The Number 1 BEST WAY To Start a Guitar Solo

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00:00 a devilishly simple approach
3:40 don't forget vocal melodies are also a great place to start
4:50 it's a great improvisation tool as it can help set the vibe
5:25 a totally blank slate can be scary
6:55 the opening phrase of a solo is the one that most people remember
7:37 also works for recording solos on recordings
7:43 this is my secret to making a solo sound like it belongs
10:30 why knowing a song's melody can also help

only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

[johnpaulohara]

We needed a tutorial on how you got that perfect John Mayer tone! This is so stinking good

[joemiller]

This channel… daily guitar players’ multivitamin. Thanks John! 🎸😎

[NickGranville]

I was taught to always start a solo with 3 key things 1. Start Melodic 2. Don’t play too many notes 3. And don’t start on the root note. All good advice I’ve found

[danbma]

I could listen to this all day long. Actually I'm already doing this, hehe! And what a creamy sound, man!

[jessekelso]

That’s the most gravity sounding Layla I’ve heard

[jennifer]

Amazing, John, as always. Best Layla solo ever

[wesboundmusic]

Your playing and command of the guitar is insane, mate! Expressive, beautiful in choice of chord solo work and ad libs as well as single notes, simply tasteful and musical beyond doubt! Wow, so inspiring! As far as how to approach these things: Anything you say, I buy it all!

[jtd]

I really like these real practical vids. Super simple, super helpful.

[tbluesboye]

Reference the melody and work from there, all the permutations. Great post John!

[TomCPlus]

This video exceeded my expectations . . . it wasn't some single formulaic answer, it was indeed valid as a way to make a solo fit the song.

[christogeorgekurian]

I can't be the only one who heard Mayer's Gravity.

[terryacker]

Talk about dialed in, very inspiring!

[jtd]

Couple of the best examples of starting a solo well IMHO… B.B. King (Blues at Midnight), and Derek Trucks (Crow Jane)

[Atmusic]

What a great improvisation on Gravity! Oh sorry I meant Lyla 😂

[GlenMcGlone]

Metheny said something like “if all improvisations had the structural and developmental properties of Happy Birthday the world would be a better place”.

[kerrytyk]

#6 to comment. I started following you when you had less than 20k followers haha. Loved the Ibanez RG video - very helpful lines for church improvisation

[stratless]

Eric's song Layla? It sounds like JM's gravity. Sounds incredible BTW. Great advice for lead ideas.

[darwinsaye]

I kind of deflated at “start the solo the way the original started” because I didn’t realize from the title that this was going to be about playing covers. Good tips though.

[david.petrey]

Great video. Quick question. Have you ever thought about changing your name to John Chordy?

[MarkSchoonmaker]

Is there a different “Layla” out there. This isn’t the “Derek” version.