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

[@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!

[@BeefNEggs057]

Sure it is 🦍

[@MoutchouPitchou95]

Fully aligned !

[@iantaylor827]

Got me too. Very smart.

[@Beeeeeyourself]

Its very true, but so is the inverse! You won't know what you can do until you try, and sometimes it's worth having a slightly off gig to push your limits

[@andrewclarkeguitar]

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

[@BeefNEggs057]

Sure it is 🦍

[@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! 🤓🤣✌🏼

[@SublimeSynth]

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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@gregcameron5079]

My wife got me the true fire all access pass, I’m loving your lessons and I’ve been a Subscriber for years . Always enjoy your videos. Your laid back not trying to impress anyone attitude fits my personality perfectly. Keep on rockin

[@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

[@rissa7059]

I've been looking for "how to solo videos for a hot minute, but yours is the one that tells me everything I need to know 👌🏽

[@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.

[@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! 😂

[@seanemac0079]

Another vote in agreement. I admit, I get his point, and I just think they are styles. Complete improv vs a structured, composed solo, and then the combo of riffing off a core idea.

[@motomarmot6544]

I bought your lessons cause you sir are a treasure for us guitar players. I have honestly become a better guitar player just on your philosophical approach to guitar alone. Thank you for showing us what classy guitar playing is.

[@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.

[@kyledrevlo1962]

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

[@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

[@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

[@BrendonBrooks]

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

[@pedroberoes49]

the skateboard analogy for melodic improvisation was genius.

[@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.

[@ScreamingEagle.]

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

[@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❤

[@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!

[@parkerframe999]

I felt attacked when he did that 😂😂

[@PBeetheFox]

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

[@BitcoinSkeptic1]

I had never thought of this before and, as someone who likes making music but doesn’t hear music spontaneously, this is great advice.

[@logancipparone596]

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

[@espltdb255smith3]

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

[@DJBre]

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

[@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.

[@opussteve]

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

[@SublimeSynth]

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.

[@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.

[@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

[@carlhardwickofficial]

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

[@datweeb25_96]

You're videos were everything I needed! I have been lost in the demotivated spiral but now that I am slowing getting back into music these videos have been a game changer!!

[@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

[@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

[@Strangetalestattoos]

the best guitar channel on KZbin

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@dillonduke8002]

Dude. The food rhythm and story rhythm trick is an epiphany for me. I've struggled with pulling away from straight time and adding syncopation and swing when I improvise (Im a recovering drummer). Those two ideas help so much. Thanks for doing these lessons. Always enjoy watching your videos.

[@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

[@Kettakelly]

Love the skateboarding analogy. Grew up doing both

[@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

[@leeinthesprings]

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

[@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!

[@tannerc.390]

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

[@darioconstain]

New favorite guitar channel! Thank u so much for taking the time to make these videos. Quality lessons!! U make every guitar sound amazing!!!

[@Terrycward]

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

[@ZachRHuff]

7:30 I have never gotten better advice as to why my solos disappoint me than this. Thank you, Eric!

[@johndaugherty4127]

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

[@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. ❤

[@mindoff_music]

This video was super informative, thank you for putting this advice in such an intuitive way for ppl to understand

[@PedroBellora]

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

[@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❤

[@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

[@nolanish]

Dude, you’re all around fucking awesome.

[@WeirdErnie]

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

[@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.

[@kludgybrains3459]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@joelshields8807]

This is helpful. Through most of my many years as a guitarist, I was very anti-solo. Because I grew up in the 80s and early 90s, where the guitar solo was, for too many bands, just that part of every song where the guitarist took 16 bars to rip sort of in key. It became boring and tedious - cramming the measures full of notes impresses other guitarists (maybe) but most of those are not going to stick in anyone's mind. Nirvana was the band that made me realize you could make good rock songs that had very simple solos (even mocking the idea of a solo), or that - incredibly, to me at the time - some songs didn't actually need guitar solos at all! At this point I had been playing 2-3 years and stopped even trying to be a soloing guitarist, and ignored the lead/rhythm categorization as my tastes drifted farther away from conventional hard rock and classic rock. I spent the next 30 years playing in bands before I realized that I didn't actually hate all guitar solos; just most of them. Hendrix still sounded great, and I absolutely love(d) Television, who solo all over the place. Or the weirder jazz cats like Ribot or some of Nels Cline's stuff (the record he did with Watt is a particular favorite). The difference being exactly the kind of stuff Eric is talking about. I've recently started reconnecting with lead playing, and this video very much speaks to the kind of lead player I want to become. I've recently learned that while I'm practicing my improvisation, when I hit upon something I want to repeat, that might be a clue that it's a good phrase. But that's a long process and happens more or less by accident (I do a lot of the "searching" kind of playing - at least when I'm practicing). Being more deliberate (I like the limerick strategy) would probably serve me well.

[@wayneallenmusictx]

You are the best guitarist on the internet

[@augmentationstation]

your vibes and wisdom are immaculate

[@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!

[@darthstrings1]

Great video. I would LOVE a lesson about your approach to transcribing/translating vocal melodies to guitar! I understand that a lot of em are in the pentatonic scale off the chord, but would love to hear about your approach/technique.

[@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!

[@MarcosBanus]

You just helped me decide I'm buying this guitar!

[@scottjones6624]

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

[@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.

[@imayad]

Great lesson Eric, and thats the nicest looking Starcaster too👍👍

[@gunkanjima3408]

This is the first time I’ve looked at a Starcaster in a different way. I like it

[@DanielSeriffMusic]

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

[@danabiondo9243]

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

[@donindri]

Rhythm is something I have to keep going back to. Counting and basic subdivisions. Hot dogs-pepperoni pizza is one of the tastiest in my opinion! Natalie Merchant’s “Topsy Turkey World” is taken directly from a poem. One of my favorites because it’s so relevant today. It’s on KZbin if you haven’t heard it. Thanks for posting.

[@ewanchalmers9498]

Happy Friday Haugenistas :)

[@suites.74]

The poetry thing is such a good tool. Music is language!

[@jeffro.]

Thanks, Eric. Simpler is always better. Simple is how you get something that is elegant. I do it in my practice, that's what gives me confidence to do it in front of an audience. "Playing the changes" is good, but just by virtue of the way ot works, it requires a certain amount of preparation. And, if you ask me, it has another place in terms of entertainment. "Telling a story" will (almost) always result in the listeners enjoying their headspace. I hope that makes sense. 👌 👍 Subscribed.

[@randalclarke5487]

Sweet!! I wasn't aware Squier made a Starcaster! Once considered the Edsel of guitars, they are so overlooked and special. Essentially Gibson tone with Fender scale length- best of both worlds 😊

[@LiamDTurner]

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

[@diegoalonso7119]

23 years playing and I've never thought of using limericks or wordplay for solo rhythms. Mind: blown.

[@samthebarber93]

That Starcaster sounds great! Love hearing a more affordable guitar being demoed tastefully! Nice content dude!

[@alanjohnson2126]

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

[@robertclarkguitar]

Really like the warmth of that Guitar. Starcasters are great for many genres. I must find one.

[@ricsamaniego6257]

Not to be that guy, but that going shopping solo, was INCREDIBLE. You should record a concept album titled "Going Shopping".

[@brucemillar]

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

[@ianmacdougall8812]

I really liked your shopping around solo. I found it interesting and like a good movie I wasn’t sure where it was going. Also the entertainment value of pushing yourself. Still agree with everything said !

[@Gor537]

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

[@michaelgilbert2303]

Eric you're too good, you're hunting and pecking solo was great as well! Serious jazz business. Thanks for the great lesson! Tiger Power!

[@JohnBenoit46290]

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

[@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! ❤️

[@vince3804]

this might be the best lead lesson ever

[@ColeTaylor-eo6pu]

best teacher on youtube

[@queasyRider3]

Oooh, a *story*! Like at 8:40? Everyone says to play a story. But it took your example for it to make sense to me. Thanks

[@JonNewquist]

I love your analogy of, "shopping for licks." My live solos suffer when I go shopping. Thanks!

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

Thanks, Eric! Great insights mad ideas

[@colewalker8710]

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

[@AlecBoyd]

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

[@sstvost9]

This is the most fabulous lesson, Eric. Wish I had you and youtube as a teenager when I started 16ths tht all too quickly drifted away from the beat and into crippling embarassment.