Introduction

Join our expert instructor, Bobby Koeble, for an in-depth lesson on "Always With Me, Always With You" by Joe Satriani. This song is a lyrical masterpiece known for its challenging legato-style licks and smooth melodic phrasing. This intermediate to advanced-level lesson will walk you through every section of the song, helping you master both the technical and emotional elements that make it so iconic.

Interesting fact: Joe Satriani wrote "Always With Me, Always With You" as a heartfelt tribute to his wife. Unlike many of his other complex, high-energy tracks, this song stands out for its melodic simplicity and emotional depth. Satriani has said that the song represents a peaceful and constant connection with his wife, capturing the feeling of always being together no matter the distance. 

Bobby has broken down the song lesson into various sections for a detailed understanding.

• Introduction
• Separate lessons for Solo section 1-6 
• Conclusion and backing track

Chords Used

This song is in the key of B major and follows a 3/4 time signature. Some of the key chords used are:

• B11 – Uses the E string for added depth.
• E major – Bobby teaches a unique fingering that differs from standard chord shapes.
• G# minor and F#sus4 – Essential for the song’s harmonic feel.

Tune into the song lesson to learn the rest of the chords that make up this song. 

Strumming Pattern

The rhythm of this song is signature to the tune. It follows a strict 8-note rhythm with incorporated techniques such as:

• Palm muting
• Arpeggios
• Sliding

Bobby also shares alternative ways to approach the rhythm so you can find what works best for you.

Song Structure

This song features a flowing, solo-driven structure: 

Intro: It has a lyrical melody featuring legato-style licks

Solo Section 1: It is played in the key of B major and incorporates harmonics, vibrato, and sliding. 

Solo Section 2: Moves higher up the neck and incorporates heavy use of vibrato and smooth phrasing. 

Solo Section 3: This section has a harmony and melody change and is slightly longer and more complex. It introduces left-hand legato techniques. 

Solo Section 4: Main melody moves up an octave and incorporates two-handed tapping. 

Solo Section 5: It is the most rhythmically challenging part that includes double stops and varied phrasing. 

Solo Section 6: Returns to the earlier melody with subtle variations in slide and inflexion. It has a fast legato-based lick to close out. 

Outro: Bobby wraps up the lesson by playing along with the backing track

Why Learn This Song?

• Master left-hand legato techniques
• Develop precise control over sliding and vibrato
• Incorporate bluesy elements into your playing
• Build confidence with soloing and tapping

FAQs- Always With Me, Always With You Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song suitable for beginners?

No, this lesson is best for intermediate to advanced players due to the complex legato and tapping techniques.

Q2. How can I improve my sliding and vibrato?

Focus on timing and pressure consistency. Bobby shares detailed tips on mastering both. 

Torrins brings you another electrifying guitar lesson "Crystal Mountain by Death", taught by none other than Bobby Koelble, one of the original guitarists on the track. This lesson breaks down the intricate riffs, solos, and powerful progressions that make this song a metal masterpiece.

Fun Fact: Crystal Mountain was inspired by Chuck Schuldiner’s real-life experiences with his not-so-friendly next-door neighbour. Their unpleasant interactions fueled the aggression and emotion behind this legendary track!

Tuning & Gear

• Tuning: Standard tuning down a whole step.
• Use the provided tabs for a more comprehensive learning experience.

Song Breakdown

This lesson is structured into multiple sections to make learning seamless:

1. Introduction
2. Intro Riff
3. Verse
4. Chorus
5. Bridge
6. Solo-Tapping Section
7. Main Solo
8. Acoustic Solo
9. Song Demo (Chuck’s Part)
10. Song Demo (Bobby’s Part)
11. Full Song Demo (Combining All Parts)

Chords & Riffs in Crystal Mountain

Intro Riff

• The first 8 bars feature power chords like E, Bb, and F, with vibrato. Tune in to the lesson to learn the rest of the chords. 
• The second half of the intro is harmonised down a perfect 5th.
• Scale: E Harmonic Minor.

Verse

• The Am chord is played with a variation in arpeggio.
• Includes F power chords and some single notes, along with other chords. 
• Heavy distortion is used to achieve that signature Death sound.

Chorus

• Chorus features single notes and an active midsection involving the open 5th string.
• Chuck Schuldiner added an intricate melody over the chorus section. Bobby walks you through this in detail. 

Bridge

• It begins with power chords in the rhythm track.
• It is layered with harmonised single-note phrases on top

Solo Sections

Tapping Solo

• This solo features harmonised tapping licks at the 12th fret.

Main Solo

• Chuck’s solo—short but iconic.
• It is in the key of G# minor.
• Uses triplets and expressive vibrato.

Acoustic Solo

• An acoustic solo is a rare touch in a Death song! Bobby demonstrates 4 simple acoustic licks to round off the song.

Final Song Demo

After breaking down every section, Bobby dedicates three lessons to the song demo:

• Chuck’s part
• His own part
• The full song, combining all elements

Why Learn Crystal Mountain?

• Learning this song will help you master intricate picking techniques.
• It will also help you understand harmonised riffs and solos.
• It will expand your knowledge of scales and metal phrasing.

FAQs – Crystal Mountain Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this lesson suitable for beginners?

A: This lesson is best suited for intermediate to advanced players because of its complex chords and solos.

Q2. What is the most challenging part of the song?

A: The solo-tapping section and harmonised melodies require precise technique and practice.

Q3. Can I play this without tuning down?

A: Yes, you can, but tuning down a whole step helps achieve the authentic Death sound.

Tune into a classic Pink Floyd guitar lesson on Wish You Were Here at Torrins.com, led by our experienced tutor, Mike Dugan. He breaks down the lesson into various sections: Introduction, Intro Chords & Rhythm, Intro Lead, Verse & Chorus Lesson, Solo Improvisation, Arrangement & Playing with Backing Track.

Interesting Fact: In the song's intro, you can hear David Gilmour coughing and breathing heavily before the guitar kicks in. Rumour had it that Gilmour’s smoking habit caused the cough, and that he quit smoking afterwards out of frustration with the recording. But Gilmour later clarified he never smoked!

Mike plays the song using various open chords, including Em, Em7, G, A, and Am. Tune into the complete lesson to learn the rest of the chords that make up this song. This song is a great choice for both beginners and intermediate players.

Chords Used in "Wish You Were Here" Guitar Lesson

This song is played using simple open chords, making it accessible for both beginners and intermediate players. For intermediate players, Mike introduces some alternate chord voicings to stay true to the song’s original sound while adding a unique touch.

Strumming Pattern

The strumming pattern is beginner-friendly with consistent downstrums. For those wanting to level up, Mike shares an advanced rhythm that incorporates upstrums for a more dynamic feel.

Song Structure

"Wish You Were Here" follows a clear and structured arrangement:

• Intro: Lead + rhythm section (Mike provides a simpler alternative for beginners)
• Lead Riffs: Based on the E minor pentatonic scale and its extensions, featuring double stops and hammer-ons.
• Verse 1: Smooth chord transitions; beginners can use downstrums, while advanced players can follow the more complex rhythm.
• Solo: You can either repeat the intro solo or follow Mike’s improvisation using the E minor pentatonic scale. 
• Verse 2: Similar to Verse 1, with consistent strumming and clean transitions.
• Final Solo: A concluding solo based on the intro lead and E minor pentatonic improvisation.

Improvisation Techniques

Mike teaches how to improvise using the E minor pentatonic scale. He also adds his own flair by playing it on the 12th fret in true David Gilmour style. 

Singing Along

Mike also walks you through the singing component, helping you match the chord changes with the lyrics.

Pro Tip: Make use of tabs and lyrics for smoother learning.

Why Learn "Wish You Were Here"?

This lesson helps you improve your chord transitions and develop a smooth, expressive playing style. It's a great piece to master for solo and sing-along sessions. Plus, learning David Gilmour’s style will sharpen your improvisation skills.

Tips to Improve:

1. Focus on clean chord transitions. 
2. Keep your strumming hand relaxed to maintain a steady rhythm.

FAQs – "Wish You Were Here" Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

Yes! The chords are straightforward, and Mike provides a simplified version of the intro for beginners.

Q2. Can I just strum the song instead of fingerpicking?

Yes! You can simplify the song with consistent downstrums or follow the more advanced strumming pattern Mike shares.

Torrins brings you an exciting guitar lesson on Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits, taught by Mike Dugan. This song blends fingerstyle finesse with classic rock grooves, and Mike breaks it all down into bite-sized lessons so you can follow along at your own pace.

Interesting Fact

Mark Knopfler originally wrote the song on a National Steel guitar in open tuning. He thought it sounded dull—until he tried it on his 1961 Fender Stratocaster. The moment he plugged it in, the song “came alive,” and the now-famous chord changes practically wrote themselves.

Chords & Progression

This song is in the key of D minor and uses both barre and open chords.

Chords include: Dm (barre), Bb, A7, F, and others.

The progression is smartly structured across the different sections, and Mike breaks down which chords go where and how they’re distributed across measures.

Song Structure

Each section is covered in detail, including how the chords and rhythms evolve throughout the song.

Intro Rhythm and Bounce Feel

One of the most iconic parts of Sultans of Swing is its bounce. Mike explains how this bounce is created by returning to the D minor chord in the intro, and how to use finger lifts and muting to shape the rhythm. He simplifies the feel for beginners while encouraging a relaxed hand to avoid letting the guitar ring too much. The subtle muting helps create those signature accents that make this riff so catchy.

Riff Rhythm

The riff acts as the instrumental bridge between verses and chorus, and it’s rhythmically complex. Mike shares a unique method to help you internalize the up and down strumming pattern and nail the timing. 

Verse and Chorus – Singing & Playing Together

Mike walks you through how to match your vocals with the guitar parts, offering tips on timing and phrasing. The chorus uses a repetitive chord progression, so once you lock it in, you can focus more on dynamics and vocal delivery.

Intro Lead and Riffs

The lead parts are based around the D minor pentatonic scale, with one note borrowed from F major, and also include arpeggios. Mike breaks this down note by note, making the intro riff approachable even for those who are new to lead playing.

Solo Improvisation

The end solo of the song is a masterclass in feel and phrasing. Mike starts at the 10th fret and teaches the solo string by string. He introduces a cool technique called calming, along with triplet patterns, giving your solo a more expressive touch.

Main Riff Breakdown

To wrap up, Mike teaches the main riff of the song, played using a pick and two fingers for a hybrid picking effect. The riff includes the D minor triad and showcases how intricate fingerpicking can add character to a song.

FAQs – Sultans of Swing Guitar Lesson

Q1: Is this song beginner-friendly?

It’s more suited for intermediate players, but Mike breaks it down clearly, and beginners can still follow along section by section.

Q2: Do I need a capo?

No capo is needed for this version.

Q3: How do I get the “Knopfler feel”?

Focus on muting, dynamic accents, and hybrid picking. Let the rhythm breathe, and play with feel over flash.