Few guitar moments in modern progressive rock are as technically and harmonically rich as the acoustic section of Sons of Anu. When Derek Sherinian brought Al Di Meola into the studio to record this part, the result was a masterclass hiding inside a single guitar performance.
In this lesson, we take the whole thing apart — rhythm, harmony, and right-hand technique — and rebuild it from the ground up.
What this lesson covers
Rhythmic foundation: We start with quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes before moving into eighth-note and sixteenth-note triplets. From there, we work through the odd time signatures that give Sons of Anu its restless, unpredictable character.
Harmonic language: The entire piece is built on the Harmonic Minor scale. We explore its modes, break down why this tonality carries that cinematic, exotic quality, and trace exactly how Di Meola navigates it throughout the piece.
Right-hand technique: We examine the strict alternate picking approach that makes this kind of playing physically achievable — focusing on synchronization between both hands and practical methods for building the required speed and control.
Topics covered in this lesson:
— How Sherinian and Di Meola shaped this piece together
— Building a rhythmic foundation: quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes
— Eighth-note and sixteenth-note triplets explained
— Odd time signatures: how to understand and feel them
— The Harmonic Minor scale and its modes — the sound behind Sons of Anu
— Alternate picking in depth: synchronization, speed development, and control
Tab notation is displayed on screen throughout the lesson.
Whether your focus is music theory, technical development, or simply an appreciation for exceptional guitar playing — this breakdown covers all of it.
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