Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

How do I start a guitar solo? ML098

Description

In this MicroLesson, I’ll walk you through my thought process for how to start a guitar solo. In addition, you’ll learn how to start with a basic 3 note major chord arpeggio, and slowly make a more sophisticated sounding lead by adding intervals.

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Comments

  1. Malcolm D says

    Brain,

    Big lightbulb moment 🙂

    Your concept to teaching is most useful, giving us something to apply our newfound knowledge, sure many will enjoy this Microlesson, you do such a great job of Teaching on our guitar journey. Thank you.

  2. Jim M says

    Yes! Those arpeggios are an excellent starting point for solos. They also keep your solos on track throughout the chord progression. Thanks for the Micro Lesson Brian.

  4. Juan M says

    Brian,

    Great lesson showing how you build a solo from basic constructs (Chords, Arpeggios, Scale) with simple explanations. I also like the way how you talk about the intervals being used.

    Thank you

  5. David G says

    Brian – Nice lesson and nice follow up to our May less-is-more challenge. I like how you built up from a simple caged chord (G) and gradually added to the arpeggios in each of the1-4-5 chords without it feeling like too much stuff all at once. I still struggle a little to “see” the arpeggio notes in chords while improvising but this lesson will be a good practice to hone that skill.

  11. Jack D says

    Mr. Brian; I’m 71 and been playing off and on for several years but for the last couple pretty steady. Been on your site for a couple years and for me this was one of the best how do I solo lessons you’ve done. Many of your lessons will lose me once you start going fast but this one stayed simple and was easy to follow…not only in G but for any key….thanks.

  13. Raymond P says

    Oh my goodness, what an eye opener. This is exactly what I needed to generate so many great ideas on how to use the chord shapes and pentatonic patterns to create licks and solo ideas. I’m having so much fun with this lesson.

    Thanks Brian.

  14. Mike H says

    Man Brian, your “micro” hits just keep coming. This is yet another well articulate one. My only problem is digesting one before you serve up another. I’ve got so many open tabs to them that it’s bogging down not only my mental capacity but also my bandwidth’s. That’s a great problem to have. I love these micros and accompanying macros Thanks.

  15. houliAK says

    The light bulbs going off were blinding! For years I have struggled with leads sounding like pentatonic scales. I had trouble incorperating the right notes for the chord changes. Along time ago someone told me to think of your leads chordally and several times you have said “when I play this I’m visualizing the chord”. I knew what you meant but this lesson finally brought it home and I can now visualize it so much better. Recently I’ve been trying to play arppegios to get my improv leads to sound less like pentatonic scales and it was working. You tied this all together with your explanantion of the intervals. This lesson finally put all the pieces together. Thank You!!!~~

  16. terry b says

    I need help in playing the pentatonic scale patterns that I learned from ep436 to other keys You say 3 frets up But kind of confusing for me Like I would understand how to find the shapes in other keys. Like in key of bm C D and G I understand the shape of E and the cage system but how do I know the difference from minor to major in like B??? I get it in key of A because we practiced that. Thank you

  18. NB says

    Great stuff Brian – great explanation – this is a really helpful lesson in the steps you took from very basic to full piece to music in such a logical way. Thanks

  19. Damien P says

    Thanks Brian for yet another superb lesson from which I have learned a great deal. You have a real talent in being able to simply & concisely explain what the key points are that you need to understand & master in order to achieve some skill in a particular area. No matter what my ultimate level of success in working through one of your lessons I always take away some nugget of guitar playing knowledge. Thanks

  20. Cyril D says

    Big eye opener, I’m 73 and been strumming for years without really understanding, this lesson has explained so much in such a short time. I agree with a previous remark that this alone is worth the annual fee. Thank you so much..
    CD

  26. Wolcott66 says

    The fact that you are teaching the same concepts — but in different ways is important. This is not really new ground; but each of us processes info differently. So, while I’ve been a premium member for many years; and you have covered this same info several times previously, sometimes that slightly different way of presenting something rings a bell to certain people who maybe didn’t quite catch or comprehend it previously. Either that, or it finally sinks in! But keep doing it. Just because you covered something before, doesn’t mean everyone digested it. It’s what keeps us coming back; and why yours is the only lesson site I am willing to pay for — gladly — year after year.

  27. Clem says

    I really liked this lesson. You kept it simple… kind of. I really like when you make a video and only give one or two nuggets of wisdom. I cannot simply process all the information you have to offer. Thank you for helping me reach my goals. You are AMAZING!

  28. Brad F. says

    Great lesson…agree with you it should be called a Macro Lesson…lots and lots of info to absorb. I’ve always wondered though, how does someone determine the beat or off-beat to start the solo portion of a composition? I have never heard anyone explain that point. Am I correct in thinking the rhythm portion starts o n beat 1 and the solo on the and of 3 in this lesson . It’s not always the same, so how is this determined? Could you perhaps do a micro lesson on some tips on how to determine the different starting points between a backing rhythm section and a solo?

  30. Glen D says

    Outstanding lesson! Kleig lights! I have been struggling with this for a long time and your lesson explained it in a very easy to understand way . I finally get how the arpeggio, the chord and the scales are all working together in real time.. i have been looking for this level of understanding for a long time. You made it seem so simple . Thanks!

  33. Rod Smith says

    Brian,

    Another light bulb moment! Thank you for everything you do. You consistently recognize areas that need to be delved into and present them in a way that is meaningful and easy to understand. You are doing what you were meant to do and we appreciate it!

    Rod

  37. Delzona says

    Well I’ve been practicing this solo for about a month now (wow I can’t believe it’s been that long!) and I’ve finally started getting to play it at 100% bpm!! When I first started practicing I thought 85 was slow until I actually tried it and boy did the notes fly by and my fingers stumble all over the place!! I really like the ability to slow the video and loop it! This has really helped in tackling the really difficult parts and slowly work up to full speed. I do wish you could increase/decrease the bpm by 5% instead of 10%, which at times seems like going from walking to running! I’ve been a member for a few years, but honestly haven’t put much effort into using all the wonderful resources Brian has to offer. After this learning this solo I’m going to back and really put more effort into his lessons. I’ve been learning guitar about 3 years now have jumped around different website way too much. Learning this solo has really helped me in more ways than I first realized!

  38. mritalian says

    Thanks for what many teachers sometime make learning an instrument like the guitar so difficult and confusing. I won’t mention the other web sites but I definitely can see the neck much clearer by you using the CAGED system to connect it all together. Its all about the intervals and knowing the notes the shapes to me now are the roadmaps along the way. In addition, I really like the sound slice practice part of these lessons as it gives me a way to stop and think all that you taught in the lesson. I can look and stop and see the notes along the way. What you did by using a simply arpeggio and expanded it out was another light bulb moment for me again. As always I’ll say it a million times keep up the great work and continued success.

  40. Gary W says

    Hi Brian,
    Fantastic lesson as I’ve just started getting into chord tone targeting and trying to play over the chords.
    Such a great place to start doing it with this simple method.
    So many lightbulb moments.
    You make us mere mortals believe we can do this.
    Thanks so much!!!!

  46. Michael D says

    I’ve been trying to work out how to play licks and embellishments with Keb Mo’s “She just wants to dance” and just couldn’t figure it out. I’ve got a really good feeling that this is going to help immensely. Thanks for keeping it simple, and then using building blocks to enhance the story.

  47. Keith M says

    You are an exceptional person and an extraordinary teacher Brian! Thanks again!!
    And never underestimate the value of your back catalog. I can always find something of interest in your earlier lessons as well.
    Great value!!!

  48. kenneth o says

    Brian, thank you as I struggle with where to start and navigate the fretboard. This is one lesson I will keep coming back to as a foundation for playing lead. For over 50 years I have only played rhythm and in my retirement, I am committed to my guitar and learning all I can absorb. The sponge gets full easier as we get older.

  51. Dick S says

    Excellent lesson Brian. Arpeggios are so important to learn and then it’s just a matter of using the scale notes to connect them. I’m glad to see you supporting the process I have been using for some time now.

    Thank you for your great lessons,
    Dick

  52. Rodney W says

    Music to my ears! I really enjoyed watching and listening to this lesson.

    I am on vacation with no guitar to try it on, which is a bit frustrating, However, I can’t wait to give it a try. Everything made sense , and I felt fully ready for the material, although at times I did feel Brian was “dragging me forward”! His enthusiasm is infectious, and I felt very grateful that Brian was revealing his secrets and telling us not just what to do, but what is going on in his mind. Thank you so much Brian!

  53. Marcel v says

    Thanks, again a great lesson. This concept of using chord notes, adding colour to it, e.g. 6, 9, b7, 7, chromatic runs, making licks of it, (of course) also works in more complicated songs/pieces. Every time that I can’t remember a typical gypsy jazz lick I use this method.

  54. Chris H says

    I was initially drawn into your instruction when I saw your Circle of Fifths video. That one made me realize, “here’s a guy who really was put on earth to teach.” I just love your lessons and very much appreciate how freshly things are explained. Super appreciative of your work. Thanks Brian!!!

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