Soloing Secrets - Frank Zappa

Hey everyone! Here's the next episode of Soloing Secrets with this look at Frank Zappa's legendary and elusive soloing style. I've had a ton of requests to feature more of Frank's timeless music, as we've already hit a Chordplay and Three-For-All lesson surrounding him, not to mention Chordplay and Three-For-All lessons surrounding his son Dweezil - so let's dive into this special look at some of Frank's legendary lead guitar approaches and outside-the-box ideas.
This lesson is noticeably different compared to almost every episode of Soloing Secrets that I've created so far, and this is mainly because Frank was a VERY different type of musician. He was notoriously known for his spontaneous improvisational style and musical approach, as he was beyond gifted in what I call "spontaneous composition." Frank could grab a guitar and not have a clue what he was about to play - but it would speak volumes and inspire everyone within an earshot, even though it was (normally) completely off-the-cuff and improvised.
The ideas shared in this lesson include strategic note targeting, soloing over modal vamps, single-string scale analysis/study, targeting non-chord tones within phrases/melodies, and much more. The musical examples included in this episode came from classic Zappa guitar moments such as Watermelon In Easter Hay, Willie The Pimp, Inca Roads, Black Napkins, and much more!
Needless to say, if you're a Frank Zappa fan, a player wanting to learn more about improvisation, interested in playing over modal chord progressions, someone looking for some new soloing concepts and ideas to explore, or maybe you're just curious what all the fuss is about - this lesson is totally for you! Give this episode a view, leave some comments/feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!
Become a Patreon supporter of Late Night Lessons for only $5 (or more) each month and gain access to PDF notation/tab files of these lessons. Thank you!
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[@SexFunkMonk]

How to solo like frank zappa: embrace dental floss as the cash crop of montana

[@IronMonkee]

Embrace that I'm the slime oozing out of your tv set

[@chesterproudfoot9864]

@@IronMonkee I'm moving to Montana, soon.

[@chesterproudfoot9864]

Zappa haters always get caught up in the in-your-face lyrics (which I find brilliantly cutting), but Frank was above all a (modern day) composer. I saw him live 5 times (some of which became Tinsel Town Rebellion) and one of the first things I noticed was that he never played a song the same way as on the album. All he had to do was hit a couple of the principle riffs to let people know what he was going to do, and then he did his own thing. Case in point, Muffin Man. An iconic riff intro, then 5+ of solos that were never the same. I once tried to learn Hot Rats on acoustic but it didn't work too well. At the time I couldn't stand Waka Jawaka, now it's one of my favorites. It's just fucking brilliant. FZ showed me that there is so much more to rock music than just a classic radio riff for the ages. Frank was simply the best, hired among the best musicians of the time, and pushed envelopes. Hell, who else could create much less pull off Thing Fish? [Edit - Black Napkins is the definition of a classic IMO]

[@julianf5089]

Respect to you for such a great comment. 💯

[@xprophet9]

Excellent review. When I was a child, I listened as a child and that’s ok (Black Sabbath very groovy). However, when I became a man, I bowed to Frank😎

[@stephenmiller5023]

Almost 20 years ago now I worked with a guy named Richard Dickinson who always played a ton of F.Z. music whenever we worked together out in the field repairing equipment. One day I asked him about his addiction to his music & he informed me he was once his “ Roadie”. He then produced a photo album a day or two later showing all his pics with him at various shows & other places. Richard later went on tour with Ian Anderson Of Jethro Tull along for about another 5 years or so . Last I heard Richard had retired & I just wanted to say “ Hello Buddy “ if he’s still alive & well. Your video here just made me smile as I remember those good old days. Thanks,as always ,for doing all you Do David.😎👍

[@StealthParrot]

Frank Zappa's music is incredibly complex, unique and interesting. Tough guitar style to copy for sure. Total legend. Thanks for this awesome soloing secrets. Outstanding!

[@skipthompson2290]

My all time favorite guitarist is Frank Zappa..

[@LForehand]

Good choice. Frank's guitar playing is the gift that keeps on giving. Nearly 30 years of being a hardcore fan, and I'm still discovering solos that blow my mind.

[@Jasonfurrofficial]

Very nice lesson, Dave! I didn't get to comment on Dweezil, but I had an opportunity to audition for Dweezil a few years ago. FZ is one of my major influences! MTV started, Frank would play the Halloween special and Steve Vai was in the band! FZ is really special to me and nobody tackles his material well. Good job!

[@StealthParrot]

Wow! That's cool, I find Dweezil plays similar to his dad in a lot of ways ... complicated. Did you get the gig?

[@kibscott6096]

Nice choice Dave, Frank was a genius, his stuff was way left field of the mainstream. This was a great intro to franks stuff. I think anyone who has never listened to his music is missing out big time and should definitely give him a listen. Great lesson thx Dave 🤘

[@gregmize01]

Joe's Garage changed my musical world!!!!

[@Bronson-Apollo]

The Secret to Franks Guitar Solos is his TONE.

[@the_red_channel]

Thanks for the tips, Zappa is still one of my favourite artists ever!

[@mindtorquemusic]

You're a bloody champion Dave!!👍🍻🎸

[@esteban1487]

Stevie's Spanking Live Rome July 10 1982 with young Stevie Vai....incredible!

[@eddiedoyle3607]

I really liked this video and the fact that you even attempted frank zappa, what you showed was equal to one raindrop in the 40 days of rain, thanks for getting to the legendary monster guitar player, I am 60 and have been playing guitar since I was a kid, I went for 4 years of improvisation, that was my dream, to be an improvisational guitarist, and it came about solely because of frank zappa, the tracks you went over were explored well but there's a lot more to it, for example, in watermelon Easter hay, you referenced the parent scale of E major and the modal quality of that scale over the 2 chord change, and that's correct, however, frank looked at it differently, he viewed it as C# minor pentatonic and C# aeolian, if you study the original version along with all the concert versions, you can see the physical actions and locations which prove my point, in Inca roads you said frank used the G major scale and the respective modal flavors over the chords respectively, and that was true, but again frank looked deeper than that, even using the E minor pentatonic scale as pentatonic modal substitution, and black napkins frank viewed it once again as C# minor pentatonic and aeolian, also he didn't target the D note over the D chord, I used to play the record version note for note, and it was very difficult to get a voltage control filter which frank used on the 2nd part of that solo, with all this said, I appreciate your efforts to bring frank zappa to light, I don't see anyone else attempting it, even dweezil zappa, who I definitely like, doesn't try to explain his fathers playing in the way that you did, thanks again

[@LateNightLessons]

Thank you so much and yes, this really was the musical equivalent of sticking your toe in Frank Zappa's musical "pool" - so I didn't go too far in the deep end of things. I'm really just splashing around in the Zappa pool, but the important thing is we're swimming and splashing. Thanks again and have a great one!

[@romanwestenholtz4396]

One of my favorite guitarists Frank was a genious and the stories from Steve Vai with Frank and Dweezil is just phenomenal- Terry Bozio playing the Devil etc it was truly entertaining Flo and Eddie and Frank Live was hilarious- Bongo Fury another great album i mean what a legacy!!!

[@thediamonddog95]

You're awesome beyond words for doing something like this. I love this series of yours and i learn so much stuff i've been eager to learn for years.

[@rbmoman]

Love Franck listening to his music every day

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Thanks David! This is awesome.😊

[@jamesturner519]

Amazing stuff, Dave.

[@geertverholen9382]

Thanks for your kind lesson.

[@xprophet9]

Fantastic tutorial! Kudos Maestro.

[@BillLarkinmusic]

Dave you totally rock !! All i can say.. 🤘🙂🎸

[@elmolewis9123]

What a great job on a very difficult subject.

[@user-fh8ts2vm2o]

Frank Zappa was way before his time Exalted Beautiful Haunting I could go on and on Good bless ❤ Have a great day and take care 😮😮😮

[@howiewyer4588]

Love this.,. you rock

[@chrisstephenson3695]

Good job sir, and thank you! I have to chew on this for a little while. Also I am going to do my best to get your channel some more Play. We....as guitarist need this. In my home town, most of my friends were musicians, especially guitar players. The coolness is definitely off the chain!

[@ismaeldiaz7978]

Great lesson! FZ’s is my favorite music but most of it seems almost impossible to play, but your explanation on this lesson makes it very comprehensible. Thank you

[@gunslinger80sguitars]

Thank you 🤘🏻🤘🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@DjangoThunders]

Great solo at the intro!

[@dallasahlberg2592]

LOVE IT!!! Thank you Dave! The fat kid got his wish!! Ha!! I love Zappa's music and it is intimidating as a player. Thank you for making it a little easier to wrap our heads around and attempt to play!!

[@billydeewilliams9104]

Nobody plays leads like Frank. (Maybe Nugent?) Great vid, it's about time. 😀

[@rdwwdr3520]

I really like your style. I'm a big fan.

[@bartoromeo5629]

What a great video! I love the solos from Treacherous Cretins and Bowling On Charen, I wished someone analyzes those solos

[@jim_andrianakos]

Tasteful chops my friend. I am getting some legato in my life after years of picking everything.

[@TenderVittles]

FINALLY!!!

[@skipneumann1]

What, no yellow snow? Great jam!

[@michaelthompson2403]

This video is great. I would be intimidated too. 😂 I wonder if you would ever do a video on Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s. I think that would be really interesting.

[@GreenD]

Hi David.. I/We had the privilege of doing a small tour through the Netherlands together with Ike Willis with the band Cuccurullo Brillo Brullo. With his singing voice and guitar playing and all those songs we did (including this opening song) I sometimes felt like I was in the presence of Frank Zappa. What a glorious time we had, and so educational and fun. I always watch your videos lessons. Thanx man 🥰

[@voronOsphere]

The Ulimate Soloing Secrets Challenge!!!! What the heck is Frank doing?!!! Thank you so much for this breakdown, David! And great opening jam!!! "Willie the Pimp" from Hot Rats!!!! Captain Beefheart- guest vocalist! Another WTF Soloing Secrets lead guitarist candidate: Black Flag's Greg Ginn.

[@PedroSilvaMusic]

Nice playing David I think the new camera catches more room sound

[@eelliott74]

On a Zappa roll!

[@tlister67]

I think Zappa was playing black Napkins when he high fives the audience in clips often used in documentaries, cool stuff.

[@geertverholen9382]

Right, making music is what he surely did. Not afraid of crossing borders. Fun also to see classical musicians analyse Peaches! Yes humor is important as a component in reacting on rusted musical ideas. Nowadays young people listen to anything with a rapper and a strong backbeat to it.

[@Boomsterblak]

sweet

[@henrys.6864]

Frank's collection of Berkeley Music Doctorates were just fantastic. I've seen many hours of concert footage of the many incarnations of the band after the "Mothers of Invention". The complex music they wrote was beyond Frank's abilities though he tried to keep up or just swing the music baton around during complex movements. His lyrics were humorous and clever. That was his forte. RIP Frank.

[@Shredsofeden]

Berklee

[@henrys.6864]

@@Shredsofeden Im not a spelling bee but you knew what I was expressing.

[@Shredsofeden]

No malice intended I just went to Berklee most people spell it like the city .No problem brother!

[@henrys.6864]

@@Shredsofeden Your good fellow musician. 👍🎸

[@LForehand]

Huh? "They wrote"? Frank wrote all the music, and as can be heard in the early 70's, Frank was capable of playing even some of the most complex passages. But with everything he was writing, producing, conducting etc he didn't have the time, nor the desire to be purely dedicated to guitar. The guitar was just an instrument that came naturally to him, and he used it primarily for improvisation. There's a video of Steve Vai demonstrating a complicated piece that Frank wrote on guitar, and performed on the guitar in front of Vai.

[@Brucaleeffo]

as always the trick is to follow the changes! What makes Zappa unique to me is his hysterical\unpredicatble rhythms when soloing other than "annoying razorblade tone" (which is awesome). My mind always struggled to understand how he could've achieve such breakneck speeds by basically practicing guitar only couple of months before his tours started

[@stratman9449]

plus....!!!! i just bought a 61 SG "faded" with maestro vibrola....Haa....that's how i picture Frank...with a SG....that so suits him.

[@TheDogPa]

Nice! Saw Frank a couple times in '77. Guess he influenced me a bit...lol. Check out my 'Angry Zappa - Black Napkins cover' (I subtitled it 'Phrygian vs. Dorian Cage Match' lol) :O)

[@gilray1977]

Fabulous dissection ! You have some mad skils and a fantastic ear ;)

[@greg77hot]

Shut up and watch this video...Its awesome.

[@bluevd12]

great sound great playing . what's your set up amp strings interface ?

[@jameswalker9252]

Whenever I hear Frank Zappa I think, 'Dont worry about playing a wrong note.' Gone way too soon.

[@BengtLindblad]

Playing the wrong note once is a mistake, playing it twice is an arrangement :-)

[@lovemusiceveryday]

How about a lesson on pete townshend . A fantastic guitarist and a fantastic personality. 😂. Just watched the who live at the royal Albert Hall dvd. A great live band.

[@UdiArn]

Thank you for this lesson! How did you get the tones in the video? Sounds great

[@tlister67]

Frank challenged listeners to endure tension for much longer than most rock music. I can’t even grasp the thought of copying his style.

[@SmelOdies]

Although there’s not much evidence that they had affection for one another, Jerry Garcia visited Frank’s studio as per an interview of Garcia in 1970. Jerry noted that Frank was important musically, but not part of his social scene.

[@paulcroce7303]

He definitely likes black sabbath riffs

[@spookybaba]

I realise that you weren't trying to emulate Frank's solo style. You're too fluid and smooth to play like Frank. I loved his mostly jerky style, sometimes scratchy, open string pull offs, three note rakes/sweeps where you wouldn't expect them. He didn't rate his own technique. But, he did know he was more advanced and knowledgeable than most. The oftentimes omission of the third from chords let him improvise and discover whilst he played, almost like he was forever experimenting during live performances. I really miss him!

[@alancumming6407]

You have to have a brain like Frank's and the ability to take risks. Not really knowing what could happen next was what he said made him happy.

[@bestboy897]

willie the pimp what a smokin song

[@aapddd]

Are you using that Behringer as an amp ? Sounds neat ! Tone is in the fingers. Zappa is a genius. I love Apostrophe.

[@simonsimon30]

Please make a video on andy timmons!

[@LateNightLessons]

Hey, I have featured Andy a few times on the channel - be sure to do a channel search to find those lessons! ROCK ON!

[@vinsanityguitar]

Frank by be the most underrated guitar player of all time

[@johnp.johnson1541]

He's one of the most overrated. While not at the top of the list, and though this list is not in order, Zappa is among the Overrated Club. Jimi Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix Experence, Band of Gypsys, session work) Jimmy Page (The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, The Firm, session work) Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen) Eric Clapton (The Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek & The Dominos, solo) Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow) Chuck Berry (solo) Pete Townshend (The Who, solo) Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones, solo) David Gilmour (Pink Floyd, solo) Carlos Santana (Santana, solo) Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits, solo) George Harrison (The Beatles, solo) Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia Band, solo, session work) Alex Lifeson (Rush) Frank Zappa (Mothers Of Invention, solo) Joe Perry (Aerosmith) Slash (Guns N' Roses, Slash's Snakepit, Velvet Revolver, session work) Angus Young (AC/DC) Johnny Ramone (The Ramones) Kirk Hammett (Metallica) James Hetfield (Metallica) Dimebag Darrell (Pantera, Damageplan) Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)

[@davidpaul6656]

I love the humor in his songs, but one element of his band that always bugged me was his constant use of the Xylophone in his earlier stuff. Love the Apostrophe album, but thats it. I know, I know there is Xylophone all over that. I appreciate the Joe's Garage album too.

[@LateNightLessons]

Be sure to revisit the albums Bongo Fury, Zoot Allures, and Sleep Dirt. Not to mention Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar and the Roxy live album. Frank was the man. : )

[@chesterproudfoot9864]

Don't even think of slagging Ruth Underwood.

[@davidpaul6656]

@@chesterproudfoot9864 - No slagging here, man. It's just a personal preference. To me, the xylophone makes the songs sound cheesy, but I get it. It adds to the humor aspect of his music. Shes clearly talented, if she can play it from sheet music that was just handed to her.

[@chesterproudfoot9864]

@@davidpaul6656 It's all bueno! IMO the use of the xylophone is offers a unique sound in rock/popular music and St. Alphonso wouldn't be the same using any other instrument. It's like Jethro Tull using the flute maybe.

[@michaelthompson2403]

I like xylophone. I think it has a great texture to it and I think Frank used it to great effect in those early albums.

[@h0tsex0r]

I’m a little pimp with my hair gassed back

[@SmelOdies]

I’m no aficionado, but from what I’ve heard on Hot Rats, Apostrophe, and Joe’s Garage, Frank’s solos were imbued with much more of a middle eastern flavor than jazz or classical. I know those aspects entered into his work elsewhere.

[@stratman9449]

very brave to take up Frank Zappa.....but...well done....as usual.....When i first heard andbought music from Frank in the early 70s....i just knew, he is in his very own league....never even tried to copy or emulate his style....

[@waynegram8907]

Playing a Scale starting on a different "scale degree" technically is not playing modes because it would be like someone playing in pentatonic scale Box#3 would be considered a MODE. The pentatonic scale Box#3 is starting on a different scale degree and also has different arrangement of the note orders, but its the same parent pentatonic scale just the notes of been rearranged in a different order doesn't make it a MODE. My main point is MODES aren't rearrangement of scale degree notes or starting and ending on a different scale degree. Also to point out that Frank Zappa is using "relative modes" not Parallel Modes. You can't use the "parent scale" over other diatonic chords besides the I chord, because it wouldn't work because you have target notes and have to Resolve on the new CHORD TONES of the new diatonic chords which the rhythm section is playing at the moment which = relative mode. If you tried to only use the parent scale over diatonic chords in the key other that the I chord , good luck its not going to work because of the CHORD TONES have changed. When playing relative modes your ear will assume its the parent scale. The main point to take away from this is that you can't play the parent scale over the ii,iii,IV,V,vi,vii chords because of the chord tones have changed per chord which = relative modes.

[@rickrudd]

Top 3 Frank Zappa songs: 1) Sy Borg 2) Why does it hurt when I pee? 3) Stick it out

[@muffinman4353]

"Keep it greasy"...... figure out the time signature, bet you can't.

[@rickrudd]

@@muffinman4353 15/4?

[@johnp.johnson1541]

*Pentatonic Frank* He was a guitarist to whom one could listen. His fans revered him, owing to the "Shut up and Play Yer Guitar." But because of his fans, Frank generally is overrated. Frank peaked 1976-1979. Here he is playing live from Zoot Allures. This is Frank. He sounds the same in every song much like this one. A listen to Joe's Garage confirms this truth. Black Napkins kzbin.info/www/bejne/laKTn3yjqMuArKc Frank was one of those guitarists who learned just enough to play and he made a career playing the same repeatedly.

[@BungleJoogie68]

A guitarist playing pentatonics? What a hack. Also just ignore all the compositions and the song Five Five FIVE.

[@johnp.johnson1541]

@@BungleJoogie68 At least he played better than terrible hack Jimmy Page. PS Composing is not playing. There is a reason why Zappa needed Vai and Cuccurulo. If you watched that video I linked, I credit Zappa with tapping and doing so before EVH. True though, John Du Cann was tapping in 1971. Good luck though!

[@BungleJoogie68]

@johnp.johnson1541 keep in mind, he played lydian and dorian over said compositions that he likely composed on guitar for guitar. But keep being pedantic. Boomers love semantics to be technically correct. And Warren amounted to less than nothing. Frank had other guitarists and played plenty of shows and albums as guitarist by himself.

[@LForehand]

Clearly you've not heard the '73 Helsinki show if you think he peaked in the late 70's. If you dig into the bootlegs you can hear Frank absolutely on fire in the late 60's (Ahead of Their Time - Orange County Lumber Truck is one that stands out). Although the Boston 76 shows are my favorite in terms of his playing, he still pulled out incredible guitar solos in the 80's. Systems of Edges and St. Etienne being great examples.

[@johnp.johnson1541]

@@LForehand I'll check out those 80s songs.

[@muffinman4353]

You play and sound nothing like Frank's style..... Not even close.

[@LateNightLessons]

I wasn't emulating or trying to copy Frank's style whatsoever - I'm analyzing some of his music and sharing a few of his concepts in this lesson. Soloing Secrets is more of an overview of a player, rather than putting every note under a microscope. Just a heads up!

[@gilray1977]

The one (major) style / technique most hot guitarists miss when covering a Zappa tune, solo or overall style is that FZ plucked most notes in an up pick not down strum