You can read more about his practice habits and musical background at Maxim’s Guitar Workshop , which discusses how he used to practice up to 15 hours a day.
In a famous interview with , Vai revealed that he recorded the entire track in a single marathon session. Because the song required such high emotional and physical intensity, he wanted to capture a "one-off" performance. By the end of the session, his fingers were literally bleeding and raw from the constant bending and vibrato. 2. The Spiritual Fast steve_vai_for_the_love_of_god_studio_version
To achieve the "heightened state" he felt the song demanded, Vai engaged in a and period of silence prior to the recording. He wanted to strip away his ego and physical comforts to reach a purely spiritual connection with the instrument, which is why the track has such a distinct, almost vocal-like quality. 3. Musical Theory (The Lydian Mystery) You can read more about his practice habits
Are you interested in learning the used in the song, or HOW MANY HOURS DO FAMOUS GUITARISTS PRACTICE? By the end of the session, his fingers
Musically, the song is a masterclass in the (specifically E Lydian). This mode is known for its "mysterious" and "dreamy" sound, characterized by the sharp 4th note. According to Guitar World , this is one of Vai’s favorite scales for creating otherworldly textures. 4. Technical Mastery