Guitar chord vocab: Steve Vai
![Introduction](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d72997a024003b7f12acf8dc238e6625-320-80.jpg)
Introduction
Although best known for his outlandish leads and diverse array of facial expressions, Steve Vai is also a dab hand at inventive rhythm playing.
Over the following pages, we'll teach you an assortment of chord shapes from throughout his career…
![G/A (or A11)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/23e03298a6187407b2ea0beb41a80e98-320-80.jpg)
G/A (or A11)
This jazzy little chap comes from right back at the beginning of Vai’s solo career. It’s the first chord on Call It Sleep – you can interpret it either as A11 or as a G triad over an A bass note.
![Fsus2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b261ced49d0f88fe4ef70212f515123e-320-80.jpg)
Fsus2
Now we move into the David Lee Roth era. This chord appears at the very beginning of Yankee Rose.
It’s a bit of a finger-twister, too – make sure you use your thumb to fret the bottom note.
![Fmaj#11](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d62e8699207992cf61be9215ed549afb-320-80.jpg)
Fmaj#11
Another F chord, this one can be found in For The Love Of God.
Although it’s mostly a standard Fmaj7, the addition of the B (the #11) makes it suitable for the Lydian mode, one of Steve’s favourite scales.
![Dsus2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebb5474c48a2404f42cd60f21777fe49-320-80.jpg)
Dsus2
Steve likes sus2 chords, but the fingering used in Answers is different. Instead of playing five, seven and nine on the A, D and G strings, he uses a higher voicing.
Rest your index finger across the G and D strings to mute them.