Joe Satriani: Master Class "Flying In A Blue Dream"

As part of Guitar Center's Master Satriani contest, 10 winners hand-chosen by Joe, had the opportunity to sit in and experience a private master class with Joe Satriani as part of the grand prize. Joe performed one of his hit songs "Flying In A Blue Dream" and shared his insights with the crowd on how to master the song.

[@normt6226]

When i was young...I was really into Jimmy Page...then one day i started buying these Guitar Player and Guitar for the Practising Musician Magazines...I saw an add about a new guitar hero called Joe Satriani...never heard of him...never heard Surfing or anything...but i fell in love with his Ibanez JS guitar (which is my main guitar today)...15 Years Old in 1989...I asked my parents, for my Christmas gift, for a cassette of that guy that i ve never heard of...24 dec 1989...I received a Walkman cassette player and my Flying in a Blue Dream cassette ...but i couldn't listen to it right away cause we had to go to the midnight mass...so i ended up on a bench in my local church for the mass...put on my headphones...than Flying in a Blue Dream started...Changed my life on the spot...One of the greatest experience of my life...

[@kigawman]

Everytime Satch speaks, people listen. Whether its from an interview or from a Masterclass clinic, he stands in front like some guru or something. His wisdom in speaking is just as good as his playing.

[@braderyoutube1983]

I AGREE WITH THAT, HE DEFINITELY GOT SOME AURA, WHICH OTHER GUITARIST DONT HAVE

[@Fred800]

Totally agree.

[@jekyllhyde6479]

Joe playing his song with "naked" eyes...quite rare

[@davidrockey7190]

One of his most beautiful pieces of work ever.

[@thiagoalexandremartinsmont4115]

When I listen to this song I feel like I'm in a dream, literally. It's like the guitar talks to me and my heart understood.

[@TheMeJustMe75]

This song blew my mind when I heard it for the first time. I still get chills when I listen to this song and the whole album.

[@luvpants2012]

Yeah still gets me too. Something special about the way he plays and relates to those changes. Tremendous feel and timing. Him and Vai are extraordinary musicians.

[@Iceman-xx1kh]

Bought this in a sale for 5£ and wow..this definitely one of the best guitar based songs ever!

[@porkyca329]

TheMeJustMe75 I met him in SF back during the tour and this guy rocked that night the man that made Kirk from Metallica the player he is..... oink kudos to Joe.....forever.😁

[@torstenperschk8786]

The same with me.

[@gaiasgift]

For me it's the lydian mode of the c major scale. The Lydian mode rocks me most times but this song is just beautiful. I love how he's tamed the backing drums and bass and it's all about the guitar, it's feedback and harmonics. Learned a lot from this.

[@junglie]

My fave album of his flying in a blue dream. bought it just before a trip to india in 1990 , wonderful memories of travelling up into the himalayas with it on my headphones!

[@ast3663]

perfect

[@thiagoalexandremartinsmont4115]

This is a masterpiece! God bless you Joe Satriani!

[@ageng.raditya]

Heard this tune when I was 14, and 16 years later, still hearing this. AMAZING!!!

[@onevoiceinc]

I remember when this album was finally released, and I had my copy in hand. Popped it into the cassette player (yes, cassette player!) and was blown away. To this day, Flying in a Blue Dream is still my favorite Satriani song. His work with the Lydian mode is so clever.

[@bobs.stevenson9704]

i really thought it was brilliant untill i listened to dave gilmours song 'mihalis'

[@shanedavis2093]

exactly the same experience here!

[@Jamesfoofighter]

@@bobs.stevenson9704 fair point. Joe borrowed the melody etc? Intentionally or not, that is the question

[@timothyholmes4588]

gilmour is one of the few players that can speak so well with his guitar.

[@caliman5547]

Yep, same here, on all points...

[@chaseheatwole2213]

And there are actually guitar players out there that do not like Satriani. It just baffles me! How could somebody dislike this guy? He has done so much for guitar! He really did push instrumental guitar playing, technique and tone. I saw him play live just recently in D.C. and that was by far one of the best concerts I have ever been to.

[@tonymiles5857]

Plus he's a good guy!

[@wataboutya9310]

Chase Heatwole I think Joe has always stepped outside the box with his unique style of guitar playing. There are so many guitarists that while playing, you can pretty much sense what is coming next. That’s not the case with Joe, his music seems to come from another dimension and that’s why some folks don’t like him. They simply cannot get there heads around it.

[@davidramos4317]

Do you have to have a very high understand Joe Satriani playing. Without a basic understanding of musicvery the complexity of his compositions would be lost on even the most experienced music student. Yes I do have an Ibanez tattoo and no you cannot see it.

[@adamhendrickson512]

Those guitar players probably realised that they can only dream of being in his league. I've learnt that the most humblest and sincere people are the ones who are most loved and respected. Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Adrian Smith, Jimmy Hendrix, Dave Murray to name a few.

[@timothyholmes4588]

yea a lot of people just dont have the attention span to appreciate joes music. im glad i do.

[@craigwilson2703]

1 of thee most beautiful music piece I have ever heard. This and Eric Johnson's cliffs of dover. I can die now.

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

Yes, Cliffs of dover is also an absolute jewel.

[@leximusmaximus4593]

Both favourites of mine from the era as well.

[@viajar24h50]

Eric is the next level.

[@timothyholmes4588]

yea this is one of his best . joe is such a great songwriter . theres just a handful of artists that can pull off instrumental and still be entertaining. but i listen to satch all the time, whole records. with most guitar albums its just a few good songs but not joe. man his tone just works so well .

[@garytheobserver3859]

I can remember my first Satch tune. I was driving between Nashville and Murphreesboro on my way to the studio and heard this unbelievable guitar instrumental. Could not believe my ears... actual Rock music AND the technical artistry! I was thinking no one plays anything like that except maybe EVH but it was just too sophisticated to be him. Pulled the car over and waited for the dj to tell what the song was but not a word. I HAD to find out so I called the station, they searched for it and found it was Satch Boogie from Surfing... Immediately went to go get the cd. Changed my guitar life and my views on guitar music forever. The only experience close to this was the first time I heard G. Govan play. Both these guys have stretched the possibilities of the instrument way beyond where it was before. Old guys rock! And for what it's worth, both these guys seem to be extremely nice and down to earth. Too many guitarists have that rock guru attitude that these guys are refreshingly absent of...

[@ryanmoore2779]

Murfreesboro man that’s far out

[@stevewakelingslide7089]

I wanted to learn how to play this song all my life....so i finally got around to learning it and a week later im playing something ive wanted to play all my life and loving it!!!!

[@kojakdurham]

For 20 years Flying in a Blue Dream was my favorite Satch song. Still love it!

[@NewhorizonsA]

Well said! A soloist who can define the structure in a song and make use of the whole neck from the lowest to the highest frets. Also being dynamic and not just flash, that is what makes a great guitarist! Yes Satch!

[@Ears14U]

I have read that Joe Satriani's personality is "always" just so.....laid....back....Not stressful at all.....That would explain his gift of making his music absolutely "feel" alive..

[@jasoncavitt2043]

He's a very precise communicator. This is a nice description of harnessing studio creativity.

[@Navjeet92]

We are lucky enough to exist and share the same timeline as him 🙌

[@nicholasgalliano8541]

A legend of a song.. a legend of a guitar god

Masterpiece ! One of the best songs ever written,

[@dmitrigorbatchev1758]

I started playing guitar in 1973 thanks to Ritchie Blackmore, in my guitar player life there are two parts, the one before I discovered Satriani and the one after. He's the only shredder who makes actual music and not guitars seller demo. His music I love to listen to even if I rather listen to jazz-rock (as we use to call it in the 70) the others shredders I can only watch them demoing.

[@srdjanNS87]

I love the fluency of his speach and intelligence!!

[@mojopin70]

I heard this at my friend's house back in 1989 around November time i copied the album immediately and played it constantly on my walkman as i would walk to my gf's house and with a full moon it was magical.

[@scottlambert6640]

He is such a beast on guitar

[@mackymaca]

Joe You The Man. Always love listening to your songs & watching you perform.

[@Mysterywhiteboy78]

I heard this album back in 1989? 90 my mate the original on cassette and immediately i was like whats that? I had it in my walkman , i played it walking at night to my gfs house in the moonlight, i played it at home , at school. Still listening to it 27 years later....

[@Billkwando]

People gave him way too much shit for his singing........ ♫ but I like it! ♫

[@jimmy9802-t8j]

joe satriani is one of my top 3 all around favorite players on earth. one of the best of the best ever. just a master ....and ive been playing over 35 yrs myself... just a lot more country and classic rock for the money ...but been playing metal /hard rock since 1978...-1986 ...took a break to play other music....but once a metal head always a metal heaf ...love maidens 3 guitarist! . seen them in 83- 84/85 piece of mind and world slavery tour. HALFORD HAS THE VOICE OF A GOD!

[@en67]

Just one of the most beautiful song i ever listened in my life.

[@ast3663]

I embedded this album in my mind as soon I played it the first time, Satch is a real master. FIABD is such a great example of his playing, I love the 'supportive' programmed drums and the bass. For the initial guitar melody in the beginning, I always had the feeling the unresolved lydian mode somehow sound like a question, beautifully crafted.

[@paulolsen6870]

Love this take on this tune…. He tends to overplay live and many of the nuances that make his studio work so amazing is lost. 🤘🏼

[@LanceCampeau]

When I saw this live in 1990 in Montreal (at La Ronde with Stu Hamm & Johnathan Mover) that thick, humming bass line coming over the PA system put this incredible electricity in the air that Joe's solo just "floated" over... it was one of the most memorable concert experiences I've ever had. What way to open a show... Pure chills.

[@itsjohnnymillion]

After reading his book and learning how much he obsesses about every little bit of his composition and performance, I really became a fan reignited. This is a great unveiling of the importance of detail behind the magic of the final recording. Truly enjoyable. Thanks for doing this Master Class, both Joe and GC.

[@dfifty2]

So much influence on any modern guitar player. Master Class is exactly the right determination....still one of the best and a great musician

[@Warrchild777]

How can 22 people dislike this video? Even if you dont like the music, the philosophy is tremendous.

[@LD-qj2te]

mcf777 because there alwAys a bitter jealous dickweed everywhere

[@therealawakener7]

Don't worry it's only a small Mormon family.

[@vooose]

couldnt agree more - how the fk could you downvote this?

[@blackie75]

coz his guitar sounds like a jar of bees on a casio keyboard

[@endocry]

The philosophy of “simplify everything as much as possible so we can focus on me”?

[@kylecravens6501]

The first Satriani song I ever heard and still love it to this day!

[@stormb777]

Awesome. I loved hearing his thinking process and concerns about constructing the piece.

[@davidrasmussen5062]

That song is a masterpiece!

[@JgHaverty]

You're the reason I started playing guitar. Excited to see you in kalamazoo in a couple weeks!!!

[@davebasch5995]

Thank you Joe for sharing your spirit to all of us

[@MrTPF1]

My absolute favorite guitarist!

[@redskizedski7336]

Sounds just as brilliant as the first time I heard it!

[@messemphanger]

One of all time favorite JS songs.

[@mikeromanowski1379]

Love you Joe...........................The soul speaks from you

[@tomcat2]

One of the greatest Love Songs of all time.

[@engineersgadgetsurprise9059]

This one is my Favourite from Satriani...really deep digging music.👍 thanks

[@philipsarkol9572]

at the end he says it rightly so "try to create some musical magic" and he does...good to hear him talk about the pitfall some guitarists might find themselves in, meaning, the overuse of some technical noise squeeching the notes that have to be in tune with the song. Good stuff..good comments..thx Joe

[@dylanswint1795]

What a wizard. Love Satriani

[@karmatarchen7539]

I love you Satch! My fave ever song...

[@Hammu.8893]

such a pleasant personality.. salute!!

[@12inchvertical]

Awesome song, awesome guy. Obviously a teacher, with something important to impart. But the whole idea of this kind of song - to make the guitar like the lone voice on this very subdued landscape - makes me wonder what kind of figure in music he could have been had he hooked up with an amazing singer who could have taken this kind of musical pallette to the next level. Because generally within this rock format a solo guitar piece has to be extraordinarily good (as some of Satriani's songs are, including this one) to compensate for the lack of the extra dimensions singing and lyrics give you.

[@jelleepit]

Everyone remembers where they were when Kennedy was shot, I know where I was when the solo of this started.

[@TheMeJustMe75]

I found that a great distortion, reverb, and slight delay can create a very beautiful melodic feedback, when a note is held or bent. I need to break my guitar back out, haven't played in years.

[@MrKavimaz]

i still love ibanez, amazing necks!

[@susanbrackeen6317]

I absolutely love your stories! and also very inspiring besides I need my Meclizine from the vertigo I get while trying to follow his fingers up & down the neck

[@mlaforce]

Joe asked if he could hold the audiences attention with strict arrangement moves, my response...Hell Yes You Can for you most definitely had/have my attention.

[@vladedivci]

All of us love all your stories, Joe.

[@massimo52185]

hey joe remember my lessons ahahahahahaha.My God I flyng with your music.from You are welcome forever from italy sardegna.Good Luck

[@miked1120]

7 thumbs down? Really? What a great player and humble person.

[@susancorgi]

what a great teacher and what a great player! the one and only...u know the rest.

[@Musicmansam28]

Jeah it works just fine Joe, this is perfection!!!

[@markklem]

The most musician of our time.

[@777BULLDOZER]

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tjebbekwondelange7092]

no problem he makes it looks easy something that comes natural a moment of insane notes fall together and the thing i like abaout it that he changes his play live he can doe it and nobody knows how wow

[@markwilkinson508]

He is so good.

[@jjmah7]

I’d love to hear the version of the song with the full drums performance

[@nnelgsiggah]

And it’s a fantastic musical story!

[@jedward5155]

The greatest of all time.

[@AlexRG8]

Thanks for the valuable lesson Professor Satchafunkilus. Just love that mixolydian scale

[@Carlosgtrsnk]

Thats Lydian

[@alllucky8692]

Haha, and it's like the most Lydian song that ever Lydianed

[@gktde9874]

Lydian ! The #11 is too obvious !

[@Drahcir9truthurts]

He's the reason I play guitar. Him and Hendrix.

[@paulolsen6870]

That tune on vinyl! If you don't get chills, you must be asleep. ✌

[@martinwilliams9098]

Great video , cool guy to joe

[@Glissmann]

one of his greatest songs

[@robonez]

Joe Satriani is amazing! It's obviously impossible for this guy to make a bad tune! The Master of melody, the master of groove! \m/Satch\m/

[@wadesharp11]

First song he played in New Zealand at Mountain Rock! It rained hard but was awesome

[@gustavodz]

Masterful as usual.

[@godmac28]

humble to the last, oh and a genius as well ...

[@caliman5547]

Amazing...

[@zzzhuh]

Really great performance, thanks for the vid.

[@fiercepearl]

Guru Satriani. I bow down.

[@AIdaLundquist]

This guy rocks! I heard him the first time last night and being fascinated about his flying fingers. Looked near all vids on youtube about him!

[@russwilson2305]

I love this guy.

[@davidrockey7190]

On PS we'd like to listen awesome dude I've tried to play this so many times but even if I come close it's still beautiful can never touch the master there's one of a kind man be very proud of that song is made inspiration to many 🎸🗿

[@FrodoBaggins44]

I'm going to have to hide up the back of the Australian master class in April, Joe is a virtuoso and I'm at the other end of the skill spectrum.

[@MarkMetternichPhotographyLLC]

There is no E note "goddess" but there is One great God who gave you your extraordinary talents to inspire you to make such a beautiful song.

[@cperalta]

I like Joe's new tone with the Marshall amps. It really suits him well.

[@acewilson316]

who would have thought lord voldermort would be such an amazing guitar player

[@coreyhughes3341]

Bill Kellhier of Mastodon needs to see this. He lost all musical credibility by saying Satriani and Vai are boring and can’t write riffs. Yeah, you’re right Bill, they can just shred absolute fucking circles around you while putting 5 times the emotion you do in your music, in theirs. Mastodon is one of my favorite bands, but damn Bill. They blow you out of the water in EVERY way. Emotional, Skill, Versatility, musical knowledge and understanding, and a plethora of other categories they DOMINATE you in. Nearly every guitarist in the world for that matter. It’s not opinion, it’s pure fact. If you disagree, you’re wrong. This has NOTHING to do with opinion.

[@phabi0]

He is so calm it makes me nervous.

[@maradonel88]

your best song ever

[@curtisprice9806]

The song is absolutely BEAUTIFUL....that is why!!! (bottom line)

[@Hadsatriani]

For one if you have never heard it you must be new to satriani ! 2- press bar in slightly and pinch harmonic one that harmonic rings pull bar away from guitar body which will raise the pitch! Watch alot of joe satriani and you will hear it!

[@flavy1000]

Thank you , I was wondering how did he make this!

[@flavy1000]

(though I'm not new to Satriani, I am new to electric guitar ..=)

[@kengibbens5059]

Saw the Blue Dream tour back in 1990, great concert. Joe is a class act!

[@WestcountryDude]

Hank Marvin on steroids. Joe is my all time favourite guitarist to listen to. Perfect balance between original musicianship and technical extravagance.

[@jaimeguajardo6169]

Voldemort is not as evil as people think. He is such a gentlemen. Very talented.

[@paul-ni8kh]

my favourite

[@Sonny_AA]

I like the idea that before sustianiacs, Joe was mapping out stages across the World to pull the harmonically correct notes from the ether.

[@matthewrotherham1]

The last amp Jim Marshall helped work on... and it screams!

[@mariocellura9018]

top 3 guitarist !

[@birajdutta2767]

God of guitar...