Vai, Satriani.....jazz?

vette6600 · #1 10-18-2004, 01:52 PM

my teacher and I were discussing whether or not Steve Vai or Satch could play jazz. Not fusion, just straight up jazz. I'm undecided, but my teacher doesn't think Vai could. What do you think.

The Euphor · #2 10-18-2004, 02:05 PM

Any good arguements why or why not?

little wing · #3 10-18-2004, 02:22 PM

interesting topic... in my opinion, i agree with your teacher but i guess they can play if the learn.

Wis Redz of Silvanost · #4 10-18-2004, 03:21 PM

both of them can... they are virtuosos, they listen to jazz certainly so they can play it. i'm not saying they can play it like jazz artist but they can play it, in their own unique style. but i would be jazz...

**jono** · #5 10-18-2004, 03:31 PM

What specialization is Steve's music degree in? I seem to remember somewhere reading he's been a jazz student?

I could of course be very wrong.

vaijem777 · #6 10-18-2004, 04:22 PM

Are you sure that Steve actually HAS a degree? (Aside from the "honorary" one that Berklee gave him.) I seem to recall that he did attend Berklee, but that his stay was cut short once he was offered a position by some guy named Zappa. I could be wrong though...

**jim777** · #7 10-18-2004, 04:26 PM

Straight up jazz...bebop, hardbop? Switching modes with the chord changes? Vai could do that, no problem. It wouldn't sound like it came off of Virtuoso # 1, but you'd know it was jazz.
I think your teacher is probably unaware of Steve's actual ability, and more likely thinks of him as another mindless shredder. It's unfortunate really that so many jazz musicians seem so engrossed in "rating" musicians around them. I've even seen guys rag on Jimmy Bruno (who is beyond amazing, far beyond) in rec.music.makers.guitar.jazz, and Jimmy is a regular contributor!
You know the joke, "How many guitarists does it take to change a lightbulb? 10, 1 to change it and 9 to say "I could have done that better", that's jazz musicians for you.

I think, all kidding aside, that it is more difficult to play jazz well than it is to play any other style, but of all the musicians I've met in my 30+ years of playing, the jazzers are the most intimidating, and intimidated. (And stoned

) In my personal opinion Steve could play straight up jazz, and surprise a lot of jazz guitarists with both his chops and technincal ability. I don't think it floats his boat, though. One of my favorite moments on "Alive in an Ultra World" ends with Steve telling the band to "Stop, that sounds like jazz!"

jim

krizz · #8 10-18-2004, 05:48 PM

I you ever want to kick it so far as Steve and Joe did, you'll _have_ to explore every style to make yourself that versatile. So, up to a certain degree, they're both able to play it I think.

microdmitry · #9 10-18-2004, 08:51 PM

I think both Steve and Joe could play jazz. The question is, why would they? They seem to have lots of fun playing good instrumental rock. Jazz music is boring, soulless and has no balls IMO.

Shakma!! · #10 10-18-2004, 09:10 PM

But it can be really complex. so to call it boring isnt really accurate, IMO. It may be light, but it is theoretically complex.

vette6600 · #11 10-18-2004, 09:43 PM

wow, these are some great responses. just to clarify jim777, my teacher isn't one of those stuffy jazz players

The thing that confuses me about steve vai is, if he can do it, why doesn't he? he has explored so many avenues of music on his own cds and on all of his side projects and contributions to other albums, but i've never heard jazz. On the other hand, when you listen to a guy like greg howe, he shreds like a maniac and on his latest release, he improvs through the progressions like a pro. Thats what impresses me so much about his playing. Keep the comments coming!

Jeff · #12 10-18-2004, 09:54 PM

I really don't think playing jazz is too hard. I can usually noodle around enough and come up with something jazzy.

Music is only as hard you make it.

anuj · #13 10-18-2004, 10:18 PM

see Bisonnette, Gregg - Submarine - Lum Lum (feat. Satriani, Joe).

~A

pawel · #14 10-18-2004, 10:26 PM

What is playing jazz? Coming up with something jazzy with 7th chords in it? Blasting through "Giant Steps"?. There isn't a certain fixed way to play "jazz", although some would tell you that if you want to play jazz you need a big archtop, be able to play over multiple standards and never bend strings...or use excessive vibrato.......or use distortion...

ShredOrDead · #15 10-19-2004, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim777

I don't think it floats his boat, though. One of my favorite moments on "Alive in an Ultra World" ends with Steve telling the band to "Stop, that sounds like jazz!"

Yea, that's what I think of whenever "Steve Vai" and "jazz" come up.