Intermediate player looking for starting point

Hey Peeps.

Been playing guitar for over 20 years and been doing the covers circuit solidly during the time so I do have a stack of performance experience, however I’m a lead singer first and foremost and typically just play rhythm.

Thought it time to get serious about learning lead as a way to both delve into the world of soloing but also as a way to expand the flavours of my rhythm playing.

I’d describe my lead guitar ability as knowing the first few positions of the pentatonic and major scales, however my lead typically sounds like i’m just playing scales.

As I play a lot of covers and having difficulty learning things note by note, I’m keen to get my skills into the realm of understanding what keys and scales are used for various songs, and then improvising the lead parts while hitting the key signature parts of the original recording.

sooooooo based on my history and goals, where would peeps recommend that I jump in lesson wise.

ohh yeah, and I’d summarise my style as being a rock musician, however tend to lean towards guitarist that are more blues and funk influenced over shredders.

Hey & welcome to GT! Thanks for the background info. That helps a lot.

Originally Posted by: jimborazza

Thought it time to get serious about learning lead as a way to both delve into the world of soloing but also as a way to expand the flavours of my rhythm playing.[/quote]

Lead guitar playing (or improvisation) has two basic components.

1. Knowledge of the scale or key & the chord progression.[br]2. An existing repertoire of licks that you can already play.

Please read this article about how to improvise or learn to play lead solo. It explains the process in more depth & detail.

https://www.guitartricks.com/blog/how-to-play-a-guitar-solo

Ultimately, playing lead guitar just comes down to learning a basic set of licks, little melodies & things to play. Just like learning chords or songs. You have to know a certain number of stock skills that you can play automatically as needed when the occasion arises.

Originally Posted by: jimborazzaI’d describe my lead guitar ability as knowing the first few positions of the pentatonic and major scales, however my lead typically sounds like i’m just playing scales.

GT has two ways to approach this problem.

1. Guided course if you are completely new to ideas & skills required to play lead solos. For example, the Rock courses which have whole chapters dedicated to soloing, but integrated into the wider context of a whole guided curriculum.

Rock

https://www.guitartricks.com/course.php?input=rock1

Blues

https://www.guitartricks.com/course.php?input=blues1

You might have a look through those & just work on the chapters that focus on lead guitar skills. It will give you a quick primer & solid foundation to build on.

2. Individual tutorials aimed directly at certain concepts & skills (but assume you already have a certain level of understanding & skill). This series of tutorials will answer all your questions about soloing, which scales to use & how to use them.

This path might be more directly focused on your goals since you can already play rhythm guitar. Have a look at this series of tutorials on how to improvise.

https://www.guitartricks.com/collection/learning-to-improvise

[quote=jimborazza]ohh yeah, and I’d summarise my style as being a rock musician, however tend to lean towards guitarist that are more blues and funk influenced over shredders.

Then you might also enjoy these tutorials aimed at improv concepts but with a bluesy component. They also will give you some immediate licks & tools for your repertoire! These are also the first in a series of tutorials.

https://www.guitartricks.com/collection/Bread-and-Butter-Butter-Blues-Licks

Major Notes In Minor Pentatonic 1

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=217

Finally, learn from the guitarists that inspire you! Look through the GT song collection for songs with solos you love. Learn those solos. Take them apart to see what makes them tick. Repurpose those licks for yourself. Put your own spin on them & add them to your repertoire.

https://www.guitartricks.com/songs.php

Have fun! Please ask more if necessary & best of success!

Awesome.

Thank you so much!