Flying in a Blue Dream by Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani's Flying in a Blue Dream is one of the most iconic instrumental rock guitar tracks, showcasing his unparalleled technique, creativity, and expressiveness. At Licklibrary, we offer a note-for-note guitar lesson that breaks down this song’s complex parts and focuses on the various techniques used by Satriani to achieve its unique sound. Whether you’re a seasoned guitarist or an intermediate player looking to elevate your skills, this lesson will not only help you play the song with precision but also introduce you to a variety of guitar techniques that can be applied to many styles of playing. Danny Gill breaks down this iconic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani is a guitarist who has made a massive impact on instrumental rock and is widely regarded as one of the best technical players in the world. He has taught legends like Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett, and his own style blends melody, technical prowess, and emotional expression. Satriani is known for his inventive use of guitar techniques, many of which are prominent in Flying in a Blue Dream. This track from the album of the same name showcases his fluid legato, harmonic control, and the ability to create atmospheric soundscapes through advanced technical mastery.

Techniques Focused on in This Lesson

Our Flying in a Blue Dream guitar lesson focuses on the core techniques that are essential to mastering this song. Each technique is broken down step by step to help you understand its application, why it is effective, and how you can incorporate it into your own playing.

Legato

Satriani is a master of legato, a technique that uses hammer-ons and pull-offs to create smooth, fluid lines with minimal picking. In this lesson, we delve into how he creates seamless, flowing runs by minimising the need for alternate picking. Learning legato improves finger strength and dexterity while allowing you to play fast passages more smoothly.

Tapped Harmonics

One of the standout techniques in Flying in a Blue Dream is tapped harmonics. These are produced by lightly tapping on specific frets to generate harmonics, creating a bell-like tone that is distinctive and otherworldly. This technique not only enhances your harmonic vocabulary but also teaches precision and timing.

Whammy Bar Tricks

Satriani is known for his tasteful use of the whammy bar, and this song is no exception. This lesson covers the various whammy bar tricks used in the song, including dive bombs and subtle pitch modulation. Mastering these techniques will help you add expression and flair to your playing.

Pinched Harmonics

Throughout Flying in a Blue Dream, Satriani uses pinched harmonics to add a screaming quality to certain notes, especially during the more aggressive sections. This lesson will show you how to execute these harmonics properly, adding an extra layer of dynamics to your playing.

Tremolo Picking

Tremolo picking is used in several sections of the song to build tension and create rapid, repeating notes. Our lesson will help you develop the stamina and precision required for this fast-picking technique, which is a staple in many rock and metal genres.

Alternate Picking

While Satriani is known for his smooth legato, there are moments in the song that require precise alternate picking. This lesson emphasizes accuracy and timing in your picking hand, which is essential for executing fast passages cleanly.

Two-Handed Tapping

The solo section of Flying in a Blue Dream includes two-handed tapping, a technique where both hands are used to tap notes on the fretboard, creating complex, fast runs. We’ll teach you how to effectively use this technique, which will improve your coordination and open up new possibilities for melodic exploration.

Vibrato

Satriani's vibrato technique is distinctive and powerful, used to add emotion and sustain to individual notes. Our lesson focuses on how to replicate his wide, expressive vibrato to bring more character to your playing.

Slides

Slides are another essential part of Satriani’s style in this track. By sliding between notes, you can create a fluid, vocal-like quality in your playing. This lesson will show you how to execute precise slides, helping you to achieve a smoother and more expressive sound.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Learning these techniques not only allows you to play Flying in a Blue Dream note-for-note, but also builds a wide range of skills that can be applied to different styles of music. Mastering techniques like legato, tapped harmonics, and two-handed tapping will enhance your technical ability, while skills such as vibrato, pinched harmonics, and whammy bar control will help you develop your expressiveness on the guitar. Furthermore, learning how to combine these techniques in a musical context, as Satriani does, will make you a more versatile and creative guitarist.

Guitar Techniques Used in the Lesson

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Pinched Harmonics
• Tremolo Picking
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Slides
• Whammy Bar Tricks

By focusing on these essential techniques in our detailed lesson, you’ll be well on your way to mastering one of Joe Satriani’s most iconic tracks and enhancing your overall guitar playing.