Surfing with the Alien - Joe Satriani

“Surfing with the Alien” by Joe Satriani is a defining instrumental rock masterpiece, and its guitar-driven melodies are a true showcase of Satriani’s technical prowess. For guitar players looking to expand their skills, learning this song note for note is a valuable opportunity to explore a wide range of advanced techniques that Satriani incorporates into his playing. This lesson breaks down key components of the track, focusing on the techniques used throughout the song, while providing insights into how mastering these techniques can elevate your playing. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani is one of the most influential instrumental rock guitarists in history. Known for his technical precision and emotive playing, Satriani's unique style blends blues, rock, and jazz influences with a touch of virtuosity. He’s inspired generations of guitarists through his work, and “Surfing with the Alien” stands as one of his most iconic tracks. Satriani’s ability to make complex techniques sound effortless has made him a guitar hero to countless musicians around the world. His contributions to guitar playing extend beyond performance as he has also been a mentor to some of the greatest guitarists, such as Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett.

Breakdown of Techniques in "Surfing with the Alien"

Legato Playing

One of the key techniques in “Surfing with the Alien” is Satriani’s smooth and fast legato playing. Legato allows for a flowing and connected sound by minimising the picking hand's involvement and relying more on hammer-ons and pull-offs. This technique creates a smooth, fluid sound that is crucial for achieving the Satriani feel. By mastering legato, guitarists can improve their speed and fluidity across the fretboard, making complex licks easier to play at higher tempos.

Alternate Picking

Satriani’s mastery of alternate picking is evident throughout the song, especially in the faster, more intricate passages. Alternate picking involves striking the strings with a continuous up-and-down motion, allowing players to play at much higher speeds with precision. Practicing alternate picking will help guitarists develop their timing, accuracy, and consistency, which are all essential for playing fast solos with clarity.

Two-Handed Tapping

A signature Satriani move in "Surfing with the Alien" is his use of two-handed tapping. This technique involves tapping the fretboard with both hands to produce rapid note sequences, creating a unique sound that is both percussive and melodic. Learning to tap fluidly will enhance your ability to create fast, intricate solos while covering more ground on the fretboard without excessive hand movement.

Tremolo Picking

Satriani frequently uses tremolo picking during his rapid-fire runs in the song. Tremolo picking involves continuously picking a single note at a high speed, which produces a sustained, dramatic effect. This technique helps players build picking endurance and finger strength while adding excitement to their solos.

Pinched Harmonics

The pinched harmonics in “Surfing with the Alien” bring an extra level of expression and attitude to the melody. By striking the string with the pick and thumb simultaneously, Satriani produces high-pitched squeals that cut through the mix. Learning this technique will improve your ability to add texture and variation to your playing, making even simple notes stand out.

Whammy Bar Tricks

A standout feature of Satriani’s playing is his creative use of whammy bar tricks. Throughout the song, he uses the whammy bar to create dramatic pitch shifts, dive-bombs, and warbling effects. Mastering whammy bar techniques will give you greater control over your instrument’s expressive capabilities, allowing you to manipulate pitch and dynamics with ease.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

Satriani’s use of string bending, including bluesy bends and pre-bends, allows him to add emotion and tension to his solos. String bending is a technique that involves pushing or pulling a string to raise the pitch, often used to mimic the sound of a human voice. Mastering bends will give you the ability to add expressiveness and depth to your playing, making your solos more vocal and emotive.

Tapped Harmonics

Another advanced technique Satriani uses in “Surfing with the Alien” is tapped harmonics. This involves tapping the fretboard with your finger to produce harmonics at specific intervals, creating a bell-like sound. This technique is great for adding sparkle and uniqueness to your playing, and it’s especially effective in adding a futuristic sound to solos, much like the outer space theme of this song.

Dive Bombs

Satriani’s use of dive bombs throughout the track adds intensity and drama to his playing. This technique is performed by pressing the whammy bar down after striking a note, lowering the pitch dramatically. Dive bombs are a fantastic way to add an explosive quality to your solos and are often used to build suspense or signal a climactic moment.

Vibrato

Finally, vibrato plays a crucial role in Satriani’s emotive phrasing. By subtly bending a note back and forth, he adds a rich, vocal quality to sustained notes. Vibrato helps make notes sing and stand out in a mix, allowing guitarists to add their personal touch to each phrase they play.

Conclusion

Learning "Surfing with the Alien" note for note not only gives you the chance to master an iconic song but also offers the opportunity to improve your proficiency in a wide range of essential guitar techniques. From legato and alternate picking to two-handed tapping and pinched harmonics, each technique in this song will challenge you to push your playing to new heights. Whether you’re a seasoned player or an intermediate guitarist looking to grow, this lesson will help you hone your skills and develop a deeper understanding of advanced guitar techniques.

Guitar Techniques Used in These Lessons

• Legato
• Alternate Picking
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Tremolo Picking
• Pinched Harmonics
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• String Bending
• Tapped Harmonics
• Dive Bombs
• Vibrato