Estimulating the State of Experience

A word of caution, however: When choosing a past, present or future event to
focus on, choose a variety of emotional states. It doesn't always have to be a
strong emotion such as sadness, anger, frustration, happiness or joy; it could
be just a thought or impression. Some people dwell very heavily on the negative
events in their lives. If you do this too often, your playing will reflect
frustrated, twisted, anxiety-ridden emotions and you will attract those sorts of
people to your life. On the other hand, if you emulate a wide variety of events,
you will look forward to playing your beautiful instrument and people will
perceive your visions.You probably experience thousands of states of mind each
day, more than there are adjectives to describe. Let's say you didn't eat for
eight hours and someone handed you a nice, cold, ripe apple, then CHOMP! You
might experience many states of mind in these few moments: hunger, the thought
of what to eat, your feelings towards the person before and after they gave you
the apple (colored by your hunger), the thought, "Yes, that's right; that apple
is history, babe!", the biting of the apple and the taste sensation, choking and
coughing and spewing out the apple because you were too hungry to chew it
properly, or the embarrassment of having predigested apple all over the shirt of
the person who gave it to you — I don't know!But these are all legitimate
feelings to draw from. You can apply any of these states of mind to this
exercise.

Emulating a State of Experience

by Steve Vai

(Part 3 of 7, originally published April 1989).

This technique can help you through difficult times in your life, and
people will identify with it. It is very powerful in its suggestions, and this
is where the magic of music comes in again. The intensity of that power comes
from you. When you send out that strong state of mind, you will move people. In
what direction you move them is entirely up to you. Remember, your instrument is
only wire and wood. You have to choose what kind of sorcerer you will be.
Caution is advised. Listen to your heart, and you will play from the
heart.

Emulating a State of Experience

by Steve Vai

(Part 3 of 7, originally published April 1989).

Artículo completo en little black dots: http://www.vai.com/