Breaking Free from the Guitar Plateau: The Power of Learning Iconic Solos
In my early years as a passionate lead guitar student, I hit a frustrating plateau that left me stuck in a rut and questioning my love for the instrument. Despite my knowledge of the fretboard and solid understanding of music theory, for some reason, I still wasn't able to produce epic solos on a whim! I soon realized that I needed more than just theoretical knowledge and fretboard mastery to break free. Embracing the importance of learning the guitar solos of my heroes became the key to unlocking my full potential. The journey to mastery meant humbly acknowledging that even the greats had built their skills by standing on the shoulders of giants. It was time for me to put in the hard work, learn from their solos, and overcome the challenges that would ultimately elevate my guitar playing to new heights. Don't make the same mistakes I did – let me guide you on this rewarding path to becoming a creative and confident lead guitarist. Here some of the key reasons you NEED to learn the solos of guitarists who inspire you.
Developing Technique
By copying solos from guitarists like Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton, you develop the necessary technical skills to play lead guitar. For example, Hendrix's solo in "All Along the Watchtower" teaches you bending techniques, hammer-ons and pull-offs to name but a few. You might be thinking, “Well I know all of these techniques already!”. However, every guitarist has their own unique style and what you want to do is learn the subtleties and nuances of these styles… BUT.. don’t learn them aimlessly. Listen to your favorite solos and just pick out the parts that you would like to incorporate into your own playing. As an example, I recently did a breakdown of Taj Farrant’s Tennessee Whiskey cover and there is a great pull-down bend he does in Episode 9 at the very end. I now find myself including this as a part of my catalogue of techniques when soloing.
Learning Phrasing
Studying solos from artists like B.B. King or David Gilmour helps you understand how to create melodic phrases. Gilmour’s solo "Comfortably Numb" showcases his emotive, vocal-like phrasing. Then listen to how the same exact notes can sound so different in the live version of Gary Moore and BB King playing “The Thrill is Gone”. Listen carefully to their licks even though they play exactly the same licks you can tell who is playing what because it is all about the way you play the notes that distinguishes your sound. This is why my course on lead guitar and improvisation contains a focus on such classics as “The Thrill is Gone”, “Old Love” and “Comfortably Numb” because here be giants, and you need to climb high on their shoulders. Look no further than John Mayer as he recognizes the influences of his heros:
Understanding structure
Analyzing solos from guitarists such as Jimmy Page or Slash helps you grasp how they construct their solos. Page's solo in "Stairway to Heaven" reveals his ability to build tension and release throughout the solo. Learning from your favorite guitarists can provide invaluable insight into the structure of the epic solos that have made them so revered. Their diverse styles and approaches offer a wealth of knowledge, helping you to see the many ways in which solos can be crafted. By breaking down a solo into its individual parts you can see how each component contributes to the overall sound and feel as well as how it fits with the underlying chords. This is the simplicity that the BluesBlock brings and that I teach in my course on lead guitar soloing and improvisation. Using the BluesBlock I have managed to deconstruct solos that I once thought would be untouchable but the BlueBlock acts as a guide through a complex maze, leading the way and simplifying the whole process.
Developing your own style (The Holy Grail)
As you absorb and internalize solos from various guitarists, you'll start to develop your unique voice on the guitar. For example, Eddie Van Halen was influenced by Eric Clapton, but developed his own distinct style, exemplified in his groundbreaking solo "Eruption." Developing your own style on the guitar is a fun and exciting journey. As you listen to and learn from different guitar players, you'll begin to create your very own sound. Just like you have your unique way of speaking and writing, you'll develop your special way of playing your own solos that reflects your tastes and influences
Remember that developing your own style takes time and patience. Keep exploring new music and learning from different players. As you grow and gain experience, your unique voice on the guitar will shine through. Stay passionate, and enjoy the process of discovering your musical identity!