When you start learning to play guitar, you envision yourself shredding like a rock star in 2 weeks, only to realize that it's not as easy as it looks.
But fear not!
Once you have the basics down, there are plenty of easy to play guitar solos from famous songs you can learn. Songs by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, etc.
I absolutely recommend learning solos from early on, since each one gives you a chance to advance your technique and develop your unique playing style.
Learning how to play awesome guitar solos is much more fun than going up and down scales in my opinion (as a guitar teacher of 15+ years). Scales do have their place, but learning real songs is super important. It keeps you motivated and engaged.
As you learn each solo, you will want to pay attention to these 4 things:
- Keep it slow at first, concentrate on hitting the right notes. Speed will come with time and practice. You want to learn to play well, not sloppy-fast. The way to really advance is to push yourself to nail the solo before moving on to a new one.
- Learn chunks of the solo, not the entire thing all in one. Some of these solos are very long, so tackle just a few bars at a time, and put it all together when you can.
- Perfect your lead guitar technique as you learn. After all, that is why you are learning the solo in the first place, to get better. Make sure your bends are spot on target, your slides are smooth, and your trills are loud and clear.
- Tone counts a lot with many of these solos. You will see that even though you can play the solo, it just doesn't sound right without dialing in the tone used in the original track. Spend some time getting to know not just your amp, but also the tone of the different pickups on your guitar, and the volume & tone knobs. As for effects, you will usually want to add some reverb to create a sense of space (except for funk).
Now let's go through my list of the best guitar solos for beginner and intermediate guitar players.
1. About a Girl - Nirvana
About a Girl is an acoustic guitar song in the unmistakable style of Nirvana. You can, of course, play it on the electric guitar as well. The solo is very simple, early beginners will be able to play it. And don't stop there! Learn to play the entire song, here is the complete lesson.
e|--------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------|
D|--------5--7--9-9-9--12--12-----|
A|----5--7------------------------|
E|--0-----------------------------|
Music video
2. Ain't Talking About Love - Van Halen
Genre: Hard Rock | BPM: 139 | Released: 1978 | Tabs | Tutorial
This iconic Van Halen song has one of the best guitar riffs of all time, but the solo is great as well. It gets a bit fast at the end, but it's nothing an intermediate level player can't handle. As for the tone, you need to use a phaser pedal to get the sound used in the original track.
e|-------0----0----------------------0----------------------------------0--|
B|------10---10--10-12~-------------10---12N-12N-12N-13N-13N-13N-*12-8-----|
G|-9-12------------------------9-12----------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-------0----0--------0--------------------------------------------|
B|------10---12--13---15---13--15/17--17/20---17^20^17--17^20^17----|
G|-9-12---------------------------------------------------------20--|
D|------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|------------------------------------------|
B|--17^20^17--17^20^17--17------------------|
G|----------20--------20--19b21-19--0-------|
D|------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------|
Music video
3. Angels - Robbie Williams
Genre: Pop | BPM: 75 | Released: 1997 | Tabs | Tutorial
Robbie Williams songs are not exactly filled with great solos, but Angels is an exception. This is a beautiful song you can play using basic chords, and there is also a nice solo perfect for newbie guitarists. You can use a guitar slide for this one if you want, it adds for a nice effect.
e|------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|
B|-9----------------------|--9----------------------|--9---------------|
G|---11p9----9--b--11-----|----11p9----9--b--11-----|----11p9----------|
D|--------11--------------|---------11--------------|---------11-9~~~--|
A|------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|
E|------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|
Music video
4. Apache - The Shadows
Genre: Rock | BPM: 130 | Released: 1960 | Tabs | Tutorial
This solo was inspired by the 1953 Charles Bronson movie, Apache. It is one of those songs everybody is familiar with, but few know the title of. Well, now you know the title, and can learn to play it as well.
e|--------------/5-3-0-|------------/5-3-0-|------------------|---------------------|
B|---1-3b-r----1-------|---1-3b-r--1-------|------------------|---------------------|
G|-2---------2---------|-2-------2---------|---2---2----------|---2---2-------------|
D|---------------------|-------------------|-2---2---4---2-0-2|-2---2---4---2-0-2---|
A|---------------------|-------------------|------------------|---------------------|
E|---------------------|-------------------|------------------|---------------------|
e|--------------------|-------------------|--------------x2------------------|
B|--------------------|-------------------|----------------------------------|
G|---7---7------------|---2---2-----------|----------------------------------|
D|-7---7---9---7----7-|-2---2---4---2-0-2-|--3333--3333--3333--3333-2--------|
A|---------------10---|-------------------|-3-----3-----3-----3--------0-----|
E|--------------------|-------------------|----------------------------------|
e|---------------------------|---------------------3-------6---6v-|
B|-----1-0-0h1-3-3/5-5\3-1---|-----1-0-0h1-3---3/5---5-5/8---8-8v-|
G|---2---------------------2-|---2-----------0--------------------|
D|-3-------------------------|-3----------------------------------|
A|---------------------------|------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------|------------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------|--------------x2------------------|
B|-----1--0-0h1-3-3/5--5\3-1---|----------------------------------|
G|---2-----------------------2-|----------------------------------|
D|-3---------------------------|--3333--3333--3333--3333-2--------|
A|-----------------------------|-3-----3-----3-----3--------0-----|
E|-----------------------------|----------------------------------|
Music video
5. Bad Penny - Rorry Gallagher
Genre: Hard Rock | BPM: 98 | Released: 1979 | Tabs | Tutorial
Rorry Gallagher is one of the most underrated rock artists I can think of. His music never gets old, as you'll see when you listen to Bad Penny. It was released in 1979, but sure doesn't sound it. The song is filled with awesome riffs in the key of D Minor, so if you like them, learn them all. Here is the solo we'll be learning, it is the one played after the 2nd verse. There is another longer solo later in the song, but that is for advanced guitarists.
e|------------8----8-8--------------------13-15-15b17-15-13-12h13p12-----|
B|--------6-8-8b10-8-6-5h6p5-----15p13h15----------------------------15--|
G|--7p5h7--------------------7-------------------------------------------|
D|--0--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-----15b17-15b17-15b17-15b17r15-13-12h13p12------13-12------------|
B|--15----------------------------------------15---------13-15------|
G|------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
6. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Genre: Pop | BPM: 116 | Released: 1982 | Tabs | Tutorial
The funky guitar solo in Billie Jean is a great one for beginner-intermediate players. It's not as simple as it sounds, you really need to focus on your plucking. There are 2 phrases to this solo, so get your funky on and have a go at it!
e|----------------------------------------------------------|
B|----------------------------------------------------------|
G|------4h6-4---4h6~~~----4h6-4---4h6~~~----4h6-4---4h6~~~--|
D|--7-7-------7-------7-7-------7-------7-7-------7---------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------|
e|----------------------------|
B|----------------------------|
G|------4h6-4---------4h6-----|
D|--7-7-------7-7-7-7-----7-7-|
A|----------------------------|
E|----------------------------|
Music video
7. Black Magic Woman - Santana
Genre: Rock | BPM: 124 | Released: 1970 | Tabs | Tutorial
Santana is one of the best guitar players in the world, and learning his solos is a real treat. This one is played on the D minor scale and has lots of technical elements, so it's best to learn it phrase by phrase. Listen to how Santana plays it, and try to find live versions as well. The soul he puts into it is half the story.
e|-------------|-----------|----------|-----------|------------|--------------|
B|-8p6---------|--7s9s7----|-6h8p6----|-8---------|-10--8--6s5-|-8--6--5s3----|
G|-------------|-----------|----------|----7s9s7--|------------|--------------|
D|-------------|-----------|----------|-----------|------------|--------------|
A|-------------|-----------|----------|-----------|------------|--------------|
E|-------------|-----------|----------|-----------|------------|--------------|
e|-------------|-----------|-----------------10---|
B|-10--8--6s5--|--8-6-5----|--------------10------|
G|-------------|-----------|----------10----------|
D|-------------|-----------|-------12-------------|
A|-------------|-----------|----12----------------|
E|-------------|-----------|-10-------------------|
e|-------------------------|-----|-------10--------------------|--------------|
B|--13b--13-13b15p10-13b15-|-p10-|-13b15----13-10--------------|--------------|
G|-------------------------|-----|----------------12-12b14-10--|-p9-----------|
D|-------------------------|-----|-----------------------------|--------------|
A|-------------------------|-----|-----------------------------|--------------|
E|-------------------------|-----|-----------------------------|--------------|
e|------------12h13-12-|-13p12p10-------------------|-------10----------------|
B|------10-13----------|----------13b15b13b15b13p10-|-13b15----13-10----------|
G|-9s10----------------|----------------------------|----------------12b14p10-|
D|---------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------|
A|---------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------|
E|---------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------|
e|-------10-12-13b15--15b17p13----13|-17b18s10-|------------------------------|
B|----11-----------------------15---|----------|----------------10------------|
G|-12-------------------------------|----------|-12b14b12p10h12---12-10h12p10-|
D|----------------------------------|----------|------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------|----------|------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------|----------|------------------------------|
e|-------------------------|-10----|
B|-------------------------|-10----|
G|-------------------------|-10----|
D|-12-10-12--10------------|-12----|
A|--------------12-11-10s8-|-12----|
E|-------------------------|-10----|
Music video
8. Californication - RHCP
Genre: Alternative Rock | BPM: 96 | Released: 1999 | Tabs | Tutorial
This is another great sounding solo by RHCP, one of my favorite bands. Learning the solo to Californication will improve your bending technique, which is very important in lead guitar.
e|-----9------------9-----|----------------------------|------------------------|-------9---12---14~~~~--|
B|-10------------10-------|----------------------------|------------------------|-10~~~------------------|
G|-------11b----------11b-|-11-11-11-11p9--------------|------9--11br---9-------|------------------------|
D|------------------------|----------------11-11-------|-9-11------------11~~~--|------------------------|
A|------------------------|----------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|
E|------------------------|----------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|
(full) (1/2)(1/2)(1/2) (full)
e|-------9---12---14br----|-17-16-14----14-------------|------------------------|-14b--------12---12-----|
B|-10~~~------------------|----------17---17-14--17-14-|-14---14---14---17-14---|--------------14---14---|
G|------------------------|----------------------------|-16b--16b--16b----------|------------------------|
D|------------------------|----------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|
A|------------------------|----------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|
E|------------------------|----------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|
e|---------12--10-9-------|
B|-12--10------------10~--|
G|------------------------|
D|------------------------|
A|------------------------|
E|------------------------|
Music video
9. Can't Stop - RHCP
Genre: Alternative | BPM: 90 | Released: 2002 | Tabs | Tutorial
Here is another Red Hot Chili Peppers song. What a great band! This song has a great riff which is instantly recognizable, but it also has an awesomely simple solo that follows the vocals. It is played in the key of E minor and suitable for beginner players.
e|----9-----------------9----------------------------------|
B|-10----------------10------------------------------------|
G|---------11b-11-----------11b---11-11-11-11p9------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------11-11---|
A|---------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
e|-------------------------------9---12--14------9-12------|
B|---------------------------10--------------10------------|
G|--------9---11b----9-------------------------------------|
D|---9-11-----------------11-------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
e|-14b---17--16--14------14--------------------------------|
B|--------------------17------17---14---17--14-14--14--14--|
G|-------------------------------------------- 16b-16b-16b-|
D|---------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
e|----------14br--12------12---------------12--10–9--------|
B|--17---14------------14-------14---12---------------10---|
G|---------------------------------------14----------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
10. Come As You Are - Nirvana
Genre: Alternative | BPM: 119 | Released: 1991 | Tabs | Tutorial
The solo to Come As You Are follows the main vocals, so it's a lot of fun to play along with the song. It is perfect for beginners, as are most Nirvana songs. Notice that the tabs to Come As You Are are in an alternate tuning, where you tune each string down by 2 semitones. If you want to play along with the original track, you will need to do that, or simply play all notes of the solo 2 frets higher. That way you can stay in standard tuning. You would need to transpose the chords the same way if you wanted to learn the entire song in standard tuning.
D|-------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------|
F|-6~--9~-11~/6--6~--9~-11~/6--6~--9~-11-11b-11-11-9-9/6-|
C|-------------------------------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
11. Come Together - The Beatles
Genre: Pop Rock | BPM: 88 | Released: 1969 | Tabs | Tutorial
The original recording of Come Together actually has 2 guitars playing during solo, but you can play it on one guitar as you'll see in the tabs below. It is great for practicing your bends. Also, notice that almost the entire solo is played on 1 guitar string, with all notes in the key of A minor.
There is a second solo later in the song, which is very similar as well. Big bends and strong vibratos.
e|-15b~--15b-15b15p13-|-15b~------------|-15b~-15b-15b15p13-|
B|--------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
G|--------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
D|--------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
A|--------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
E|--------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
e|--------------------|--15b~-----------|
B|-15b~--15b-15b15p14-|-----------------|
G|--------------------|-----------------|
D|--------------------|-----------------|
A|--------------------|-----------------|
E|--------------------|-----------------|
Music video
12. Dance the Night Away - The Mavericks
Genre: Pop Rock | BPM: 140 | Released: 1998 | Tabs | Tutorial
The Mavericks is a very underrated band, I really like their songs. This one is a perfect example. It is catchy and fun, but perhaps not catchy enough to get them into the big leagues. Regardle", the solo is great for practicing your lead guitar skills.
e|--------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------|
G|----------------------1---------1---2-------1--2---1----|
D|-2----------4-------------2--4----------4-------------2-|
A|-----2-----------2--------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------|
e|----------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------0-------0-|
G|---------------2--1---------------------|
D|--------1--4---------4--2---------------|
A|-4---2---------------------------2------|
E|----------------------------------------|
Music video
13. Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Genre: Pop | BPM: 156 | Released: 1978 | Tabs | Tutorial
The solo to this true feel-good song is about as easy as Brian May solos will get. It is not difficult to learn if you're at an intermediate level, but you will need some time to find the right tone. Crank up the gain on your amp and play around with the rest of your settings. And most of all, have a good time!
e|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|-12b14~~~(14)(12)p10-12b14~~~(14)(12)p10-12p10\9-10~~~--------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-/11-10.------------------------------------------------------------|
G|----------12.--10.--12b14---(13).--(14).--(13).--(14)(12)-----------|
D|---------------------------------------------------------10~--------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|-15b17~~~(17)(15)p14-15b17~~~(17)(15)p14-15p14-12-14~~~-------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|-/14(15)-14.-12.-10.-12b14--12.-(14).-12.-(14).-12.-(14)(12)-10~~~--|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|-------------------10h12p10--10--10--10h12p10--10--10--10h12p10--10-|
D|-5h7p5\3~~~---/12----------12------12--------12------12-------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-/15---15.--15.--15.--15.--15~~~-\----------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
14. Easy - Faith No More
Genre: Soft Rock | BPM: 124 | Released: 1990 | Tabs | Tutorial
Easy was originally a Commodores song, but Faith No More's classic cover is better I think. It happens. Just like Hurt covered by Johnny Cash, it is better than the original Nine Inch Nails version. Anyhow, this is a soulful, fun solo that will get you practicing bends, hammer-ons and pull-offs. If you like it, try learning the entire song!
e|------------------------|---------------------------------|
B|------------------------|---------------------------------|
G|-----------13----(13)//-|---------------------------------|
D|------------------------|---------------------------------|
A|-13br-------------------|--13br---------------------------|
E|-------16---------------|--------16--16-----16\\----------|
e|----------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------16---------------------------------------------|
G|---------------15--13-------------------------------------|
D|-----------------------16--15--13^^--13-15-13-------------|
A|-13br-----------------------------------------16---16\/\/-|
E|--------16------------------------------------------------|
e|------------------------|---------------------------------|
B|------------------------|---------------------------------|
G|-----------13----(13)//-|---------------------------------|
D|------------------------|---------------------------------|
A|-13br-------------------|--13br---------------------------|
E|-------16---------------|--------16--16-----16\\----------|
e|----------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------16------16-------------------------------------|
G|---------------15------13b-15-15-13h15p13-----------------|
D|-------------------------------------------16-------------|
A|-13br-----------------------------------------------------|
E|--------16------------------------------------------------|
e|----------------------------------------------------------|
B|----------------------------16b--14^^---------------------|
G|----------------------------------------------------------|
D|----------------------------------------------------------|
A|-16--16--------16--13^^-----------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
15. Fix You - Coldplay
Genre: Alternative Rock | BPM: 69 | Released: 2005 | Tabs | Tutorial
This is one of the easiest guitar solos on this list. More like an outro really. Even though, it is a good exercise in keeping rhythm and timing. All guitarists need to work on it, even you 🙂
e|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4/11-11-11-11\4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4/11-11-11-11\-|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4/11-11-11-11/4-4-4\3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3--|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
16. Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
Genre: Country Rock | BPM: 104 | Released: 1955 | Tabs | Tutorial
Johnny Cash was a great musician, I think Folsom Prison Blues was one of his best songs. It features a fast paced solo that is suitable for intermediate players looking for a challenge. You'll be playing all over the neck of the guitar, which is what makes it harder for most.
e|----7-9p7-10-7---7-9p7-10------7-9p7-10-7---7-9p7-10-7---|
B|-8h9----------8h9-----------8h9----------8h9----------9--|
G|-------------------------------------------------------9-|
D|---------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------|
e|-5---5----9---------0-0---------2--2---------------------|
B|-2-2--5-5--10-10----0-0---------0--0---------------------|
G|-2-2--6-6--9----9---1-1---------2--2---------------------|
D|--------------------2-2---------1--1---------------------|
A|--------------------2-2-0-1-2---2--2-2-2-1---------------|
E|--------------------0-0--------------------3b-0----------|
Music video
17. Godfather Theme - Slash
Genre: Rock | BPM: 74 | Released: 1992 | Tabs | Tutorial
Slash's rendition of the theme to Godfather, Speak Softly Love, is a great solo even early beginners can learn. You will be using all types of lead guitar techniques spiced up by Slash, so listen to the original carefully, and try to recreate the feel.
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-15---14-15-16--15-15---------15---14-15-16--15-15-----------------|
G|----------------------15---------------------------14--------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-15---14-15-18--15-14-15b-r-----14b-r----------14b-r---------------|
G|----------------------------------------14b-r----------14----------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|----10-13-12-10-13-10-12-10----------------------------------------|
B|-10-------------------------11-13-10-------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|----10-13-12-10-13-10-12-10----------------------------------------|
B|-10-------------------------/10-9-8--------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-------------------6-9-9b------------------------------------------|
B|----6-10-10b----/8---------------13-11-10-13-11-10-10--------------|
G|-/7---------------------------10-----------------------------------|
D|--------------------------/12---------------------------11-12------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-10-10-9-8-10/12-10-----------------------------------------10-----|
B|--------------------11-10----10-13-10-8----8-11-9-10-----10--------|
G|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-13^12^10--13^12^10--13^12^10--------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------12b-12b-12b-12-10-12-10-9-10-12-10-9-|
G|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-13-12-10-9-10-12-10-9----9----------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------10---10-12-10-9----9----12------------------|
G|---------------------------------------11---11----11-9----9--------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------11---11-----|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------9-10----------------------------------|
B|--------13-11-10-13-11-10-10---------------------------------------|
G|-----10------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-/12---------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
18. Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley
Genre: Rock And Roll | BPM: 93 | Released: 1956 | Tabs | Tutorial
This one was one of Elvis's greatest hits. He actually had Scotty Moore and Chet Atkins play during this song as well, which is pretty cool. Of course, Elvis famously said that he only knows 5 chords on the guitar, so he needed all the help he could get.
e|-12-12-12-12-------12-|-12-12-12-12-12-------|
B|-12-12-12-12-12-15-12-|-12-12-12-12----12-15-|
G|-X--------------------|----------------------|
D|----------------------|----------------------|
A|----------------------|----------------------|
E|----------------------|----------------------|
e|-12-12-12-12-------12-|-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12|
B|-12-12-12-12-12-15----|-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16|
G|----------------------|------------------------------------|
D|----------------------|------------------------------------|
A|----------------------|------------------------------------|
E|----------------------|------------------------------------|
Music video
19. Hey Joe - Jimmy Hendrix
Genre: classic Rock | BPM: 80 | Released: 1967 | Tabs | Tutorial
This classic solo uses loads of lead guitar techniques. It is not as difficult as it looks though, as it is mostly played in a single position.
e|-------12-12-----------------------|---------12-12-12----------------------|
B|---15b----15-12--------------------|---15b------15-12------12--------------|
G|-------------12-14b---14-12-----12-|------------------14b-----14--12\14\12-|
D|-----------------------------14----|---------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------|-15b----------15b----------------|
G|-------12----12\----------------12-------|-12------------------------------|
D|-14-------14-------------12--14-12---14\-|---------------------------------|
A|--------------------\14------14----------|---------------------------------|
E|------------------0----------------------|---------------------------------|
e|-12-12-12-------12------------------------------|-------12-15b---15--12----|
B|-12-15-12--12---12--15------12------------------|-----12-------------------|
G|-----------14-----------14------------14--12----|-14b------------------14b-|
D|--------------------------------0--14-----------|--------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|
e|----12-------------------------------------|---------------|
B|-15----15----------------------------------|---------------|
G|----------14-----12------------------9--11-|-12------------|
D|------------------------14\-----\11--------|------14\------|
A|-------------------------------------------|---------------|
E|----------------------------0--------------|----------\20\-|
Music video
20. High and Dry - Radiohead
Genre: Alternative | BPM: 87 | Released: 1996 | Tabs | Tutorial
This is an interesting, simple solo that is suitable for beginners. Make sure you don't touch the high E string by accident, it needs to ring out clearly while you play the other notes.
e|---0-------0-----|--0-----0-----0-|---0-------0-----|--0---------0----|
B|-5---4-5-----4-5-|----4-5/7-5-4---|-5---4-5-----2---|----0-----4---4--|
G|-----------------|----------------|---------------4-|------4-6--------|
D|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
A|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
e|---0-------0-----|--0-----0-----0-|---0-------0-----|
B|-5---4-5-----4-5-|----4-5/7-5-4---|-5---4-5-----2---|
G|-----------------|----------------|---------------4-|
D|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
A|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|
Music video
21. Holiday - Green Day
Genre: Punk | BPM: 83 | Released: 2004 | Tabs | Tutorial
The solo to Holiday is another great one for beginner guitarists. It is very easy to learn, but sounds awesome. Lots of Green Day songs have similar solos, so check them out as well. I also have other guitar lessons on Green Day songs here.
E|------------|----------------|-------8------8-|---------------------|
B|-6-6-6--8-9-|----------8-----|----6-----6-----|-6-6-6--8-9----------|
G|------------|-8-6-5--5---9-5-|-5--------------|------------8-6-5-5/-|
D|------------|----------------|----------------|---------------------|
A|------------|----------------|----------------|---------------------|
E|------------|----------------|----------------|---------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
B|-------------------------|-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-|-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-|
G|-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-|-------------------------|-------------------------|
D|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
A|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|
B|-17-17-17-17-17-17-17----|—18~~~~~~~~~-------------|
G|-------------------------|-------------------------|
D|-------------------------|-------------------------|
A|-------------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|
Music video
22. I Wanna Be Sedated - Ramones
Genre: Punk Rock | BPM: 163 | Released: 1978 | Tabs | Tutorial
The solo to I Wanna Be Sedated might not win any awards, but it's a good exercise in keeping rhythm. Johnny Ramone plays the same note 65 times in a row. Again, the challenge here is to keep playing in rhythm. You'll find that it is harder than it seems at first.
e|-0-| x65
B|-5-|
G|---|
D|---|
A|---|
E|---|
Music video
23. Imperial March Darth Vader Theme - Star Wars
Genre: Movie Theme | BPM: 103 | Released: 1980 | Tabs | Tutorial
This classic movie theme is a lot of fun to play. It is in the key of G minor, so you can practice scales while learning a great tune.
e|-----------------------------------|------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------|------------------------------|
G|-----------------------------------|-7---7---7---8----------------|
D|-5---5---5------8-5------8-5-------|----------------8--------8-5--|
A|-------------6--------6------------|------------------9---6-------|
E|-----------------------------------|------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------------|------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------|------------------------------|
G|-12---------12---11--10-9p8h9------|------------------------------|
D|-----------------------------------|-11---10--9-8p7h8-------------|
A|------10--10--------------------11-|---------------------6--------|
E|-----------------------------------|------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------|
G|-------------------7---------------|
D|----------8---5--8-----------------|
A|-9---6--9--------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
Music video
24. Island in the Sun - Weezer
Genre: Alternative | BPM: 116 | Released: 2001 | Tabs | Tutorial
This groovy song is very easy to play, and the solo is super easy. Even if you started learning guitar 2 weeks ago, you can tackle the solo to Island in the Sun.
e|--------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------|
G|-7-9-7--------------------------------|
D|-------10-9-10-9-7-9-7-7\5-4-5-5------|
A|--------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------|
G|-7-9-7--------------------------------|
D|-------10-9-10-9-7-9-7-7\5-4-5-5~~~---|
A|--------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------|
Music video
25. It's My Life - Bon Jovi
Genre: Pop Rock | BPM: 120 | Released: 2000 | Tabs | Tutorial
It's My Life was released decades ago, but I still enjoy listening to it. The solo you'll learn involves lots of string bends, which are meant to mimic the talkbox Richi Sambora uses during the song. If you want to learn the entire tune, have a look at my video lesson on It's My Life.
D|------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------|
F|------------------------------------------------------------------|
C|------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)--|
C|------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------|
F|------------------------------------------------------------------|
C|------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7-7b(8)-7\5------|
C|------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------|
F|---10-12b(14)~----12b(14)-12b(14)-12b(14)--d(12)-12-12-12---------|
C|-7--------------------------------------------------------10-12~--|
G|------------------------------------------------------------------|
C|------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------|
F|------------------------------------------------------------------|
C|-----3---0~-------------------------------------------------------|
G|-3-5---5-0~-------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
26. Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry
Genre: Rock And Roll | BPM: 168 | Released: 1958 | Tabs | Tutorial
The famous intro solo to Johnny B Goode is one of the harder solos on this list, so if you just started playing this guitar, you might want to wait a bit before tackling this one. Intermediate players will find it a lot of fun!
e|-------------------------|-5/6-6-6--5/6-6-6--5/6-6-|-6-----------------------|
B|-------------------6--8--|-5/6-6-6--5/6-6-6--5/6-6-|-6--9--8--6--------------|
G|--------------6/7--------|-------------------------|-------------6h7---------|
D|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------8--8--|
A|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
e|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
B|-------------------------|----6--8--6--------------|----6-------6------------|
G|-6/7-7-7--6/7-7-7--6/7-7-|-7--7--7--7--7/5--3------|-8b------8b-----8b-------|
D|-7/8-8-8--7/8-8-8--6/8-8-|-8------------------5----|-------------------------|
A|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
e|-6-----------------------|-------------------------|-6-----------------------|
B|-6-------6-------6-------|------6-------6----------|-6-------6-------6-------|
G|----8b------8b-----------|-8b------8b------8b------|----8b------8b-----------|
D|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
A|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
e|-------6-----------8--6--|-------------------6-----|----------6----6---------|
B|----------9--8--6--------|-9--8--6-----------6--9--|-8--6-----6----6--8--6---|
G|-8b----------------------|----------8--6h7---7-----|-------8b---8b----8--6h7-|
D|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
A|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
e|-------------------------|
B|-------------------------|
G|-------------------------|
D|-8-----------------------|
A|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|
Music video
27. Let It Be - The Beatles
Genre: Slow Pop | BPM: 66 | Released: 1968 | Tabs | Tutorial
The solo in Let It Be is a very recognizable one indeed. It is played on the C major scale and uses loads of lead techniques. Learn it one line at a time, then play it to your friends and family They will love it!
e|-------------------|---------------------------|-------------------|
B|-------------------|---------------------------|-------------------|
G|--------5---5------|-------------------------5-|-7b9----7b9r7-5----|
D|—-------5h7-5------|----------5-5---5-----5/7--|-------------------|
A|---------------7\5-|-3----5/7-----7------------|-------------------|
E|-------------------|---------------------------|-------------------|
e|-----8-------------5--------|------------------------------|---------------------------|
B|----------------------------|------------------------------|------------8-----8-----8--|
G|-7/9---9\7-5h7-7b9(9)-9r7-5-|----------------------------5-|-5-----5-7/9---7/9---7/9---|
D|—---------------------------|-7p5-7p5----------------5h7---|-----7---------------------|
A|----------------------------|---------7\5-3h5-3------------|---------------------------|
E|----------------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------|
e|------------8-10b12--10b12r10-8h10-|-8----15b17r15-|-----------------------------------|
B|-10----8h10------------------------|---------------|-15b17r15-13-15--15b17r15-13h15-13-|
G|-----------------------------------|---------------|-----------------------------------|
D|—----------------------------------|---------------|-----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|---------------|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|---------------|-----------------------------------|
Music video
28. Lookin - CCR
Genre: Rock | BPM: 116 | Released: 1970 | Tabs | Tutorial
This solo is played by one of my favorite guitarists, John Fogerty. The solo itself was inspired by the country legend, Buck Owens. The song and solo are played in the key of G major. You might find the 3 string slides challenging at first, so practice them a lot.
John Fogerty plays this in D tuning, which is tuning all strings down by 2 semitones. The tabs I have for you here is for playing it in standard tuning.
e|-----------------------------------------------------------------1-------------|
B|------------------------------------------6---------4/8---6\3--1----1---3--1-1-|
G|---------------------------3--3-5--3-5/7-----7\5-3--3/8---7\3--2---------------|
D|-----3--3-3--3-5--3-----3---------------------------5/8---8\3--3------3--------|
A|-3-5-----------------5---------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-------------------------------------------6---------------------1-------------|
B|----------------------------------------/7---7\5----4/8---6\3--1----1---3------|
G|---------------------------3--3-5--3-5/----------3--3/8---7\3--2------1-3------|
D|-----3--3-3--3-5--3-----3---------------------------5/8---8\3--3--------3------|
A|---------------------5---------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
29. Love Her Madly - The Doors
Genre: Rock | BPM: 147 | Released: 1971 | Tabs | Tutorial
This is one of the easiest solos on this list. Listen to it and you'll see that you don't need to overcomplicate things at all. Pay attention to the timing and rhythm. Listen to the solo in the original track first, it starts at around the 2:30 mark. Note that the first note of each phrase starts on the 4th count of each bar, not the 1st.
e|-8----8--------8----8-------|-8-9-10--------8----8--------8----8-|
B|---10---10-10----10---10-10-|--------10-10----10---10-10----10---|
G|----------------------------|------------------------------------|
D|----------------------------|------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------|------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------|------------------------------------|
e|---------8--8----8---------10-|
B|-10-8-10-8----10---10-8-10-10-|
G|------------------------------|
D|------------------------------|
A|------------------------------|
E|------------------------------|
Music video
30. Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
Genre: Rock | BPM: 47 | Released: 1991 | Tabs | Tutorial
The solo in Nothing Else Matters is played by James Hetfield, not Kirk Hammett. It is a nice, melodic solo that seems hard, but it's actually not. Watch the rhythm, it is played in 6/8 time. Give it a try, and if you want to learn more songs from the band, check out these lessons on Metallica songs.
e|----------------------------|-------------------------------------|
B|-15------15-----------------|-------------------------------------|
G|-14b16---14b16r14-12--14-12-|-11-12-11----11-------------12-14-12-|
D|----------------------------|----------14----12-14----------------|
A|----------------------------|-------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------|-------------------------------------|
e|-------12-------12----------|--------------------------|
B|----12-------12----15p14h12-|--15b17--r15-15-15--------|
G|-14(16)---14(16)------------|--------------------------|
D|----------------------------|--------------------------|
A|----------------------------|--------------------------|
E|----------------------------|--------------------------|
e|-15(17)--15---14-15-|----15-14----14-15-14-12-|--------------------|
B|--------------------|-12-------12-------------|-15-14-12-----------|
G|--------------------|-------------------------|-----------12-14-12-|
D|--------------------|-------------------------|--------------------|
A|--------------------|-------------------------|--------------------|
E|--------------------|-------------------------|--------------------|
e|--------------------------|-12-------------------------------|
B|----------------------12--|-------12-15(17)15--12h15b17--r15-|
G|-14(16)14-12----12-14(16)-|----------------------------------|
D|-------------14-----------|----------------------------------|
A|--------------------------|----------------------------------|
E|--------------------------|----------------------------------|
e|--------------------------|
B|-12h15p12~~~~~~\7--5h7p5~-|
G|--------------------------|
D|--------------------------|
A|--------------------------|
E|--------------------------|
Music video
31. Parisienne Walkways - Gary Moore
Genre: Blues Rock | BPM: 87 | Released: 1978 | Tabs | Tutorial
This solo is one of my favorites. It is fairly easy to play, and will give you a chance to learn a lot abounding bending to a target pitch. This is the key to getting this solo to sound great. Gary Moore was a great guitarist, he had a way of making music with soul. Not many can do that. If you like the song, learn how to play the entire song here.
e|-------------------------------------------------12----------------------|
B|-------------------15b17----15-13-12----------------13b15-----13b15---13-|
G|---------------------------------------14-12-10--------------------------|
D|----------------------------------------x--------------------------------|
A|-12\--7\--------------------------------x--------------------------------|
E|------------8\--------------------------x--------------------------------|
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-12-----------------------15-13---10-12-12b13----12-10-------------13-12-|
G|----14---12h14p12--------------------------------------12--10-9----------|
D|------------------12-14-----------------------------------------12-------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------|
G|-14b16----14-13-----------------------------------|
D|----------------15---14-12-10---------------------|
A|--------------------------------12\----7\---------|
E|---------------------------------------------8\---|
Music video
32. Patience I - Gun n Roses
Genre: Slow Rock | BPM: 120 | Released: 1988 | Tabs | Tutorial
Patience is a superb acoustic song that takes Gun N Roses out of their usual style. The song has 2 awesome acoustic solos which are not that easy. This is the first, which is played as part of the intro. As always, Slash's guitar is tuned down 1 semitone. You can play it in standard tuning if you play everything higher by 1 semitone.
d#|---------------------------|------------------------------|
A#|-------8--10/12-15--12--8--|--8-10-12-13--15--12---8------|
F#|---7h9---------------------|------------------------------|
C#|---------------------------|------------------------------|
G#|---------------------------|------------------------------|
D#|---------------------------|------------------------------|
d#|------------|--------|------------------------------------|
A#|--10p8-10~~-|-10/15--|--13-15--12-13--10-12--8-10^--8-(8)-|
F#|------------|--------|------------------------------------|
C#|------------|--------|------------------------------------|
G#|------------|--------|------------------------------------|
D#|------------|--------|------------------------------------|
Music video
33. Patience II - Gun n Roses
Genre: Slow Rock | BPM: 120 | Released: 1988 | Tabs | Tutorial
This is the second solo from Patience. It is a bit harder than the first one was. If your fingers are burning from sliding and bending your acoustic guitar strings, good! Your fingers and fingertips are getting stronger. You can try it on the electric guitar if you want to go easy on your fingertips though.
d#|-8p7-8--8/10--8----------------------|--8p7--8/10--10/12~~---------|
A#|-----------------10/12--10--8h10--8--|-----------------------------|
F#|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
C#|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
G#|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
D#|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
d#|-8p7-8--8/10--8----------------------|--10/12-10-10~~--|---12/14-12---10h12-10~~--|
A#|-----------------10/12--10--8h10--8--|-----------------|--------------------------|
F#|-------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------|
C#|-------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------|
G#|-------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------|
D#|-------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------|
d#|-------------------------------------|---------------------7p5-------|
A#|-3/5--5-7--5/3--3-5--3/1--3p5--------|-3/5--5h7-5/3-3-5-7------7p5---|
F#|------------------------------3-1----|-------------------------------|
C#|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------|
G#|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------|
D#|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------|
d#|----------------------------------------------------------------|
A#|-7-8-8/10--10-8-10-8--7---8/10--8-10---8-10--8--10/12--10-10~~--|
F#|----------------------------------------------------------------|
C#|----------------------------------------------------------------|
G#|----------------------------------------------------------------|
D#|----------------------------------------------------------------|
d#|------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------|
A#|-3/5-3-3----------------|---5/8--7-7~~---------------|--5/8-7-7~~--5-7-8-7-5-7~~---|
F#|---------5-3----3-5-----|-------------5-3---3-5------|-----------------------------|
C#|-------------5-------3--|-----------------5------3---|-----------------------------|
G#|------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------|
D#|------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------|
34. Pink Panther - Henry Mancini
Genre: Jazz | BPM: 115 | Released: 1963 | Tabs | Tutorial
The cool thing about this solo (other than the fact that it is super famous) is that even though it sounds hard, it's actually easy. A lot of things are going on, but even beginner guitar players will be able to learn it relatively quickly. If you've been practicing diligently for a few months, you will be able to play the Pink Panther Theme song.
e|---------------|---------------|
B|---------------|---------------|
G|---------------|---------------|
D|---------------|---------------|
A|-4/5-6/7-------|-4/5-6/7-------|
E|----------7--0-|----------7--0-|
e|------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------------------------|
G|-----------------------5\4----------------------|
D|----------4/5------4/5---------9\8~~--7p5-------|
A|-4/5-6/7-------6/7--------7/10-----------7p5-7~-|
E|------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------|
G|-----------------------5\4------9\8~~-|
D|----------4/5------4/5------5/9-------|
A|-4/5-6/7-------6/7--------------------|
E|--------------------------------------|
e|------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------------------------|
G|-----------------------5\4----------------------|
D|----------4/5------4/5---------9\8~~--7p5-------|
A|-4/5-6/7-------6/7--------7/10-----------7p5-7~-|
E|------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------|
G|---------/9p7-------------------------------------------|
D|---------------9\7-5---8pb7-8pb7-8pb7-8pb7--5-----------|
A|-4/5-6/7-------------7------------------------7p5-7~7\--|
E|--------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
35. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix
Genre: Rock | BPM: 108 | Released: 1967 | Tabs | Tutorial
The intro to Purple Haze is a classic solo that all guitarists need to learn. The phrasing and style of this one is iconic, so spend some time on it. Don't just play the notes. Listen to how Jimi played with infinite style, and try to focus on reproducing the sound, along with all of its intricacies.
e|-----------------|------------------|-----------------|---------------|
B|-----------------|------------------|-------8b~-------|---------------|
G|-----------------|------------------|-----7-----------|---------------|
D|-----8--------8--|------8--------8--|--/9------7~--(7)|--5------------|
A|-----------------|------------------|-----------------|----5---5/7~---|
E|-6--------6------|--6--------6------|-----------------|------0--------|
e|-----------------|------------------|-----------------|---------------|
B|----------8b~----|------------------|-----------------|---------------|
G|-------7---------|------------------|-----------------|---------------|
D|---/9--------7---|-(7)\/5-----------|------5--7--7b-5~|--5------------|
A|-----------------|-------5-----5/7~-|--5/7------------|----0---3~---0-|
E|-----------------|----------0-------|-----------------|------0--------|
e|-----------------|------------------|-----------------|---------------|
B|-----------------|------------------|-----------------|---------------|
G|-----------------|-----------7-7-9~-|-----0-----------|---------------|
D|-----5-7b-5h7-(7)|--5----/9---------|-----------------|---------------|
A|-5/7-------------|-----5------------|-----------------|---------------|
E|-----------------|------------------|---------15\-----|---------------|
Music video
36. Run To You - Bryan Adams
Genre: Rock | BPM: 126 | Released: 1984 | Tabs | Tutorial
You just gotta love 80's rock. It brought us songs like Run To You. The entire song is simple, as is the solo you will learn below. Bryan Adams was a master of writing simple, yet really enjoyable songs.
e|--------------------------------------|
B|-9/10-9-----7/8-7----5/6-5----7/8-7---|
G|-------9---------7--------5--------7--|
D|--------9---------7--------5--------7-|
A|--------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------|
Music video
37. Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes
Genre: Alternative Rock | BPM: 124 | Released: 2003 | Tabs | Tutorial
This song is a great example of how you can create an international mega-hit, while keeping things easy. Everything about 7 Nation Army is easy, suitable for beginner guitar players. Here is how to play the solo, but if you want to learn the entire song, I have the full lesson here.
e|----------------------------------------------------------------|
B|----------------------------------------------------------------|
G|-9--9-9-9-9/12b--11~---9-9-12-14-12--12-12/14-12-11~~-----------|
D|----------------------------------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------| x2
e|-12--12-15-12-12-15b--14~---12--12-15-17-15--15-15/17-15-14~----|
B|----------------------------------------------------------------|
G|----------------------------------------------------------------|
D|----------------------------------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-12--12-14-12-12-15b-14~~~---12--12-14-12-12-14-12--------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------13-12--------|
G|----------------------------------------------------------------|
D|----------------------------------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
38. Smells like teen spirit - Nirvana
Genre: Alternative | BPM: 116 | Released: 1991 | Tabs | Tutorial
This song defined an entire generation. Kurt Cobain was a very charismatic frontman. They wrote songs that were not hard to play, but awesome to listen to and party to.
e|-----------------------------------------|
B|----4-6\----4-4b--2~1--2-1---------------|
G|-~5-----\~1----------------3~1--3-3b-1-0-|
D|-----------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------------------|
B|----4-6\----4-4b--2~1--2-1---------------|
G|-~5-----\~1---------------3~1--3-3b--1-0-|
D|-----------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------|
G|--1-0-----1-0-----1-0-----1p0-0----------|
D|--------------------------------3~-------|
A|-----------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------|
Music video
39. So Far Away - Avenged Sevenfold
Genre: Heavy Metal | BPM: 75 | Released: 2010 | Tabs | Tutorial
This cool song by Avenged Sevenfold has 2 great solos. We'll be working on the 2nd one, since it's an interesting exercise in building solos on a single string. The song is in the key of E minor, and all of the notes in the solo are played on the B string if you want.
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------9--12-12b13r12--8v-----/10--10h12p10v-----------------------------|
G|-/9--------------------------------------------/9-12-12/14-14b16r14-12v\-|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------9--12-12b13r12--8v-----/15-15-17-17--19--19-20-17v----15-20b22r20-|
G|-/9----------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-19-15---17b19r17v-------------------------------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
40. Something - The Beatles
Genre: Pop | BPM: 68 | Released: 1969 | Tabs | Tutorial
This beautiful song has a classic solo that beginner-intermediate players will enjoy very much. If you like it, you should learn the entire song, as it uses simple chords. The chords played under the solo help in guiding the solo, so it's a good idea to learn them as well.
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|------8------------------------------------8--10--8--11/13--13-------|
G|-7/9-----9--7/9--12b(14)--b(14)12--9--7/9----------------------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-b(15)13--b(17)15--13-----------13--13-------------------------------|
G|-----------------------14--/14----------14-------12--12--------------|
D|--------------------------------------------/14----------14----------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------12------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|------------------11--11--b(16)14--b(16)14--b(16)14--12--------------|
D|-------------/12-----------------------------------------------------|
A|-12--14--12----------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----14--13--12/16--15--14-------------------------------------------|
G|-12-------------------------b(9)7--b(9)7--5--b(9)7--b(9)7--b(9)7--5--|
D|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------10/12--10--8--10--8------------------------------|
B|-----------------------8-----------------------10--b(13)12--10--11--12--13-|
G|-b(9)7--b(9)7--5--7/9------------------------------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
41. Still Got the Blues - Gary Moore
Genre: Blues Rock | BPM: 84 | Released: 1990 | Tabs | Tutorial
This intro solo to Still Got the Blues is Gary Moore at his best. Just a few notes played with feel. Big bends and even bigger vibratos make this solo one of the most soulful on this list.
|---------------|-------------------------------|--------------|
|---------15-17-|-17b18~~~---(17)r---17b18r~~17-|-15~~---13-15-|
|------14-------|-------------------------------|--------------|
|---------------|-------------------------------|--------------|
|---------------|-------------------------------|--------------|
|---------------|-------------------------------|--------------|
|---------------------------------|----------------------------|
|-15b17~~~---(15)r---15b17r~~(15)-|-13---(13)\------10-12-13---|
|---------------------------------|----------------------------|
|---------------------------------|----------------------------|
|---------------------------------|----------------------------|
|---------------------------------|----------------------------|
|---------------------------------|----------------------------|
|-13b15~~~---(13)r-13b15r~~(13)---|-12~~~--10-----------10-----|
|---------------------------------|-----------12--12-----x-----|
|---------------------------------|----------------------x-----|
|---------------------------------|----------------------------|
|---------------------------------|----------------------------|
Music video
42. Sunshine of Your Love - Eric Clapton / Cream
Genre: Blues Rock | BPM: 115 | Released: 1967 | Tabs | Tutorial
Learning to play the classic solo to Sunshine of Your Love will give you more insight into using the minor pentatonic scale. The song is in the key of D, which means you will use the D minor pentatonic for this solo. Pay attention to which box shapes are being used, and how they connect throughout the different sections of the solo.
e|----------------------|----------------------|
b|----------------------|----------------------|
g|----------------------|----------------------|
d|-12-12-10-12----------|----------------------|
a|--------------12---11-|-10--------8b---------|
e|----------------------|------10-------10-----|
e|----------------------|----------------------|
b|----------------------|----------------------|
g|----------------------|----------------------|
d|-12-12-10-12----------|----------------------|
a|--------------12---11-|-10--------8b---------|
e|----------------------|------10-------10-----|
e|----------------------|----------------------|
b|----------------------|----------------------|
g|-11-11-9--11----------|------12---10b--------|
d|-12-12-10-12----------|------12--------12----|
a|-12-12-10-12--12---11-|-10-------------------|
e|-10-10-8--10----------|----------------------|
e|----------------------|----------------------|
b|----------------------|----------------------|
g|-11-11-9--11----------|------12---10b--------|
d|-12-12-10-12----------|------12--------12----|
a|-12-12-10-12--12---11-|-10-------------------|
e|-10-10-8--10----------|----------------------|
Music video
43. Sweet Child o Mine - Guns N Roses
Genre: Rock | BPM: 125 | Released: 1987 | Tabs | Tutorial
This famous Guns N Roses song has one of the best guitar riffs ever written, and also features a 2 guitar solos. The first one is suitable for beginners, which is the one you'll be learning below. The big, longer solo is for advanced players.
e|-17b--17--15-|-14h15p14------15-|-14h15p14------------14--|
b|-------------|-----------17-----|-----------17-16--17-----|
g|-------------|------------------|-------------------------|
d|-------------|------------------|-------------------------|
a|-------------|------------------|-------------------------|
e|-------------|------------------|-------------------------|
e|---------------------------|---------------------|--------------------|
b|-15b---12------------------|------------------13-|-12h13p12/10---13b--|
g|----------14b--12-11h12p11-|---------11-12-14----|--------------------|
d|---------------------------|-14--14--------------|--------------------|
a|---------------------------|---------------------|--------------------|
e|---------------------------|---------------------|--------------------|
e|-----------------|--------15b--15-----------|---------------|---------|
b|-13--12-12--12b--|-12---------------7b(1/2)-|-7-------------|---------|
g|-----------------|-----14-------------------|----9--8b(1/2)-|-8/11-9b-|
d|-----------------|--------------------------|---------------|---------|
a|-----------------|--------------------------|---------------|---------|
e|-----------------|--------------------------|---------------|---------|
Music video
44. Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones
Genre: Rock | BPM: 116 | Released: 1968 | Tabs | Tutorial
The twangy solo to this Rolling Stones song is an interesting one. It has lots of vibrato and big bends, as all good solos should. It is very unique in every way, just like Keith Richards, guitarist for the Stones. Many people criticize him for his lack of guitar skills, you be the judge.
e|-----------12-----------------|------------------------------|
B|-------------15p12------------|------------------------------|
G|-------------------14Brp12----|------------------------------|
D|--------------------------14~~|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
A|------------------------------|------------------------------|
E|------------------------------|------------------------------|
e|-----------12-----------------|------------------------------|
B|-------------15p12------------|------------------------------|
G|-------------------14Brp12----|--------------------12-14-14B-|
D|--------------------------14--|-----------------14-----------|
A|------------------------------|------------------------------|
E|------------------------------|------------------------------|
e|------------------------------|------------------------------|
B|--------------------------15B-|------------------------------|
G|--------------------12-14-----|------------------------------|
D|-----------------14-----------|------------------------------|
A|------------------------------|------------------------------|
E|------------------------------|------------------------------|
e|-17B------17~~~~~~~~-15b------|------------------------------|
B|------------------------------|-17~~~~~----------------------|
G|------------------------------|------------------------------|
D|------------------------------|------------------------------|
A|------------------------------|------------------------------|
E|------------------------------|------------------------------|
e|--17p15--17--17p15-17-15------|-------15-17--17B-r-15-17p15--|
B|-------17-----------------17--|-15h17---------------------17-|
G|------------------------------|------------------------------|
D|------------------------------|------------------------------|
A|------------------------------|------------------------------|
E|------------------------------|------------------------------|
e|------17B--r17-17----15-17-15b|------------------------------|
B|----17------------------------|----------------17~~~~~-------|
G|------------------------------|------------------------------|
D|------------------------------|------------------------------|
A|------------------------------|------------------------------|
E|------------------------------|------------------------------|
e|------------------------------|------------------------------|
B|----------------17------------|------17----17-17-17----------|
G|------------------------------|------------------------------|
D|------------------------------|------------------------------|
A|------------------------------|------------------------------|
E|------------------------------|------------------------------|
e|------15-17-17b--17--15-17-15b|--------15-17-15p17p15--------|
B|---17-------------------------|17-15-17----------------17-17~|
G|------------------------------|------------------------------|
D|------------------------------|------------------------------|
A|------------------------------|------------------------------|
E|------------------------------|------------------------------|
e|------------------------------|------------------------------|
B|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--17~~~~~------|------------------------------|
G|------------------------------|------------------------------|
D|------------------------------|-14\--------------------------|
A|------------------------------|------------------------------|
E|------------------------------|------------------------------|
Music video
45. To Be With You - Mr Big
Genre: Soft Rock | BPM: 83 | Released: 1991 | Tabs | Tutorial
Paul Gilbert's solo in Mr Big is uncharacteristically light for his regular style. It is a true classic, and it's actually a bit harder than it looks. You'll have loads of fun with this one, make sure you learn it.
e|-------------------------|---------------------------|
B|----------5--------------|---------------------------|
G|-1--2-s4-----6-~~~-4-----|-4-----4---4---------------|
D|-2--4-s6-----7-~~~-7-----|-4-----4h6-4h6-------------|
A|-------------------------|---------------------------|
E|-------------------------|---------------------------|
e|-------------------4-~~~-|-2-h4p2p0-0--0-------------|
B|----------5--------5-~~~-|---------0---0-------------|
G|-1--2-s4-----6-~~~-------|---------------------------|
D|-2--4-s6-----7-~~~-------|---------------------------|
A|-------------------------|---------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------0-------|
e|-------------------------|---------------------------|
B|----------5--------------|-7-~~~-9--9----------12-10-|
G|-1--2-s4-----6-~~~-4-----|-8-~~~-9--9---------9--9---|
D|-2--4-s6-----7-~~~-7-----|-9-~~~-11-11----9-11-------|
A|-------------------------|-------------/11-----------|
E|-------------------------|---------------------------|
N.H.
e|---------------------4-~~|-2-h4p2p0-0--12------------|
B|-9~~10--12-----------5-~~|---------0---12------------|
G|-----------/9------------|-------------------11s13~~-|
D|---------------11~~\-----|---------------------------|
A|-------------------------|---------------------------|
E|-------------------------|---------------------------|
Music video
46. Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
Genre: Alternative Rock | BPM: 105 | Released: 2004 | Tabs | Tutorial
The cool solo is played in the key of G major, and is suitable for players of all levels. This is definitely one of the easiest solos on this list.
e|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|-------------------------|
B|------12-----12--12-|------12-----12--12-|------13-----13--13-|-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-|
G|-12-12--12-12--12---|-11-11--11-11--11---|-12-12--12-12--12---|-12-12-12-12-11-11-11-11-|
D|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|-------------------------|
A|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|-------------------------|
E|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|-------------------------|
e|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|-------------------------|
B|------12-----12--12-|------12-----12--12-|------13-----13--13-|-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-|
G|-12-12--12-12--12---|-11-11--11-11--11---|-12-12--12-12--12---|-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-|
D|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|-------------------------|
A|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|-------------------------|
E|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|-------------------------|
e|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
B|-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-|-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-|-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-|
G|-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-|-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-|-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-|
D|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
A|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
Music video
47. We Will Rock You - Queen
Genre: Rock | BPM: 162 | Released: 1977 | Tabs | Tutorial
The lead guitar part of We Will Rock You (which has got to be one of the most popular songs on the world by the way) comes in as the final 'act' of the song. The solo has lots of repetition and rhythmic strumming, so it's not that hard once you get the individual parts down.
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------|
G|---------5~-----2-x-2--x-x-x-2-x-2-|
D|---------5~-----2-x-2—-x-x-x-2-x-2-|
A|-(7)-----3~-----0-x-0--x-x-x-0-x-0-|
E|------------------3----x-x-x---3---|
e|------------------------------------------------|
B|-14h15-15--15p14-----14-14h15-15-15-15p14-15p14-|
G|-14----14--14--------14-14----14-14-14----14----|
D|-14h16-16--16p14-----14-14h16-16-16-16p14-16p14-|
A|------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------|
e|----17p15----14-------------------------------------|
B|-14--------------17---15p14----15~------15p14-------|
G|----------14----------------14----------------16p14-|
D|----------------------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------|
e|----------------------------------|
B|-17-17-14—17b19-17-14-------------|
G|----------------------18r16-16-14-|
D|----------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------|
e|------------------------------------------------------|
B|-14-15p14-15p14-14-14~~---14-15p14-15p14-14-14-----14-|
G|-14-14----14----14-14~~---14-14----14----14-14--14-14-| (x3)
D|-14-16p14-16p14-14-14~~---14-16p14-16p14-14-14--14-14-|
A|-0----------------------------------------------0-----|
E|------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
48. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
Genre: Hard Rock | BPM: 149 | Released: 1984 | Tabs | Tutorial
The solo in this classic hard rock song follows the vocal line closely. It is played in the key of E major. To make it authentic, you will need to use the whammy bar of your guitar. If it doesn't have one, you can still play the solo of course, but it will not sound the same of course.
e|----------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------9-----9-10~~-9----9-----------9------------12~~|
G|---9-9-11~~--11-----11----------11-----11-9-11---9-9-9~~~-------|
D|----9-------9---------------------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
e|----------------------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------9----9-9-10---------------9-9---------9-------|
G|---9-9---9-11-------11--------9\----------------11-9-11---9-9-9-|
D|-------9------9~~-----------------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
49. What's Up - 4 Non Blondes
Genre: Pop Rock | BPM: 134 | Released: 1992 | Tabs | Tutorial
This catchy song is easy to learn, the entire song uses 3 chords. It also has an easy intro guitar solo you should learn as well.
e|-------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------|
B|-------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------|
G|--7/9--9--9--9-----|-------------------------------------|-----7-----5b----|
D|----------------7--|--7-7-7\4--------7-----------7-----7-|--7-----7------7-|
A|-------------------|-----------7--9-----9--7--9-----9----|-----------------|
E|-------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------|
Music video
50. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
Genre: Rock | BPM: 61 | Released: 1975 | Tabs | Tutorial
This Pink Floyd song has great riffs, but the solo we'll be learning is the melodic solo after the intro riffs. It is played on acoustic guitar, which makes it all the more challenging. It has several lead guitar techniques that all guitar players need to master, including slides, bends, hammer-ons and double stops. This might be one of the hardest solos on this list, so don't worry if you don't learn it in a day. You also want to watch the timing, listen to the song to get it perfected.
e|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|----------3------5-------3----------------------------------------------|
G|---2/4---------------4----------4p2p0-----------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------------0---------------0-0--------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------/2------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|--3/5-----5\3-----------------------------------------------|
B|--3/5-----5\3-------3/5-----5\3----------3/5-----5\3--------|
G|--------------------2/4-----4\2p0--------2/4-----4\2p0---0--|
D|------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------|
e|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------3---5-------pbr5p3-----3-------------3--5----------------------|
G|---2/4-------4------------------4---2------4b------------4b--2------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------3---5-------5b--br5--3---5----------------------------------|
G|----2/4------4---------------------------2------4b---br(4)----2--------|
D|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
51. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
Genre: Soft Rock | BPM: 94 | Released: 1977 | Tabs | Tutorial
This solo was literally the first solo I learned to play back when I got my first guitar. It is super easy and still sounds great. If you want to learn the entire song, I have the full lesson here.
e|----------------------------------------------------|
B|----------------------------------------------------|
G|-14b16r14-12-14--14b16r14-12------14b16r14-12-14----|
D|------------------------------14--------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------|
e|---------------------------------------------------------12-----|
B|--------------------------------------------------12-13-----15--|
G|-14b16r14-12-14--14b16r14-12------14b16r14-12-14----------------|
D|------------------------------14--------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
Music video
That concludes my list of the best guitar solos for beginner and intermediate guitar players.
Do you have any favorites that I missed? Let me know in the comments below.
