Steve Vai Lesson: The Crossroads "Intimidation Lick"
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ม.ค. 2014
- THE MAGNET CAMERA MOUNT IS NOW ON KICKSTARTER! Film your own playing just like we do in our lessons! www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
--
➠ Join the Cracking the Code Community: troygrady.com/join/
➠ Browse our products & free downloads: troygrady.com/store/
➠ Head to the forum for questions!: forum.troygrady.com
---
Article and analysis - with full tablature! - here: troygrady.com/2014/01/22/steve...
Thanks for watching!
---
Transcribing a Steve Vai gem from the movie Crossroads. You know the one: Jack Butler flicks off his jacket and launches a slashing, high-speed display of alternate picking intimidation. The run ends in a devastating right-hand harmonic shake as Steve -- er, Jack -- nods to the band. It's on.
Steve launches this ferocious and precise attack with his glare locked not on his fretboard or his picking hand, but on his adversary. As a teenager, I was terrified. I was also surprised that such a domineering display seemed to sneak past the script, in a way almost stealing the thunder of the ensuing slugfest. The "intimidation breakdown", as I'd taken to calling it, was almost too good. Let's take a look at how it's played.
Includes analysis of the Elephant Gun lick, from Steve's classic album with David Lee Roth, Eat 'Em and Smile, as well as a look at Jack Butler's climactic solo -- the "Evil Solo" -- in the final Crossroads duel.
---
For the intrepid few who read this far down in the TH-cam description, here's the rig setup:
Les Paul Classic with stock Gibson 500T bridge pickup into Cornford Hellcat, gain pegged, tone settings 6-5-4. Homemade pine cabinet with H30s miked with a '57 straight on but 1.5" left of center cone. Touch of 'verb. That's it! - เพลง
Want to transform your technique? Join our incredible community of guitar learning at Cracking the Code! troygrady.com/join/
we know this finger exists?
I was speechless as well and you really helped say a lot of what I feel.
hey Troy, Im really enjoying these vids, have you got any on building speed and maybe some warm ups so's I dont have my hand cramping up from jumping in the deep end at speeds of 160bpm+?
Troy ......Nice! Do you know the name RY COODER?
Pretty stupid amazing how you explain let alone figured this out. Trust me not my first account or time to comment on this video actually my girlfriend's account. Simple amazing video and editing. Never gets old in my opinion. Excellent job.👏
These are without a doubt the absolute best guitar lesson videos of all time. I really can't thank you enough.
Ben Eller Fancy seeing you here, uncle Ben.
wew!
Ben Eller hello uncle!!!
I've seen all these like 7 times I hope he does something about buckethead one day
Ben Eller hi Uncle Ben
Dude you are the biggest analysis geek I have ever known, you make me feel *normal*. Almost. Way to go! Maximum respect. :)
***** Wonder nerd powers unite! Indeed, we're trying to bring a little something more analytical to the conversation in everything we do at Cracking the Code. Thanks for watching!
***** This has got to be the best guitar music analysis I've seen on TH-cam. Major respect to you sir and what you do, I aspire to be at your level of proficiency, please continue the Cracking the Code series as a regular thing!
love your music
Thanks man!
Andrew Munro Thanks! We're indeed continuing the show, and you should episode three not too far off from now.
the amount of effort that went into this video was pretty crazy. the production quality, sound quality, and your knowledge is pretty impressive man. I'm shocked you don't have more subs.
ddrlankyj thanks!
The amount of effort that goes into everything this man does is astounding. I hope you’re doing well, Troy.
I got about 5 minutes into this video and decided to jump to the comments to tell you, that's good video production, voice over, and guitar instruction. I also appreciate that your teaching style is more of a wide overview than the same tedious, walk at a slow pace instructors on TH-cam. Just tell me what position he's in and I'll get it from there and that's what you did. Good stuff!
+wj74 Thanks! We try to bring a little Discovery Channel to the proceedings when we can.
I also agree, a lot of teachers will show you what you need to know, but at a much slower pace, that is fine if i'm just starting out, but i'm a bit more advanced, as you say, just show me where to start, or the 1st run, and once i have the pattern being used, it's just time until i work it up to speed.
It's like CSI: Vai - like an forensic investigation on how guitar players do their thing.
aliensporebomb Ha!
yep!! 😀
Here six years later to say 'CS Vai'
Steve Vai is the only guitarplayer who ever beat himself in a guitarduel...
;P
+sjokkrosa Alt av sllide var spillt av han, men Steve Vai spillt resten, check your sources ;)
Værs go Herr/Fru Sjokkrosa! :) For å klarifisere ytterligere, Steve Vai spilte seg selv og arr. av Paganini 5th Caprice mens!
Ok Hr.Kvehaugen, ha en flott dag :)
Bedre sent en aldri! Er du gitarist selv?
Takk :) Ja, jeg har noen favoritter, Shawn Lane, Guthrie Govan, Brian May, Paul GIlbert, Tommy Emmanuel, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Joe Pass osv. jeg har sikkert glemt noen jeg også, det kan jeg garantere. Det er da enda bra at du beholdt EN gitar i alle fall, det er egentlig som å sykle, bare å sette i gang, det vil si, jeg tror ikke Hr.Govan kan å sykle (If you catch my drift) uansett så spiller det vel ikke så stor rolle hvor god du er så lenge du koser deg?! :)
i've never seen someone on youtube who is so perfectly (re-)playing what he has heard. i mean there are crazy players out there, but they probably have their style and can sorta play what they do best. yet, i would even think that if you put steve vai on that chair and told him to play that solo again, he wouldn't nail it as good as you did. you really are an instrumentalist in the most classic sense: you can play whatever you want in whatever style is needed. it doesn't mean much, but you have my highest respects.
JazzRadioFfm Oh I'm sure Steve would hit it out of the park -- he's Steve Vai! Even better, he'd play something new that also sounds Steve-esque.
You gotta check out Cesar Huesca then...
Sixto Flores lol no
There's a billion great instructors on TH-cam, and I've seen most of them. But you might be the absolute best. Both analysis and presentation is world class. Thank you so much for this.
Holy shit dude - you're a GREAT player, and this is extremely well presented and executed! Fantastic. : )
Fuckin' killer.
Thanks man!
I agree. SO GLAD that I found this channel. High quality contents, man. Instant subscribe.
***** Agreed with SkyNett, I've never seen such a thorough and well-presented (and well-executed) instructional vid. And I own a ton!
Your narration, for some reason, keeps making me feel like I'm watching The Wonder Years.. that aside I absolutely love the way you've put this all together and your playing. Very well done and enjoyable.
The idea that you could break down a player like Steve Vai as 1. figure-out-able 2. analyzable... wow. Massive respect.
Steve Vai in crossroads is what made me want to learn to play guitar. I've been playing for a while now but this super fast alternate picking has always seemed just too far out of reach.But I've been using your videos to learn the cross roads duel. Though I'm still working on it I can finally a day in the not to far future when I'll be able to play it and have it sound amazing. Your while cracking the code series has been transformative for me. Thank you.
You're one of my heroes Mr. Grady. I love learning the facts behind the licks instead of the licks alone. Keep on making the theoretical music world smaller for us nubs. :D
Just rewatched this and it's as enjoyable as the first time I saw it. What a great breakdown!
By far one of the best lessons I've even seen on TH-cam. This is amazing and incredibly well done!!!
Always wanted to learn this and here we are thank you so much! Tab and demo is just fantastic along with the break downs ...Amen
I just discovered your channel and subscribed. Dude you're awesome guitar player. And the way you break these solos down has made a world of difference for me. Bravo!
This is awesome! I went through a similar, albeit less intensive study of this particular groove and I am awed by your tenacity and dedication! And you play it beautifully! Rock on!
It's very impressive. Lots of details and logical analysis. Good for You!
so TWO people in the world can play it!
Savage tone, super lesson and a super player you are man. Wicked and I'm mega impressed as someone who is very critical of anything guitar related. Well done.
Bryan Birkett Thank you!
Troy Grady
I REALLY admire the care you put into your playing.
Thank you so much for sharing.
I really enjoyed this.
Man, you seriously took guitar lesson videos to another level. This is so well explained.
all that speed is awesome but i love the harmonics at the end of his runs badass so
jumping jesus Agree!
Wow. Awesome breakdown and narration. Good job. RJ
Thats the best 15mins I've yet had on TH-cam, sensational, loved it, thank you so much! :o)
Troy, that was amazing. In 35 years of playing, I have never seen someone breakdown someone and their playing style so precisely and thoroughly. Great job and great playing as well!
Awesome -- the mix of music and analysis is what we do 'round here. Thanks for watching!
3:55 no whammy bar LOL
I know! Ugh, why didn't they tell me this before I bought it??
LOL! Looking for the whammy there at 3:56.
Jay McAllister I can't stop laughing
Jay McAllister I seen that look and just laughed cuz ive got one guitar that has no floyd and the other two do and sometimes i forget which one im using and i go for a dive bomb and its just terrible. hahaha
That was just awesome. You are a very gifted player and an inspiring teacher. I loved the breakdown. Lots can play, but few can teach. And even fewer do both. Great job.
The most scientific and detailed approach to guitar technique that I've ever seen! Great job.
This reminds me of ESPN's Sports Science. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would I prefer to have your chops, your teaching skills, or your hair?! Great video!!
When I first saw the movie all those years ago I wondered why the dual even started after this lick. It still kicks after all these years, hats off to you for having the skill and ability to pull it apart in such a scientific way!
I'm not even a guitar player and I'm still blown away by the depth of your analysis. Wonderful!
What kind of Seymours do you have in that Les Paul? Sounds phenomenal. Great playing/teaching.
It is beyond my dreams to play like this, but what an awesome breakdown. I can't totally assimilate all the details, but your videos are amazing.
Now I'm going to listen to a Tiny Tim song, so I can feel better by comparison.
Ha! My parents once got me a Martin ukelele for Christmas, but I made them return it. Beautiful instrument. But I knew I was never going to play it!
@@troygrady I have my great grandfather's The Gibson Mandolin. I keep it in a display case. I guess it is worth a few thousand bucks but he is long dead after he left my dads mom and the rest of them here going west never to come back. I stare at it from time to time and think about shit. Priceless to me!
You stare at it and think about shit? You by chance have it displayed in the bathroom?
Really admire you for this video, Troy. First thing I have seen from you, and it's brilliant.
Troy, these videos are amazing and your playing is my new favorite! I just discovered you and your channel/website. Now everything in my life has to take a backseat until I watch every single one of your videos and practice every lick you teach. This is the best!
Well, I hope you're happy. You've made a blues/rock player, who's never had much interest in practicing patterns and technique, want to actually sit and do boring exercises-- because, when presented like this, it's not at all boring. GREAT job, man. I think I'm gonna have to subscribe on your site, even if I don't end up actually practicing any of it-- it's that well-presented and interesting. Kudos.
MrAncientchild It's ironic that you mention this because one of the big advantages for me of developing solid technique is getting away from pattern-based practice. We use them because they are a way of controlling the difficulty level, but it can turn your whole vocabulary into graph paper if you're not careful!
Exactly.. He demonstrates what the results of those "boring exercises" will be.
Lol...eye burning runs slowed down in slo-mo. 🎸 brilliant.
Even troy’s replies are next level.
This channel is so underrated
I love how they explore other solos by Steve to diagnose how it's played. The production on the video is really high too. Very impressive!!
Troy this is a brilliant lesson, thanks so much for not only teaching the part but also your approach to using guitar mechanics to more accurately decode the tablature. I'll be checking out the entire series for sure!
This was a true master class, holy crap thank you.
Frank Taylor Thanks!
***** Troy I am blown away by your detail and how you share that knowledge, so clear, so concise!!! Thank you man.
Man, I thought only I thought like this. hahahahhaah slowing shit down, pitching it around, looking at fingerings and trying to figure out how someone played a thing. I even reverse engineer stuff like vocals (iow, pitch kids vocals down low and try to cop the tone so I can sing kids parts even tho I have a baritone voice etc). Interesting vid and nice chops too!
It's true -- constant investigation is the way of the guitarist! We're always exploring. Thanks for watching!
How come I never heard of YOU before? This is awesome! You are a great player and have given me a new understanding and respect for lead guitar soloing. Thanks for sharing!
+Troy Grady You are a genius! I'm just getting back into guitar after a 20 year hiatus. Subscribed to some mags and going full force on re-learning. I stumbled upon you through guitar world magazine and I got so excited watching your videos...Its just amazing what you are doing! Its rekindled my excitement for guitar even more. THANKYOU for what you are doing!
I have never put this much thought into learning anything, ever. And I'm only 2 and a half minutes in, you sir are a genius, you must have a degree in music philosophy, a university program I just made up
Thanks man! We enjoy pulling things apart here at Cracking the Code and there is plenty more to come down the line.
We mention Neal in Season 1, Episode 2 of Cracking the Code. Great player. I think I may have emailed him for an interview years ago but he never responded. Down the line, who knows.
actually .... I love everything about this video !! really cool video !!!! and nice teaching wich I know, its not easy :)
Best lesson I've ever heard/seen- as an amazing teacher as you are a player!
Wow amazing. All these years your edition is still the best and most entertaining, educational! Thanks man
You sir, are amazing. Love the picking technique. You pull these runs off without sounding overly "mechanical".
***** Thanks! That's high praise. The aesthetic in the '80s definitely was a bit mechanical, but there was still finesse involved. Kind of like the way dance producers think certain analog drum machines have 'soul'.
YEEES! When you went looking for the whammy... that was great.
Ha. Old habits die hard!
he was thinking like Damn this les paul has no whammy.....LOL
Absolute genius! I can't even imagine how many hours went into this tutorial...but It was extremely entertaining, exacting, funny and informative.
heroic work..!
Baza Baza Ha. It's not exactly "rescuing kittens from a tree"-level heroism, but I'll take it!
..this is like guitar archeology... a super forensic dig into licks we have all wanted to play for ages.. Great job Troy - I love it!
Thanks man! The lesson is nominally about the Vai lick, but you're right that it's also about the transcription process. There was so little information available back in the day, that sleuthing was a fact of life for all of us. I can't imagine what it's like growing up in the era of TH-cam ubiquity. Kids these days!!
what makes the note sound like that at 9:26 and what is it called :O?
it’s an artificial pinch harmonic
What're you doing here??
Great video. Looking for the tremolo at 3:55 - hilarious. Are you willing to share what gear/software you are playing through on this vid?
It's already up there in the description -- thanks for watching!
Yeah, I agree, that was pretty funny. Great playing too btw Troy.
Thanks!
These videos are on a whole different level, just like your playing. So friggin amazing.
2nd time round watching this and I have to just take a moment to thank you for taking this lick to bits. Great technique and phenomenal expression, great playing sir.
Damn....::goes back to practicing::
I feel like I'm watching something on the History channel like Ancient Alien or the Bible code or something. Everything is a big mystery and discovery here, but very cool man. haha. How does Steve Vai do it? You know what I heard in the slowed down passage? The secret language of "ALIENS."
m3tafunj I'm not going to say it's Aliens, but.... it's aliens!
That was awesome. Great breakdown and your guitar musicianship is amazing.
These crossroads licks vids are quite possibly the most well analyzed and well done guitar lessons online
I took the end of the movie, as Ralph finding his own "roots" and being able to play classical in a mature way, by adding the grit and life experience of blues to his clinical classical music. In fact he added the soul of the blues to the notes of the classical... And if you ask Vai, I believe he would see himself as a master of the blend of genres! BTW your transcription and commentary and playing were excellent! Thank you!
Jaka Jarc I like this reading of it, and I suspect that may very well have been their intent. Nice interpretation!
Jaka - I have a similar view on this. When Eugene busts out his Trick Bag at the end of the film he is returning back to this classical roots and he kills it. ***** seriously cool stuff I love your work!
Thanks Chris!
You are amazing!
Jesse, have you heard of this guy?
Wait, are you asking Jesse if he's heard of Steve Vai? Hasn't everyone? Along with Yngwie Malmsteen and a guy playing at a birthday party I almost met named Joe Satriani, they're all consistently in the top 25 lists.
no, the guy dissecting the guitar riffs. He is pretty amazing
That's what I get for not actually WATCHING the video...
Did you watch now? He's really good, am I right? He also doesn't look like he should play like that.
Awesome! I am amazed at how much research and thought you put into this. Thanks so much. You rock!
Nicholas Flamel Thanks! If we can't do it will, we opt not to do it at all. It's a truckload of work but that's our M.O. and we're sticking to it!
Excellent job. I really appreciate it when someone puts such effort into getting things as right as possible. I have always taken this approach since I started playing over thirty years ago. You have excellent production value in your clips and lessons, but the real thing that shines is your attention to detail and logic...two things that I have always relied on in learning from others. Thanks!
Yes, the nerd is strong with us! Thanks for watching.
wow. trying to analyze and reproduce someone else's music reminds me alot of emulating console games on the pc. It takes alot of work, and in the end, only reproduces what has already been done. I'm not ragging on this vid, massive respect to the guy in this vid. But one thing I've learned about music is that some of the best ever put out, was by ppl finding their own path. Of course examining other ppl's work DOES help! It's just so damned hard to reproduce something the way the original artist did it...here we are 30 years later trying to figure out exactly how steve vai played this....incredible! :) anyway, props to troy, great vid, thumbs up :)
For the most part, I agree. This isn't really about replicating Steve's artistry -- it's about learning how the guitar works. Back when the movie came out, Steve was a god and this stuff was pure mystery. I would have killed for any understanding at all how lines like this were put together. But only so I could go off and write my own.
***** I have to say in having over 3 decades of editing and guitar playing, that you are probably one of the few guitarists with the technical intellect to understand the difficulty in understanding my job as an editor. There are times I have to dither in corrections to a recorded error a guitarist might request after a session was done long ago, and explaining to them sometimes that what they're requesting me to create is not natural because it is mechanically not possible to achieve on a guitar neck. LOL Troy, I sometimes feel like pulling my hair out trying to explain to them that it will create a peculiar and surreal type envelope of guitar sound no matter how subtle or quickly it passes. Something in the mind of a guitarist flags when you hear it, and you think there’s something “wrong” with that.
Morph Mode Tell me about it! Between Autotune, Beat Detective, Vocalign, and sample replacement, we're all pretty familiar with this story by now. But on the other hand you have the Les Paul mentality of taking technology and doing something awesome and creative with it. That's what makes it all worthwhile.
::/44::-
Actually, it wasn't that long ago when console games emulated what we saw on PC. Back then, most games were released on PC first then ported over to console. It wasn't until the demand for console games increased that we saw a shift in this anomaly. Now they just release the game on console first or they make the game for all of the different formats. However, after all this time, PCs are still more powerful than consoles.
Well, he's no Ralph Macchio but he's pretty good.
Revisited this now - it’s possibly the ultimate nerdy video ever. And I love it, and I’m using it, and it’s absolutely fantastic. Well done Troy❤
Subscribed!! there is a lot of detail here, keep posting videos like this man you rock!
Haha I can't play this
I can. Very, very slowly xD
@@tornoutlaw I can play it slowly too. One note per day
hmm, a lot of it is just pentatonic, not too horrible actually O.o its funny how speed makes things feel more difficult than they are
This is an interesting point. When you think about it, the difficulty level of a particular line shouldn't change just because the tempo changes. Running doesn't "get more difficult" when you run faster. It just requires more effort, and you can't do it for as long. But the difficulty level per se doesn't increase. I think the takeaway here is that if you feel something "get more difficult" as you pick up the speed, then that means the mechanics aren't correct to begin with.
***** True, but using that same analogy, not everyone can run like usain bolt ;)
Having speed and proficiency are trainable, but there should and is a genetic limitation no?
Of course. But athletic speed and correct form are separate issues. Whatever one's top speed naturally is, whether it's Bolt-level, or average guy-level, there should be a relatively smooth performance curve to reach it. There should not come a point along that curve where everything suddenly feels uncoordinated and tangled. This is the case for many players when it comes to picking technique, and it's what we're addressing in Cracking the Code. As to how to attain max athletic speed, again, interesting question. But a different one that needs more testing.
***** That denies the aspect of plateus though. Thats how it works in pretty much everything. Fast gains until you hit a brick wall, then you gotta work to break through that wall.
Same with anything, I was trained as a nuclear operator in the navy, and they told us from day one "none of this shit is gonna make sense, and one day its just gonna be like a lightning bolt in your head, and you will understand everything"... I always thought it was bullshit, but it was so true.
If it were a "smooth linear progression", everyone would excel at guitar, no?
*****
Ok, I decided to dive into this video... It's great. You're a fantastic teacher, I love how you stay advanced without smashing ridiculous advanced theory in our faces. Great work man.
These are by far the best lessons on the interweb.
We are humbled - very clean playing - a LOT of hard f'n work - and very worthwhile!
I assume is you on Les Paul, respect, virtuose on Les Paul aint easy, the weight is tough |o|
+Leandro Marins It's easier when you're sitting down!
This has got to be one of the greatest things I've ever watched on TH-cam.
These analyses are unbelievable, keep it up!
very impressive playing I have to say...some of the best I've heard anywhere
This is the most amazing break down and analysis I've ever seen.. I feel like this wil push me to new heights!
This is some super-smart and diligent listening leading to insightful interpretation. Awesome job!
this is the best thing i've seen on here yet...you are a shred beast brother
Great stuff bud, keep it coming we love it!
This is so awesome, I love the reach for the wammy. “Call and Response” for guitarist FTW!
Great breakdown and love how you frame context.
Great timing on your playing.
Dig the video. First I saw. I'm gonna check out more. Really well done. I'm excited to see the others
Thank you! This video locked in something I wasn't quite sure about. My guitar playing went from loose to tight in 1 day because of this video.
This guy is putting so many guitar teachers out is business. Amazing work.
Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to make this video, rock on!
No worries -- thanks for watching!
Excellent video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, expertise and guitar wisdom. Keep up the great work!
Great!! Truly the best lesson I've ever watched on youtube. Thanks!
troy ,i watch your videos and there wonderful....i've been playing for years and i am so surprised...i have never seen or heard one person ever explain something that a guitar instructor taught me years ago and it changed everything for me...he said when your moving fast/shredding ....always keep a very light light touch on the fret board ...he said you want to feel a vibration between the tips of your fingers and the fret board...that was.probably one of the best tid-bits of information i had ever been given....when i am warming up ...it's one of the first things i ever try to feel for. and adjust properly....it literally was a game changer and i am REALLY surprised i've never heard anyone talk about it........
Great video and it shows us once again what a genius Steve Vai is....incredible
Wow pro quality stuff!
Excellent analysis, articulation and playing. You obviously put a lot of time in these. Thanks!
This was so wonderful. Currently smiling ear to ear and wanting to go play. This was a job so well done.
Outstanding. I see like me you have rewound and paused the Crossroads dual more times than any VHS player should ever have to. My brother, sister and parents know this instantly too! You play it very well man! I may dust off my axe and finish what I started. Thanks man!
You sir, are amazing! Thanks for catering to us obsessive guitar nerds. By far one of the best presented lessons I've seen on TH-cam.
Wow. This is amazing. The playing, obviously, but the presentation is superb and the research into the style appeals to my geekness a million times over. Can't wait to watch some more!
this is more than just a lesson on the lick. this is gold. think ill subscribe. you have knowledge i need!
Excellent playing, Troy! I love Steve's shredding in that movie. Well I love all his playing. It's just a great movie and thank you for sharing your findings! And for all the hard work you've done to be at this level.