Introduction
When it comes to guitar solos, some of the best ones in history come immediately to mind. Whether it’s Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” Cream’s “Crossroads,” or Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” there’s no shortage of iconic guitar performances to choose from. But if you had to pick one classic guitar solo to master—which one would it be?
This blog post is here to help. We’ll look at 5 iconic guitar solos and discuss why each one deserves to be on your list of potential solos to learn. In the end, it’s all about personal preference and your own chops. Whatever you choose, it’ll be a rewarding experience as you strive to make all the notes of these amazing guitar performances your own.
1. Van Halen – Eruption
Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption” is more than just a guitar solo—it’s an experience. When it was released on Van Halen’s self-titled debut album in 1978, it quickly became a sensation. It was the perfect showcase for Eddie’s revolutionary playing style and flamboyant techniques.
For any aspiring guitar player, learning “Eruption” would be an incredibly ambitious undertaking. In particular, mastering the finger tapping technique is one of the main draws. This allows the player to reach low notes on the fretboard without having to switch positions. Many modern musicians still use this technique to great effect, but Eddie Van Halen pioneered it and “Eruption” is still the ultimate showcase for it.
If you do decide to attempt to learn “Eruption,” be prepared to practice hard and possibly even invest in some guitar accessories. The diminished arpeggios, whammy bar dives, and two-handed tapping will take some time and dedication to master. But if you can achieve the full range of Eddie’s tone, then you’re sure to turn some heads.
2. Carlos Santana – Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)
Carlos Santana’s performance at the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969 is the stuff of legend. His performance of “Soul Sacrifice” was mesmerizing and punctuated the evening’s events with a blazing solo. But it was his instrumental hit “Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)” that really showed the world what Santana was made of.
The track features Santana’s signature fusion of Latin, jazz, and rock music. But there’s no denying that it’s the emotion-filled guitar solo that steals the show. Santana’s use of space, texture, and tone are unrivaled. The melody and emotions come through with every note and they seem to increase in intensity with every bend.
The challenge in learning the solo in “Europa” is learning how to convey Santana’s exquisite phrasing and improvisation. His notes start quietly, sometimes just barely holding a single note, then building into a crescendo of emotion. Learning to control the dynamics and tastefully use the volume control knob can take your playing to the next level.
3. Jimi Hendrix – All Along the Watchtower
When Bob Dylan released his version of “All Along The Watchtower” in 1967, it seemed destined to become a classic. But when Jimi Hendrix unleashed his take on the song at the Monterey Pop Festival that same year, it was elevated to a whole new level. Hendrix’s incendiary performance makes it easy to see why it’s become an essential part of the rock and roll canon.
Hendrix’s solo in “All Along The Watchtower” is chock-full of licks and bends, but the real challenge is learning to control them. His revolutionary use of the wah wah pedal has to be heard to be believed. Additionally, the way he accents certain notes makes it sound as if he’s speaking through the guitar.
To really master the solo in “All Along the Watchtower,” you need to be able to unleash the same fire and passion that made it so great in the first place. And that can take time—but the rewards are great. Once you’ve got the basic bends and licks down, the rest will come with practice and dedication to the craft.
4. David Gilmour – Comfortably Numb
David Gilmour’s iconic solo in Pink Floyd’s classic “Comfortably Numb” is one of the most recognizable and enduring rock guitar solos of all time. Gilmour’s playing is emotional and expressive, and the way he controls the dynamics of the track is nothing short of remarkable.
When learning the solo in “Comfortably Numb,” the key is to focus on Gilmour’s use of vibrato and bends. Not only do the notes come alive, but they seem to soar with his distinctive vibrato. Gilmour is an expert at using the vibrato bar to navigate the fretboard and you need to be able to emulate these techniques in order to get a convincing cover of this classic song.
Additionally, learning to control the dynamics of the solo is essential. In particular, you have to learn when to hold back and when to let loose. It’s this nuance and sensitivity that make Gilmour’s performance so special and a must-know for serious rock guitarists.
5. Eric Clapton – Layla
There’s perhaps no other iconic guitar solo more fitting for the blues/rock genre than Eric Clapton’s solo on “Layla.” Clapton wrote the song as a tribute to his unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, wife of Beatles guitarist George Harrison, and the emotional longing of the solo mirrors this sentiment.
Clapton said that it was his goal to “play a guitar solo so emotional that it would make people cry.” With the solo he certainly achieved this goal. One of the keys to mastering it is learning to control the nuances of blues music. Clapton’s solo is a masterclass in blues playing, using the minor pentatonic scale in a very traditional manner.
However, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be played in other ways. There’s plenty of room for improvisation and experimentation when playing the solo, and you can really make it your own with a little bit of practice and experimentation. In the end, though, the goal is still to make the listener feel something.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to tackle a classic guitar solo, it can be daunting to pick just one. But with the five discussed here, you have a good selection of iconic solos to choose from. Whichever you decide to go with, you’re sure to have a rewarding experience as you work to make the notes your own.
Good luck and most importantly—have fun!
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