How to Solo Better (it’s not about chops)

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Sound Tools Used in This Vid:
Squier Starcaster sweetwater.sjv.io/21eEGa
The Klone Pedal Overdrive theklonepedal.com/the-klone-p...
MXR Phase 90 sweetwater.sjv.io/jrRQ0e
Augustus Octave Fuzz www.duskyamp.com
D20 head www.duskyamp.com
Mojotone 2x12 Cab www.mojotone.com
Beyer M160 Mic (cab) sweetwater.sjv.io/OrYvmN
Beyer M88 Mic (vocals) sweetwater.sjv.io/AWZ6bx

[@mikeandrulonis6553]

"Your audience won't know what you can't do until you show them." Dude, that is seriously profound, it's so important to stay within yourself. I need to save some of that experimentation for private practice until I have that confidence you spoke of early in the video. Thank you!

[@forester057]

Sure it is 🦍

[@MoutchouPitchou95]

Fully aligned !

[@andrewclarkeguitar]

"The audience doesn't know what you can't do, until you show them." That is SO true. Great video. 👏

[@forester057]

Sure it is 🦍

[@kristi94]

Soloing is like talking. Some people speak non-stop and in the end...they say little to nothing and then some people will utter one sentence and it will stick with you forever.

[@vpovince1001]

That was my issue for years! I still talk near nonstop although I’m better however I’ve really worked hard at not doing the same on the guitar. I’m liking the results!

[@kristi94]

@@vpovince1001 This is great! Looking back at your journey of learning and being proud of yourself for getting where you are today! Proof that we can gradually change the things we want. You know what's funny...I am the type of person to repeat myself often(usually to remind people) or sometimes reassure myself of something. And now it rang a bell...because I can't seem to get out of the same licks I tend to use. I hardly solo since I mostly play rhythm and sing but I love me a good strum/lead combo. 🤔 I'll try a different approach with the guitar..see if it affects the way I speak. 🤟🏻 Keep on rocking

[@vpovince1001]

@@kristi94 oh the same! I definitely repeat myself when talking lol.

[@kristi94]

@@vpovince1001 Let's go 🥳🥳🥳

[@willowcolios5248]

And many don’t say anything unique or interesting.

[@tracyhightower9829]

Eric, you are the Bob Ross of guitar tutors. That’s meant as a compliment.

[@douglaschristine8387]

He kinda looks like him too, Tracy, the hair.

[@CMvidproductions]

…the youth! 🤓🤣✌🏼

[@EcoCentrist]

he is like Bob Ross crossed with Eric Clapton lol

[@brucejackson1329]

Agreed - time with Bob or Eric is well spent.

[@markarbanasin4]

Literally my thoughts every time I watch this channel! 'OK that's another little solo, and that's all it's gotta be!'

[@lolobuggah2670]

The audience doesn't know what you can't do until you show them is a great phrase and a very good thing to remember.

[@ldhorricks]

Eric is simply the best teacher on the internet...he makes no promises...no gimmicks...no "learn the fretboard in 30 days" nonsense. He knows how to reach all levels of players...and holds us as players accountable without making us feel like we keep banging our heads against the wall. Getting good at anything takes work and practice...and Eric makes no bones about it...but he also doesnt make us feel bad for just wanting to goof off and play shit...without sometimes knowing what we're doing.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks for your support on patreon!

[@lonesometrain2010]

"The audience doesn't know what you can't do until you show them" - so true, a quote for the ages. I've been working on thinking and playing more melodically, I love the ideas and advice in this video! Truly Inspiring.

[@abnerpgonz]

7:45 that was so good though!!!!

[@jochumhaaijer9191]

I thougth i was the only one hahah, i like the more risktaking aproach actually

[@TLMuse]

Hah, agreed that it was pretty good. It made me think of Jerry Garcia. It's the kind of soloing that I like in small doses, in the context of the more motif-oriented style Eric is highlighting in this video.

[@EdBender]

Hell yeah! I'd like to screw up that well! 😂

[@gunnarschmitz1889]

I love how the oversaturated tone was still played in very tastefully lol. Almost as if you're 2 hours deep into a house band gig at a cocktail lounge and the musicians are getting a little tired of holding back

[@dallastoto3189]

Love the philosophy. Some dudes are just playing as fast as they are able and there’s no melodic content. Let the music breathe. Cheers Mate

[@Cowdog1]

I love this cat. Even when trying to give us an example of what not to do 'cause it won't sound right, it sounds like perfection. You know yer good when you can't sound bad. ❤ hahaha... cheers.

[@rockkmonster]

Tbh I liked the "lick shopping" solo better than the coconut shrimp stuff. Both have their place.

[@samtorrmusic]

Dude your lessons are just brilliant, so well simplified, articulated and a no stress approach which is well needed with upcoming guitar players who can get overwhelmed. Fantastic guitar teacher, always admired your teaching and videos

[@jonathanhathaway7796]

That end solo of Can't You Hear Me Knocking is the perfect example of a great solo that doesn't need any speed. I've always told my students that the audience doesn't know what you can't play, they only know what you deliver. If you play expressively, you're good. Every time I go on YT I see guys that can run rings around me. As a guitarist I think, "crap! I can't do that!", but I also remind myself that I don't want or need to hear that many notes. I resist the urge to jump into competitive guitar playing. More lines doesn't necessarily mean a better illustration. Having said that, I still love Page in his prime, early VH, and Holdsworth on the first UK album, so a bunch of notes isn't the worst thing either, ha ha.

[@espltdb255smith3]

4:16 "The audience doesn't know..." such a great statement. Thank you for a great video. Fantastic.

[@paulmundy8312]

What a gem of a lesson. Every Friday I look forward to these videos. I love these & the Truefire courses that Eric does but I'm also old school & would love a book published with these gems in there. It would be a huge seller aswell as Erics wisdom & knowledge are priceless❤

[@jareds9863]

You might be the best online guitar teacher I've ever seen

[@jareds9863]

Do you have a single donation option? I can't do the patreon but wanna support you man

[@pedroberoes49]

the skateboard analogy for melodic improvisation was genius.

[@benbarckholtz8730]

So much great stuff in here to unpack. I've actually stopped listening to "solo" lessons. I like to practice across the spectrum (Caged shapes, woodshop picking techniques, songs, playing the changes) and this addressed how almost every one of those haven't helped me to simplify my soloing to something that highlights my abilities rather than making me feel inept. This lesson did just that. The next lesson I need to is diversify my rhythm bag. In Eric's caged lessons on True Fire he goes back to rock diddly and the My Way groove. He says he has about 5 go to rhythms. I want to learn more of those and the other coconut shrimps that are out there.

[@PedroBellora]

AMAZING video, Eric, thanks for sharing!! Some deep wisdom in here, as always.

[@ScreamingEagle.]

Yes, great lesson. We all know these tips, but at times, we are quick to forget.

[@NickJardine]

Amazing lesson! It’s like we know all of these things already, but need them to be reminded to us to maintain focus and perspective.

[@logancipparone596]

I got more out of this than 95% of the stuff out there. Great concepts, big thanks.

[@PBeetheFox]

Thanks Eric! Attaching solo rhythm to grammatical rhythms we already have is a great idea!

[@DJBre]

dude, one of the most meaningful music lessons I've ever had. Thank you 🙏

[@BrendonBrooks]

Hunt and Pecking licks....man that makes so much sense. This one is your best one yet.

[@opussteve]

Dude, I LOVE that you hit "Can't you hear me knockin' ". So appropreate. You rock!

[@TomMarvan]

Confidence, tone and timing… and taste and soul, which you have in abundance, Eric. Thank you for another wonderful demonstration, and inspiration. You’ve got the feel.

[@leeinthesprings]

I love how you say make the solo tell a story! So true!! Random noodling during a solo drives me crazy...

[@russr1338]

Outstanding lesson! The hunting for a better lick while soloing sounded like me even though I am aware I should focus on one or two basic phrases and tell a story. Branch out, keep it simple and use dynamics, bends etc. Great reminder and examples. Thank you!

[@carlhardwickofficial]

This is one of the most insightful and knowledgeable guitar channels I've come across. Great stuff.

[@tannerc.390]

This is such a game changer. I’ve improved alot with these tricks

[@makeitcount179]

Love your teaching style. So good.

[@DanielSeriffMusic]

C, T, and T! I always say Tone, Touch, and Time! Love this lesson, Eric!

[@kyledrevlo1962]

Can't You Hear Me Knocking is my fave Stones track. You've made that sound accessible somehow. Thanks, Eric!

[@augmentationstation]

your vibes and wisdom are immaculate

[@dwise3651]

Love your deliberate simple approach. A little listen of Billy Gibbons can show how much can be done with relatively few notes. Attitude and space gets it done.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

ZZ Top swing SO HARD!

[@alanjohnson2126]

Great lesson. Left me smiling 😊 and more confident about what I been playing. Just add tone. Love it!

[@Tethered_to_the_Polestar]

So much great advice in this video. Something to practice tomorrow, thanks Eric.

[@AnthonyPitt]

great great great video/lesson/advice. I am a full time musician and I fall into the trap of mindless improvising at gigs(a lot). I needed this to remind myself to slow down and be more intentional when I solo. phrasing, phrasing, phrasing! thank you

[@WestCoastProf]

Diagonal pentatonic scales are one of the first things I learned. It is a great place to start

[@makeitcount179]

Wow...i love your note choices ...and your minimalist style

[@Shalini_Jay_Music]

Thank you so much, Eric- you have no idea how much I needed this. I'm playing with a band for the first time and I've been quite nervous about the solos but now I know what to not do :) I hope you get all the good things in life! ❤️

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

Thanks, Eric! Great insights mad ideas

[@jlars64]

Thank you for these valuable pointers on how to approach soloing. Looking fwd to lesson with you in October

[@macsarcule]

Omg, this is the lesson I needed so bad. Thank you, Eric! 🤘😌🎸

[@user-wl7rb5ri5m]

Great video and the tone is superb.

[@josephryanevans]

I really wish that I had found all these videos about twenty years ago. Better late than bad solos for life. Thank you for your insight and humanity.

[@brucemillar]

Fantastic. Just what I needed to fix my soloing game. Top lesson as usual Eric.

[@LiamDTurner]

I needed this advice..and will continue to need it.

[@jakevanderzwaag3611]

your best lesson yet. some real gems from a true pro in here!

[@EcoCentrist]

only another musician can tell if that 16 bar improv was all in Bb minor, but everyone can tell when a player absolutely nails it with style and confidence. got to play a show on the keyboard to help my buddy late last year. I had picked up a synth to learn the keys with maybe 6 weeks before the show - the minor pentationic scale totally fooled the audience into thinking i had been at it for years instead of weeks.

[@snuffbox2006]

Glad you had a video go viral. It is a good video and your channel is great, you deserve a high seat on the youtube guitar channel circle. You motivate me to keep growing my skills. All your lessons leave me with concrete takeaways to practice and think about - no word salads of jumbled concepts.

[@WeirdErnie]

The unplanned jam on Can't You Hear Me Knockin? Excellent.

[@colewalker8710]

Real talk, your plants look really healthy. Really happy girls back there.

[@johndaugherty4127]

Timing is everything. Excellent example. I loved the Stones.

[@ericjohnson4877]

Spot on man, for sure. Nice groove

[@PURPLE_SHADE_SMOOTHIE]

This is the most important and helpful video that I have seen as I am entering my intermediate level of self taught guitar playing❤

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful weekend Eric ❤😊

[@pletonicsolids]

This is such a good lesson and came at such a good time. I have a show next weekend with my band and there's a few jam sections that I feel I just wasn't connecting on. Your advice was extremely helpful and made me realize I just need to keep it simple and not overthink it. Thank you!

[@danieluren8737]

Thanks for this video. Helped me out tremendously. Cheers bud

[@scottjones6624]

hallelujah Brother. It is all so true. Brilliant gems tossed our way. Powerful video!!!!!

[@PatCaseyLA]

Unbelievably great video, man

[@SzyGrz]

Love yours vids dude. Couse you're truly authentic, peace!

[@jarodivey9033]

You know, I've never related with the "telling a story" trope when it comes to playing instrumental music. Not that I think one can't jive with that, I just have never clicked with it before. However, mimicing the candence of a limerick or something else of the sort just grabbed a hold of me here. I'll never think of phrasing quite the same way again. Thanks, Eric! Outstanding as always

[@manhalnaddour125]

Great lesson going over the basics. Especially the timing parts. I did like the “wrong” hunting for licks solo though 😅. Thanks a bunch!

[@LaneGreene]

Yeah, he can't even do something tasteless when he tries.

[@Terrycward]

Refreshing approach to soloing which is pretty much accessible to everyone who wants to progress. Good job!

[@stephenbennett5240]

That was kinda incredible. So many simple ideas and lessons yet so many people forget how important they are. You are a killer player btw

[@ryanlockhart9102]

This super helpful! Thankyou dude! 😎

[@matthewmurray7428]

This is so good! Thanks!

[@wogfahov]

Great advice as always. Definitely my go-to for guitar wisdom and my favorite Patreon channel. Anyone who hasn’t joined up is doing themselves a gross injustice. ❤

[@rscott6512]

Soul, groove and tasteful notes received in Nova Scotia! Nice overview and guidance.

[@samxday]

Ooh the octave solo tone. That’s nice!

[@jacobpittman1996]

Excellent video, man! And excellent advice on how to be excellent… to ourselves. This is a video with a generous spirit, and I hope it gets a lot of love on the Tube.

[@williamj.sheehan2001]

Really enjoyed this video! Thank you! On the subject of "telling a story" with your solo, I always felt that the solo on Steely Dan's "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" was a great example of that concept.

[@brianmiller3287]

Great content! I need to watch more!!!

[@AlecBoyd]

One of your best videos in a while. Lots of phrasing to think about.

[@thatperson6801]

This is really helped a lot, thank you!

[@Amanwithnada]

Exactly what I needed to watch and hear as I’m working on my improvisational skills and considering my lead playing for this trio gig in a few hours 9:47

[@JohnBenoit46290]

Excellent video! Been coming back to improv after years of neglecting it and this had some awesome stuff to think about

[@dinkelberchs3697]

great video, really like your take on things

[@jimmanire3646]

Mr. O'Kelly taught me time values with food cues. Quarter notes = "pie", eighth notes = "apple", triplets = "strawberry". So you'd get two measures like: pie-pie-apple-pie apple-apple-strawberry pie. I'm digging that coconut-shrimp phrase though. Thanks!

[@kludgybrains3459]

Having good 'feel' is my ultimate goal. It is a deceivingly simple in principle but hard in execution.

[@paulbillingham6769]

Great Tone Eric

[@brucejackson1329]

Thanks! As a gigging and learning guitarist , this is a great primer. Thanks so much for helping with the core knowledge. You have helped me immensely 😊

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks Bruce!

[@gourou514]

dude, again, this is wild! You rock my man 🤘

[@goodcardma]

Amazing lesson dude!

[@ewanchalmers9498]

Happy Friday Haugenistas :)

[@danabiondo9243]

WoW. That Looks So Simple. Thank You, Er - Ric. Yes. Less is Definitely More! You Are Rocking it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙂

[@davepilgrim5798]

beautiful Guitar! Love it, I want one 😊. Thanks for the tips

[@sidewaysrain7609]

This is insightful that being said, a dear friend of mine ( musical mentor I learn so much from about performing live) was the drummer for Don Cherry orchestra. When it comes to improvisation, "if you're not making a mistake you're not trying hard enough!"- Don Cherry. Of course I'm talking about advanced players! It is how you recover the counts! It is also how you become a better player if you do not challenge yourself in a live setting!

[@coastercook]

Great lesson this week. Thanks, Eric

[@Gor537]

Show, don’t tell. That was great Eric, made so much sense.

[@frankvaleron]

I like the Limerick idea. I often try to use Elvis phrasing in a solo. Heartbreak Hotel and Mystery Train are particularly good to use the phrasal rhythms from

[@AlexsSeasonalKitchen]

Excellent video, makes a ton of sense. Time to practice!

[@Strangetalestattoos]

the best guitar channel on KZbin

[@matiasquinlan1121]

This is really inspiring. i need to take lessons with you!

[@jaltsch1]

Excellent lesson thank you!

[@Tokestaf77]

I like this guy! Subscribed!

[@nelsonhik]

Great lesson. I would be happy with any of those solos,even the non-examples. 😊

[@rockyourrepairedamp9850]

Such a cool groove! ❤