Why – Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani’s “Why” is one of his most uplifting, melodic, and emotionally charged instrumentals—an essential study piece for any guitarist who wants to deepen their phrasing, improve their lead vocabulary, and better understand Satch’s signature blend of melody and technical finesse. In this in-depth LickLibrary lesson, Danny Gill breaks the track down note for note, making the nuances of Satriani’s playing clear, accessible, and musically meaningful. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
Introduction
“Why” embodies everything that makes Satriani’s writing so distinctive: soaring melodies, vocal-like phrasing, expressive vibrato, and a rhythmic feel that propels the song forward without sacrificing emotion. The track blends lyrical lead guitar with harmonically interesting chord progressions, smooth legato passages, tasteful bends, and subtle technical flourishes that reward attention to detail. Danny’s clear, structured teaching guides guitarists through every section—ensuring players not only learn the notes but understand how to apply the underlying concepts to their own playing.
Song Breakdown
Melodic Themes & Expression
The heart of “Why” lies in its memorable main melody. Danny demonstrates how Satriani shapes phrases using string bending, vibrato, and controlled slides, helping learners understand how technique contributes to melodic storytelling. These elements form the foundation of Satch’s expressive voice, and mastering them helps guitarists develop more emotional phrasing in their own solos.
Rhythmic Groove & Chord Movement
The rhythm parts include a mix of open-string riffs, power chords, and syncopated rhythms. Danny breaks down the underlying chord progression and shows how Satriani blends driving rhythmic ideas with melodic embellishments. This section helps guitarists improve tightness, groove, and understanding of how rhythm and melody interact.
Lead Guitar Techniques
The lead sections in “Why” include fluid legato runs, intervallic melodies, hammer-ons, pull-offs, expressive bluesy bends, and isolated bursts of alternate-picked lines. Danny explains how each technique supports Satriani’s smooth, vocal-like sound. He also highlights how Satch transitions seamlessly between techniques, creating an effortless flow across the neck.
Harmonics & Colour
“Why” makes tasteful use of harmonics and subtle pinched harmonics to add sparkle and emphasis during key phrases. Learning to control these techniques enhances tonal variety and helps players develop more dynamic lead lines.
Whammy Bar Nuance
Satriani’s iconic whammy bar tricks appear throughout the song—gentle dips, expressive scoops, and subtle pitch modulation that breathe life into sustained notes. Danny breaks down each movement slowly, teaching how to apply these ideas musically rather than as gimmicks.
Technique Focus & Benefits
Vibrato
Developing expressive vibrato helps players add depth, character, and vocal-like quality to notes—one of Satriani’s defining elements.
Alternate Picking
Alternate picking improves precision, speed, and synchronisation, allowing learners to articulate melodic lines cleanly and confidently.
Legato
Practising legato—hammer-ons, pull-offs, and smooth transitions—builds fluidity and reduces tension in the picking hand, essential for Satriani-style melodic passages.
String Bending & Bluesy Bends
Accurate bends improve intonation, emotional expression, and control—key elements of the phrasing in “Why.”
Slides
Slides help connect phrases and create smoother transitions, enriching melodic flow.
Harmonics & Pinched Harmonics
Learning harmonics improves touch, articulation, and tonal variation, adding shimmer and highlight notes to solos.
Whammy Bar Techniques
Mastering controlled whammy movements enhances sustain, phrasing, and dynamic expressiveness.
Power Chords & Open-String Riffs
These foundational rhythm techniques improve tightness, timing, and tone—crucial for locking into the groove of “Why.”
About Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani is one of the most influential instrumental rock guitarists in history. Known for his lyrical style, melodic focus, and technical mastery, Satch has inspired generations of players through his unique blend of virtuosity and musicality. His approach prioritises melody above flash, giving his compositions emotional depth while still showcasing cutting-edge guitar technique. Learning “Why” offers insight into his songwriting philosophy and provides players with tools they can use across every genre of guitar music.
Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson
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...