Joe Satriani technique and influence...

Satriani is widely recognized as a technically highly advanced rock guitarist and has been described as a virtuoso. He has mastered many performance techniques on the instrument, including two-handed tapping, sweep-picking, volume swells, harmonics, and extreme whammy bar effects. One of his trademark compositional traits is the use of Pitch Axis Theory which he applies with a variety of modes. Satriani approaches scales and soloing differently. Instead of practicing his scales in positions he practices his scales one string at a time. He calls this technique ‘linear scales’.[citation needed] During fast passages, Joe favors a technique known as legato (achieved primarily through hammer-ons and pull-offs) which yields smooth and flowing runs. He is also adept at other speed-related techniques such as speed picking (a rapid form of alternate picking) and sweep picking, but uses them relatively rarely.

His success is notable in a genre typically unfriendly to instrumental musicians. Satriani has received 14 Grammy nominations, and he has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. Many of his fans and friends call him "Satch," short for Satriani. Other guitarists sometimes refer to him as "Saint Joe"; there are numerous t-shirts to this effect.

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