Always With Me, Always With You - Joe Satriani

Mastering the Techniques of Joe Satriani’s Iconic Instrumental

"Always With Me, Always With You" by Joe Satriani is one of the most beautiful and emotionally expressive instrumental guitar pieces ever recorded. This note-for-note guitar lesson from LickLibrary.com provides an in-depth breakdown of the song, covering the essential techniques that define Satriani’s signature style. Whether you are an intermediate or advanced player, this lesson will enhance your technical skills and expand your expressive capabilities on the guitar. Andy James breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Joe Satriani and His Influence

Joe Satriani is one of the most influential guitarists of all time, known for his virtuosic playing, lyrical melodies, and innovative use of techniques. His ability to blend technical prowess with deep emotional expression has inspired countless guitarists worldwide. "Always With Me, Always With You" showcases his signature approach to phrasing, sustain, and melodic lead playing, making it an essential piece for any aspiring guitarist to learn.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Legato Playing

Satriani's use of legato creates a fluid, singing quality in his solos. This technique involves using hammer-ons and pull-offs to produce smooth note transitions with minimal picking. Practicing legato improves finger strength, coordination, and the ability to execute fast, seamless licks with minimal effort.

Vibrato

Vibrato adds emotion and sustain to notes by oscillating their pitch. Satriani employs a controlled and expressive vibrato that enhances the vocal-like quality of his melodies. Mastering vibrato helps guitarists develop their unique voice on the instrument and adds character to their playing.

Two-Handed Tapping

One of the song's standout moments is its two-handed tapping section, where Satriani uses both hands on the fretboard to create fast, cascading note sequences. Learning this technique expands a player’s fretboard knowledge and improves dexterity, making it easier to incorporate advanced tapping licks into solos.

Alternate Picking

Precision and speed are crucial in executing the intricate passages of this song. Alternate picking, where downstrokes and upstrokes are alternated, ensures efficiency and control. Developing this technique leads to cleaner, faster picking and greater articulation in lead playing.

String Bending

Satriani's use of string bending adds expressiveness to his phrasing. By bending notes to precise pitches, guitarists can mimic the nuances of the human voice. This technique enhances musical expression and ear training.

Pinched Harmonics

A key element of Satriani's sound, pinched harmonics create a screaming, high-pitched overtone effect. Executing these effectively requires precise pick attack and finger placement. Learning pinched harmonics adds dynamics and excitement to solos.

Tapped Harmonics

Tapped harmonics are used in "Always With Me, Always With You" to produce bell-like tones. This technique involves lightly tapping the string at specific fret locations while a note is held. Mastering tapped harmonics expands a guitarist’s harmonic vocabulary and adds ethereal textures to their playing.

Arpeggios

The song features beautifully arpeggiated chord progressions that outline the harmony in a melodic way. Practicing arpeggios enhances fretboard awareness and helps in crafting sophisticated solos and chord-based melodies.

Slides

Satriani frequently uses slides to create smooth transitions between notes. Sliding between notes adds fluidity and expressiveness to solos, making melodies sound more natural and connected.

Sustain

One of the hallmarks of Satriani’s playing is his ability to sustain notes, allowing them to sing with clarity and emotion. This requires excellent control over vibrato, picking dynamics, and the guitar’s tone settings. Developing sustain control allows for more expressive soloing and a greater command over note articulation.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Legato
• Vibrato
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Pinched Harmonics
• Tapped Harmonics
• Arpeggios
• Slides
• Sustain

This in-depth lesson on "Always With Me, Always With You" equips guitarists with a deeper understanding of Joe Satriani’s techniques, helping them refine their playing style and musical expression. Whether you're aiming to develop fluid legato phrasing, master two-handed tapping, or improve your vibrato control, this lesson provides the essential tools to elevate your guitar playing to the next level.