The Extremist by Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani’s The Extremist (1992) remains one of the most melodic, expressive, and compositionally rich instrumental guitar albums ever recorded. For guitarists, it is a masterclass in phrasing, tone crafting, scale application, and the art of telling a story without vocals. Blending rock, blues, fusion, and cinematic atmosphere, Satriani delivers an album where every track features purposeful writing—not just gratuitous shred.
Danny Gill breaks down this classic album in this exclusive Lick Library video course.
Below is a guitarist-focused breakdown of the album, examining the nuances of each song, discussing scale choices, solo construction, and the techniques that define the guitar work throughout the record.
Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani’s playing on The Extremist is a prime example of his ability to merge technical mastery with deep musicality. Unlike many virtuoso guitarists of the era, Satriani never uses technique for technique’s sake—every phrase serves the composition. His contribution to this album lies in:
- Melodic storytelling: memorable main themes that behave like vocal lines.
- Advanced yet musical scale usage: mixing major, Mixolydian, Dorian, blues scales, and his trademark Lydian sounds.
- Expressive articulation: wide bends, smooth legato, vocal-style phrasing.
- Tone craftsmanship: using dynamics, modulation, and amp saturation to shape movement within a track.
- Innovative sound design: clever use of harmonics, whammy bar phrasing, and textural effects.
Satriani’s playing here is not about maximum speed—it’s about maximum expression. Each solo pushes emotional narrative first while still offering breathtaking technical passages.
Track-by-Track Breakdown & Guitar Analysis
1. Friends
“Friends” is an uplifting, melodic instrumental built around major tonalities and bright thematic writing.
Scales and Harmonic Foundation
Primarily in A major with shifts into A Lydian, Satriani uses diatonic major sounds but colours the main melody with the #4 characteristic of Lydian, giving it a soaring, optimistic feel.
Guitar Solo Analysis
The solo blends lyrical major-scale motifs with bursts of fluid legato runs. A notable feature is Satriani’s emphasis on vocal-like bends and sustained notes placed at emotionally significant moments. He avoids overplaying, focusing more on phrasing curvature than technical density.
Guitarist Notes
Great for studying major-key melodic development, dynamics, and crafting themes that are easy to sing back.
2. The Extremist
The title track is more aggressive, leaning into blues-rock phrasing framed by Satriani’s fusion sensibility.
Scales and Harmonic Approach
A combination of:
- E minor pentatonic
- E natural minor
- E Dorian (especially in transition riffs)
- Occasional chromaticism for tension
Guitar Solo Analysis
The solo features expressive string bending, blues-infused double-stops, and fast alternate-picked bursts that punctuate blues lines. Satriani shifts between pentatonic grit and modal sophistication, giving the solo both attitude and depth.
Guitarist Notes
This track is a study in how to expand pentatonic vocabulary into modal and chromatic territory while maintaining groove-driven precision.
3. War
One of Satriani’s most atmospheric compositions, “War” carries dramatic energy with heavily processed guitars and dynamic swells.
Scales and Harmonic Palette
Centred around E minor with dramatic movements into harmonic minor–flavoured passages for tension.
Guitar Solo Analysis
The solo here is cinematic. Satriani uses slides, wide bends, and sustain-heavy phrases that evolve into more intense lines as the arrangement escalates. Occasional tremolo-picked motifs add urgency.
Guitarist Notes
An excellent lesson in “textural soloing”—using effects, dynamics, and melodic contour to convey emotion rather than relying purely on technique.
4. Cryin’
A fan favourite and one of Satriani’s most expressive tracks, “Cryin’” is built on emotional phrasing reminiscent of vocal ballads.
Scales and Harmonic Language
Largely based in A major, with heavy use of A Lydian tones in the lead melodies. Blues bends add soulful tension.
Guitar Solo Analysis
This solo is a masterclass in melodic development, sustain, and vibrato. Every note is placed with intention. Satriani seamlessly blends scalar melodies with lyrical bends and tasteful legato passages. Rather than shredding, he builds emotional peaks through carefully shaped arcs.
Guitarist Notes
A must-study for players wanting to improve expression, vibrato, and emotional storytelling on the guitar.
5. Rubina’s Blue Sky Happiness
A warm, heartfelt piece combining finger-style textures with smooth legato leads.
Scales and Harmony
Primarily in G major with occasional detours to G Mixolydian. The melodic ideas feel pastoral, airy, and up-lifting.
Guitar Solo Analysis
The solo features soft slides, melodic hammer-ons/pull-offs, and tastefully executed harmonics. The phrasing is light and dreamy rather than forceful.
Guitarist Notes
A great study in clean-tone articulation and building lead lines that complement a gentle atmosphere.
6. Summer Song
One of Satriani’s most iconic tracks—an energetic rock anthem built for big stages and wide-open spaces.
Scales and Harmonic Framework
Primarily in E major with heavy Mixolydian influence. The riffs are power-chord-driven and rhythmically punchy.
Guitar Solo Analysis
The solo starts with melodic clarity and gradually evolves into fireworks. Satriani employs alternate picking, rapid legato runs, expressive whammy bar phrasing, and clever pinched harmonics. His rhythmic placement makes even fast lines feel grounded.
Guitarist Notes
This is quintessential Satriani—catchy riffs, a huge chorus melody, and a solo that balances melody and virtuosity.
7. Tears in the Rain
A short but beautifully written fingerstyle composition.
Scales and Harmony
Centred around B minor, using arpeggiated chord movements and classical-influenced voicings.
Guitar Solo / Lead Notes
There is no traditional solo here. Instead, Satriani uses arpeggiated chord progressions and expressive note choices to convey emotion. The track’s beauty lies in its restraint.
Guitarist Notes
A great finger-style study and a demonstration of how to use chords to express a melody without needing a dedicated lead line.
8. Why
“Why” blends pop-rock energy with Satriani’s signature melodic flair.
Scales and Harmony
Built around D major and D Lydian, giving the melodies a shimmering, hopeful character.
Guitar Solo Analysis
The solo is a blend of lyrical ascents, fluid legato phrases, and string-bending climaxes. Satriani’s placement of melodic peaks demonstrates expert control over tension and release.
Guitarist Notes
Useful for studying how to craft memorable leads without overplaying—each phrase feels like a hook.
9. Motorcycle Driver
A high-energy rock track with a gritty attitude.
Scales and Harmony
Primarily A minor pentatonic, A blues scale, and touches of A Dorian.
Guitar Solo Analysis
Packed with aggressive phrasing—rakes, double-stops, bluesy bends, and rapid pentatonic bursts. Satriani uses rhythmic variation to keep familiar scale shapes sounding fresh.
Guitarist Notes
A lesson in how to inject attitude and swagger into minor-key rock playing.
10. New Blues
A swaggering, expressive blues-rock closer.
Scales and Harmony
As expected, it leans heavily on:
- A blues scale
- A minor pentatonic
- Occasional major-pentatonic inflections, adding sophistication
Guitar Solo Analysis
A true blues showcase—vocal bends, call-and-response phrasing, and tasty vibrato. Satriani proves once again that phrasing and feel can speak louder than speed.
Guitarist Notes
Perfect for guitarists studying how to blend traditional blues vocabulary with modern tonal influences.
Guitar Techniques Used in The Extremist
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Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...