Learn to Play "Tears in the Rain" by Joe Satriani on the Guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Tears in the Rain on the guitar. This beautiful piece by Joe Satriani is perfect for practicing big chord stretches, and it's a great way to improve your technique and finger flexibility.

The song starts off with a challenging stretch, but don't be discouraged if you struggle at first. Even with my compact little finger, I managed to master it, and so can you. The beauty of this piece lies in the subtlety of its transitions and the fluidity of its chords.

Chord Progression

The first chord in the song is a grand stretch that requires a bit of finger gymnastics, but it's well worth the effort. It transitions into a chord that resembles a D chord but on a different set of strings. This is quickly followed by the same shape sliding up three frets and then reverting back to the starting position.

Next, we encounter a chord that requires careful finger placement. The trick here is to keep your second finger stationary and then place the other three fingers over the other strings.

As we proceed, we encounter what appears to be a C-shaped chord and then an F major seven. However, the transition between these chords is critical to maintaining the song's flow.

Instead of playing the big chord that we start off with during the next round, Satriani replaces a note with the open A string. This subtle change adds depth to the melody and gives us a hint of the versatility of this piece.

The song then transitions into a beautiful D minor 9 chord, which is played twice.

Expressing Yourself Through Music

Now that we've got a good understanding of the chord progression, it's important to remember that when you're playing someone else's music, it's your interpretation that brings the piece to life. Experiment with the speed and volume of the song to put your own unique spin on it.

Playing the first part of the song with a dynamic approach, for example, can breathe life into the piece. This technique can also be a lifesaver when tackling tricky chord changes.

Remember, it's not about playing the song exactly as the original artist does. It's about expressing yourself through their music.

Final Thoughts

I hope you're excited to get started with Tears in the Rain. It's a wonderful piece that allows you to explore and extend your guitar-playing skills. And remember, practice makes permanent. So, even if those chord stretches seem monstrous at first, with a bit of perseverance and patience, you'll get there.

I look forward to seeing you in the video. So, grab your guitar, and let's dive into the world of Joe Satriani and make beautiful music together!

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