Archive for Playing Guitar Solo

by Joss Schuyler

Before you actually attempt trying to play an easy guitar solo it is a good idea to learn more about what they are. Guitar solos will either be a melodic passage or section or a whole piece of music that will have been written solely for playing by an electric or acoustic guitar. Sometimes these pieces of music may contain some degree of improvisation within them like those in rock, metal, jazz or blues music.

Along with guitar solos being written so that they are played only on a guitar some pieces have been written where they will be accompanied by other instruments as you often see in many rock groups songs. Generally you will find it is the lead guitarist of the rock group who will be designated to play these guitar solos as they appear in their songs.

When it comes to you learning how to play the guitar then initially it won't hurt you to learn a few easy guitar solos. Two which spring to mind and that will help you get started are as follows:-

1. Sweet Child O'Mine by Guns N' Roses - If you have only been playing the guitar for a short time and never attempted to play a guitar solo before you may find this one a little difficult at the start. This is because that there is some string skipping for you to learn to deal with.

But when it comes to you learning how to play this particular guitar solo it is a good idea to set up a metronome next to you. Now reduce the tempo to slower than that of the 120 beats per minute which this particular piece of music is normally played at. Now you just need to practice this solo at the much slower pace and then as your confidence in your playing increases so you can then speed up the tempo on the metronome.

Even when you have slowed down the tempo of this particular guitar solo from the 120 beats per minute and still find it difficult to master then don't be afraid to slow the tempo down even further. If you think that you will be able to play this piece of music at the same sped as Slash from Guns N' Roses does then think again. Anyone who has problems playing a guitar solo at a much slower tempo than it should be played at will find playing it at the right tempo much harder. Also you need to keep in mind that this particular guitar solo is played on the eighth note and each note you play will make up just half a beat on a metronome.

2. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana - Of all the pieces of music to be written in the last 20 years this one has proven to be one of the most influential. Even though this particular solo is only short it is one that is ideally suited to complete beginners. This particular easy guitar solo is not difficult to learn because it actually mimics the verse in the song.

You may want to attempt playing this particular easy guitar solo without using your little finger. However, if you are a complete beginner at playing the guitar then using your little finger is crucial as it makes it much easier to play the eighth fret note when moving between the G and D and the D and A Strings. Also you should insure you use your index finger as well when playing this easy guitar solo as it makes bending the eighth fret note much easier.

About the Author:
Share This Post
Categories : Guitar Articles
Comments (0)