Should I Learn a Solo Like the Record?

Having played in various ensembles, from smaller groups playing rearrangements of tunes, to touring bands playing original music and larger corporate style function bands, I am in a unique position to comment on whether or not you should actually learn the original solo of a tune properly.

In this blog post I will discuss arguments for and against this, and my end goal is to help you determine the correct choice for yourself. This is all under the assumption that you have the equipment in order to achieve an appropriate sound, and the skill with which to play the solo; as I have discussed before, the great Devin Townsend once said that “you only need to be as good as to facilitate the ideas that come into your head” – sagely advice for songwriting, but this can also be applied to learning cover songs. As is my understanding in this department, if you want to play a specific solo, but you cannot due to a technical issue, then you have something to work towards. 

Yes – Learn the Solo

There are certain songs that you absolutely, unequivocally, imperatively must learn the original solo to. These solos must be learned exactly because of how iconic they are in themselves as well as a component of the song they are a part of. It is the kind of guitar solo that people will sing even if they do not play the guitar. 

Here are some great examples of solos that you should always play exactly, at the risk of embarrassing yourself otherwise. If you cannot play these solos almost exactly like the record, then you probably should not play the song live!

• ‘Sweet Child O Mine’ – Guns N Roses,

• ‘Living on a Prayer’ – Bon Jovi,

• ‘Eruption’ – Van Halen,

• ‘Comfortably Numb’ – Pink Floyd,

• and ‘Tornado of Souls’ – Megadeth.

It is almost guaranteed that someone will pick up on it, so try not to run the risk.

There are other songs where the solo is so simple that it would be pure laziness to not learn it, such as the solo from ‘Anarchy in the UK’ by The Sex Pistols or ‘I See Red’ by Everybody Loves an Outlaw.

If you are auditioning for a band, wither originals or covers, and the existing musicians are already comfortable with the set they will expect the solo to be played a certain way. How do you think Pete Thorn would fair with The Classic Rock Show if he just made it up every night?

No – You Probably Don’t Need to Learn the Solo

Some songs that did not originally have a guitar solo, or any other instrument you have at your disposal, might benefit from having one added in, but tastefully of course. In this case, you are having to write a solo rather than learn one, which is a different issue altogether.

There are many bands that have had a multitude of guitarists over the years, Megadeth being one of those that has featured and made famous many players over the years. The solos from Megadeth songs throughout their repertoire are an integral part of the song and each guitarist has played them faithfully, with only the most discerning fans being able to tell the difference. Other bands have had different guitarists and actively invited them to add their own spin like Deep Purple’s Simon McBride when playing famous Ritchie Blackmore and Steve Morse solos – it should be pointed out that the big songs like ‘Smoke on the Water’ and ‘Highway Star’ remain almost exactly the same.

There are other scenarios where the original solos were mostly improvised, or at least they are improvised live. This is typically blues or rock players that are comfortable doing this, and you can have a listen to some different versions of the songs listed below:

• ‘Thrill is Gone’ – BB King,

• ‘High Voltage’ – AC/DC,

• ‘Crossroads’ – Cream,

• ‘Night Rhythms’ – Lee Ritenour.

Whilst all the solos for the songs above would be in the same ball park as their improvised counterparts. They sound like they fit, or could be part of the original song.

There are instances where the original solo was improvised entirely, but then it fits so well that it then becomes adopted as the main part to be repeated. Rush guitar player Alex Lifeson said on Chris Shifflet’s podcast that he would record six or seven random solos in the studio, then choose his favourite – it is a sure-fire way of retaining that immediate magic you get when everything suddenly clicks in the moment.

Maybe

Following on from a point I made earlier, you may decide to add in a solo where there was not one before. This becomes part of your own arrangement to the tune, rather than a strict cover. 

You might also find that there is room to add to the original solo; you can sometimes achieve great results by adding in your own personal flair. As long as you remain faithful to the original then this can be a great way to go.

One great example of this is the arpeggio section of ‘Hotel California’ that Phil X plays with his band The Drills. Whilst playing the whole thing with more energy, the arpeggio section is instead a blistering string skipping section that still uses the original progression and arpeggios, but approaching them with a different shape due to the technique. 

Final Thoughts

The more experience you have in learning solos, and in various different scenarios, the better equipped you will be to make the decisions for yourself. One thing I always do is see if I can sing the solo from memory before I start learning the song, or relearning it if I have played it before. 

Whatever you choose to do, please do not fall into the trap of justifying poor choices. If you find yourself saying “I did not learn the original solo because it was not very good” that screams laziness, and sounds almost defensive. If you ever go and see a cover band, you can really tell the good from the bad if you pay attention to small details like this. Covers that you record videos of should be carefully planned too, but you have the luxury of recording parts separately if needed.

When teaching, myself and colleagues of mine throughout the years have often provided simplified solos for students as a stepping stone – this is an entirely different world where you are learning the instrument, not performing for a crowd. Have a chat with your guitar teacher and get their perspective on this topic, and see what solos they have faithfully learned all of the way through.