Chords in solo's


fuzzb0x
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fuzzb0x
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07/06/2015 4:00 pm
sometimes when I see an artist play a solo it looks like they are using what I assume are chords high up on the neck mainly on the G, B and high E string but I cant figure out what these chords could be.
Anyone have an idea?
# 1
jarkko.eklund
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jarkko.eklund
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07/06/2015 5:22 pm
3 string arpeggios (both major and minor) are very common when soloing.
# 2
GT Staff
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GT Staff
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07/06/2015 6:12 pm
Originally Posted by: fuzzb0xsometimes when I see an artist play a solo it looks like they are using what I assume are chords high up on the neck mainly on the G, B and high E string but I cant figure out what these chords could be.
Anyone have an idea?


What you're seeing are triads and inversions or just very basic minor and major chords that are anchored on the higher frets.

This lesson series does a good job of spelling it all out and providing some clarity on the theory front: https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=934
# 3
fuzzb0x
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fuzzb0x
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07/06/2015 6:19 pm
Thank you :)
# 4
ChristopherSchlegel
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Joined: 08/09/05
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ChristopherSchlegel
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Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
07/06/2015 6:53 pm
Originally Posted by: fuzzb0xsometimes when I see an artist play a solo it looks like they are using what I assume are chords high up on the neck mainly on the G, B and high E string but I cant figure out what these chords could be.


They are usually triads that match the chords (or the overall key) that are happening in the song but in a lower register. For example, if a song is using these 3 chords as the rhythm part: A-G-D. Then the rhythm guitar part might be those 3 chords in a lower register.

|-----------------------------------------------|
|--2---------7----------------------------------|
|--2----4----7----------------------------------|
|--2----5----7----------------------------------|
|--0----5----5----------------------------------|
|-------3---------------------------------------|

So a matching part, but in a lead style, would be to play the same chords but in a higher register. For example.

|--9-----10----10---|---12---15---14----------|
|--10----12----10---|---14---15---15----------|
|--9-----12----11---|---14---16---14----------|
|-------------------|-------------------------|
|-------------------|-------------------------|
|-------------------|-------------------------|

Or you could break them up rhythmically & play them as arpeggios.

|------9-----10-----10---|----9-12---10-15-----10--14-------|
|----10----12-----10-----|--10-----12-------10--------------|
|--9-----12-----11-------|----------------------------------|
|------------------------|----------------------------------|
|------------------------|----------------------------------|
|------------------------|----------------------------------|

I cover this concept of playing triads & inversions on the high strings in this tutorial.

www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=734

Anders also does a great job of showing multiple ways of playing triads in the rock 2 course starting in this tutorial.

https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=21433&s_id=1719

Hope this helps! Please ask more if necessary & best of success!
Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 5
fuzzb0x
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fuzzb0x
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07/07/2015 9:01 pm
Chris that's exactly what I was looking for, thank you :)
# 6

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