "The Crying Machine", then "Building a Church" and finally "Whispering A Prayer". What was brilliant about the performances was having Steve's amp right there in front of us, so the sound was really intimate too - not at all marred by the processing of a PA mixer or venue acoustics.

I would say to anyone who, like me, has been very proactive about their musical pursuits that they should go and experience the masterclass, but don't expect to learn anything you don't already know. He isn't revealing any quick secrets to securing success in the music industry, and will probably do little more than affirm to you that you've been doing the right things all along.

If there's anything you're not clear about and you want to learn some interesting things, then it's definitely worth going to to hear it from Steve, though if you can't afford to pay for the class then all the information about guitaring, the music business and what future steps to take can be found online for free. You just don't get to meet Vai on the internet...

Again I wish to repeat that it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and I'd do it again. Meeting Steve Vai and having him sign a copy of my own record was an honour, and an experience that I will carry with me through my whole life.

Highlights of the class were the intimate (I must stress this word!) performances, the story of his audition for Zappa and the examples for phrasing melodies. As well as, of course, meeting the man himself!

If at any point Steve were looking for ways in which to improve the experience, I'd definitely say that sticking more rigidly to the programme would be a bonus.

All that aside, thank you Steve for delivering such a wonderful insight into your music, the music business and for allowing us to share your expertise!

Alas, I didn't go , times are hard and i've got no money. Gutted

I missed the AGS but not some other events at LIMS.
Because of the problems with the loss of tickets by mail, also wacked a bit late that day, so I prefered to take a tour to Greenwich area and later appear at LGS to lunch and meet there some folks from vai.com, such as:

jsterry! Nice to see you again even if was briefly, also at the train I was giving some informations because my friend as a bit lost. When I travel to Stonehenge we gonna have plenty of time to talk.
FRETPICK! Nice to meet you, was a surprise catch you there after last time we have passed without seing each other
LucySorets! Great to see you again and again!!! Also the ZPZ moments!!!
-yasy-! Great!!! Finally we have meet, yeah you are like a niece to me!!! You Rock
Inga7! Was very very great to finally meet you. We have passed a great time together!!! btw, Ana says HI!!!

As soon as I get the authorization from the members evolved in the pictures, I will post them.

The events: I went to see the Phil Hilborne, McBrain and of course Steve Quite a impressive ovation Steve received when he was announced Ohhhhh, and seing you play "The Trooper" was nothing that I expect to see you play someday

But at that time I was not worried with loosing the AGS because I have planed to see the Lisbon one (was today).
Unfortunatelly, one of my associates have done yesterday a small surgery to the eyes, so only today at the time of starting of the Lisbon Masterclass she was free of the hospital but needed my care. So, unfortunatelly no AGS so far.
Well at least have the Massachutes one in October, maybe can make this one...

Sorry for being of-topic but was only to answer the previous post.

Seraphim

Hi Guys,

When i get chance I will post my pics of the concert. I managed to get to the front directly in front of Phil Hilbourne so my pics aren't to bad.

James.

Here we go guys....

http://s587.photobucket.com/albums/ss314/texaspete1977/

Enjoy.

James

Everything you wanted to know about guitar but were afraid to ask! It was really surreal experience…. I’ve never seen Steve before and meeting him now in so informal situation was more than extraordinary, especially that I was sitting in the first row. Steve was talking a lot about mental skills – how they work in a guitar and music. How important thing is having a goal. How make your goals real, how do not listen to this little devils in your head. Don’t compare to the others, be confident, compare only to yourself. Joy is the most important thing.
Steve was telling us about music meditation and how to discover your inner ear. How believe in your own way in music. How to capture an inspiration. A lot of practical advises with a strong putting emphasis on attitude. Some of funny anecdotes . All the time we were free to ask questions in relaxed, intimate atmosphere.
And ... it was just mind-blowing to see Steve playing so close. Totally crazy and unreal!
Jamming with Steve was very nice part of the class. It had to be an awesome life-experience for every guitar player- head cutting duel with the Master
Reesh – I respect your point of view, and that personally you are a little disappointed. But I think the time was limited and everybody wanted to learn different matters from the class. It was impossible to satisfy expectations of more that 150 persons. Steve was encouraging us to ask questions and it was an opportunity to let him tell you everything you wanted to know.
But I am far away from criticized your opinion, it is very interesting to know other people story. From the other side – Steve was talking often about things which should be known by everybody - they sound easy but they are difficult to achieve. I left the class with positive thinking and being motivated for getting more from life. For me it was the one of the most precious benefits I can get there. This class were something what I will be remembering all my life.
And the concert with Phil Hilborne and Nicko McBrian was also unforgettable event. Steve playing an Iron Maiden’s song – more than crazy
It was also great pleasure to meet people from vai.com! Thank you all for that nice day(s )!

I have never seen Steve live before and it was so amazing to see him for the first time. I have loved his music for at least 16 years and he is such important person for me because of his splendid talent but also because of his amazing personality. His music is so touched, always bring me hope, joy, love, peace and an ocean of all positive feelings. There are no words to describe how much I am thankful. ( That’s why probably I started a chat with Steve being speechless, and then I said something stupid – what a shame ).
Thank you Steve for one of the most exciting, beautiful and marvelous moments in my life!
It was such an honor to be your guest there, to learn from you and to have this rare chance to listen to your virtuoso’s guitar playing!

Very cool review Inga7!!!
I apreciated a lot.

Nice pictures James!!!
I appreciated them a lot, also.

Seraphim

Thank you Inga7 for this detailed review which gives envy but also some regrets.

Hey guys,

I looking forward to see Steve on Saturday ...I'm not shure if I have the balls to jam with him, but I think It would be amazing. Over what progressions have you played wit him? I must admit that I can't play any song of him, so I'm a little in worry that I sit there and don't know what to play with the master