How-to Play An Amazing Guitar Solo w/Triumph's Rik Emmett

[@Goldenroad7]

Did you notice how he never referenced himself? What a standup guy. One of The Greats. Glad to see you spreading the experience Rik. You're an inspiration, even to those of us who cannot hold a tune with a pitchfork. Keep it up. . . Lav

[@doublejake.4846]

What a person of integrity, been a fan of his since 1982. If the world had more people like him, it would be a better place. His parents raised a great man. All those albums with Triumph and his solo stuff, Rick Is a true musician, singer, song writer, and guitar god.

[@chrisp9975]

What an amazing guitar player he is , I grew up with Triumph, I always loved their positive message and talent that those three shared with the world ❤

[@shnarfy]

Saw Triumph 5 times growing up. my favorite band. Rik is one of the most underrated guitarists of all time.

[@beefheart67]

Thunder Seven concert made me a lifelong fan

[@ultimateTL]

He's an excellent teacher, kind enough to share his enormous knowledge and superb at explaining it!

[@johncapaldiesquire]

Not only a fantastic guitar player, but Rik is a wonderful songwriter and musician. Bravo!

[@artheriford]

Saw Triumph in 81 on Allied Forces, 82 on Never Surrender and 86 on Thunder Seven. Rik is the real deal

[@Twirlyhead]

One of the best little tutorials I've seen by a star and what a nice guy. I first saw Triumph in Liverpool in about 1980; we had never heard their stuff before and they blew us all away. Went out and bought four of their LPs in the following two weeks.

[@HeviNova]

Rik and Alex two great Canadian guitarists. Inspired so many people to play guitar and excel at it. The riffs these two have come up with..... Amazing stuff.

[@mikebaum5976]

Trully,criminally underappreciated, a true master...thankyou, Rick.

[@redhotvet53]

I remember him well, I was a big fan of Triumph and when the band broke up I still listened to Rik.

[@RikEmmett08]

Hello😊

[@davidtimms9615]

Rik Emmett is one of my favorite guitarists. I saw Triumph live four times in the 80's and every show was electrifying. I have been a guitarist for 40+ years and was influenced by a plethora of guitarists. Rik is not the fastest or most technical, but his soloing is done with taste and soul. Keith Moon's saying "Have a good beginning and a good ending - everything else in the middle doesn't mean anything" says a lot (Mountain's Leslie West once quoted this).Rik can start a solo with just a few notes to grab your attention, create an amazing buildup and cap it off with a few notes that make a lyrical statement. His phrasing and expression is amazing. Younger players should check out Rik, Alex Lifeson, Billy Gibbons, David Gilmour, Eddie Van Halen, etc.

[@kenw.1112]

A great guitar player & singer. Triumph was one of my top favorite bands. Thank you Rik !

[@MrMusolf]

Love Rik's work. Suitcase Blues is one of my favorites.

[@markcameron318]

You are up there with all the greats you mentioned.

[@sab2871]

Rik Emmett , a completely overlooked , underratted , guitarist , even singer . I saw my first glimpse of Triumph on MTV, it was a video of Triumph, performance , doing Laying it on the line , or maybe it was the U S festival itself , the hilites . It was enough to spend money on bands I'd already been into , Kiss , Quiet Riot , Iron Maiden Scorpions , Night Ranger . Journey , Def Leopard , so another one , was just not going to happen at that time with all the rest to keep up with but I knoTriumph was special . Saw them in Circus Magazine , they looked like Rush in some ways , then they didn't. they did though sound like themselves . Geddy isn't all that appealing sometimes , than again it is his style and it is what makes Rush who it is , especially with its off key at times sound and Fusionish sound and haphazard runs . I'd seen Emmett in guitar mag many time s, Alex Lifeson being the comparison as they were Canadians and given Canadian music in the USA , Rush was the big name and greatly loved , so who were these guys ? Simply many of us were interested in Triumph, little Rick had a wow voice , we knew he could play , it was obvious and the rest of the band were surely able musicans . I finally saw Triumph in 1987 and became a fan , as they were part of a three group show , Triumph headlining , Yngwie Malmsteen and the opener being Tommy Shaw ( he was done with Styx at this point , on his own , eventually soon to joining Damn Yankees ) . Triumph was wow , what a incredible show . They blew us away and their sound system wasn't even what I'd expected . Malmsteen and Shaw sounded ok , with Malmsteen's sound system sounded better than everyone but all in all Triumph came out turning heads , played an outstanding show . Emmett is not only a excellent guitarist but a better singer than 90% of singers . Honestly I lost interested for Triumph just as so many other bands of the 80s were passing their third and fourth albums, the music was becoming over done , al most way to commercial as material is not easy to come up with , particularly when record companies had them churning out was to many albums in such a short time , basically burning them out . Rush , Triumph, Loverboy ,Fastway , April Wine , Helix , Bryan Adams , and the list goes on of others frm the past . We knew them all in the states , we loved them , they were part of our lives and have to say to Canada , ty for giving us in the USA so many talented musicians that created some of the greatest soundtracks for our lives .

[@tomsenick2033p]

Write a book why don't you

[@jimgodofbiscuits]

I said somewhere before but saw Triumph in 1979 in general admission venue and it was an awesome show. Gil Moore sang some songs, it is kind if odd when the drummer is singing in live setting you don't realize who is singing right away. Rik sang many of the songs but he was both a great and fast guitar player, I recall thinking there had to be another guitar player offstage but never heard Triumph did that and watching Rik you could tell he was fast, smooth and great. Saw them again at the smaller general admission venue in Erie PA and once at the old Buffalo Memorial Auditorium - "The Aud". Always happy to see Triumph was touring, shows were always a rocking great time. In '79 stage sets were more simple than today of course, and they had what was basically light bulbs across bottom, top and sides of stage to form rectangle outline of stage, and it was kind of cool back then...of course they had stage lights and other effects behind the band.

[@b767greg]

I am a Captain flying B-767, I have a career flying large airplanes....but always wished I could have had a musical career playing guitar like you! We all have our talents, mine is flying airplanes, I wish I had your musical talents. Many say they wish they could do what I do, but what I do is easy, pull back trees get smaller, push forward trees get bigger! But I definitely can not make the beautiful sounds you make that makes people feel good! You are amazing! I listened to Triumph growing up in upstate New York and you all were an amazing band!! Thanks for continuing to keep it alive for us old guys!!!

[@kiwiyard01]

I love his song little boy blues What a great tune !

[@RikEmmett08]

Hello😊

[@thecarguy7238]

I just love Rik. One of the most solid musicians that’s ever lived. I like that he mentioned Eddie & David Gilmour.

[@F1Fanatic]

He's the reason why I picked up a guitar as a child.. Thank you for the joy in my life

[@DocHolliday92966]

My favorite memory of Rik and Triumph was Pontoni's super jam in Athens Michigan I think 1984... They flew a helicopter landed in the middle of the field... jumped out and a casually as possible Rik says "Hey guys whats up?" They just wandered through the crowd hangin out with everybody'... None of this I'm a star crap... It was hey wheres the keg? Could I get a beer please LOL I'll never forget how kind and down to earth they were... I'll never be a Rik Emmett But I'll always keep playing and changing lives through this wonderful gift of music God gave me... The example Rik set that day was were all just people and were supposed to act like it...

[@stevea2488]

I saw him play midsummers daydream from the 3rd row at maple leaf gardens in my teens. After that I was hooked on guitar and his playing. A class act and a great human.

[@JSW432]

Rik Emmitt!!!! Love this video & what a player. seen him live back in the day, just awesome playing & singing.

[@VangeliRock]

Love Love LOVE how Rick how Rick articulated this. Great Canadian musician. Triumph was a staple band when I was growing up. Never saw Triumph, but go to see Rick and his guitar partner do their acoustic set, in Pickering ON of all places...and so glad I did. Rock on Rick!

[@shanefages]

Dude is so humble but such a savage beast its awesome. So great to see insanley talented musicians that still act like normal people, truly amazing Guitarist!

[@Cyberdio]

Rik can smash all singing super high notes, creating amazing songs, writing amazing lyrics, and he also destroys playing guitar. A veeeery underrated artist, very talented!

[@robbarrett6002]

Saw Rik in 83. 45 minute solo on the double neck. I was blown away. Deepened my love of guitar.

[@deananderson1647]

Truly Amazing Skills.

[@paullove2763]

3 of the best I saw in the late 70's, Rik, Alex and another all time underrated guitarist, Frank Marino, all north of the border guys and fantabulous, and different styles

[@davidbutler8096]

First seen live at the US Festival in '83. A few more times in the 80's. Last time on Valentines Day in 91 in my hometown...Ventura CA. Rik has the Magic Power.

[@FlyCrashBuild]

i stood right in front of this guy while he sat on the edge of a stage in southern indiana around 1990 and he rocked out acoustic solo most of the show. it was so awesome.

[@AudiophileTubes]

I saw TRIUMPH back in the 80's at a Long Island, NY dinner club... I think it was called 'My Fathers Place'. They served DINNER at tables in front of the stage, and I can remember Rick just wailing away (making faces, of course) with that white Flying-V guitar of his, while we were were eating our steak!

[@etherlords88]

I love this guy and his solos... So pure!

[@lehanemichael4003]

I love your playing

[@RikEmmett08]

Hello😊

[@pbgas3434]

Rik is an awesome guy! Was a great influence to my playing as a kid growing up in the GTA during the 80s. He used to frequent a guitar store that a family friend owned in Port Credit back in the day. Met him a bunch of times and has always been a class act! Thx for the great vid!

[@TheDogPa]

Don't think I ever realized before how much influence he had on my guitar playing, so many decades ago. Awesome player!

[@lockdownrocks]

You have to make the face, it's in the rule book.

[@rking6247]

Joe Walsh is great at making guitar faces.

[@ronaldjurgeson760]

Of course, we all know there is no guitar solo rule book. If there was, Rik Emmett would certainly have to have been the author of a couple chapters. He's saying stuff in this video so deep . . . I have no idea what he's talking about. What a true artist!

[@geftiler2112]

Lifeson makes great faces too.

[@BManTyler]

Robin Trower

[@nickavenoso7851]

1:30

[@thomasbrown3127]

Such a solid person..real to a fault. Proud as hell to say Canadian as well as one of the best.

[@pilsnrimgaard2507]

Rick's a legend in his own time. Triumph was a power trio that had few equals if any. Canada has produced some legendary musicians, and Rick is surly on of em...ROCK ON RICK!

[@cbcmusic]

\m/

[@stevebrownrocks6376]

Rik definitely has the MAGIC POWER in him! 👏🏼😎

[@gene2049]

Incredible guitar player ! I am just starting to realize how great a band Triumph was. Getting into all of their music at 54.

[@nonrevnosnibormetalbeerrev6251]

the best vocal and guitarist ever

[@ijeff2005]

Decent songwriter and excellent guitar player. Always thought his vocals were the weakest part of his talent.

[@tomholt1080]

@@ijeff2005 i love his vocals! but i can also understand not liking them.

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

@@ijeff2005 that's like saying DaVinci's engineering designs were his weak link.

[@williammussey1219]

He has more integrity & heart than every gtr plyr in the rock wrld!!! Just n opinion frm old plyr... Humble, fluid, & feeling frm the creator of us all... A Truly gifted plyr, person .. A musician's musician!!!!

[@glenncanale9225]

Great 7 minutes, thank you.

[@RikEmmett08]

Hello😊

[@fivepiece]

Phenomenal talent, and a brilliant musician.

[@tomfugaban3459]

One of the true greats of all time. Incredible career. Incredible player. Level headed. Timeless. I have huge respect and I'm a huge fan. Thank You Rik Emmett. Keep it goin!

[@Goldenroad7]

Saw you all at The US Festival in '83, Nice to see a band uninhibited by pharmaceuticals while playing. I hold nobody to a standard, but when I pay to see a band, I want to see their talent, not their inebriation. The others that day were more a sideshow than an experience. Your songs made the trip worthwhile. As a 17 y.o. who left directly from my graduation to get there, I'll never forget it. . . Thanks

[@markrockledge8450]

i was 25 at the time in the Midwest and wanted to be there so bad! It had to be a fun time for you! Their US Festival show probably sparks memories of that trip every time you watch the DVD. When i was 17 i had the privilege to party with Alex and Geddy of Rush when they played in the Midwest in my home town. I knew a groupie Girl who knew a lot of Rock Stars and had phone #'s of them! She hooked me up with Rush! I was the only one with weed at the Party! Smoked and talked with Alex for Hours! Nice guys! This is a true thing! No Joke!

[@stanstanly3812]

Not only a great guy and guitar player but a real defender of rock/metal music! Rik is a class act.

[@ericedelman]

I'm really bummed that I never got to see Triumph live. I've seen so many great bands. Rik is just such a great singer, player, and seems like an all-around great guy. Midsummer's Daydream in my mind is right up there with the greatest rock solo guitar pieces of all time. Rivals anything done by Van Halen, Steve Howe, or any of rock's other great players.

[@cbcmusic]

Thanks for checking this out. It's clear he's really made an impact on you. In a world of reunions and holograms, never say never!

[@koldevill]

Met Rik at Darryls house in NY May2018...He is an awesome guy, player and performer. Thanks for the lesson Rik

[@cbcmusic]

That's a cool experience to have!

[@lanceross3633]

I was learning to play in the late 1970s-Riks playing taught me so much

[@kenw.1112]

Rick. Is modest! He is better than what he thinks he is! Great guitar player.

[@RikEmmett08]

Hello😊

[@robster7316]

A lot of good, practical advice from a guy who really knows what he's doing. Rik's a gifted player and a true journeyman!

[@cbcmusic]

True lifelong learner?

[@smit70NJ]

was always my favorite guitarist. saw him at the spectrum in '87

[@DavidSmith-ju6bv]

Love Rik Emmett. Been a fan since I was ten, over thirty years now. Saw him play live twice and will never forget it. Bravo, sir!

[@kevinsbott]

This is great. Rik makes it all look so simple. A virtuoso player and A+ person.

[@zeuszoos8386]

Love ya, Rik! Running across this video is timing, since I just yesterday spent the day listening to every Triumph song on every Triumph album to put together a compilation of every Triumph song I like most! 😆😆😆

[@stevenartascos2918]

Thank you for the lesson!!! Rik you are 1 of my all time favorite rockers...

[@GuitarGuys7299]

Great video, thanks for posting this. I've been playing guitar for over 30 years (I've been a Triumph fan for just as long) and I'm always looking for inspiration or something new to learn and Rik is definitely an inspiring musician!

[@cbcmusic]

+GuitarGuys7299 Thanks for watching and commenting. Much appreciated.

[@carlpostuma1469]

Kind of sad how he did not mention himself as a good guitar player. its one thing to be humble. But...

[@machupikachu1085]

@@carlpostuma1469 He did mention himself. "When I start a solo..." Also, he is on TV explaining the art of the guitar solo. He's a master. It's implied.

[@dudefrombarrie]

What a class act! Rick Emmet ladies and gentleman...

[@COTTERO]

God bless you Rik, you have been in my top five since 1988! when I was seventeen.

[@bryanlasermagiktyler3132]

My first concert was Triumph 1978 Tarrant county convention Center , They Rocked It. Just A Game, was released that summer

[@sean8081a]

You can tell he's a very positive person.

[@FlakyShaky]

Mr. Emmett, I must say you are not only one of the best guitarists in the world, you are still foxy as hell.

[@billdanehy7708]

Thank you so much for the video. I asked for a guitar for Christmas this year, It does not need to be a shiny red one, and one of the first things I would like to play is that intro to "Lay it on the line". You gave a great performance in Kansas city in 81" and I had played a bit before but longed to play that as well as you. It is so nice of you to record videos for people just trying to learn. I hope you know that you inspire and I hope to inspire my children as well, by showing them that music isn't just something you can listen to, it is something you express from inside. They are 2 and 4 so they dance and sing to everything. I don't ever won't them to lose that. Thank you so much for your work and maybe someday I will have nailed it enough to try and show them how to play it. Thank you, Bill

[@cbcmusic]

+Bill Danehy Amazing Bill. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@williammussey1219]

The best advice I've ever got about playing solos is, learn the difference between expressing urself & not so much impressing urself... Rik is the living example of this philosophy... & Remain humble, B good 2 those u meet on the way up, cause u'll meet um on the way back down guaranteed!!!!

[@richardramirez1701]

Rik is a master not only at what he does but what he speaks

[@azlan-e1v]

Rik 'the rocket' Emmet one of the greatest guitarist of all time..Rik is a master of all styles rock,blues,jazz,neaw age and the acoustic guitar!!!!

[@sixstringfun]

Never saw this before. And I thought I was the only one who used a pick scrape when you have no where else to turn. Awesome video!

[@AudiophileTubes]

Excellent video! Great guitarist and all around great guy! I'm 52, and remember rocking out to 'Allied Forces' in college back in the early 80's! Had some great hard rock/metal parties back then.

[@Sovereign_Citizen_LEO]

This guy's a legend. Awesome :)

[@lady_in_blue83]

Holy ghost... My real electric guitar wizard with a nice voice and the male charisma... My biggest guitar influence...

[@myronens228]

Rik is a genius! Man I miss this class of music so much these days. No one does it anymore, unless you go see a band that tries to cover them, but it's never the same as the originals. They call this style classic rock, but it should really be called definitive rock, as it it the encyclopedia for anyone who actually wants to play great music. So many greats, and they're all getting older on us(as we get older) and the youngsters really need to be shown this style of music, and hope that they learn to catch on to it.

[@dave9497]

Rik...thank you for making music fun again...

[@rockingguitarlessons]

Rik Rules!!!!

[@Beamshipcaptain]

Correct, Rick Rules, and he is a REAL person. Cool.

[@rking6247]

Rik is highly underrated. He never got the credit he deserves.

[@1970borntorun]

@@rking6247 Much like Ronnie Montrose ...

[@rking6247]

@@1970borntorun Or Frank Marino.

[@lanceross3633]

Still learning in 2016, guitar playing is so much fun!!!

[@AudiophileTubes]

Great video from the world class Rik Emmett! One of the best rock guitarists to grace the planet!

[@kimonogryphon3770]

Yay Rick.... been a fan of yours for ages. I’m 52, and my wife got me a guitar for my birthday. And I am a new guitarist, with a Jackson JS11 in bright white. Love all your songs, and you were sooo underrated. You need to give yourself more credit as a guitarist and singer. ( I wish Rush sounded as good as you guys,.. 😇😁😃) Would love to see you sometime, but currently disabled, so KZbin will need to do for now. Cheers mate, and please God Bless you my dear friend. From a fellow Canadian, (in the USA... part Canadian the good half. 🤪😋 Gryphon 1 Corinthians 15 : 1-4, and Romans 10 : 9-10

[@machupikachu1085]

That's a sweet guitar! I have JS 22, and it is one of the best sustaining guitars I have. It will hold a note for days! If you haven't done so already, after 6 months on it or thereabouts, I would get it professional set up. Go to your local guitar store, play a bunch of stuff, and then tell the tech : "Make my Jackson play like this one". Keep rockin! Cheers!

[@terrybartak7811]

Wow! That's a cool guitar player!

[@movingforward6099]

I love to hear how Rik thinks!Allot of info there and have to watch this vid a few times more.Oh yeah,Rik you are one of the great guitar players and have been enjoying you for years!!

[@fenderrlee]

What a great man and musician....

[@DBLDoG]

saw Rick @ Kee to Bala years ago. One of the most talented performers I ever saw!

[@drewfinisher11]

love one of my guitar heroes showing how to rip some better leads Rick Emmett a genius guitarist and song writer 🎸🎶

[@lefthandluke8923]

Step one to play an amazing guitar solo: Be Rik Emmett.

[@cbcmusic]

It helps, for sure!

[@Davy.J.Y]

excellent guitarist..one of my all time faves..

[@vinnykster]

To me guitar solos are like icing on a cake or hot sauce/condiments meant to embellish the song. It also can be a song within a song. Ultimately it's a canvas ( just as the song itself is ) to do WHATEVER you feel like. 10 different players will play 10 different things. One player can even play 10 different takes and pick the best bits. That's fun too. You can follow what the rest of the song is doing melody/rhythm wise or you can break away from it and go for change of scenery. The most fun I have is being creative and looking for other angles, approaches to take instead of the usual hot licks etc. At the end of the day its your song so you can have it your way! It's all good! :-)

[@DS-ss7vl]

Very humble guy.

[@StockDoc1]

Great to see Rik sharing his knowledge and skills! Was a huge fan of his playing as a kid even before these guys made it big! Couldn't believe Emmitt was left-handed and played as a righty-thought that was very cool (if I remember correctly). Still struggling with soloing/tone/finding that "just right" sound! Hope to see more of these!

[@Mike-rp8ev]

I love seeing Rick again he's a great guitar player so cool 🎸

[@Zyworski]

This was a great video and I learned a bit. I want to get to the part in the rule book about assuming the rock position with legs spread wide, nose up, a maniacal expression, and maybe toss the hair around a few times for good measure. Thanks Rik I really enjoyed

[@cbcmusic]

The rock stance is essential.

[@leebreadman]

This guy is excellent.....one of my favorite guitar players

[@charlescarrillo5337]

Rik Emmett has and always been a great musician and Man of great Character, and reputation.

[@EyeInTheInternet]

Rik's always a great teacher.

[@ricomajestic]

This is great advice Rik for aspiring lead guitarists!

[@vincepuryearpuryear6913]

I met you 40 years ago at Texas toms, music in Galveston. I asked if I could put a Floyd rose on a Howard roberts fusion back in 1980 and you said yes it had a solid block in the back. I never had that done, but I did get the surface mount Floyd rose. I miss all you did. Time really does fly

[@karenpato1]

Great player......and solos are fundamental to song construction. Want to learn to play better?......listen to what this man says.

[@RikEmmett08]

Hello😊

[@gregmartin1757]

You were a pretty cool guitar player yourself in your day ! As a guitar player myself you definitely had it going on .

[@adhamwoodard247]

The old musians had it because they Wer in a time when the world wasn't as busy and can truly enjoy playing real rock go rick he is a good one to learn from

[@Newrayjay]

A lot of people don’t know Rik Emmett is a musical genius -just listen to his music🤟🏼🎸‼️

[@scottgolden2766]

He barely talked about facial expressions. There is the visual part of the live performance. I love his solo in " Laying it on the Line " all the rock star moves he does