How I Write Solos (Solo Writing Masterclass)
Added 2025-03-21 19:07:46 +0000 UTCDo you need help improving your solo writing? Or maybe it's something you haven't yet gotten into but are keen to try?
For the first time ever I'm sharing my entire creative process with you guys, showing you exactly how I go about writing my solos - from conception all the way through to working out phrases on the fretboard.
- Listening and analyzing the backing track
- Working out the chords and what scales to use
- How to structure and pace a solo
- Coming up with sick runs and licks
These are the core components of solo writing, all of which we go over in this video!
I've also included the backing track I use in this video for you guys to have a go at applying these concepts to your own solos. Please feel free to share what you come up with over on the community Discord server!
0:00 Intro
2:52 Working out the chords
7:22 What scales to use?
10:46 Listening and coming up with ideas
12:39 1st section
17:40 2nd section
23:32 3rd section
29:10 4th section
34:35 Overview
Comments
A great lesson to revisit many times
Jaime Ransanz Carcedo
2025-08-19 21:16:40 +0000 UTCAwesome lesson!!
Caine
2025-05-05 18:49:46 +0000 UTCFantastic insights! And very interesting how much you think in terms of chords and arpeggios. I think that’s what I am often missing. I always start from scales and then try to hit chord tones as much as I can. But it often sounds too linear. Guess I need to improve my knowledge of arpeggios.
Andy JCP
2025-03-30 19:58:42 +0000 UTCYes, I explain how I'm thinking mode-wise in the video!
Bradley Hall
2025-03-27 20:06:24 +0000 UTCSo with that improvisation, does it still fall into the modes?
Carlos Tijerina
2025-03-26 00:04:08 +0000 UTCCheers mate!
Bradley Hall
2025-03-25 02:10:21 +0000 UTCVery true, Guitar Pro is sick!
Bradley Hall
2025-03-25 02:10:17 +0000 UTCNoted!
Bradley Hall
2025-03-25 02:10:09 +0000 UTCFor someone like me starting out with writing solos or improvising- I have found guitar pro really useful for importing the backing track. It’s really good for isolating certain parts of the track and looping it rather than having to click back and forth!
Sam Manson
2025-03-25 02:07:38 +0000 UTCMabeye a heavier, thrashier, death metalish study next time?
BigT216
2025-03-23 17:45:45 +0000 UTCAbsolutely brilliant ! Loved it!
Hanriver
2025-03-23 09:23:41 +0000 UTCCheers John! I would recommend going through my 2 part lesson on soloing over chord changes first, it'd set you up perfectly for this. As for the 2nd question it's hard to say, where I'm at now is simply the culmination of all my years of experience. I wasn't always this methodical about writing, the process has definitely been refined over the years.
Bradley Hall
2025-03-23 01:18:19 +0000 UTCCheers Mutant, glad it was insightful!
Bradley Hall
2025-03-23 01:16:54 +0000 UTCGreat solo Bradley! Beyond interesting to hear your thought process. Thanks!
Mutant Enemies
2025-03-22 22:26:02 +0000 UTCSuch a great video , thank you!
Nuno Manuel Monteiro
2025-03-22 07:54:40 +0000 UTCReally helpful video! Cheers!
Anders Nybakken
2025-03-22 06:30:10 +0000 UTCAwesome video! Question. Would you say that this would be the best place to start for someone to learn how to improvise as well? Also, how long did it take you to go from this process to just be able to improvise on the spot? Thanks!
JohnD
2025-03-21 22:09:55 +0000 UTC
