10 Hard Guitar Solos!
The guitar is very versatile. There are many genres, techniques, and different types of guitars. However, many people know the guitar for its epic solos. Many lead guitarists that have already learned the basics often feel themselves stagnate. As such, we have created a list of relatively hard solos so you can challenge yourself! We also have a list for beginning lead guitarists of fun and easy solos with which you can learn the basics!
Hideaway – Jeff Healey, Freddie King, or Eric Clapton
This amazing instrumental blues song was created by ‘Blues King’ Freddie King in 1960. Throughout the decades this song has been modified and covered by many other legendary guitarists. These three versions are so different that you will have to choose which one you want to learn. The hardest, however, is Jeff Healey’s version. Not only because this blind guitarist played his guitar flat on his lap, but also because his version has a faster tempo and more articulation. The song is instrumental and is technically one long guitar solo. The solo is made up of separate parts, of which it is advisable to learn these separately instead of learning them all together. This will take a while, though, as the solo is between four and five minutes long. The solo also contains almost all guitar techniques and is a blues solo, meaning that emotion and articulation are vital to the song's integrity. Healey was known for his Squier Stratocasters. He was one of those guitarists that didn’t care about name, and he chose the Squier simply because he liked how they played and sounded. Throughout the years Squier has expanded their assortment and they have many different Stratocasters, such as the Squier Classic Vibe ‘70s or the Squier Affinity Stratocaster. However, Freddie King would play the song with his beautiful red hollow-body guitar, such as the Eastman T64/v.
Sweet Home Chicago – Matt ‘Guitar’ Murphy
Many guitarists have played this legendary blues song for a century. The origin of the song is unclear; it was first recorded by Robert Johnson in 1936, although there are sources that indicate that the song is much older. Johnson’s version is calm and acoustic, whereas Eric Clapton’s version is a little faster and electric. However, the Blues Brothers’ version is likely the hardest, considering their version is insanely fast. Matt ‘Guitar’ Murphy’s solo and riffs are hard to separate, as both are very hard and require insane skill. This also means the entire song is relatively hard to play. The solo is very fast and requires multiple neck positions and techniques. For example, Murphy uses 24 separate notes, three hammer-ons, six pull-offs, and a slide within two bars. The entire solo is thirteen bars long and is made up of two parts. It’s advisable to learn each bar separately before playing the whole solo together due to its tempo. Lastly, the song is also relatively hard to play because Murphy manages to add a lot of soul to his recording. Murphy mostly used the Cort MGM-1 and the Delaney Mike Delaney signature. Both guitars have been discontinued. The MGM-1 closest resembles an HH Stratocaster whereas the Delaney is close to a Telecaster. Great alternatives are the Michael Kelly 1953 Caramel Burst, the Fender Player Lead II, and the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH.
Oh Pretty Woman – Gary Moore
It seems like this list contains a lot of blues solos. This is because the blues is very focussed on guitars and it’s very versatile. Oh Pretty Woman from Gary Moore also isn’t easy. The song contains three separate solos of which the third is the hardest. Moore is able to play really fast, just like Murphy, and his solo contains many slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. The main reason this solo isn’t easy is speed, but with a little patience and motivation the solo can be mastered! Gary Moore was mostly known for using Gibson Les Pauls. Great alternatives are the Eastman SB59, the Lâg I100-HOS, or the Heritage H-150.
Domination – Pantera
Speed isn’t only common in the Blues, but it’s also a vital element of many metal songs. Pantera, an American groove metal band, has an insanely fast solo in their song Domination. For example, within one bar they have 24 separate notes within five pull-offs/hammer-ons. These pull-offs and hammer-ons are sometimes divided by seven frets. This doesn’t only make the solo hard to play, but for people with average or shorter length fingers, the solo is impossible to play. However, due to the genre of the song, it’s often played rougher than the blues, meaning articulation and emotion play less of a role, although the song remains only to be mastered by few. Pantera’s guitarist, Dimebag Darrell, predominantely used a red Dean ML. This unique guitar had two humbuckers, meaning Les Pauls are great alternatives, such as the Michael Kelly Patriot Decree Open Pore or the Stagg Silveray Nash Deluxe.
Black Night – Deep Purple
This 1970s single of the famous British hard rock band has two relatively hard solos. Just like in the former songs, tempo plays an important role here. However, Ritchie Blackmore made them more complicated by adding many whammies, vibratos, long slides, bends, pull-offs, and hammer-ons. There are thus many techniques hiding in the solo which means it’s advisable to learn the solo in separate parts or even by bar. Moreover, the song does have a fun intro riff which means it’s an enjoyable song to play, regardless of whether you want to learn to play the solo. Blackmore was known for his beautiful white/yellow Fender Stratocasters. His most popular models are from the 1970s, but they of course don’t have to be white or yellow. However, it is very much popular, such as with the Fender Player Stratocaster Buttercream and the Squier Classic Vibe ‘70s, but also with the Aria Pro II STG-003SPL or the Ibanez GRG140-WH.
Juice – Steve Vai
When discussing hard guitar solos, we of course cannot ignore Steve Vai. Juice is one large guitar solo, considering it’s an instrumental song during which Vai continually solos. The solo itself lasts for about 3¾ minutes and contains many different techniques. The song can be divided into different parts which makes it easier to learn. This solo will take a lot of time to master, not just because it’s long and fast, but also because Vai uses recognisable techniques not a lot of guitarists master. He doesn’t just have characteristic pull-offs and hammer-ons, but he also uses a lot of pinch harmonics. This is a relatively complicated technique that requires a lot of practice. He combines this with bends and whammies to complicate it even further. The solo thus requires blood, sweat, and tears to master, but it is most definitely possible! Steve Vai collaborates with Ibanez and has thus many signature guitars. These guitars are generally all HSH Stratocasters. Great alternatives are the Ibanez GRG440-WH, the Ibanez GRG140-SB, the Lâg A200-BSH, or the Stagg SES-60.
Master of Puppets – Metallica
Metallica is known for their intense guitar songs. Master of Puppets has two solos, of which the second is clearly harder. Speed and technique are vital for this solo. Especially regarding hammer-ons and pull-offs, which are often located far apart. This makes the solo also harder for guitarists with shorter fingers. In the second part of the solo, the focus switches to well-timed and clear bends. The solo is not very long and contains multiple repetitions. As such, it’s not an impossible solo to learn if you slow it down and take your time! Kirk Hammett is known for his ESP LTD guitars. These are very versatile guitars which means you have a wide array of great alternatives, such as the Lâg A200-BSH or the Michael Kelly Custom Collection 60.
Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll – Rainbow
We return to Ritchie Blackmore, this time with Rainbow as opposed to Deep Purple. This solo is complicated due to speed, repetitions with slides, and slight alterations. This means the solo isn’t necessarily hard, but it’s mostly confusing. This means you also can’t rely on muscle memory as it slightly goes against the grain. It’s definitely possible to learn this solo, but it does require a bit of time to figure out the confusing part. As we have already discussed Blackmore, it's unnecessary to repeat his signature white/yellow Fender Stratocasters. Instead, great alternatives are the Michael Kelly 1963 and the Stagg SES-60.
Eruption – Van Halen
The Dutchman Eddie Van Halen is considered by many to be one of the best guitarists ever. Van Halen didn’t only go against the grain by producing grand and complicated solos when this wasn’t common, but also because he simply had the talent and motivation to develop his own sound. Eruption is considered to be one of the hardest guitar solos. Funnily enough, Eruption wasn’t meant to be published. It was Eddie’s warming-up exercise before recording You Really Got Me. The solo turned out to be so great they decided to publish it anyway. Eruption is often played together with You Really Got Me as they go so great together. The solo is hard because it contains repetitions, bends, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. The solo itself isn’t actually that hard, Van Halen stays within a pentatonic scale, but it’s the clear articulation and tempo that makes the solo so hard. Van Halen used to make his own guitars and even started his own company called EVH. His favourite guitars are from the EVH Wolfgang series.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Prince
This song doesn’t belong to Prince, as you likely already know, it belongs to the Beatles. During George Harrison’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2004 Prince played the song together with Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Steve Winwood. Harrison had unfortunately already passed away, meaning Prince took over for him and managed to produce one of the most legendary live solos ever. This is an even more impressive feat knowing that he hadn’t practised the song together with the others and improvised most of it live. This also makes the solo more complicated to imitate. If you want to attempt to cover the solo, it’s recommendable to chop the solo in pieces and learn them separately. Even after his death, Prince remains one of the best guitarists in the world, which also becomes clear from this solo. Prince played this solo with a Telecaster, of which the version is unclear. Great alternatives are the Godin Stadium HT and the Michael Kelly Hybrid 55 Tiger’s Eye Burst.
Are you able to play all these solos? If not, than this list will be a great challenge! Don’t be set back if it doesn’t immediately work out. These solos were written and performed by some of the best guitarists throughout history, it will thus take a lot of effort and time to master these solos. However, they’re great to practice certain techniques and tempo!
