The Anatomy of a Solo: Surfing With the Alien
Joe Satriani, MS, MT (Master of Shred and Music Theory)

When Joe Satriani first appeared on the music scene in the mid 80's, his reputation preceded him. Other well-known guitar gods including Steve Vai and Metallica's Kirk Hammett had studied with him, and were raving about him as a master guitar teacher who had showed them not only how to shred lead guitar, but also the theory behind it. Even one listen to Joe Satriani's music reveals him to be a consummate guitarist who clearly has full command of his craft.

"Surfing With the Alien" is the title track from Satriani's 1987 debut recording. The track is filled with interesting and inspired ideas, and one is the dramatic contrast between the happy-go-lucky blues/rock licks played during the main part of the song, and the exotic sounding shred scales he plays during the solo.

Most of the tune is revolves around G7 to C7 and then back to G, but the solo features Phrygian major--an exotic sounding mode/scale that is arresting to the ear.

Phrygian Major is the Phrygian mode played with a major 3rd instead of a minor 3rd.

• C Phrygian: C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb.

• C Phrygian Major: C, Db, E, F, G, Ab, Bb.

The solo begins at 1:09 with a lick that clearly demonstrates Satch's technical skill. Using his pick as an extra finger (some players like Eddie Van Halen prefer to use the index finger of the right hand for this effect), he plays a descending pattern with the left hand that outlines Phrygian Major in the key of Db (Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, B). At 1:15 he plays an awesome hammer-on/pull-off sequence that could justifiably be called "shredtastic"!!

Satch's solo continues as the chord progression transposes up a whole step to Eb. Using the same Phrygian Major scale/mode in the key of Eb (Eb, F, G, Ab, A, B, Db), Satch plays a memorable melody at 1:26. He then does a stellar job of balancing jaw-dropping shred passages with more simple, melodic material.

After the melody at 1:26, the progression goes up another whole step to F. Still using Phrygian Major, but now in F (F, Gb, A, Bb, C, Db, Eb) Satch blows our minds again with his technical skill. As opposed to Metal shredders like Yngwie Malmsteen who pick every note, Satriani prefers a smoother more legato sound that's achieved through the use of hammer-ons and pull-offs.

The solo concludes with some down-home bluesy rock licks played over a G chord, highlighting one last time the stark contrast between a major scale and the exotic Phrygian Major.

Joe Satriani's solo on "Surfing With the Alien" clearly shows that a command of different modes and scales can make a player's soloing more rich and colorful. Spend some time with Phrygian Major and add another dimension to your solos!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyNjZrIquvQ