Joe Satriani Guitar Lesson - How to Build Melody

In this episode of Shredding with the Alien, guitar legend Joe Satriani shares his tips on how to build guitar melodies. Go here for the TAB from this lesson: www.guitarworld.com/shredding-...

[@rfdc]

Exactly what my jazz guitar improvisation teacher told me once: avoid resting on the root or fifth while soloing as they give a resolving sound to the phrase.

[@Odiculeoj]

+J Smith Right ... however in the blues it's about a continuing resolving sound. Not better not worse but a 'sound' of a genre ...

[@rfdc]

Joseph Lucido I didn't know that, thanks man. Something new to learn every day!

[@TheArrangment]

You could also try something very basic like beginning and ending the melody on the root, counterbalancing steps and leaps, and circling around the fifth note of the scale. These are very basic features of writing a melody or even improvising. What joe is teaching is another way to write a melody which is called tension-resolution.

[@skatetodeath666]

+Joseph Lucido definitely is. that's why I love it so much.

[@masonharris9166]

Yeah. only resolve on minor seconds

[@whatshendrix]

Young guitarists should understand that the purpose of learning elementary theory is to develop approaches like the one illustrated here. Theory isn't a bunch of rules of what to say and what not to say. Theory is the grammar of music.

[@thinkactlive]

+whatshendrix well said.

[@C.N.A.C.]

+whatshendrix Yes. And even if you're into atonal music, it still helps to know the rules before you break them.

[@whatshendrix]

+SisterHammer It helps especially then.

[@kc8ntp]

+whatshendrix I have been playing for 33 years, understand all the complex theory, but still come back to the basics. With out concepts like this video--learning how to not resolve so fast--a person can make more interesting music. Those that want to hang around the tonic, 3rd, and 5th produce boring, predictable music. So, in reality, there is a lot to be learned [remembered] for senior players, too.

[@JW-db5on]

+whatshendrix Thanks, Dad.

[@bentyreman5769]

he never ages wtf

[@retbox3358]

Ben Tyreman because he's an alien

[@ilya1357]

Alien?

[@metalsnakeheinner3399]

Ben Tyreman it's the glasses

[@ayusharipirala3121]

ilya1357 hes not an alien but he surfs with them

[@kennethcarvalho3684]

Gods dont age..

[@robax]

Joe speaks.. I learn... works every time

[@KennyCarlile]

Wow, this is one of the most useful, musical lessons I've ever seen from a famous guitar player. This is SOOO much better than, "Well, you just kinda--[shreds for 5 minutes]--you know, like that." Nice job, Joe. Thank you!

[@xname662]

Exactly!

[@joshstevens4626]

Amen brother!!

[@kahmhalen4094]

That’s because it’s Joe.

[@gabrielneves1970]

"like that" I think I know who you have in mind lol

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

What a great lesson! Aren't we all jealous at Vai and Hammett that had him as a teacher?

[@MrSoulauctioneer]

+SwedishGuitarNerd love the comment. Vai had a dream come true in Seville Spain. He debuted one of the first tunes he had written that night. His teacher, Joe, played one part, and his first influence, Brian May, played another. Onstage with his idol and friend/teacher. Look up the Liberty vid on youtube.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Yeah that show was unbelievable! I have watched it many times :)

[@verbotenco]

+SwedishGuitarNerd Nah...not really. It is really rudimentary and designed for people with limited creativity.

[@xeno126]

+SwedishGuitarNerd If you have basic understanding of music theory and seriously tried to improvise, you should know this lesson.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

It's clearly aimed at people who are just starting out. Then this is a great thing to teach!

[@tomg2217]

So if you play the right notes in the wrong way, or the wrong notes in the right way then awesome music is afoot. I've played music my whole life, and this seems to be the mantra for amazing music. A good friend of mine who has played around the world once told me "the best notes I have ever played are the ones I didn't mean to play".

[@RahulDas-zy6ut]

that last line

[@johnmakapuu1022]

Joe is one of the few shredders that can make a cool chord progression, place an intriguing melody over it, and can make an exciting/emotional arrangement of it all. And is kind enough and secure enough to reveal how.

[@xemuz]

I'm glad Joe is sharing his knowledge, thank you very much!

[@Bodyknowledge77]

I met Joe 6 yrs ago walking the street in NYC. He was a very cool chill dude and we spoke for a few moments. I wasn't creating music then. If I met him now I'd like to think I'd have the guts to share with him some of my musical creations:-)

[@MezmurHD]

Haha awesome man!

[@JymeBale]

+Bodyknowledge 77 Joe is a normal guy just like any one else, he puts his pants on the same as you or I do, but he happens to be a real good guitarist and has capitalized on it.

[@humanbein9415]

+Bodyknowledge 77 Met Satch about ten yrs. back at one of the GP3 tours. Had a V.I.P. hookup so sat front and center (and I do mean front like 10ft.awy at most) and got a meet n greet after the show. Yngvie was the 3rd guitarist that yr. and did not bother to come out after the show. No surprise. Vai was a pleasant guy, and was very kind to a man and his little daughter, Signed her cardboard cutout "Strat" and took off the good sized chain necklace he was wearing that night and put it on her as a gift. she was about 5yrs. old and very happy. Anyway when I met Joe we had a really nice conversation and most of it dealt with a mutual love of melody. He was a really easy to talk to kinda of guy. Very unassuming, and just plain cool person. He is a favorite of mine and it is nice to know that he is not just a first class player, but man as well. (The people on the crew all had nothing but good things to say about him also)

[@jackfrost1889]

+Jyme Bale Yeah, but he wears leather pants, so....there's that.

[@emmanuelchan3509]

+Human Bein' This is not the first time I seen this story. You told it before? Was it you? It was the one with the chain and a ring right?

[@Frankincensedjb123]

It must be real bright in that studio.

[@andrejz8954]

Love ya, Frank

[@elmofresquez1935]

That guitar looks like candy.

[@aderibigbeilesanmi509]

Lol

[@LifeKeepsGoing365]

It’s eye candy

[@faustoorieta]

a bit more expensive than candy though (:

[@SaiRam-nz9sy]

And sounds like a great one too.

[@DChunk]

"You're not telling the side story of the melody" if my guitar instructor had told me that 3 years ago i would have just stared at him like he was high xD

[@neiltosolini2465]

The learning never ends...I'm 60 and still at it, thanks Joe

[@georghagglund9338]

His latest album "Shockwave Supernova" is really nice. Was very pleased with it!

[@sunburstshredder]

I agree, I think it's one of his best

[@BFHPET]

what is the song in the intro i forgot it

[@ijobrien3]

i love the way he teaches, not just showing licks and tricks but teaching you techniques for how to play well your own way. it's refreshing and wayyy more useful!

[@jonthehall]

always when i see a guitar player wearing sunglasses i automatically assume he is high

[@MuhammadAbdullah-bd9td]

I watched this video maybe like 10 months ago or something back when I was starting my guitar journey. Didn't understand a thing lmao. Didn't know any music theory at the time so I was completely lost. It feels good now coming back here after learning a lot of stuff and actually understanding everything he's saying and being able to implement it. It's a good feeling :)

[@lulu-kz5gf]

Yeah same, I feel like its starting to click.

[@RahulDas-zy6ut]

this 6:33 cured my depression. i wish i can share you my before and after result of this video. its life changing for me. i hv always been a more technical player. more focused on techniques and theories. but to be honest. no matter how i study arpeggios and intervals . it wasn't getting there. it was like walking blindfolded. always looking for phrases .always landed on the right notes. it sounded ok. but not what i wanted. but after this lesson when i combined my fretboard knowledge and stuffs.and when i closed my eyes suddenly i knew where to go and what to next . even in chord changes . thank you joe. thanks a lot. this is treasure tips for me. I started listening to you more with a different admiration for u. btw his album is sick. ❤️❤️

[@DANIEL-ls5ku]

Wow, if you're like me who's been listening to Satch music for so many years, this is like dissecting the Master's brain revealing the Genius behind those masterpieces.

[@jeffreyburton7284]

That's a really great and simple way to craft a melody. Keep the melody static and change it by changing the chord relationships underneath it. Joe's got all sorts of good ideas!!!

[@RahulDas-zy6ut]

yup exactly but he taught us that with a more simpler version i guess

[@iagolinscavalcanti2507]

He is a monster, and yet so humble. How not to have great admiration for this guy? He is a real MUSIC teacher! Great tips!

[@even200x]

Joe has always been my favorite and most inspirational teacher since my earliest days of guitar magazine. Devour this stuff and thrive. thank you so much Joe for sharing your knowledge.

[@TimberMoto]

Saw Joe way back in 1988 in LA. Surfing with the alien!

[@YanksSatrianiJaws]

Some good tips, Joe, thanks....Joe is a class act...

[@justaguitarplayer2059]

Joe cool at it again. He’s light years ahead of most rockers people hear. Legend

[@Milehighshred]

Telling a story. Love it!

[@nickpenacl_]

check this out my last composition : distrokid.com/hyperfollow/nicolaspea/the-patriot-remastered

[@GearCorner]

Someone knows which js guitar is standardly fittes with the sustainiac?

[@siegmac3267]

"This just belong Here." Great words from the master himself.

[@chuckinator13]

Joe's whole approach to music is musical, a great teacher!

[@LoNeroMusic]

Did the camera operator leave for lunch?

[@oldgit4260]

always loved Joe's music since I recorded 'mystical potato head groove thing' from the Tommy Vance Friday rock show on a cassette in about 1985. Good days....

[@tyleigh4309]

his melodies are amazing such a great composer

[@Mechanic618]

I don't understand the terms he's using here. What's a good video to define the terms and start on theory basics to gain that understanding?

[@idoyoutube7810]

Just type in youtube "Intervals" and you'll find something helpful.

[@shanecorbett4082]

Hunter MacDermot"s channel has a 5 or 6 part intro to music theory for guitar series that I found extremely helpful

[@milesovguitar]

always grateful to joe for providing a life time of inspiration. congrats on the new gig and thanks for sharing your knowledge all these years!

[@HaroldFlood15]

Heavy

[@MaxHazardous]

This was the same lesson he gave when he did a meet n' greet in NYC. Such a simple thing yet it is a slap in the face to a guitarist like me.

[@brokemanfishing6413]

Any one know what that tiny switch is for? Behind the tone knob.

[@joshyepyepzo8356]

Sustaniac switch man. Keeps the note ringing

[@DragonboltBlastter]

What is the name of the intro song?

[@DragonboltBlastter]

I mean the name of the song at the intro 0:00-0:06

[@masonholt651]

If There is No Heaven

[@DragonboltBlastter]

@Mason Holt, Thank you, I have finally found it!

[@masonholt651]

I hear ya. I just clicked on the vid and heard that intro, and just had to find it too. I used an app on the phone to figure it out.

[@Dcba964]

Ok i think i get the idea, but this is available for creating a song cause for improvisation i have always been told to target the chord tones ? Can you help please?

[@Dcba964]

insertaname Thanks so much! That means we should learn every intervall all over the fretboard.... Huge work...... It makes me feel like i need 5 life to learn the guitar.....

[@Jake_AC]

So true, and exactly why I'm confused why people stick with pentatonic scales. It is so limiting on its own. It's only a foundation. You need so much more to add suspense and color

[@walterwinter1]

The pentatonic scales are great at any level of guitar playing, masters like Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King, basically used exclusively the pentatonic scale, and they all sound unique. There are some passing notes that have great effect if incorporated but the scale as it is, is not limiting at all.

[@Jake_AC]

I'm saying when you only stick with pentatonic scales, you limit yourself. It is possible to play a great solo, but you can get so many great colors if you learn scales like the blues scale, harmonic minor, melodic minor, diminished, augmented, chromatic (if you want to count it), and every mode. Also, I've never really loved Zakk Wylde. Not bad, but he's no Randy Rhoads.

[@MCTVARG]

Check out john mayer's solos and tell me if his pentatonics arent expressive and if the lack colour

[@koit222]

And why they are expressive and colourful is exactly because he is not sticking to the pentatonics only. He's said himself he doesn't play using this scale as a basis.

[@SchecterGuitar]

is the neck pickup a sustaniac?

[@adamkendall3932]

indeed

[@thetruesora2111]

Yup, you can see the switch for it grouped with the volume dials and pickup switch

[@sharartie]

Can someone tell me what song is being played in the opening title of this video from 00:00 to 00:10 ?

[@abramtreadwell722]

Joe's such a legend. Super helpful, I actually understood what he was talking about.

[@leohaines1513]

Thanks Joe for sharing your knowledge!

[@zahinzk]

What does that switch below the volume knob do?

[@swaggy3759]

saw him Saturday at cliffs pavilion southend uk well close up proper happy great performance one in a million joe satriani shockwave supernova tour 👌👌👌

[@abhishekraj9368]

What a lesson!! Forever indebted to the Maestro! Thank you Joe!

[@backplomer]

what was the bit after the first e major again

[@kipponi]

Ok. Now I understand why my solo's are so short :). And Joe's have endless if he want's that.

[@UR2Compliant]

89 people play the skin flute...

[@originalguitarriffs9838]

Your Self skin flute is a major bar chord

[@Transterra55]

Or the bone-a-phone...

[@patrickharris4262]

For fucks sake, now there is like 144... musically retarded immature hand up the arse muppets what they be!

[@geovaniraffaelli4508]

This comment made me lol, thanks for the laugh

[@chrispan572]

does anyone know what's the song in the beggining?

[@tanishqjaiswal489]

Extremely useful. I figured out that you can create amazing solos by simply playing the suspended notes as long as you play at least one triad note of the 1st degree diatonic chord , over each chord in the progression of any chosen major key.

[@Prince-jl3hd]

Hi...can someone help me to get Satriani's contact or the academy where he teaches guitar...l wanna learn guitar from him... thanks

[@texasmusicfan03]

I really needed this reminder of the basics!

[@jeanlemarchais]

when joe plays at 5:10 ; it makes me think of the soundtrack of "dead man" by neil young ; nice melody...

[@kofori321]

can someone please list some songs that can relate to this lesson?

[@anthonyguerrero1832]

Hey guys. Somebody knows the song in the intro of the video. Thankyou

[@GavinBojjinsworth]

When he's talking about '4' and '1'; what does that mean?

[@Daemoniacus100]

1 is the root (first) note in a scale, 2 is the second, 3 is the third and so on...the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes give a sense of resolution in a melody, while the other notes in the scale (2nd, 4th and 6th) give a sense of suspense waiting to be resolved adding a little tension in a melody...do a little research on scales and their relationship with chords, it will open up a whole new world for you...happy playing :)

[@GavinBojjinsworth]

Ahmed Diab Thanks!

[@IceP0p123]

so he start in A note right? in key of E? but is he still following the scale of E or he's doing the A scale now? i would appreciate any answer.

[@ahyaok100]

The E major scale. Although you could play notes from the A major scale and it would sound fine because E major is the 5th chord of the A major scale. In that case it would give you a mixolydian feel if that makes sense. Since he's playing notes from E major over an E major chord, it gives a major (ionian) tonality.

[@trayarachid3039]

he is playing E Mixolidian.

[@heavydecency.8113]

He can make just two notes sound so good ! :o

[@NitoLuv]

I notice he played all the notes down stroke. Did he play it that way to make the notes ring out more?

[@tarasbrodsky399]

Well, guys, link in description doesn't work. Would you fix it?

[@mychemicalriot]

this helps a lot, im trying to write a song rn and haven’t really figured out the notes yet

[@Jarg555]

Amazing video! Can I get. A link where can I find more like these? I checked their playlist & there’s great stuff in there too

[@apocbolt]

what does he mean when he says "if you go to a 2 or a 6"?

[@BFHPET]

what is the intro song i forgot it

[@SecretEyeSpot]

This is compositional thinking.. This thought process isn't limited to guitar playing but lyricism as well. Me like..

[@cajo7870]

nice vid. love your jacket also where did get that?

[@igorgoga7985]

Spectacular lesson, it is rare that a lesson is about a practical idea, lessons often talk about "geometrical shapes" and nothing more, 99% of all the lessons... Thank you, Joe!

[@TheMeJustMe75]

Finally a video that I understand from Joe. Awesome guitar player, been a fan of his since Flying in a Blue was released. Sometimes he loses me when explaining stuff, especially Modes. Still I strive to write a melody/song as half as melodic and interesting as him.

[@tranquilchords3372]

what's the name of the intro music? it was good to hear 😅

[@patkeating97]

What is that pickup in the neck? That isn't the stock one in the JS2410 model. Looks cool...

[@patkeating97]

I did just read bout it. Thanks, Martin.

[@robertocantelli2260]

Hello Joe. I hope if you can show more technique on acoustic guitar. i 'm sure you would. Regards

[@dcsdccsydc7272]

Can anyone help me? What is a suspended note?

[@justech]

I met Joe once too, at a guitar show in Dallas. He was being escorted through the building on his way out, and I stopped him just long enough to shake his hand and tell him "thanks for all of the beautiful music". Even though he was obviously on his way out, he did stop to look me in the eye, shake my hand, and say "thank you" back to me. He is a class act.

[@nayefwasit8960]

I just took a guitar lesson from voldemort wearing shades.

[@tranquilchords3372]

What's the name of the intro

[@draqlah]

Can anyone explain what he means by saying going to a 2, 4 or 6? Sorry im slow. Lol. :(

[@arnonraypereira2824]

This lesson is great.Thank you

[@martinflores26]

Simplemente genial

[@arthurvandelay4225]

After watching this I've decided to get a midi pickup, because that guitar sounds AMAZING (neck pickup is a midi, am i right?)

[@4572dk]

neck pickup is a sustainac

[@GerryBlue]

And also, he used the bridge Pu all the time :p

[@morningstar5469]

His knowledge of music is truly amazing

[@JasonDeCarloGuitar]

Amazing lesson, these are some brilliant ideas. This might not work for everyone, but I might also recommend imagining someone singing a melody. No words necessary, just imagine someone singing a random melody over some chords, or whatever idea you have in your head. Chances are, when you think of something good and transfer it to your guitar, it won't have that many notes, which is good. It sounds more vocal this way, since people can't sing as many notes in a certain time frame as you can play on a guitar, piano, etc. Less is often more with melodic lines, and it can be more memorable this way.

[@rasmuss.jrgensen3161]

What kind of neck pickup is that?!?

[@100roberthenry]

+Rasmus S. Jørgensen sustainer...

[@Dr.JesseLiang]

awesome ! like it :)

[@TheDude-vx6wn]

Superb tip. Thank you!

[@tinydragon2645]

Wow this was so fucking good! Greatness lies in Simplicity. Thanks!!!

[@pgnandt]

No joke I just watched a good 30 videos on phrasing and this made the most sense. Very simple. I can build off this.

[@meganvance9991]

Where did your bought this guitar ?

[@banjiman9869]

So an arpeggio or so for a melody and then some improv scaling(harmony) to help brighten and fill in for the intervals in the rhythm. I okay by ear by the way but i know a lil bit of theory.

[@RahulDas-zy6ut]

. always think in intervals. if you know you intervals of a certain arpeggio, your fretboard up and down it will be fine. use minor pentatonic to use it as map rather than treating it as a scale. now if u know all of your "A" s. all minor pentatonic shapes and basic arppegio intervals. u will literally float. but avoid playing those arppegio "Home" notes in end of an phrase if you want to continue. and when u want to resolve just play those hone notes. use slides. using same notes rhythmically,or ghost notes to put more feel to it. and keep things more interesting.

[@pgnandt]

@@RahulDas-zy6ut Good advice. Yes your key signature's pentatonic and arpeggios is a road map. I like that.

[@BullToTheShit]

How much per hour do you think he charges for lessons?

[@endezeichengrimm]

What is a 4, 2 or a 6?

[@agentpons]

+Endezeichen Grimm the 4th, 2nd and 6th notes of a Major Scale. In this case the E major scale. When he mentions now I'm in E minor, that means he's "suspending" with the 2nd, 4th, and 6th and "resolving" with either the 1st (root), 3rd, and 5th note of the minor scale. DO RE MI FA SO LA TI (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

[@agentpons]

+Mathieu Pons The reason you you "resolve" with 1, 3, and 5 is because major chords are only 1s, 3s, and 5s.

[@endezeichengrimm]

Mathieu Pons So the 2nd,4th and 6th notes in a scale are called the suspended notes?

[@agentpons]

+Endezeichen Grimm yeah. a suspended chord happens when the chord doesn't include the 3rd. so using the 2nd, 4th, and 6th allow you to dance around that resolving 3rd and keep the suspense going. "oh no! what's gonna happen? we're not home yet"

[@agentpons]

+Mathieu Pons check out fretjam's channel if you're interested in learning theory--he has an excellent lesson on suspended chords that may give you what you're looking for.

[@sunnydeyaliofficial]

Love with his guitar😍

[@ElectricBoogaloo007]

He's wearing sunglasses indoors. That makes him cool.

[@discoveryzero2897]

I always write the melodies first. Then lay out the chords after the melody. Makes the melody way more free to go in its own direction :)

[@y0sh1100]

are your songs any good?

[@discoveryzero2897]

I guess that's not for me to decide. But, in my opinion: yes. They could probably be better, as with everything else.

[@hanten10]

I am listen to all Satch albums since i was a teenager and his songs has a beautiful and strange melody all the time.

[@PathologicalTrier]

This guy is a fucking genius. Well, he is Joe Satriani This video blew my mind.

[@sankupaul4288]

Thank u so much Joe Sir your this video helped me a lot to understand how to give Melody in a solo and 🙏🙏🙏 sir keep your blessings with us

[@JonathanPiston]

What is the 4 ? The 1 ?

[@HiddenRevealedmusic]

Either the notes of the Cord or the scale he was using a E major Chord so I'm assuming he is talking about E major scale or E Lydian the 4th mode of the B major scale