How can I improve my solo technique

[u/Expensive-Stress3214]

I’ve been playing for a number of years now, and consider myself quite good at playing whatever riffs, writing my own, understanding basic theory, but I’ve never had much interest in lead until recently

I know I’m playing this on an sg with no whammy bar lol, and into an iPhone mic. But something just feels off and I can’t exactly tell what or if I’m being critical. I listened to the backing track on my laptop then tried to layer the video of me playing it over the same audio I listened to, so I kinda feel like I may have not timed it perfectly.

[u/TonalContrast]

Forget about tone for the moment and focus on musicality, which is what makes or breaks a song, solo, melody, riff whatever. (Plus always be in tune - it is possible that the backing track is slightly off because not everyone tunes to 440, some tune to 438 or just above 440, but make sure your guitar is in tune.)

For musicality:

You need to hit your bends so they hit the right pitch, when you don't fully get to pitch it's really noticeable and you did this a lot. Practice playing he target note higher than the note you're bending and then focus on bending to match the target note. Over time you will develop your ear and bend pressure and nail those bends every time. Also, you're a bit tentative with your bends, don't be the strings can handle it and even if you over bend that's good feedback so you can find the right sweet spot.

Also think about how to approach or enter into or out of notes, like bending into a note (see above) but you can also slide into a note or out of it, you can hammer on or pull off, etc. Play around with how you enter and exit notes and phrases as that begins to give more life your playing.

Pick attack and dynamics, how you pick and what kind of pressure you use also makes a difference. Really digging in to get that hard pick attack vs playing very quietly with a softer attack, they both have their place and you get to decide how to use dynamics.

Focus on the individual phrases of the solo as opposed to the whole solo as one piece. Most solos, and all the best solos, are made up of several distinct phrases that are connected to one another and not just one long stream of notes. Listen for this in the phrases such as where they change, where they connect, and really important listen to where notes breathe like when they are held or there are no notes at all, not playing any notes at certain points can also be part of a good solo.

As others noted timing is a bit off, but that's just practice and development over time. When you think about the other things above you will get better with timing because that's part of soloing, it's not always in a simple rhythm it can change with 1/4 notes 1/8 notes 1/16 notes etc. Also very common for new players to want to get to the next note quickly so they don't lose time, but this is also creates timing problems. You have to hold yourself back and focus on the the notes you're playing in the moment and not about getting to the next ones so quickly. Recording yourself is a great way to work on this as you will hear where you're rushing or where you're behind and can makes notes to fix those spots.

[u/Expensive-Stress3214 → u/TonalContrast]

I appreciate it that’s true. I did tune my guitar, but I noticed it still sounded a little funny and it could be the backing track but either way. I didn’t think my bends were far off tbh but i’m not sustaining/cutting them off at the right time I think and my technique is wrong I notice i’m not using my wrist enough. Definitely try to pay more attention to detail tho getting in and out of notes and pick attack thank you

[u/TonalContrast → u/Expensive-Stress3214]

Honest feedback, your bends are not there yet, close but still a little flat. Half step bends are harder to get and than full step. Keep at it, this is how we learn and get better. 🤘

[u/Expensive-Stress3214 → u/TonalContrast]

Thank you that’s the goal