Metal Solos

[NirvanaKCN]

K heres the deal. I think I have pretty good speed, a pretty good knowledge of theory, i can write songs ect. but when I try to solo it never comes out how I want it to. It's not metally enough, it's missing that edge, it seems like i'm missing something major. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP!!!!
Thanks,
Toe-Knee

[lalimacefolle]

I guess you should record yourself, post it here, and tell us what you want to get, and we will help you out...

[Sivert Skaaren]

First.. metalsolos often are written.. they are composed
so(even if some improvise)... they often use techniques
that sounds cool... like sweeping, tapping and alternate
runs...

i recomend u to sing the melody/solo first.. then try to
play it... and after u have the main melody.. built it
futher out with some runs and sweeps and bends and
whatever... good luck.. = )

[Dejan Sajinovic]

Belive me, nobody out there is orginal (maby Hendrix).
I think it´s impossible to find your own style if you don´t play others stuff.

But also keep in mind that when you learn others solos, don´t larn it 100% ´cause than you are a 100% copy of the orginal. Belive me I have same problems when it comes to do my own solos but it´s clearing up ´cause when I´m learning others solos I come up whit lot of my own style and also new runs, tricks, sweeps etc. I think that learning faster solos is better ´cause you can come up more whit your own stuff when the notes are just flyn´ by than slower solos.

Along with that, don´t be afraid of stealing some licks from others (just do it your own way so that they can´t recognize it easily) and don´t be afraid of slowing your solo down a bit ´cause it´s than your style and feeling comes out and that´s somthing you´ll need to work by your own.

Also, I think that singing a solo in your head and than translate it to guitar is great ´cause that´s how you´ll find melodies and than when you want to be nasty, use some dirty tricks you already. Just make sure that they fit of course.

[Zosomagick]

I think that the best way would probly to come up with a harmony, & build off of that. Add tapping, bends, harmonics, & other tricks. This also depends on what type of solo you are looking for though. You can do a quik technical solo or an extended soulful solo.

Good Luck!!!

[Slasha]

I used to have that problem too. So I learned some new scales since the pentatonic wasnt heavy enoughfor me. Try working with some harmonic minors, minors, diminished, phrygian, locrian etc scales. I think you might find that darker tonality they use in metal a lot.

Hope that helps

:cool: Slasha

[albo]

I'd suggest just keep practicing...maybe loop a certain riff over and over and practice lead over that. Everyone always has trouble in the beginning with soloing. People don't pick up a guitar and are immediate improvisational geniuses.

[Slow Diver]

Whatever **** you play with distortion in 16th notes in above 200bpm is a metal solo

[aiwass]

What I did was just work on my chops, and then use lots of distortion so i could go a bit faster. The whole idea is to have something to build upon, so when you play a gig or whatever, just play some fast sweeps and scale runs (and lotsa tapping, hehe....), and then try and try to be spontaneous now and then. This probably sounds dumb, but after a while, you start to do less mindless shredding and more REAL soloing. With this approach, you'll at least satisfy the audience with some real fast stuff, and after a while, you also become more confident in your improvisational abilities:)!

[trendkillah]

Originally posted by Slow Diver
Whatever **** you play with distortion in 16th notes in above 200bpm is a metal solo

You don't list to metal do you? ;)

The way I come up with stuff is spend hours trying out stuff. I'm not a good improviser, so I usually just hum a melody, and then try to play it, and build it from there.
Unless of course you want to sound like Slayer, then the above quote is indeed correct.

[Slow Diver]

:)
Indeed I don't list to metal but I don't want you to have the impression that I am some kind of anti-metal fanatic. I just sometimes find a little ridiculous these metal guitarists who play incredibly fast just for the sake of playing incredibly fast and making people go "wow, you see that?" Also, it is a bit tedious to hear the same thing over and over again. For, example I wathched some Malmsteen concert on the TV and around the middle I fell asleep. No doubt, amazing technuique but I find it somewhat boring