The Journey of My First Guitar Solo

As a guitar enthusiast, the journey to my first guitar solo has been filled with countless hours of practice and experimentation. This article delves into my personal experience, from the early days of guitar playing to my first notable solo, and how it paved the way for my musical journey.

Early Musical Influences

My first foray into guitar playing was a selection from Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona, arranged by Leon Block. This piece was chosen by my guitar teacher when I began my studies at the East Detroit Conservatory of Music. My teacher emphasized the importance of learning jazz improvisation, and suggested the Charlie Parker Omnibook for beginners. The key was to avoid the first position and move to higher ones, which helped in developing notational familiarity and a creative ear.

Exploring Guitar Solos

I delved into the solos of numerous legendary guitarists, including Barney Kessel, Johnny Smith, Kenny Burrell, Howard Roberts, Wes Montgomery, and Django Reinhardt. These artists provided a wealth of inspiration and technical challenges that pushed my skills to new heights. Additionally, I explored the works of Chet Atkins, with his Chet Atkins Style for Guitar: How to Play It Volume One and Two, as well as Russ Barenberg Teaches 20 Bluegrass Guitar Solos: Repertoire Tunes for Intermediate Players.

Reading Music and Classical Guitar

Only by learning to read music can one appreciate and play delightful pieces they have never heard before. The books by Aaron Shearer and Christopher Parkening were invaluable resources for classical guitar, helping me develop a deeper understanding of the instrument and its techniques.

From Scared to Noodling

My path to my first significant solo was filled with both fear and excitement. I remember being "nominate[d] to play lead very early on," and the initial fear of putting my skills to the test. My first solo ventures were rather basic and included some raunchy, simple lead songs, but they laid the groundwork for my future endeavors. My first actual solo was a basic piece that I dedicated time to practice, which turned out to be Samba PaTi by Santana from Abraxas. Following this, Eat a Peach became my go-to piece to play.

Personal Reflections and Noodling

Over time, I developed a love for noodling with my guitar, taking great joy in coming up with my own compositions and experimenting with different ideas. One of my favorite ways to noodle is to revisit old favorites, which has become a cherished part of my musical process.

The Beatles' "Slow Down" and Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne

One of my first self-learned guitar solos was the classic Slow Down by the Beatles, which I was immediately drawn to for its clashing notes and energy. The solo starts at 1:40 on the track. Another significant solo I mastered was from Crazy Train, where I focused on an approach that would make learning other solos easier. Mastering this particular solo indeed helped in my overall guitar playing journey.

Conclusion

The journey of learning my first guitar solo has been a transformative one. Through practice, exploration, and continuous learning, I've discovered the joy and satisfaction that comes from playing the guitar. Whether it's through jazz improvisation, classical guitar, or self-composed solos, each step in my journey has brought me closer to becoming a more skilled and grounded musician.