Music Radar recently caught up with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, who offered his Top 5 tips for guitarists. An excerpt from the interview is available below.

Vai: "Whatever you do – whether you have to change the batteries in your stomp box, whether you have to talk to attorneys or managers, if you're deciding how you’re going to make a record or how you’re going to make a living – all that stuff is important, but it’s not of absolute importance. What’s of absolute importance is the quality of your inspiration. Everything else comes from that.

Even before the quality of the inspiration, you need to know how you feel, because the way you feel flows into all of your actions. That’s not even debatable, nor is it my opinion – it’s just the way it works.

You need to get in touch with the thoughts you’re thinking in regards to what you need to do. Once you identify the way you’re thinking, you have the freedom – and this is virtually the one freedom you have that nobody can touch – to choose the thoughts you want to think to change the way you feel.

That takes a lot of courage because you first have to be able to see that you’re feeling. Most people don’t do that – they’re just engrossed 100 percent in the way they feel without any kind of self-reflection. So there you go: Adjust your thoughts accordingly."

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Vai will be headlining the Electric Day at the free Guitar Town Festival at Copper Mountain, CO on August 9th, just days after Vai Academy wraps in neighboring town, Vail. He will be joined by Robben Ford Music, Sonny Landreth, John Jorgenson and Mark Selby. Following Vai's performance, the five lords of mesmerizing guitar will perform in an All-Star Jam. The audience will also be treated to a special Q&A; workshop that same morning. For more information go to this location.

Vai recently announced Vai Academy 2015 - All About The Guitar, the ultimate guitar experience music camp. It will be held in Vail, Colorado August 2nd - 6th.

The immersive 4-day experience features master classes by Vai, and very special guests Eric Johnson and Sonny Landreth. This is a hands-on education in all things guitar, featuring informative sessions, evening jams with the students/teachers, informal chats, food and friends. For complete information, to reserve your spot visit VaiAcademy.com

Vai's recent Musicians Institute interview is available below. He discusses the perils of ego, the addiction of monogamy and why he always avoids drugs. He also shares some inspiring insight into his creativity and playing, discusses touring, what he looks for in bandmates, composing for orchestras, and playing with Zappa back in the day.