Guitar Soloing: How To Play Guitar Solos [Lesson]

Guitar soloing and improvisation are at the core of a guitar player’s style.

They allow you to express your technical ability, creativity and emotions through your guitar.

Whether you're looking for guitar soloing for beginners or you’re an intermediate looking to up your soloing, I’ll take you through the skills you’ll need, and share some of my favorite guitar soloing tips.

If you want to become a guitar soloing expert this is a good place to start.

I’ve helped hundreds of students learn everything from the very basics of soloing with the pentatonic through to the advanced techniques that you need to melt faces.

Let’s get into it…

Guitar soloing theory

At the core of any great solo is a solid understanding of music theory.

But don't worry—you don't need to be a theory expert to start crafting amazing solos.

Here are the basics of theory behind soloing…

Scales: Whether you’re into rock or jazz soloing, scales form the foundation. Guitarists should start with the major and minor pentatonic scale first, then expand into diatonic scale and modes.
Chord construction: Chords aren’t just for rhythm guitar – you need to have a good understanding of chord tones to find the flavor notes for your solos.
Intervals: Learning the relationship each scale degree has to the tonic (or tonal center) will help you internalize the feel and emotion of tones as individual elements, not just pieces of a chord or scale.

If you can get a solid grasp of these three elements, your solos will become way more melodic and intentional – not just mindlessly moving over patterns.

Learning guitar scales for soloing is key to developing melodic lines.

My 5 top recommended skills for improvising guitar solos anytime, anywhere

Guitar solos are all about personality, freedom, and creativity – but you need a solid foundation before you can express yourself confidently.

Here are 5 skills that I recommend for beginner guitar soloing.

Skill #1 – Copy solos and licks

We’re often drawn to the guitar because a certain artist has inspired us, so it’s only natural to start our journey by trying to emulate them.

I spent the first few years of my guitar journey mostly learning how to play Hendrix songs – because I wanted to understand his style.

Whether you’re learning electric or acoustic guitar soloing, replicating your favorite guitarist will help build your skills.

There are two main ways we do this:

1. Figuring out our favorite guitar parts by ear.

Playing along with records teaches you to work within a musical context.
Active listening is a crucial skill that’s worth developing as early as possible.
Transcribing iconic licks is a great way to combine your listening skills with tablature.

2. Using TAB to dissect a guitarist's style.

Seeing musical ideas laid out on paper can make them much easier to understand.
TAB is best for complex licks or solos – it allows you to slow down and go note by note.

“Isn’t copying other guitarists just plagiarism? I want to be unique!”

No, the aim is to absorb their ideas, not just imitate them.

Learning to write solos is like learning to talk – you have to listen first.

When we’re young we learn simple sounds and words to first communicate.
As we get older we start reading and learning more complex ideas from people we respect.
Finally, we take those different ideas we’ve gathered and form them into our own unique perspectives and opinions.

Learning guitar licks for soloing is a great way of developing your ear and prepares you for moments when you need to throw out something that sounds cool.

Skill #2 – Noodle in the box

Every guitarist's first shaky steps into the world of improvisation start with the minor pentatonic scale.

It’s an easy way to make it up on the spot without fear of hitting wrong notes.

‍Why is this go-to scale for beginners?

Reduces options: Early on the fretboard can be pretty daunting, narrowing it down to a few simple box shapes makes improvising less complicated.
Versatility: It’s amazing how many styles you can play with nothing but three chords and a pentatonic scale.
Developing technique: You can focus on elements like feel, bending, and tone without delving into theory.

How to break out of the box

This took me a long time to do, and a lot of guitarists struggle with the same problem.

Adding notes to the classic pentatonic box is a great way to spread your wings a little.

Below is a diagram of the C minor pentatonic scale (starting on the 8th fret).

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‍The higher notes on the G, B, and E strings are often referred to as the “BB Box” as this was BB King’s favored note grouping.

Connecting notes outside of the typical box shape is also a big step toward expanding your fretboard knowledge.

Foundation for the CAGED system: The pentatonic boxes are a great way to map out the entire fretboard.

If you know one pentatonic box, you’re a fifth of the way there!

The CAGED Learning Pathway is our most popular course – and for good reason. Use our 14-day free trial to find out for yourself.

Skill #3 – The blanket approach

Ahh… The safety of a warm blanket!

Once you start learning other scales like the major or minor, it can be very tempting to just apply them to any chord progression.

For example, if there’s a diatonic progression in the key of C major, then why not just play the C major scale?

All the notes will sound good, each scale degree will match perfectly to the corresponding chord – you can do no wrong!

This method works for a lot of musical situations, which can often be exactly what’s needed.
It’s also important to differentiate between serving the music and just taking the easy option.
Sometimes playing what’s expected can be a little boring, not just for the listener, but also for the musician.

How do we take everything we’ve covered so far and refine it into something a little more musical and intentional?

Skill #4 – Play the changes

AKA ‘The blanket approach 2.0’.

How do we solo over songs that aren’t in a major or minor key?

Like soloing in the blues when the tonal center is a dominant chord.

You can still play a pentatonic over it, but there are much better options.
Playing a mixolydian scale over a dominant will really emphasize the unique qualities of the chord.

When you learn to play the changes you’re developing a ton of useful skills.

Understanding the importance of harmony when improvising over chords.
Balancing musical instinct with theory for interesting and fluid soloing.
Building the framework to navigate any chord progression.

Things like chord tones, guide tones, and arpeggios are an essential part of playing the changes.

Arpeggios are a straightforward way to make your playing sound harmonically aware.
By playing the individual tones within each chord you can highlight the important notes to the listener.

Playing the changes is your first giant step towards jazz guitar soloing too 😉

I recommend you check out our CAGED Arpeggios Master Class – it’ll open your ears to a world of new soloing ideas.

Skill #5 – Play outside the chords

The final boss!

All our levels so far have been ideas that work within a fixed key.

What happens when an intruder arises?

A chord from… OUTSIDE THE KEY 😱

You could hide under the blanket and hope it will just go away, or you can level up and challenge it head-on!

Here are some of the tools you’ll need:

The ability to recognize when a chord is not from within the key.
Being able to quickly adapt to unexpected chords in a progression.
Knowing how to superimpose sounds and chords over the existing ones.
A growth mindset – always finding new ways to expand your improvisational skills.

There’s a lot that goes into mastering the art of improvisation.

It takes dedication and guidance.

Having an experienced teacher who gives quality feedback on your playing is so important – which is why it’s included in your Pickup Music membership.

The Soloing Learning Pathway will teach you how to craft intelligent and musical guitar solos that you can apply to any style so you can solo better, sooner..

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3 Essential guitar soloing techniques for beginners

The theory side, like learning scale and chords is an important part of creating great solos; but you also need to develop some expressive techniques to give those notes some soul.

These techniques are not only for electric players but also for anyone looking to improve their soloing on acoustic guitar.

I think if you can master these core techniques, everything you place will sound 100x better.

Technique #1 – Bending

I never get bored of this technique!

Bending is an essential soloing technique that adds expression and emotion.

By bending a string, you're raising the pitch of a note to hit a specific target, often by a half step or full step.

The trick is to practice bending accurately, so the note you’re aiming for is in tune – this is also called intonation.

Mastering bends will allow you to create vocal-like phrasing and bring your solos to life.

Technique #2 – Vibrato

Vibrato gives notes a wavy, singing quality by subtly varying the pitch.

It's like the guitar's version of a human voice trembling at the end of a phrase.

Practice steady, controlled vibrato to enhance your tone and add depth to every note you play.

Read this for a guitar lesson on bending and vibrato.

Technique #3 – Hammer ons and pull offs

These two techniques let you play notes smoothly and quickly by fretting or releasing strings without picking them again.

Hammer-ons involve pressing a finger down sharply on a note, while pull-offs involve pulling a finger off to let a lower note ring out.

They help with fluidity and speed in soloing. I love smooth legato lines, and this is the very first step on that journey.

Try out this simple exercise using the A minor pentatonic scale – hammer ons on the way up, then pull offs on the way down.

Read our blog on hammer ons and pulls offs for more.

By mastering these guitar soloing techniques, you'll bring your notes to life. Play around and get creative.

FAQs

What are the best backing tracks for guitar soloing?

Backing tracks are an awesome way for you to improve your soloing skills – read my ultimate guide to backing tracks for everything you need to know.

What are some great electric guitar solo songs?

Some iconic solos include the ones in Eruption, Hotel California, Comfortably Numb, and Free Bird – if you’d like to check out some more great solos and learn what makes them so amazing, check this out…

The first article I ever wrote for Pickup Music was about the 10 best guitar solos ever – what do you think of my choices?

What is the best guitar for soloing?

When it comes to soloing, electric guitars are generally preferred due to their playability and tonal flexibility.

This is only a overview, any guitar that’s set up well will be ready to shred – but some top choices include:

Fender Stratocaster: Known for its bright tone and smooth playability, ideal for blues, rock, and funk soloing.
Gibson Les Paul: Famous for its sustain and warm tone, great for rock, metal, and blues solos.
PRS Custom 24: A versatile option that handles everything from jazz to metal with ease.
Ibanez RG Series: Popular among shredders and metal players due to its fast neck and sharp tones.
Epiphone Les Paul: A more affordable version of the Gibson, offering similar tones and sustain for soloing on a budget.

How do I use modes in guitar soloing?

I avoided modes for so long, it always seemed like something exclusive to jazz – but I was wrong.

Each mode has its own unique sound that can be used in a variety of different situations – so to spend time exploring them individually.

Modes are a powerful tool for adding variety and expression to your solos, but it can take some time to fully understand their qualities and how to use them correctly.

To use modes effectively in your soloing:

Learn the major scale modes – Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian.
Match the mode to the chord progression – For example, Dorian works well over minor chords, while Mixolydian fits over dominant chords.
Experiment with the sound – Start soloing over a backing track in a specific mode and listen to how each note interacts with the chords. Using modes gives your solos a more sophisticated, melodic feel and helps you break out of the typical pentatonic scale sound.

If you want to learn more about the modes, start with this article on Ionian mode – you can find links to the rest of the modes within that blog post.

How can I improve my guitar soloing speed?

Speed comes from a combination of technique, accuracy, and control.

These are my recommendations for building up some speed…

Use a metronome – Start slow and gradually increase the tempo while keeping your playing clean and precise.

Practice finger exercises – Alternate picking, legato, and string-skipping exercises build finger strength and dexterity.

Learn fast solos – Challenge yourself by learning solos from speed players like Yngwie Malmsteen or Eddie Van Halen.

Stay relaxed – Tension can slow you down, so keep your hands loose and relaxed while playing. With time and dedication, you'll see your speed improve significantly.

Picking techniques – Practice guitar soloing exercises like alternate picking drills.

If you still have the need for speed, we’ve got a great post on how to play guitar faster.

Wrapping Up

With each level, you'll gain new skills and insights, eventually creating a unique sound and style of your own – and remember:

Don't shy away from copying your guitar idols – it's the first step toward finding your voice.
The pentatonic is your best friend in the early stages – everything else will grow from it.
Keep building new habits to challenge your comfort zones – always try to build your solos around the changes.

I guarantee if you work on the skills outlined here, you'll understand how to make guitar solos that truly stand out.

If you’d like to listen to some demonstrations and further discussion about the five levels of guitar soloing check out this episode of the Pickup Music Podcast.

‍Or if you’d like to take your soloing confidence to new heights, checkout the Beginner Soloing Pathway or Intermediate Soloing Pathway and get serious about soloing starting today…

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Author: Richard Spooner

Richard Spooner is a writer and musician originally from the UK. After studying contemporary guitar at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) in London, he toured the UK with various groups, playing styles ranging from acoustic to metal.

Richard's diverse experience gigging, studying music, working in guitar stores, and managing rehearsal studios has given him valuable insight into guitar and what it means to be a working musician. Since 2019, he has been traveling and working as an editor for Pickup Music, while also contributing to Total Guitar, Killer Guitar Rigs, and Guitar Pro. After a decade of performing, he now enjoys creating songs, writing about guitar, and taking long walks on the beach.

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