# From: Dennis Hussey Subject: TAB: by Transcribed by Dennis Hussey. Feel free to leave any comments, corrections, or complaints at hussey@ceatlabs.okstate.edu This is the final track of Joe Satriani's 'Surfing with an Alien' entitled Midnight. It would definitely help to have a copy of the song to play along with, as the Satch changes his tempo and intensity throughout the song. Satriani played this song by fretboard tapping with both hands.

1. Satriani Guitar

Some people suggest using a damper or handkerchief to prevent accidental pull-off noise, but I've found with careful muting this problem can be avoided. I like the sound best with a fairly strong reverb, and setting the chorus rate rather slow, and adding high depth. I don't have any other effects, but a delay could add an interesting flavor to the song. The notation is standard tablature, with the numbers above the tab indicating which fingers to tap the strings. The intro is a series of quadruplets in group in standard 4/4 time.

Satch varies the tempo a bit, so allow a little flexibility. Make sure to hold the note down until the next note is struck, where the initial note is then released. This will take some practice. The body of the song taps chords in an odd time. I've found it is best to listen to the song, and try to isolate the beat of the taps. Again remember to hold the tapped notes until the next chord is ready to be struck.

You can practice the rhythm by drumming your hands in your spare time. I am not familiar with drummer notation but the rhythm could be written as 1/16 1/16 1/8 1/16 1/16 1/8 1/16 1/16 1/8 1/16 1/16 1/8 1/16 1/16 1/8 1/16 1/16 1/8 where the fractions are eighth notes and sixteenth notes. I've also tried to help by spacing the chords appropriately. The outro is similar to the intro, but becomes more difficult with a wicked ascending tempo towards the the exiting measures. Have fun and eat your Wheaties before starting. You'll need 'em.

Midnight tab (version 1) by Satriani Joe at GuitareTab.com.

Satriani Guitar

All notes are tapped with fingers.