Let's dig deep on solos

[ElectricVoodoo]

Sultans is a great tune. Cool guitar work all over it.

 

[severinsteel]

And don't forget, phrasing and rhythm are by far the most important elements of great solos. Note choice is secondary.

 

[HilltopExplosion]

Santana said he played solos like he would talk. He said he would phrase notes like you say a word, and of course Peter Frampton.. among others.. lots of blues players "talk" with their guitar.. Derek Trucks is awesome at that.. even though he mostly uses a slide. Eric Clapton.. Stevie Ray... Jimi... Among others already mentioned... huge list of players.

Myself I read a Steve Vai article a long time ago where he said just listen to the rhythm and just play one note and concentrate where you would "like" for it to go.. over the years I've developed that practice to where I improvise by closing my eyes, turn it up and let it fly.. works for me. 99% of my soloing is improvised.. I have no idea what I'm doing.

I used to practice scales, modes, arpeggios etc.. but now I play by "feel".. and make sure I'm always recording, because a lot of times my best stuff happens when I'm not paying attention... and I don't know what the hell I just played . So then i go back and "relearn" what I did and incorporate that into my song.. Sometimes I'm like.. WTF.. and how did I do that?

 

[Bakonshakin]

Santana said he played solos like he would talk. He said he would phrase notes like you say a word, and of course Peter Frampton.. among others.. lots of blues players "talk" with their guitar.. Derek Trucks is awesome at that.. even though he mostly uses a slide. Eric Clapton.. Stevie Ray... Jimi... Among others already mentioned... huge list of players.

Myself I read a Steve Vai article a long time ago where he said just listen to the rhythm and just play one note and concentrate where you would "like" for it to go.. over the years I've developed that practice to where I improvise by closing my eyes, turn it up and let it fly.. works for me. 99% of my soloing is improvised.. I have no idea what I'm doing.

I used to practice scales, modes, arpeggios etc.. but now I play by "feel".. and make sure I'm always recording, because a lot of times my best stuff happens when I'm not paying attention... and I don't know what the hell I just played . So then i go back and "relearn" what I did and incorporate that into my song.. Sometimes I'm like.. WTF.. and how did I do that?

I experienced that on a number of occasions and it's just amazing.