You're probably asking yourself..... what the hell are "Slides From Mars", where does he get these titles? Usually we approach slides from a lower note up into a higher note.  I'm going to show you a sliding technique that Vai (and Satriani) use frequently. Slidiing from a higher note down into a lower note.

For example, if we wanted to slide into the E note on the high E string (12th fret), we would usually start from a few frets below the E and slide up into it. Instead, a more unique way might be to start from a few frets above the E and slide down into it. This makes it sound a little more OUT-THERE, hence the name "Slides From Mars".

See figure 1. This is the pattern you will using for the fallowing example. It is an E minor pentatonic scale arranged diagonally across the neck.

See figure 2. This is an example of some slides from mars. HINT: Keep a further sliding distance between your starting point and your target note. This will make them sound evan more OUT-THERE!

After learning figure two, apply it to other scales and arpeggios you already know. A couple of other things you should try this technique with: Slide into just one note repeatedly! Slide into a note by tapping it with a right hand finger (maybe the tapping lick from lesson #1, figure 3)!

I haven't evan scratched the surfice of the amount of possibilities using this technique. Try to come up with some of your own variations, but remember that moderation is the key. A good thing can become a bad thing real quick if used too much. GOOD LUCK!