There are some great guitar solos out there! Solos are important to learn as they will push your ability on guitar. Even if you have only been playing for a little while, as it will get your fingers moving in different ways than you are used to. Below are 5 guitar solos that we think every guitarist should learn…
1. Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven
So this is obviously a legendary song that everyone gets told off playing in music shops (it is that over played). But this solo was one of the first solos I learnt to play perfectly to the record and it really helped to get my playing going on the right track. This solo is generally pretty simple but very melodic and has some great tasty licks featuring bends and slides. Remember learning this solo will arm you with licks you can use in other keys and when improvising in your own jams/songs.
2. The Strokes – Reptilia
Albert Hammond Jnr, The Strokes guitarist is great at creating very melodic guitar parts that have lots going on. Reptilia is a song that sounds easier than it is. The guitar parts have lots of layers which every guitarist should have a go at learning. But the solo features fast bends and quick runs up the scale. This song will definitely improve your bending but also make you appreciate a solo that sounds pretty simple but is actually kind of hard.
3. Metallica – One
Tapping, fast picking, bends, this solo has a bit of everything! One of the first “fast” solos I ever learnt and it really sent me off on a trail of learning metal solos. This solo is great for improving your technique and getting you playing harder stuff. Metal solos and riffs are great for that as they were written to be a lot more technically difficult and fast. Check it out and get learning!
4. John Mayer – I Don’t Need No Doctor
So this is a song every intermediate/advanced guitarist should learn as it has lots of great chords not to forget an amazing guitar riff (FUN FACT - this is a Ray Charles song!). There is an incredible guitar solo at the end of this song, which is basically in E minor with some blues notes added in. But you don’t have to stop there; the trumpet and saxophone play two great jazzy solos which you should definitely check out too!
5. Guthrie Govan – Wonderful Slippery Thing
Okay I thought I would add one really difficult one! This is one long solo and features a whole range of techniques; slapping, sweeping, tapping and every thing else you can think of. I like it as it is basically played over 4 chords and is very melodic but still flashy! Push yourself to give it a go and see how you get on!
There are so many solos to learn, but here’s one more… Racer X – Technical Difficulties, so this song is again one big solo and is very fast and difficult to play accurately. But who cares?? Give it a go and see how you get on!
Thanks for reading and let me know what other solos you think every guitarist should learn! If you are looking to learn some solos, at Newbridge House of Music we teach guitar, bass, piano, vocals, ukulele, songwriting and music theory. Book your first FREE lesson now!
