Joe Satriani - Cryin' - Guitar Lesson

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Joe Satriani - Cryin' - Guitar Lesson

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Key E minor
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Cryin'


"Cryin'" is an instrumental track by guitarist Joe Satriani, released in 1992 through Relativity Records as a single from his Grammy-nominated fourth studio album The Extremist. The song reached No. 24 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, demonstrating its broad appeal beyond guitar enthusiasts. For electric guitarists, it offers a masterclass in melodic phrasing, expressive bending, and Satriani's signature ability to convey emotion through lead playing without vocals.

  • "Cryin'" charted at No. 24 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, notable for a purely instrumental guitar track.
  • The track comes from The Extremist, Joe Satriani's fourth studio album, which earned a Grammy nomination.
  • As an instrumental single, "Cryin'" showcases how melody alone can carry a song, a key lesson for lead guitarists.
Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Satriani's early foundation amp, the JCM800 delivered the aggressive crunch and natural tube breakup essential to his 1980s instrumental rock sound on classics like 'Surfing with the Alien.' Its responsive gain structure shaped his initial lead tone before transitioning to higher-wattage rigs.

Soldano SLO-100
Amp

Soldano SLO-100

The SLO-100's tight, articulate distortion and supreme headroom allowed Satriani to achieve singing lead tones with exceptional clarity and note definition during his early touring years. This amp's transparency made every nuance of his phrasing and vibrato audible at stadium volumes.

Boss DS-1 Distortion
Pedal

Boss DS-1 Distortion

Satriani's modded DS-1 stacks with his amp's natural saturation to add aggressive midrange punch and sustain for fluid lead passages and shredding sections. The pedal's simplicity lets him focus on dynamics and technique rather than dialing in tone.

DigiTech Whammy
Pedal

DigiTech Whammy

The Whammy enables Satriani's signature harmonic effects and pitch-shifted lead lines, creating otherworldly textures that complement his ambient, melodic approach to instrumental composition. It's essential for his arsenal of experimental soloing techniques.

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