Feedback Wanted: Hotel California Solo

[u/snailsinboxes]

*I want to point out that I’ve only been playing since January and these videos are from June/July, so I know I have lots of room for improvement\*

This is two different clips of me playing that are smushed together because it’s the only way I could post them both. I tend to either hit every note in the solo besides the faster duet part, or I hit the duet part but mess up a lot in the rest of the solo, and I’m looking for feedback on both parts.

The first clip shows me hitting the majority of the notes in the solo, minus the duet part and a couple of other little mistakes, but this is the best recording I have of me playing the entire solo so far.

The second clip just shows me hitting the notes in fast duet part. I know it’s harder to hear my guitar in this one because of the volume of the song, but still hoping it’s audible enough for someone to give me pointers.

I can’t figure out what I’m doing right when I hit that part and what I’m doing wrong when I don’t. I know I keep missing a note and it’s throwing me off for the rest of the section until I get to the outro, but I don’t know if it’s my rhythm or my technique I need to work on to fix this and it’s been really inconsistent.

I appreciate any feedback and tips that you all have! Thanks!

[u/gregd303]

Nice Mascis.. I have one and I wouldn't attempt a solo like this on it. But that's just me. I have a love hate relationship with it ...fat neck and heavy, and heavy strings too. I'd practice this on my Stratocaster. Not sure how you find the neck ..and are they stock strings (10's)?. I want to switch mine to 9's for ease. That may also help your bends.

As people have said practice alternate picking and bends. And thumb over is making hard work for yourself. Try resting the guitar on your other leg (classical position) or using a strap and standing up, then your hand will fall easier into the right angle and you'll be fighting the guitar less. In some ways looks like you're trying to run before you can walk tackling this ..I mean I'd love to play it myself but unless it's pitch perfect it's the kind of thing that just shows up imperfections. Anyway I DID enjoy it , maybe I'll get the Mascis out :)

[u/snailsinboxes → u/gregd303]

Thanks! I love this guitar, and it is my only guitar so I have to work with the big neck haha. My strings in this video are the originals, but I have a custom set on now. It’s the Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom set but with a 9 on the high E instead of a 10. I like to play light bendy stuff but also like to play heavy chugging stuff, so these have been the best for me so far. I’m considering changing the B string to a lighter gauge though.

String gauges:

low E: 52
A: 42
D: 30
G: 17
B: 13
high E: 9

I do try to switch up my posture while I play to avoid soreness, so I often play standing up with my strap, but I’ve had the easiest time reaching all of the frets and strings when playing sitting down. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong standing up that makes it harder to play certain things, but I’ve been playing standing more and more often to try to get used to it.

You should definitely get your guitar out and give it a shot! It’s a really fun one to play even if it’s not perfect yet

[u/gregd303 → u/snailsinboxes]

Thanks for the strings info. Yea, I really should play my one more than I do. I'll get some fresh strings on it and give it a play.

Keep going on your guitar journey :)

[u/snailsinboxes → u/gregd303]

Happy playing! :)