Joe Satriani

Joe "Satch" Satriani (born on July 15, 1956, in Westbury, New York and brought up in Carle Place, New York, USA) is an instrumental rock guitarist and teacher, and a recognized virtuoso of the rock guitar.

Technique and influence

Satriani is recognized as one of the most technically proficient guitarists in rock. He has mastered nearly every performance technique on the instrument, including two-handed tapping, sweep picking, volume swells, harmonics, and extreme whammy-bar effects. Compositionally, one of his trademark traits is the use of pitch axis theory in his songwriting. He is also a renowned guitar teacher, whose students have included Steve Vai, David Bryson (Counting Crows), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Larry LaLonde (Primus), Charlie Hunter, and Kevin Cadogan (Third Eye Blind) among others.

Related Topics:
Tapping - Volume swells - Harmonics - Steve Vai - David Bryson - Counting Crows - Kirk Hammett - Metallica - Alex Skolnick - Testament - Larry LaLonde - Primus - Charlie Hunter - Kevin Cadogan - Third Eye Blind

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Satriani (like Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci and other guitarists who emphasize technical command and precision in their playing) has been criticized by those who prefer simpler compositional styles. Occasionally some of his contemporaries have been known to take pot-shots at the earnest Satriani. For example, Gary Moore once said that he found Satriani's music "cerebral", saying "it leaves me cold". Although his more flamboyant student, Steve Vai, has garnered more attention, most writers and musicians respect Satriani's musicianship as well as his modest and personable demeanor.

Related Topics:
Yngwie Malmsteen - John Petrucci

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Fans of instrumental electric guitar music widely laud him as the most lyrical and soulful of contemporary rock virtuosos, with an ear for a good tune and, more recently, an emphasis on emotion over technique. Since 1998 his albums have been, stylistically speaking, a departure from his earlier style, delving into simpler, more widely accessible genres, such as blues, rock and roll, and even techno. Nonetheless Satriani has maintained a large fan base throughout the world, buoyed on by the lasting influence of his earlier albums.

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His success is notable in a genre typically unfriendly to instrumental musicians. Satriani has received 13 Grammy nominations, and he has sold more than 7 million albums worldwide. It is notable that while his fans tend to call him "Satch", other guitarists sometimes refer to him as "Saint Joe"; there are numerous t-shirts to this effect.

Related Topics:
Grammy - Album

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Satriani has endorsed Ibanez's JS Series guitars, and Peavey's JSX amplifier. Both lines were designed specifically as signature products for Satriani.

Related Topics:
Ibanez - Peavey - Amplifier

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