Grammy Award winning guitarist STEVE VAI is attempting to break the world record for “the world’s largest online guitar lesson” with Berklee Music on March 3rd.  Steve will hold a 30-minute lesson online from New York City with a free online lesson. This is part of a national education campaign presented by Berklee Music.  This one time event will take place at 1:30  P.M. EST on March 3rd at Livestream’s NYC studio. Participants can visit Berkleemusic.com for more info.

Steve Vai recently spoke to BraveWords.com Correspondent Deb Rao regarding the upcoming online event this exclusive interview for BraveWords.com.

BraveWords.com: How did you get involved in this event?

Vai: "I am a Berklee Alumni. I went to Berklee when I graduated. I am always interested in expanding my musical knowledge and understanding. Berklee was an amazing place. When you graduate High School and go out in the world and you are a college student that in itself is a real liberating experience."

BraveWords.com: You are going to attempt to break the Guinness Book World record for the world's largest online guitar lesson. How does this make you feel? It is going to be extremely exciting to take on this venture.

Vai: "It was something that came up as a result of promoting my online guitar lesson class that I built with Berklee. It is a great class. With technology the way it is now you can go online and sign up for a class with 20 students and an instructor. I filmed a whole bunch of stuff. The class is based on my approach to my teaching. In order to promote it, the people at Berklee came up with the idea to make an online guitar lesson and break the Guinness Book of World records. My first question was, 'Is there one to break?'" (Laughter)

BraveWords.com: You are such a renowned guitarist; I think it is going to be really instrumental in your career that you are taking on this event. What is your goal in teaching the students at Berklee with your 12-week guitar lesson that is slated to begin April 4th? What goals have you set forth for the students?

Vai: "Being a touring and recording musician for the past 32 years there is a lot that I have learned and a lot that I have been through. When I look back at my career as a musician, as a developing musician and somebody that has always wanted to expand their horizons on the instrument I can see particular times and events that have brought me forward in my playing. I talk about things that the musicians are really interested in knowing. How you make it in the business, and how you get your music out there in the world. How do you find your own voice on the instrument? What is it like to tour? What should I really know? I talk about all of these things. My goal with the class is to inspire students to identify their own goals and to cultivate the excitement towards approaching them."

BraveWords.com: How important is performing live versus learning in a class?

Vai: "I think there are things you can get from both. The class has instructors like I am saying. I am there for one session of the semester. For the rest of the class, they give you videos that I have made".

BraveWords.com: As a performer during your illustrious career as a guitarist, you have toured with so many great people including FRANK ZAPPA and DAVID LEE ROTH. What is the most important factor that you have earned from these artists? Actually, Frank Zappa  gave you you first gig correct?

Vai: "Yes, my first professional gig for sure. I started working for him, when I was 18 transcribing music. Then when I was 20, I joined the band and toured and made records with Frank for three years after that. Every situation that you go to, you learn something different. A lot is based on experience of whom you are with. Frank Zappa was one of the most extraordinary musicians of the 21st century. It was amazing being in his band at such an early age. A day doesn't pass when I look back at that and all the different levels of understanding and how they effect me. With all the other bands that I have been with there was other things like touring with David Lee Roth."

BraveWords.com: The internet has changed the way that musician conduct their promotions. It has become a vital source in today's music world. How important is it to you to continue to support and promote this online musical education with your guitar lesson?

Vai: "I roll with the punches so to speak. The way that technology is changing. I make sure I am aware that I know what is going on to the best of my ability.

I have really embraced technology with the music that I make and the business that I do, with my record company. I am venturing off into other musical adventures in two months I am launching Guitartv.com.  That is going to be a phenomenal site for people that love guitar. You can see streaming content of the world's greatest guitar performances constantly. Then the way I record sometimes is with musicians in other studios at the same time because you can hook up with them. It is like they are in the other room to a degree. Then there is music education that is being enhanced by just going online and signing up for a class. Sure no thing really takes the place of walking into a record store and talking to someone there or going to an educational class and being with a group of people. All of these things have different values in different ways. Being online with people has its advantages too. I love being a part in whatever it is."

BraveWords.com: I have to note too that one dollar for every person that joins goes to the Steve Vai Scholarship Fund at Berklee. Also, I have heard that you are in the studio recording a new album. Tell us in what direction this album will take.

Vai: "My last album was very ambitious. I had two violin players in the band. I did a world tour and made a fabulous video. It went gold in America and platinum in Canada. It was a big undertaking. This record is a little more stripped down. When you made a record, you are always kind of compelled artistically. You are always trying to outdo yourself. You are always trying to find a different way of approaching it and creating a cohesive sound for this record. To me I am so excited I am tapping on various melodic ideas that I always to and I haven't. The thing that thrills me the most is when I am playing and I come across things that I haven't done before. There is a lot of that happening now."

BraveWords.com: We look forward to the release. Is there a set date for the release?

Vai: "Either September or October."

BraveWords.com: Will there be a world tour to follow the release?

Vai: "Oh yes, we will be going out for six months at least".

BraveWords.com: Any special guests in mind to appear on the record?

Vai: "We have some really unique ideas, but I can't really discuss them yet."

BraveWords.com: How is your record label going Favoured Nations?

Vai: "Yeah know surprisingly well. I was able to weather the recession. I always take the positive outlook on something. When you do that you become aware of opportunities. The opportunities that we are becoming aware of at the label are extraordinary. It is a little early to talk about but the people that I am merging with and getting involved for the next phrase of the evolution of the music industry is going to be revolutionary."

BraveWords.com: Is there anything else that you would like to add to the world's largest guitar online guitar lesson slated to take place March 3rd?

Vai: ”Tune in, tap in and bring your guitar and get ready for a blistering experience of guitar educational extravaganza."