How to Improvise Solos For Absolute Beginners

[@isaiahmason8985]

Alright man after years of trying to learn guitar on KZbin, after just 2 of your videos I’m seeing my first progress, I’m so thankful and grateful for your teaching man

[@kevinnickens]

I’m glad it’s helping! Thanks for watching!

[@sakigake2005]

@@kevinnickens I have learned so many licks but I don't know how to use. I tried to analyse and explain the reason for each note, but I still don't cannot comprehend.🥲

[@matthewlepak2878]

Dude YOU ROCK! JESUS BLESS! ​@@kevinnickens

[@matthewlepak2878]

❤😊 You are the best guitar player teacher. Honestly!

[@kevinnickens]

@@matthewlepak2878 thanks!

[@abimaelmendez4912]

I don’t know how but this man is the only one that can teach me! I need more!

[@kevinnickens]

Thank you! More is on the way!

[@SydneyJosephine-mw1jh]

You have an amazing set of beginner guitar videos! Really helping me step up my playing. I hope to see you continue with your series, thank you so much! You're doing something that many KZbin guitar teachers try to do and fail.

[@SydneyJosephine-mw1jh]

discuss what?

[@VellaaR]

you are literally the best, i was strugguling with creating a solo and i was desperate cause i did not know how to do one, i came across your channel and by far you are the best one i`ve found. You are helping a lot of people, keep doing it

[@kevinnickens]

Thanks! I’m glad the videos are helping!

[@mikeydubs_tv]

I thought I could never do any solos as a beginner guitarist but then I learned Knocking on Heaven's door slash solo. Wow I love playing it, it is a slower "feel" solo and I learned so much!

[@Blues7412]

Where did you find the tabs or what did you use to learn it?

[@mikeydubs_tv]

@@Blues7412 there are tons of videos on the solo. I actually watched Marty music video on it, he teaches it very well note by note

[@aamx360]

I think that your the best one in KZbin teaches guitar, you just make things simple and you deliver the information straight forward without any confusion, and also the camera quality and the mic is sooo goood even the way you talk is clear and make us excited to hear what you’re saying

[@kevinnickens]

Thank you!

[@Raddishh787]

If there are people out there with musical gifts you most definitely have a gift of teaching electric guitar this is really good man thank you I'm making so much progress with your videos

[@yelyel2620]

Thank God I found someone who I find as a reasonable guitar mentor here on youtube. You explained the vaguest ideas if pondered upon in years. Your thought on the paradox of choice is accurate, I wish I found you sooner. God bless you bro.

[@sanchez._.]

man im trying to learn guitar right now but i havent even been able to play it as much since i dont have my own right now but i cant even stop thinking about it lol. Keep up the great vids!

[@ncn141953]

Hi Kevin, you are so good in explaining in a very understandable way what seems to be very complex. You have made a big difference for me in my guitar soloing journey.

[@Steward_93]

Ive only been learning chords lately but now i tried learning scales this video it feels like it jsut opened my eyes into something i didn't payed attention too 5hanks you man

[@arcaneformula]

You're so good a teacher, you give me anxiety about the internet ending and me not being able to access your channel anymore! 😩😩😩😩 Please do not stop uploading. I'm absorbing all of this knowledge like a sponge! You're a brilliant teacher!

[@maxime1776]

That intro is amazing with the guitar solo in the background

[@saber1992]

"Copy solo's form guitarists who inspire you." I'm inspired by Tim Henson and Scott Lepage; I think im going to be stuck on this section for a couple years. 😅

[@stonks693]

Fr 😂 They are the reason I got back on guitar

[@hydratainment.7708]

2 virtuoso level players, man we see you back in 20 years

[@ishakHafiz12]

After finding your channel, I've kinda started to watch all your videos in order though I'm basically above the beginner stage. You give off a bit of a vibe of Eddie from Stranger Things. And put into simple words, your beginner friendly course sort of videos are the best. But when i started learning guitar back in the begining of 2020, your channel didn't have these videos back then. So I'm feeling like I'm re-experiencing it all. I can literally point out the uniqueness' of your videos if you ask me. From Bangladesh 🇧🇩 I believe someday i can be a great guitar player

[@OakAthainNerin]

This man is one of the lucky few blessed by some ancient council of guitar wizards who bestow the power to teach. Thank you 🙏

[@boxer71c55]

I know this is a year old but, a great vid! And great sounds on that Knockin on heavens door solo.

[@mohammadsharififard1686]

Well I'm happy to report that after listening to your advice and focusing on learning the first solo of knocking on heaven's door, although I'm still not 100% slash-perfect in it, I've gotten so much better in my release, hammer-ons, and most of all bends and I feel so much more hopeful about the future of my soloing. Your advice is great. Thank you!

[@kevinnickens]

Great work!

[@mohammadsharififard1686]

@@kevinnickens Thanks! It means a lot!

[@jordandimov3455]

I really do enjoy your videos, you sound like you genuinely want to help some noobies learn guitar 🎸. Rock on!

[@kevinnickens]

Thanks for watching!

[@j.niccicoffie3272]

Just found your channel and binge watched the playlist. Found you right on time as I am starting to learn guitar for the first time. I look forward to practicing and continuing with your lessons. Would like to know what a rif, run, lick etc is.

[@kevinnickens]

All those words mean the same thing as “phrase” so it’s just a short succession of notes. I just didn’t want to have to keep saying the word “phrase” over and over again in the video 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@daviddelarosa7271]

Wow continue to be amazed at your videos and how well you explain technique.thank for sharing the knowledge😊

[@keneckert]

This was a captivating and very helpful video. Thank you.

[@vandanaswaraj8110]

Really well explained with minimal and efficient communication

[@nutcrack7162]

ghad it make me so happy because only few turorial talks about markknofler style

[@McKenna.1230]

Kevin Nickens is my guitar pastor

[@kevinnickens]

I prefer guitar warlock but whatever works

[@Itsastral39]

Wow man... I just had struggles till now even seeing lots of yt video, but you r the first one teaching in a real easy way, like to teach to a child... And it s the best way for beginners who rly don t know how to approach to this... Keep going this way👍🏻

[@tomgustavsen9164]

This video is just so imformativ and Iĺl wish i saw it 15 years ago! Thank u!!!! The link between the melodi play and a simple solo is obius when u think about it! Iḿ looking forward to more greate videos!

[@arrolate]

Good video as always!

[@o0Vissers0o]

Hey Kevin, make a video on how to build a practise routine !

[@kevinnickens]

That’s actually a really good idea

[@Koijn2K]

@@kevinnickens yes pls

[@Srobinson102]

Patiently waiting for that full video :)

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaabbbb]

thanks papa kevin

[@kevinnickens]

Don’t sweat it slugger

[@JAADUNEWS]

He is the best teacher on yt

[@kenjikodai]

Being lazy rn but i swear ill continue your lessons lol, for now im procrastinating while I can cause I know after I fully start then I'll really get into it

[@tunguy]

Very good message… you are definitely gifted with the ability to simplify something.. What do you do otherwise?. Are you an engineer?

[@kevinnickens]

That’s very kind, I’m an accountant

[@michaelrodriguez918]

It was very interesting and very well explained. It cleared a lot of things.

[@shradhathakur5116]

Dangg,can't wait for the next video!!

[@kurtsander5832]

Hey, thanks so much for these great and so well explained Guitar lessons they are so helpful, I just have a question; i must have missed something but in that Dylan song which is in the key of G why does it sound good soloing in the Em pentatonic scale rather than the G pentatonic scale.

[@kevinnickens]

Good question! If you look at the actual notes of the scales, the Em pentatonic scale and the G pentatonic scale actually have the same exact notes. In reality, they’re the same exact scale except for the notes being arranged in a different order, so they both work in the key of G

[@plumberguy5267]

I’ve been playing guitar casually for years but recently started to get more serious about it. Thank for breaking theory down in a way that is simple to understand😊 What I did not understand in this video is this….. the root note or “tonic” of the melody you were playing was a g major chord. How does the e minor pentatonic scale fit that so well?. I would think you would have to use the g pentatonic scale to fit this song to match the root note or key of the song which was G. Can anyone explain how this works?..😕

[@gordonsmith3092]

Kevin, I'm interesting in any suggestions you have on how to pick a good guitar solo from your influences. I'm also a knopfler fan, but not sure that sultans of swing is the right place for me to start. Any thoughts on this much appreciated. really living how you are delivering this content. Many Thanks

[@kevinnickens]

Thanks! First of all, I personally think Sultans is a great place to start, so dorm be afraid to start there, but as far as how to choose a solo from influences, I think about it in terms of era. Solos recorded in the early days of rock n roll, like the 50s and early 60s were simpler than those that came later like the 80s and 90s. So if you want a good starter solo, pick something from the early days of rock, and if you want more of a challenge, go for something a little newer. Of course there are exceptions to this rule but generally it holds true. Hope this helps!

[@BostonRobK]

Kevin it would be helpful if you could post what strings you’re fretting for the knocking on heavens door solo. I’m visually impaired and it would help tremendously. Thank you

[@sergiofigueroa9705]

Great video

[@briansanto8553]

What's the reasoning for using the E minor pentatonic for Heavens Door? How do you know which pentatonic scale to use?

[@PatriceSerapiglia]

🎸🎸 Overwise just get the tabs of Charlie Christian and there it is, plain and simple as clear as water the secrets of improvisation shaping the chords breaking them running them. A beginner can easy understand the logic of the great Charlie Christian. You’re welcome, no need to thank me “Cher collègue” 🎸🎸

[@whodis3560]

Babe wake up, new Kevin Nickens video just dropped

[@danzilbenjamin8196]

When is next lesson coming up will there be full playlist

[@markshenouda5456]

wow, really good vid

[@kevinnickens]

Thanks!

[@ffederel]

When I was first learning to speak, my first words were just made up by other people, but then, at some point, I just started to huded likuwes uiodedo xyuioluphicx.

[@kevinnickens]

@@ffederel dnsushfbeahs

[@guitarplay4]

I think Knocking on Heaven's Door is actually in G major, but E minor is it's relative minor scale

[@kevinnickens]

Yeah you’re right, I think that for beginners it’s just easier to use the first position pentatonic scale

[@guitarplay4]

Yeah, I understand. Good message on the video. I have to admit I haven't learned too much solos note to note even through-out my guitar career but I have mimicked a lot of vocal melodies etc. and experimented a lot with KZbin's guitar backing tracks and for like past year with Digitech's Trio+ looper pedal. I think it's good to get creative with your lead playing while practicing you ear training 🤟

[@Aaron-or7bs]

Hey, I’m abit confused about step 2… how do I actually apply my favourite guitarist’s playings into my solos? For example, my fav guitarist is Ichika Nito(if you’ve heard of him), so do I just learn his songs? If so how do I pick up licks and phrases from the song and apply into my playing? (And also know which key that lick/phrase is in?)

[@kevinnickens]

Yeah just learn his stuff. It’ll find its way into your playing. When you are thinking of how to play a certain phrase or lick some of his mannerisms (which you have internalized) will show through

[@Aaron-or7bs]

@@kevinnickens ahh I see thanks!

[@ritend1706]

Nice 👌

[@wayneswan3092]

So, I've been playing for about 3 months now. How do i make the switch from playing mechanically to musically? How do i bridge the gap between what i hear, and finding the right location on the guitar to play what i hear?

[@kevinnickens]

Unfortunately my friend, that kinda takes a lifetime. Wanting to bridge that gap is why even the greats still practice. You should start with ear training, and then follow the steps I laid out in the “what to learn in order” video. It’ll be slow, but that’s where I would start

[@adonai_s_n]

THANKS

[@jaylenwaddle2139]

Everybody in my family can play music, and I can’t. I don’t know what to do and I can never make strings ring out right, I’m about to just give it up man

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

So you can be “Merik Clapfler”?

[@GuitarLessonsMadeEasy]

❤❤❤

[@zk.official2138]

UPLOAD MORE!!!!

[@吉田駆-i9f]

I mostly listen to pop punk and punk rock, so I almost always end up playing with octaves, can't noodle for the love of God (TOT)

[@Aaron-or7bs]

How should I actually learn and apply licks? For instance, I've learned a lick in the Am pentatonic scale. Can i only use this lick in the Am pentatonic scale? If so, are we supposed to learn different licks for every single key and scale?

[@Jorge-ej4vr]

No, you can apply the lick to any other scales, depends on the key your playing on. A lick is like a sentence, you can add new words or change words to it to make it more interesting and to your taste. That's why it's so interesting, you can improvise and derive more phrases or licks from the one you learned, in which how solos are made.

[@Somethinoranotha]

First

[@kevinnickens]

Verified

[@tmo7734]

A lot of moving hands, no playing…

[@CamelShaparack]

Welcome, to music theory!

[@IVIonitorr]

OK, so it's time for me to try to learn a solo by Tocin Abasi. Yikes.