Quintessential rock solos

[MikeMurray]

Hey folks

As time goes by, I have realised that I benefit far more from studying/transcribing solos, than understanding the theory behind them. I feel as though I have a really decent background in terms of blues, but I'm really struggling to translate it to the rock and roll side of things. I suppose I've spent way too much time listening to Peter Green, Muddy Waters etc over the past few years. I really enjoy Phil X's clips on youtube, the man is a rock dictionary - that's what I am currently aspiring towards.

I suppose Hendrix is always a good place to start? Got some Led Zeppelin down too and then quite a bit of modern stuff.

What would you list as you're quintessential rock solos? I'm not too bothered about era or anything, just looking for some great material to expand my vocabulary.

Thanks guys!

[Robin Nahum]

The Crossroads solos on the Wheels of Fire album by Cream.

Start listening to Bill Frisell.

And any Mahavishnu Orchestra albums, and you might want to get a copy of:

http://www.amazon.com/John-McLaughli...3109914&sr=1-3

I have realised that I benefit far more from studying/transcribing solos, than understanding the theory behind them.

Study and transcription are great. You will learn much.

This will be enhanced by a knowledge of theory (or more correctly "fundamentals") when you want to compose your own solos and when you move away from I-IV-V formats and the pentatonic minor. Hence my last two suggestions.

[McGlamRock]

Steely Dan guitar solos are also a great resource for learning rock, mainly because they had some of the best guitarists/session players doing them: Rick Derringer, Larry Carlton, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Denny Dias, Mark Knopfler, to name a few.

"Kid Charlemagne" was the first one I transcribed- 1st solo 2:18; 2nd solo 3:52
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zmX6_ujBN0

[spauldingrules]

No offense (seriously! I'm not saying they are BAD, but....) but Steely Dan is hardly rock. Try learning more Zeppelin solos. They are easy to play, effective, and recognizable.

As someone else said, Cream is also a good place to start.

[paratus]

Been listening to Johnny Winter lately, maybe a bit sloppy in spots but you can hear the raw emotion in every note. To my ear it is a great transition from traditional blues to rock, and the bass playing of Randy Jo Hobbs is something every rock bassist should listen to.

For a real change of pace take a listen to Bill Nelson with Be Bop Deluxe. Typically heavily produced in contrast to Johnny Winter's stripped down production, Nelson's solos are melodic, dreamy, angry, but always great to listen to.

Then there's this other Brit named Jeff Beck.....so many great cuts...like Jailhouse Rock or Ain't Superstitious with Rod Stewart singing and Ronnie Wood on bass....great fun.

[telewacked]

One I always dug was Elliot Easton's solo on The Cars "Best Friend's Girl". You can pick up quite a few cools tricks from that one, and it's not too hard. Maybe not "rock" enough for what you're thinking, but...

[jazztele]

Originally Posted by spauldingrules

No offense (seriously! I'm not saying they are BAD, but....) but Steely Dan is hardly rock. Try learning more Zeppelin solos. They are easy to play, effective, and recognizable.

As someone else said, Cream is also a good place to start.

If "reelin' in the years" and "my old school" ain't rock and roll...then...I don't like rock and roll anymore.

[jbmando]

When I think of "quintessential" rock solos, the standards, classics if you will, come to mind. Stuff like "That'll Be the Day," "Be-Bop-A-Lula," Chuck Berry stuff such as "Johnny B. Goode," then the 60s stuff like "Secret Agent Man," Beatles solos, especially ones in some of their covers like "Bad Boy," then on to the British Blues Explosion classics and the 70s and newer stuff. IMO the later classics borrowed a lot from the pioneers of the 50s.

[charlie chitlin]

Rock Around The Clock
Hang On Sloopy
Walk, Don't Run
The Wind Cries Mary
Johnny B Goode

[twintwelve]

Learn to cop the styles of Angus Young, Leslie West, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Dick Wagner, Steve Hunter, Buck Dharma and other pioneers of the hard rock guitar style-build from there!

[samato]

All the solos from the Chuck Berry hits would be worth learning. I'm going to go back one of these days and learn them all correctly.

Hotel California by The Eagles
Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd

[jbmando]

Originally Posted by charlie chitlin

Rock Around The Clock
Hang On Sloopy
Walk, Don't Run
The Wind Cries Mary
Johnny B Goode

Yeah, this is the kind of stuff I'm talking about.

[ottocat]

It's funny but do exactly , what everybody says then. Listen to the Zappa Anthology I hear 70+ albums . That's what "rock" "music" sounds like .
With all respect listen to Dweezil . Dude plays rock guitar .

[AngelStrummer]

- Hey Joe (Hendrix)

- You Shook Me all Night Long (AC/DC)

- My Sharona, the extended version (The Knack)

[mlove3]

Achilles last Stand - Zep - epic solo
Van Halen - the whole first record
Whole lotta Rosie - ac/dc - the definition of smokin licks
Last Child- aerosmith - Whitford actually plays the solo, not Perry
Killer Queen - Queen - partly multitracked but the melody and tone are righteous
Time - Pink Floyd - another epic solo and great fill licks
Cars first record - Elliot Easton, cool, tight licks
All Along the Watchtower - hendrix - for me, one of his top 5 recordings, it all comes together. wah, chucka chucka licks, soaring lead, awesome rhythm guitar.

[TG]

Here's are a few classics that PhilX no doubt would be able to 'quote'. Some good licks in them to have on hand as well.


Aqualung - Jethro Tull
Paranoid - Black Sabbath
Smoke On the Water - Deep Purple
Good Times Bad Times - Led Zep
Black Dog - '' ''
All Right Now - Free
Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
Another Brick In The Wall - '' ''
While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Beatles (Clapton)
She's Not There - Santana
Hocus Pocus - Focus
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
La Grange - ZZ Top

[Old Cane]

Originally Posted by jazztele

If "reelin' in the years" and "my old school" ain't rock and roll...then...I don't like rock and roll anymore.

+1.

[bikeracr]

+1 for Kid Charlemagne. Done by one of the best!

[blowtorch]

Chuck Berry, Jimmy Page, and Angus Young will get you FAR.

[jbmando]

Originally Posted by bikeracr

+1 for Kid Charlemagne. Done by one of the best!

Carlton is a great player, but KC is hardly rock. More like fusion, and that solo is certainly not a quintessential rock solo, albeit a great piece of guitar work.