Cryin’ – Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani’s “Cryin’” is one of the most expressive and melodic pieces in his catalogue, blending lyrical phrasing, vocal-like bends, smooth legato passages and deeply emotive vibrato. In this detailed note-for-note Lick Library guitar lesson, Danny Gill breaks down every nuance of Satriani’s performance, helping players understand not only what Satch plays, but why each phrase is so effective. This in-depth tutorial gives guitarists the tools to replicate the track’s touch, tone, and melodic flow while building a deeper understanding of instrumental rock phrasing. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Song and Its Guitar Approach
“Cryin’” stands out as one of Satriani’s most melodic, expressive compositions. Instead of relying on rapid-fire runs or dense technical lines, the track focuses on big bends, powerful vibrato, lyrical motifs, smooth legato connections, and expressive slides, all wrapped around a soulful lead-guitar melody. This makes it an ideal study piece for guitarists wanting to improve their touch, expression, and emotional control.
Danny Gill walks through every detail of the lead and supporting guitar parts—how they sit within the chord progression, how Satriani shapes melody, and how he uses space and dynamics to create tension and release. The result is a lesson that helps guitarists strengthen both their technical execution and their sense of phrasing.
About Joe Satriani and His Influence
Joe Satriani is one of the most respected guitarists of all time, admired for his ability to combine technical fluency with melodic clarity. His playing on “Cryin’” perfectly captures why he’s considered a master of instrumental storytelling. Satriani’s influence extends across multiple generations of players, shaping the techniques, tone, and musical phrasing of countless modern guitarists.
His ability to turn instrumental melodies into vocal-like statements has inspired everyone from Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett to modern virtuosos across rock, fusion, and metal. Studying “Cryin’” provides valuable insight into his melodic sensibility and his unique approach to expressive guitar playing.
Key Techniques Covered in the Lesson
Below are the core techniques Danny Gill focuses on throughout the “Cryin’” lesson, each accompanied by a short explanation of how it benefits players.
String Bending
“Cryin’” uses a wide range of bends—including whole-step, pre-bends, and expressive bluesy-style bends—to emulate the sound of a singing voice. Mastering bending in this context helps players develop pitch control, sustain, and phrasing finesse.
Vibrato
Satriani’s signature wide and expressive vibrato is essential to the emotional character of the track. Strengthening your vibrato deepens your ability to express emotion and gives your playing more personality and presence.
Legato
Smooth legato lines help connect phrases seamlessly. Practising legato improves finger independence, fluidity, and overall left-hand coordination, making melodic lines sound more effortless and lyrical.
Slides
Slides are used throughout “Cryin’” to glide into or out of notes and motifs. Learning effective slides builds phrasing smoothness and improves your ability to connect melodic ideas naturally.
Hammer-ons & Pull-offs
Many transitional passages rely on hammer-ons and pull-offs to maintain flow. These techniques help improve left-hand strength and speed while reducing reliance on picking.
String Bending + Vibrato Integration
Much of the emotion of “Cryin’” comes from how Satriani bends into a pitch and applies vibrato at the top. Combining these two techniques helps players create more vocal-like phrasing and dramatic melodic emphasis.
Sustain & Touch Control
The song demands long sustained notes and sensitive dynamic shaping. Developing strong sustain improves tone, confidence, and the ability to make single notes feel powerful and expressive.
Chord Progression Awareness
Understanding the harmonic movement beneath the lead lines helps players phrase more musically and anticipate note choices. This builds stronger melodic awareness and enhances improvisation skills.
How This Lesson Benefits Guitarists
Studying “Cryin’” offers players far more than simply learning another instrumental rock track. This tutorial helps you:
- Strengthen expressive control and emotional delivery
- Understand melodic construction and phrasing
- Improve technical fluency through legato and bending exercises
- Build confidence with sustained notes and dynamic shaping
- Develop a deeper appreciation for one of Satriani’s most iconic expressive pieces
Danny Gill presents everything clearly and musically, ensuring guitarists at all levels gain practical, long-lasting value from the lesson.
Techniques Used in This Song
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
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...