Learn to Play Classic Rock Guitar Solos with LickLibrary

Unleash the rockstar in you with our in-depth course: "Learn to Play Classic Rock Guitar Solos". Lick Library tutor Jamie Humphries helps you explore the iconic solos of timeless songs such as Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven", The Eagles' "Hotel California", Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze", "All Right Now" by Free, and "Jump" by Van Halen. Dive into the mind of the legends behind these solos, understand their musical choices, and bring their style to your playing.

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin

Jimmy Page's masterpiece, "Stairway to Heaven", is one of the best-known solos in the rock world. The song predominantly uses the A minor pentatonic scale, with beautiful transitions into A natural minor during the more melodic sections. Page's clever use of string bending and vibrato brings depth and expressiveness to the solo. It's a journey of gradual intensity build-up from the soft arpeggiated chord progressions in the beginning to the raw power of power chords towards the end.

Hotel California by The Eagles

Don Felder and Joe Walsh create a stellar double act in "Hotel California". The solo, written in B minor, features an extended trade-off between Felder and Walsh. You'll experience Felder's use of arpeggios and barre chords and Walsh's expert control of string bending and pull-offs. The solo ends with one of the most beautiful dual guitar harmonies in rock history, a testament to the Eagles' masterful musicianship.

Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix

"Purple Haze" is a perfect example of Hendrix's innovative use of the pentatonic blues scale. The use of trills and vibrato in combination with his unique rhythm style brings this solo to life. From legato runs to bluesy bends, Hendrix employed a vast range of techniques that contributed to his signature sound.

All Right Now by Free

Paul Kossoff's "All Right Now" is a treasure of rock guitar technique. Using the D Major scale, Kossoff blends power chords with syncopated rhythms to create a groovy, infectious rhythm. His solo is a delightful mix of slides, hammer-ons, and vibrato, showcasing his blues-influenced style.

Jump by Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen's "Jump" is an epitome of his two-handed tapping style. Using the major scale, Van Halen introduces arpeggiated chord progressions alongside classic rock techniques such as tremolo picking and palm muting. His daring use of the whammy bar, also known as 'dive bombs', gives the solo an added edge.


Technique Overview

In these lessons, you'll cover a broad range of guitar techniques. These include but aren't limited to:

All these elements contribute to the distinctive style of each guitarist, and in this course, you'll learn how to adapt these techniques into your own playing style. "Learn to Play Classic Rock Guitar Solos" brings you closer to playing just like your guitar heroes. Embrace the journey, and let's rock on together!

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Jamie Humphries & Stuart Bull

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