Lindsay Ell's One-Woman Guitarmony on "Hits Me" | Shred with Shifty Podcast

"I've always looked at guitar solos as additional lyrics to the song," says Lindsay Ell. She approaches guitar solos by balancing their voice with that of the actual vocal, and on this episode of Shred With Shifty, the country guitarist and songwriter-who really draws from a host of genres, including rock, jazz, and blues-breaks down her epic solo on "Hits Me" for host Chris Shiflett, walking him through each phrase and figure.
But before the two get into the solo breakdown, they cover some ground delving into topics like Lindsay's early bluegrass studies (and how her teacher Randy Bachman later introduced her to jazz and blues), her experience playing with producer Dann Huff, and why there aren't more female lead guitarists. (For that last one, she's not sure she has the answer, but is proud to be on the vanguard!)
"Hits Me" is in Bb, which could be a challenging key to play in, and even Chris admits he gets lost on the fretboard if his songs aren't in the far more common keys of E, A, or G. But, she didn't want to be pigeonholed as the "girl who uses a capo," throwing it out at a very young age, and plays the solo high up on the neck, mostly on the top strings, around the 16th fret. It's also full of "guitarmony"-which she loves doing on just one guitar, although the solo was tracked on two for the recording to throw a bone to the mixing engineer.
In the final minutes of the ep, Lindsay reveals one of her favorite warm up exercises, which she calls "chromatic spiders," which Shifty finds pretty wild (and they sound just as creepy as their name). Watch the full episode to get the whole story on Lindsay and the nuts and bolts of her guitar wizardry.
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Producer: Jason Shadrick
Executive Producers: Brady Sadler and Jake Brennan for Double Elvis
Engineering support by Matt Tahaney and Matt Beaudion
Video Editors: Dan Destefano and Addison Sauvan
Special thanks to Chris Peterson, Greg Nacron, and the entire Volume.com crew.

[@mel290]

Lindsay is an absolute sweetheart. Had the pleasure of meeting her at C2C Festival in Glasgow. An incredible guitar player, so many people don’t realise how talented she is 🩷

[@jordanclark1200]

On top of being a great guitarist, Chris is an incredible interviewer. The perfect guy for this podcast. Knows exactly what us guitar players want to hear. Cheers Chris!

[@danacoleman4007]

Right on! He really is good at this!

[@lyricbread]

This has become my absolute favorite Podcast/show! Chris is a killer player and incredible interviewer. Please keep them coming! ❤

[@premierguitar]

thank you for the support!

[@actorartistmusician]

That is amazing - I’ve watched two videos in the last 24 hours where the Guitar players use “the Spider” warmup technique (Kirk Hammett and Lindsay) - I’ve been using it for decades - feels good to be in good company.

[@evanmiller2579]

What a mega episode. I was thrilled to attend a small meet and great with her in Nashville during CMAfest. Probably about 20 of us only. She played acoustic and sang. Great song writer, great player, and an even better person. Thanks for doing this Chris. Well done. Can't wait for your next episode.

[@JEEJ_MUSIC]

YES! I've been totally loving this series, can't wait to dive into this ep. Right off the bat, I recognize Shiflett's natural strat from the Wasting Light sessions!

[@premierguitar]

Thank you!

[@mightyV444]

I like that he obviously likes the big version of the Strat headstock, like I do 😊

[@Rski1234]

First off, I absolutely love this series. I will admit I did not know who Lindsay is but I'm very impressed with her playing and whole attitude twords music. Looking forward to seeing more!

[@Billy-gn6ij]

I don't know Lindsay's music, but it doesn't matter. I just love hearing pros talk about the same issues all us mortal guitar players go through. I have watched all three episode's all the way through. Good shit!

[@danacoleman4007]

Same here!!!!

[@mikebedik3686]

Love it, Love it, Love it- Great show...Rawken!

[@chrisbassman3936]

Please more videos! Love seeing guitar secrets/tips/tricks/styles

[@silverman169]

This was awesome! It was pretty great to see Lindsay ask Chris a bunch of questions too as a fangirl. It's pretty refreshing to hear that even professional guitar players have some insecurities about their playing.

[@rickrick196]

Foo and Chris fan but can’t play a lick with my hearings issues. I still love this format and I think Chris is bringing out the artist true personality.

[@larscasteen]

Dude this series is so great.

[@patwest8304]

What a delight Lindsay Ell is! Loved this episode and LOVE LOVE LOVE Chris Shiflett! Thank you, Chris!

[@cjhumber12]

Such a great show watching guitar nerds nerd out. When is that red tele launching?!

[@stratonut]

Awesome series

[@Jackie_Rosewood]

Such an awesome episode🎸🤘🏻 I love Lindsay she is so amazing and inspirational to women and girls!! 💕💕💕🤘🏻🤘🏻🎸🎸

[@mitchdrummin3]

Great show!

[@phillipasby9202]

what a damn fun shred with shifty! Lindsay is such a great player and person! I started playing around 1981 and never owned a capo until the last 5 year or so because dang so many songs on my late night random KZbin country mix are in Bb or Db or whatever and it confuses my old man brain. But the beauty of KZbin is that the ace session players on those Sugarland or Sarah Evans songs are using a "cheater" as well.... Lindsay doesn't so I'm just gonna try to figure this out without "help"! Thanks for doing this Chris!

[@keithleecbus]

"Guitar players never land their licks"... I want that t-shirt! Fantastic interview - looking forward to watching more episodes!

[@evalonious]

Wow, in the 80's we had resources like Guitar Player Mag & VHS video instructionals. Now we have resources like Premier Guitar. Thanks to everyone involved in making this content.

[@WN2012guitarparts]

Love this show. Keith Urban would be a sick guest. Solo for Stupid Boy

[@WhitAnderson70]

Great interview! Just a note on gender in the upcoming talent pool. My 14 yo son has been involved (heavily) with the local School of Rock for the past 5-6 years (drums & bass). The bands and shows he's done through them have been increasingly rocked by women. The last two bands he played with he was the only guy. It's an awesome and encouraging trend to watch! Loving this series!

[@seaofbabiesmusic]

Another great show Shifty! This is definitely my favorite show on KZbin now, keep it going!

[@premierguitar]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@philiphorn2459]

Great show! I’ve seen Lindsay in concert and she is an incredible guitarist!

[@saffel]

I love that Shifty- always references Randy Rhoads- let take a look ‘Good bye to Romance -solo

[@joshuamartinson8191]

I love you people! Thanks for not acting like sellouts!

[@billdanner7694]

I’m glad she gave Dann Huff kudos! He’s a great player, producer, songwriter and singer!! He wrote killer songs in the band Giant! Very very melodic!!

[@roberttaylor1656]

That was awesome, I'm loving this series. Thanks Chris!

[@russclewley6945]

Her Fender spot that she did with the Acoustisonic was amazing! Love her playing.

[@DerekStewart]

Dang! Hadn't heard of her until this interview but I'm an instant fan of her playing. Great voice too. Awesome episode, man!

[@Rski1234]

Me too.....I never heard of Her. Awesome player and person from what I can see.

[@jamescowie8445]

Chris looks like such a fish out of water with that Strat! This is a great podcast though and he's such a good interviewer. Obviously Lindsay is a monster player and writer, too.

[@craigrice7854]

to Lindsey: Rotating your wrist (45-90 degrees, back and forth in a mild arc) will allow you to get Chris's sound without anchoring. (as opposed to your fingertips, like you do, but you can do that too, to cool effect; I pull and relax like that across the fretboard to match the geometry needed to match my vibro above the nut.

[@AZFunk]

These are so much fun and Lindsay has such a cool ear/style, love getting to hear how she thinks about stuff

[@EricJohnson-iv7ne]

This series is great! I think I’m watching them out of order, but I’ll be on the lookout for new episodes.

[@TFMB]

He played in a band called Giant. "Okay"🤣😂 I love this show. guitarists talking about guitar stuff🤘

[@charlessexton9114]

The best show ever 100%

[@6StringMoFo]

I'm loving this show. I've been plateau'd for years now. This is so refreshing.

[@wonhur885]

Cool video, My relationship of 5 years ended a month ago. The love of my life decided to leave me, I really love her so much I can’t stop thinking about her, I’ve tried my very best to get her back in my life, but to no avail, I’m frustrated, I don’t see my life with anyone else. I’ve done my best to get rid of the thoughts of her, but I can’t, I don’t know why I’m saying this here, I really miss her and just can’t stop thinking about her.

[@wonhur885]

Amazing, how did you get a spiritual counsellor, and how do i reach her?

[@wonhur885]

Thank you for this valuable information, i just looked her up now online. impressive

[@stratcat9432]

Fake Accounts made to scam. Losers.

[@fearnpol4938]

@josephreglandhilarious very funny but unfortunely there a lot of mentally challenged folk out there that will think these people are real and not just thieves.

[@malcolmadams2105]

Oh boy >>-😅-->

[@ryangunwitch-black]

On top of being an awesome guitar player. Chris is such a great interviewer. And Lindsay's playing... Holy crap. Even when she just farts through the intro to "Stairway".... Her tone and feel are fantastic.

[@--.Rick..--]

KEEP EM COMIN! LOVE LOVE LOVE oh and LOVE it.

[@mattg629]

Great solo. Lots to takeaway from this episode. Oh, and is "confidence" available on your website? I think I need some of that.

[@dylancrichton2227]

Massive Sheryl Crow vibes from Lindsay! I wonder if Sheryl was an idol of hers growing up? Love this podcast. Shifty is the dude!!!

[@ebikes2xs159]

Shifty playing clean. Knock me over with a feather. Come on over to the tone zone. Love the sound of a Strat neck pickup. I used to buy a whole set of pickups when I wanted a new sound but wised up and now just buy the neck pickup.

[@thouston0]

Outstanding!

[@danacoleman4007]

Wow! Great show!

[@Roundbeadadvocate]

I subscribed today while watching the Alex Lifeson episode. This is one of the coolest channels on youtube. I hope it really takes off. Its too cool not to.

[@joostdekoning6734]

love these podcasts. next woman up: Gina Gleason from Baroness .

[@SuperMicahJames]

I'm bored af with the Foo Fighters, but @Shifty, killing it with the solo shit. Been a big fan since Me First and the Gimme Gimme's, and hearing the evolution has been dope. Would love to do some shows together someday.

[@TwoMuleBlues]

I need to go check out her stuff . This solo is amazing.

[@mrelmoresmusiclab]

How rad is this. Love this stuff Chris! And on a side note, did Miss Dapha give your daughter violon lessons? She's my son's teacher. Keep on rocking brother!

[@joeyjojo8200]

Love that intro, Chris! What amp did you use?

[@1loveMusic2003]

The perfect woman has been discovered!

[@larryb3946]

Nancy Wilson from Heart was blonde and could seriously jamb. Thanks for doing these videos sir.

[@mardin56]

That ladder warmup exercise is demonstrated by Kirk Hammett on Rick Beato’s channel. I’ve found it improves dexterity.

[@LouisEmerson]

As Shifty knows, as his family comes from that area, I was playing in that Shenandoah Valley area as a blues based guitarist. A family who were my friends were all bluegrass players who would always play at the Fiddlers Comventions. They wanted to learn my playing and I wanted to learn theirs. We got a little crossover before I moved but not as much as I would’ve liked. Those guys can play such fast and intricate riffs. I’m kinda jealous of it, admittedly.

[@mathewhiser1604]

You should do a shred with Randy Bachman that would be sweet.

[@mariamusaitef768]

Love this so...much!!!!1

[@malcolmadams2105]

She is delightful.

[@davidwaitman1610]

Yep

[@joshuamartinson8191]

Chris Shiftlett is the most underrated artist....well one of em!

[@SourMashband]

She’s a awesome player!! And I may have a slight crush on her 😂

[@JamesVandevanter]

👌🎸😃

[@danacoleman4007]

I guess it's just a requirement that everyone in the Foo fighters has to be super cool!😊

[@Stratking01]

The Paul Rudd Podcast!

[@joshuamartinson8191]

MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE!

[@dtzb123]

Next guest John Frusciante or Dave Navarro.

[@CorbCorbin]

She’s a sucker for guitarmony, and I’m just an old guitard.

[@endezeichengrimm]

35:16 what is P.C.H?

[@paddyoflaherty2519]

Well I can't be 100% sure but he might mean the Pacific Coast Highway. Someone correct me if I'm wrong

[@mariodriessen9740]

Women playing in bands and be astounding guitar players is happening right now! When covid started, more guitars were sold than ever before and at least 50% of those guitars were bought by women or young girls. Already you see some really great ‘girl bands’ from all over the world and there’ll be many more of them soon. And I’m excited for it, because they literally bring back heavy guitar oriented rock. 😊

[@mitchellpierce1816]

Pretty Lady Like to see her and Uncle Larry play together 🤣🤣

[@dwightmichaels5024]

COME ON YOU SPURS!

[@GuitarFuel]

She plays with feel above all! That is what separate good from great players

[@christopherguzzi1316]

Purple Rain is in B flat. In other words, not unheard of in popular music. Just saying.

[@fearnpol4938]

Clapton hated his vibrato and har Paul Kossoff try and teach him how to do his vibrato.

[@stonephilips9361]

It’s a Warmoth

[@davemassie3726]

Lot of gain on both guitars?

[@chrisruef9221]

I watch these with my les paul in my lap and my arm hanging over the neck. Try it next time.

[@tfunk1829]

Chris's voice sounds near identical to Pete Thorn's.

[@tone-talk]

Very close

[@Philsguitarrepair]

This is way better than Richie Sambora.😂

[@louisvanstaden110]

I want guitar lessons from both of you .tealch me😂 more guitars and less talking

[@davewill0819]

Not even close.

[@j.jester7821]

Cantstandya

[@WeepTheGreed]

"Answering machine" you are an old man

[@Sams911]

here we have a female guitarist who's probably 10x better than Taylor Swift, and yet 10x lesser known... and bonus, she's way hotter... WTF music industry?

[@rareform6747]

Nice post - Hate Capos ..Babe 🤍

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

It’s not the touch. You might have the action too low.

[@tadalot]

Chris I love this podcast and what you're doing to help aspiring players like myself is amazing and inspiring. If i could throw out my two cents/dream scenario - it'd be rad to have John Frusciante talk about the Look On solo from the Inside of Emptiness album. For me that one just hits on a whole different level.

[@silverman169]

This would be amazing! I'd love to hear a breakdown of the Californication guitar solo and for John to talk about his approach to guitar at that period. Likewise a breakdown of the Black Summer or Eddie guitar solos would also be amazing considering he didn't play too much guitar in the 2010s.