How To Play A Great Solo
Guitar Techniques|October 2020
Join John Wheatcroft as he looks at ten simple but hugely effective steps you can take to make your solos stand out from the crowd.
John Wheatcroft
How To Play A Great Solo

Communicating with others, whether writing, making a presentation at work or even having a good conversation with a mate, is all about getting across what you want to say. When playing solos there are many parallels with the way that we communicate using language. We start with words (notes), bunch them together to make sentences or paragraphs (licks, phrases, or whole verses), and this hopefully points towards a wider overall meaning and a point (or solo) well made.

In trying to make any kind of point - be it conversational or musical - we usually like to see a strong beginning, the introduction of themes and elements that develop our point. Ideally, this all leads towards a satisfactory conclusion that wins the listener over.

Dynamics play a huge part too. ‘How’ we say something is often as important as ‘what’ we say, so something a little unexpected thrown in helps keep us on our toes (a joke or two to lighten up a presentation, or an unusual lick or technique in a solo).

Just as some people seem born with the ability to tell a joke, or can hold your interest when relating a story, some players have the knack of knowing what works when soloing. It’s not essential to consciously recognize the key factors when creating a good solo. You can learn a great deal by osmosis, by simply listening to a lot to great music - and let’s not forget that elusive ingredient, talent.

Esta historia es de la edición October 2020 de Guitar Techniques.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición October 2020 de Guitar Techniques.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE GUITAR TECHNIQUESVer todo
THE MOODY BLUES
Guitar Techniques

THE MOODY BLUES

This month Stuart Ryan delves into the picking style of this British prog legend whose acoustic guitar has powered many a Moody Blues song.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
WAYNE KRANTZ
Guitar Techniques

WAYNE KRANTZ

This issue Nick Mellor provides an insight into this brilliant jazz stylist, focusing on his approach to improvising over static chords.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
OPEN G TUNING
Guitar Techniques

OPEN G TUNING

Open tunings are great fun and can help create exciting new ideas. Simon Barnard shows how to incorporate open G tuning into your playing.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
RODRIGO GOUVEIA
Guitar Techniques

RODRIGO GOUVEIA

Last month we featured Mateus Asato, and mentioned the importance of the neo-soul style in his playing. Here we turn to his fellow Brazilian, the master of neo-soul fusion.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
MARK KNOPFLER
Guitar Techniques

MARK KNOPFLER

Our topic this month is a master craftsman as both guitar player and songwriter. His style is unique and his influence spreads far and wide.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
U2
Guitar Techniques

U2

Martin Cooper checks out the chiming pedal delay tones of this stadium-filling band from Dublin, Ireland, and guitarist The Edge.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
LUTHER ALLISON
Guitar Techniques

LUTHER ALLISON

It’s blues with a touch of soul this month, as David Gerrish explores the dynamic, expressive style of an often overlooked Chicago bluesman.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
JOHANN KASPAR MERTZ Capriccio
Guitar Techniques

JOHANN KASPAR MERTZ Capriccio

This month Declan Zapala explores the music of Austria at the turn of the Romantic period with a fiery caprice to level up your fingers and unlock your inner virtuoso.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
THE CROSSROADS Michael Landau
Guitar Techniques

THE CROSSROADS Michael Landau

John Wheatcroft explores the playing of a session ace _ and blazing blues-rock maestro who graces the top-flight m band of singer-songwriting legend, James Taylor.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
VIDEO MASTERCLASS Troy Redfern
Guitar Techniques

VIDEO MASTERCLASS Troy Redfern

This month GT welcomes this slide guitar virtuoso. If you've been wanting to take your slide playing to the next level then this is one's for you. With Jon Bishop.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024