Lead Guitar
Ready to level up your skills and finally unlock the secrets of lead guitar? Whether you're just learning how to play guitar or have experience with face melting solos, this tutorial series breaks it all down in a fun, easy-to-follow way. We’ll dive deep into the lead guitar licks and riffs, help you master tasty lead guitar techniques, and show you the ins and outs of taking a guitar solo in multiple genres. You’ll even get hands-on with delay and reverb settings for lead guitar to craft a killer tone that cuts through the mix. Let’s plug in and play!
Bluegrass Lead Guitar
Start off with some Bluegrass licks. Bluegrass is known for its speed and precision. Understanding this style will help your picking and fretting accuracy.
Bluegrass songs with great solos
Learn real licks and classic Bluegrass style solos from these songs from legendary Bluegrass artists Doc Watson, Flatt and Scruggs and more.
Blues Beginner Lead Guitar
The guitar is built upon the Blues. In this beginner series you'll learn a handful of classic Blues soloing licks. Plus different lead techniques in specific keys.
Blues Intermediate Lead Guitar
Go further by expanding beyond the standard 12-bar Blues form. Learn some variations on basic Blues chord voicings, as well as some "bread and butter" licks you can use virtually anywhere.
Blues Advanced Lead Guitar
Deepen your understanding of Blues lead guitar by adding major notes within a minor pentatonic scale, adding different guitar scales and modes to the mix, and transposing into all 12 keys so you can play in any situation.
Blues songs with great solos
Lern note-for-note solos from Blues guitar legends T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton and more.
Country Lead Guitar
Start by learning some classic Country guitar licks to sound like the real-deal. Then move on to guitar triads, Country style pentatonic scale licks, Chicken Pickin' techniques, string bending exercises and hybrid picking essentials.
Country songs with great solos
Learn Country lead guitar solos from Country guitar greats like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw and more!
Funk & Soul, R&B Style Guitar
Deepen your groove and rhythm on lead guitar by working on your phrasing, double stops, slides and hammer-ons to create smooth and expressive leads. Plus some theory-focused tips like the 6th interval and Jazz harmony to bring your leads to life.
Essential Funk & Soul Songs
Learn lead guitar techniques used by Funk and Soul legends The Meters, The Jackson 5, Rick James, The Isley Brothers, Earth, Wind, & Fire, and more!
Jazz Lead Guitar
Jazz lead guitar is complex and theory driven. Here you'll learn how to leverage guitar modes and chord arpeggios so you can "outline the progression." You'll also learn complex harmony plus the swing rhythm so you'll get the right feel in your playing.
Jazz songs with great solos
The best way to learn how to play lead guitar in the Jazz style is to learn the licks from the greats like Ben Bernie, Bobby Womack, Isham Jones and more!
Metal Lead Guitar
Let your hair down and crank it up with Metal lead guitar. Learn some essential Metal licks and expressive techniques like tremolo picking, wah wah pedal tips and exotic scales. Plus sound and tone settings so you can shred with the best of them.
Metal songs with great solos
Learn how to play lead Metal guitar from icons in the genre like Judas Priest, Motorhead, Dio and tons more!
Rock Beginner Lead Guitar
Get started on your Rock lead guitar with pentatonic scale boxes, hammer-ons and pull-offs, bending and vibrato, plus essential rock lead guitar licks that every guitarist should know.
Rock Intermediate Lead Guitar
Take your Rock soloing to the next level with melodic phrasing, licks that cover the entire fretboard, and some flashy guitar tricks to impress your bandmates.
Rock Advanced Lead Guitar
Tackle advanced Rock lead techniques like the CAGED system, musical modes, expanding the major/minor scales, and using triads in your playing to add more color to your sound.
Rock songs with great solos
Learn legendary solos from Rock guitar icons like Chuck Berry, AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, Van Halen and more!
Rockabilly Lead Guitar
Rockabilly guitar combines Rock and Bluegrass to make something unique and exciting. Learn the backround on the genre, some essential Rockabilly licks, and gear and tone settings to really sound legit.
Rockabilly songs with great solos
Learn classic Rockabilly lead guitar riffs and licks from pioneers in the genre such as Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and more!
Surf Lead Guitar
Learn how to achieve the Surf lead guitar vibe through proper picking, tone settings and whammy bar tricks.
Surf songs with great solos
Learn classic Surf lead guitar licks from the best in the genre like The Beach Boys and The Ventures!
FAQ
What does a lead guitar do?
The lead guitar usually handles melodies, solos, riffs, and any flashy stuff that stands out over the rhythm. It’s often the part of a song that gets stuck in your head or makes you go, “Whoa, that was cool!”
Is lead guitar the hardest?
It can be harder, yeah, especially because it involves more technical playing like bends, fast runs, and solos. But with practice, it’s totally doable—it just takes a bit more precision and creativity compared to rhythm guitar.
Is it hard to sing while playing lead guitar?
Yeah, it can be tricky at first because you're juggling complex guitar parts and vocal timing at the same time. But with slow practice and repetition, it becomes more natural—some pros make it look easy, but it takes work.
How long does it take to be good at lead guitar?
It really depends on how much you practice, but most people start feeling comfortable after 6–12 months of consistent focused practice. Getting really good can take a few years, especially when it comes to improvising and soloing smoothly.
What is the best way to solo on guitar?
The best way to solo is to start by learning pentatonic scales and then practice phrasing—think bends, slides, vibrato, and leaving space. It's not just about playing fast; it’s about telling a musical story and playing with feel.
Is soloing on guitar hard?
It can feel tough at first because you're learning scales, timing, and expression all at once. But once you get the hang of it, soloing becomes one of the most fun and creative parts of playing guitar.
What qualifies as a guitar solo?
A guitar solo is when the guitar takes the spotlight and plays a melodic or expressive passage, usually over the chord progression of the song. It can be a fast shred or a slow, emotional phrase—as long as the guitar is leading the moment.
