This was such an honor and a blast. I hope you enjoy! TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:50 - The origin of the Hydra 4:00 - How is the Hydra held up? 5:01 - Breaking down "The Teeth of the Hydra" 15:58 - How to beat frustration 18:50 - The hardest thing Steve has ever done 23:10 - Controlling psychological time 24:39 - How much does the Hydra weigh? 27:39 - Will the Hydra be played on tour? 28:44 - Breaking down every piece of the Hydra 30:05 - The signal path 31:56 - The melodic aspects of the Hydra 35:35 - Steve's motivational halftime speech

Imagine being told by Steve Vai that you're doing great work in the name of guitar music. What a compliment, well done Tyler.

Wow, Steve Vai breaking down this song on your channel. How will you ever top this?!? This so so awesome. Thank you. My hats off to you and Steve.

Steve Vai seems like such a good guy, and his guitar playing is crazy. Just started watching and I'm hooked. Edit: I didn't know he was a flat-earther until reading the comments, I don't pay much attention to him in the media (I only listen to his playing) and he's not my idol. I made the comment late at night when I was half-asleep working on a school assignment - not expecting much of a reaction. Could you adults stop arguing over whether one guy is humble or not.

Vai will be 100 years old and still telling people about ideas in his head that he's working on. A guy that can do the impossible on a regular basis...just amazing talent.

My GOD every time I listen to Steve Vai speak, I just find myself smiling. What a guy, what a soul, what a player.

Receiving compliments from Steve Vai, he is blessed🙂👌👍💐

My favorite thing about the Hydra is that the song is just amazing in it's own right. It's a wonderful song even if you take out the next level playing. Steve really got it right. I think I've listened to the song 10x already, but don't want to overplay it to wreck the experience. Great work Steve, Definitely some of your best, in my opinion.

Steven is an amazing guy. Met him in 2000 and enjoyed the 3 minutes he spent with me. He certainly respects you Tyler! Great interview.

So rare to hear such a great guitarists speak in a clear dialect.

Wow. That Steve Vai intro compliment must feel great 😊 Edit: Steve Vai is such a Beast on stage, but humble in real life. Living Legend

I appreciate how Steve tries to impress on Tyler, and anyone who can grasp the concept, of rewarding yourself for the small hurdles you clear first, before trying to move forward right away in an attempt to get it ALL perfect

Tyler’s smiling the entire time. Amazing dialogue and insights from Steve. Thank you, Tyler. And congrats on getting this interview.

Steves advice for celebrating the little wins is perfect for when you are first approaching tremolo. Celebrate every success. But keep pushing.

Its wonderful to hear Steve talking about guitar tech, you would expect a lot of guitarists from the era he started in to kinda stick to the basics and the stuff they started with but he seems to have really kept up with all of the guitar tech development over the years

24 minutes in, and finally someone talks about the whole reason that i play guitar. I experienced this around 16 years old, a pick flew out of my picking hand and i caught it in my fretting hand. It was amazing, and at the time, we recorded all of our practices that we had, cuz my drummers dad was amazing. it landed in my hand and i looked around in disbelief. record everthing

You know you are winning at music, when Steve Vai thanks you for what you do!!!!!!

Steve Vai admits he can bend time like a wizard and names Tyler as his apprentice! Congratulations Mr. Tyler! Excellent interview, thank you brother! 🤟😎🤟

Philosopher, life coach, motivational speaker and a decent guitar player too. Thanks Steve for bringing us the music and thanks Tyler for allowing the man to share his vision with us.

Klaus Schulze, a pioneer of innovative and challenging music in his own field, just passed away at 74. We must remember to appreciate the talent, creativity and virtuosity of those artists we hold dear while they're still sharing their art. Steve Vai is indeed a pioneer, an innovator and a virtuoso getting all my respect while he's alive and still delivering challenging art.

Great interview, loved how you didn't step all over the guest & let him talk... a lot of interviewers don't get that. I bet Frank would be amazed and proud of his "Little Italian Prodigy".

Honestly this was the most interesting guitar discussion I've listened to in ages. There was so much nuanced discussion of the compositional and technique choices (and tradeoffs) that we have to make when writing. So fascinating to hear that whole discussion in the context of a wild instrument that truly does deserve its own deep explanation. Great stuff.

Saw Vai live at the House of Blues in Orlando way back in 2009. He actually took the time to talk to us after the show. It's so cool when your hero turns out to be a super cool dude.

Steve's ability to illuminate the creative process is one of his greatest gifts besides his astonishing skills and work ethic. You do amazing work also, Tyler. Glad to be a longtime subscriber!

My gosh what a complete honor, I'd be tripping over every word if I got to interview Steve Vai. Congratulations.

Steve Vai is a true gentleman. He always treats everyone with true respect. His guitar playing is Mind Blowing and yet he stays humble. I truly believe and can obviously see he has the mastery like no one before him. NO ONE. His guitar playing is Cosmic. From another world. Word. Every little accomplishment is cause for celebration.

That was an amazing interview. Steve always seems like a guy you'd just want to hang out with. Such a well spoken person and you can tell he really has a passion for what he's doing. Thanks Tyler for doing this.

I saw once Steve Vai in a concert playing live the 3neck heart guitar. The way he was playing it was absolutely incredible.

That final thought really inspired me. Thanks Steve Vai!!

Fuckin love Stevie Vai, brilliant man! Haven't always loved his songs, but he is a tremendous human being and a brilliant example of a true guitar entrepreneur 🙌 hats off to you sir always

Stuning interview from one of the greatest guitarist of this century. Teeth of the hydra is a mesmerising piece of music. Great interview. Thanks a lot

I've loved the two times I've seen Steve live, and never tire of hearing him speak. Very similar to listening to and reading Frank. Always deep, informative, and inspiring. Thank you both!

One of the most enjoyable Vai interviews. You both had a great talk, I had a great listen. Thankyou

Steve make's me happy, I always loved his work ,but hearing him feels he really is a passionate guy who just loves what he do. Thanks to you Tyler to share these videos to us !

I love how up to date with technology Stev keeps up man. Guy really just embraced the way music has changed while still playyng the music he’s always been known for. What a talent.

Great job, Tyler. Steve Vai is so down to earth. What an inspiration.

I remember when I first time saw pictures of the Hydra I thought "there's no way he's actually going to play that thing for minutes". As it turns out I was baaadly wrong. I'll never underestimate Steve Vai's abilities anymore.

Steve Vai is in his early 60s. What other musician is doing mind blowing never before seen technical wizardry at that age? Not many. This is the kind of stuff I'd expect a young hot-shot guitarist to be doing (like when EVH first came on the scene blowing minds with "Eruption").

Love to see the relationship you guys are developing! One of your idols is a fan of what you do and clearly respects you.. Happy for you man!

Wonderful interview! Steve is so amazing and full of wisdom and insight.

"Steve's motivational halftime speech"... It's interesting that so many greats in many wildly differing fields all basically explain this the same way. Absolutely brilliant interview Tyler, thank you 🙂❤

This is such a great experience it's like you're learning Steve's personality that much more. He's truly a good person let alone an amazing guitarist. That button on his guitar is one of his Alien Love Secrets. ;) lol. Thanks for the great content Tyler. Keep shreddin!

Musically speaking, Steve Vai has always been the biggest freak in the room. Now he's 3. I love it! Thanks for this content. It's great to hear him break this insanity down.

Tyler, first off amazing interview with Vai and so cool he gave this insight to you!! Second, I was wondering at 25:46 You state something about your "entire impotence"....that and the banter about holding the hydra up "below the belt" made for a thoroughly amusing watch and Zappa would have approved!! Keep doing what you do brother 🤘

It's cool how chill vai is, congrats on having him on your channel man!

Thank you Tyler! All the questions I had about the hydra were answered in this video!!

Getting a compliment by Steve Vai is like the final boss of guitar playing ! As a hungry guitar player , i hope to be worthy of that one day ..

Great Interview ! Steve is such a humble, wise and funny person.😁

Wow! It's awesome to hear Steve talk about getting frustrated trying to learn a lick. It's easy to assume that it's just magic. This is epic

GREAT VIDEO! So amazing. I watch Steve on his channel, and his chats are great. And I’m totally in agreement with his “hyper-present”. When you get in that zone, you absolutely can do anything.

Steve is one of the most amazing guitarists around. It was a huge honor to meet him several years ago.

Wow you really have climbed to the top man! Vai breaking down his craziest song ever on your channel! Thanks Tyler and Steve for this. Hydra still blowing my mind!

Thank u 4 this interview n getting Steve to open up n share the processes in his thoughts n his actions. After watching this interview, I understand why he is the legend that he is.

Vai is awesome, and so are you my fine guy! We all appreciate what you do for the guitar community! Love this friggen channel, Cheers

16:04 “here’s a great way to circumnavigate frustration” so inspirational!

I'm 30 and I have never seen an electric guitar up close and I have very convincing reasons why. But my passion to listen and think about great songs - mostly including only rock songs and everything that has guitar in itself - has kept me alive. I'm living in an 80 million population country where almost every thing that can give you joy is prohibited...and I'm pretty sure just a few people have listened to this in my home country. Why? Simply just because :)... and that kinda gives me a feeling of uniqueness and that's f**king marvellous. Guess which country I live in(?!)

Amazing to see a man at his age that has accomplished so much determined to keep growing as an artist, musician and person regardless of the physical obstacles…a true inspiration.

absolutely legendary, congratulations man

Great interview , man I could listen to Steve all day long he always has interesting ideas to offer and a great philosophy. ✌

Steve has such a beautiful studio. He needs a better web cam though. 😄🤘 I was fortunate to see him perform OOOOO on the heart guitar and his improv on the 4 neck jem, can’t wait to see him play the hydra!

Bro I remember when you where at like 15K and I subscribed. Crazy to see how far you’ve gotten. A one on one with vai. Keep it up 🔥🔥

What an awesome interview, I can only pretend to imagine what an amazing experience this was to chat with such an iconic guitarist and delve into his mind, particularly with this instrument and this composition. Well done!

This is the magic of guitar world. There are guitarists like Steve Vai, who doesn't settle in his old ways, but evolve. Then we have outlets like Music is a win. What a great time to be alive and play guitar. Take it from older dude. 40 years ago i had vinyls or casettes to learn from. Now you have endless possibilities to learn guitar. This interview is one of those miracles. Thank you guys.

There's probably nothing better than having Steve Vai tell you how good you are doing for the guitar community and exclusively breaking down his song on your channel.

Could you imagine trying to promote online guitar lessons, then a couple years later you’re chillin with Steve Vai. That’s a huge accomplishment!

I love how far Tyler and the channel have come, the content was always great but to see him develop relationships with legends like Steve and Paul over the years was amazing. Idk if Tyler is living THE dream but he is definitely living A dream (at least what I would consider a dream) at points now.

OMG! What an amazing interview! I’ve been following Steve’s music since the middle 1980s. It started with the David Lee Roth Band, branched out in Zappa, his solo stuff, his studio stuff with PIL, the album with Whitesnake, and then back to his solo stuff again. What an amazing musician, what an amazing showman, and all around a great guy. I met him very briefly at Focus II guitars back in the late 80s. It was more of “sorry, excuse me” moment, he was leaving the store as I entered and I literally bumped into him. It wasn’t until I went to pay for my picks that I realized…that was Steve Vai! It was a guitar shop in the late 80s, lots of guys were copying his look and really, what are the odds of bumping into Steve Vai on a Saturday afternoon in Patchogue, NY? Like most of the musicians I know, while he does like to show off his talent, always humble to the fact that people show up and listen to his creations. Thanks for sharing this with all of us. Keep rockin’🤘🏻

Great interview, Steve Vai is amazing love his philosophy in general.

Steve Vai is a genius guitarist. Every project he was on was gold.

Been wishing this collab would happen... GG'S Tyler!

I love you Steve, you have brought so much beautiful music/attitude to the world!

Freaking AWESOME interview! Thank you both! 🤘

Thank you so much to Steve and Tyler! This type of post evaluation and explanation is such a great teaching/learning experience. It really increases the listener's understanding (and thus their appreciation and respect) of the profound talent/skill that went into this instrument, composition and performance. Thanks again!

Have tickets for the tour. Can't wait!

That was an amazing video, Steve Vai is a legend!

Vai's been a world-class guitarist for 40 years. It's a marvel that he isn't resting on that, and is challenging himself to "get better". Inventing a new instrument and composing a piece of music for it is a master's fusion of his art and science. And he's got more ideas for composing on the Hydra. This ain't over.

You're 2 for 2 on having conversations with Steve Vai and him spitting straight wisdom mid conversation Incredibly inspiring stuff

My first rock concert was in 86 when DLR was touring his 1st solo album with Vai and Sheehan. I was front and center and it changed my life watching those absolute masters.

Not just a great channel and content of guitar, but your interviewing skills and how you interact with people, you let them tell us, great job

Thank you so much for this, Tyler! I’m feeling very inspired. 🤘🏻

You'll never hear this song on radio. The radio is too small of a platform and its audience too musically inept to appreciate. They want to hear soppy rhyming lyrics inside relatively simple musical arrangements as opposed to the mastery of Steve Vai. By the way, when time stands still you are in the zone. You become breathless. Paramahansa Yogananda said many times that breathlessness is deathlessness. I've only experienced it one time at a Yoga retreat called Ananda. It's a state of ecstasy. A state of pure bliss.

Wow, fascinating interview! Thanks to you and Steve for putting this together!

what a great interview, Steve is the best, a great guitarist, composer, artist. Thanks

Wow that was so cool going through the whole song with Steve what is an honor great job Tyler super interesting👍🏻🎸

Amazing interview! Listening to Steve is incredibly inspiring.

Two legends are present, I wonder if you could get Angus Young on your podcast or Stevie Young R.I.P Malcolm

Thanks 4 posting, revealing the Hydra's secrets was a great thing!

Omg!! Thank you so much for this great interview. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Please do more songs on the hydra Steve and if you could bring it to Australia I would love to see it live. Hope you are well and thankyou for the years of music being a fan has been exciting I think you can do anything.

Steve Vai has always been incredibly inspiring but now he's on a whole new level with his own writing and playing. Thanks for showcasing this song, the both of yous!

I love how he needed shoulder surgery, but his primary concern was not being able to pull off this incredible artistic feat. There is no other guitarist that intentionally challenges himself and forces growth like Steve Vai

LEGENDARY GUITAR PLAYING... MELODY IS BEAUTIFUL.. ROCKY.. RICH RIFFS.

I love that you guys are homies...that's gotta be so damn cool. Great video Tyler, thanks mate.

This is a gift for all of us! Great interview! And as always, it's so much fun, deep and Inspiring to hear what Steve has to say!! ❤️

Wow! Powerful stuff in here, particularly towards the end. This is just as good as anything that Tony Robbins has done as far as motivation goes.

Thank you so much for making this, you are both an inspiration for me.

The Last 5 Min Show How Much Spiritual Steve is. THX ;) Message Received and Learned.

I feel like there's a lot of great stuff going on with guitar players these days. Maybe it's me slowly getting better at this whole thing and being more perceptive ... but I feel like there's a lot of new stuff out there in what felt like arrested development for the longest time. It's great to see players like Steve come out and blow EVERYBODY's mind where before he seemed like one of those 80s maestros of old who didn't have anything new to offer. It's inspiring ... I wanna be like that when I get older. And also you, Tyler ... I watched one of your jams during my work break today and caught myself saying "nice" and being inspired to pick up my guitar time and again. Let's all just keep going. It's a great place we're in, even though standards are getting ridiculous, but that's just who we are.

man its been such a joy to watch well rather hear Steve come into his own (since becoming a "solo" act and not just in a "band") and just bend boundaries..its super cool that he sat down with you to break this song down..and everytime i watch Steve do any kind of interview or whatever man he just inspires me to play my guitar and create something beautiful from my inner uncolored place you know no boundries of metal rock etc.,. just be and take chances and push myself...im glad there is a Steve, and that Steve is who he is especially nowadays ,and doing his podcasts and youtube stuff ..so thanks Tyler for this vid..and i really appreciate your channel always a good watch...looking forward to your album

Great interview Tyler! You did great at letting him talk and not interupting constantly, something we see way too much these days. You have my respect! Thank you Steve for sharing! This is historically important and a gem