Behind The Solos
Course Content Overview
Across the course, Nick Jennison breaks down a series of focused lesson topics that connect classic rock, hard rock, metal, funk-rock and melodic lead guitar ideas. Each section highlights a recognisable musical influence while turning the underlying concept into something you can practise, adapt and reuse.
The course content overview can be summarised as follows:
- Explore the techniques and musical thinking behind famous rock and metal guitar solo styles.
- Learn string-skipping tapped arpeggios, two-handed tapping and advanced arpeggio coordination.
- Develop tighter rhythm guitar through funk shell chords, muting and syncopated groove control.
- Use wide interval guitar shapes and symmetrical patterns to create less predictable lead lines.
- Study melodic rock phrasing inspired by Whitesnake and song-focused solo construction.
- Examine neoclassical lead guitar ideas associated with Randy Rhoads and Mr Crowley.
- Strengthen modern rock and metal phrasing through Zakk Wylde-style pentatonic soloing concepts.
- Build a better understanding of bends, vibrato, legato, alternate picking, palm muting, hybrid picking, double stops and sustain.[1]
- Learn how to turn technical ideas into original solos rather than simply copying licks.
By the end of the course, you should have a broader lead guitar vocabulary and a clearer understanding of how technique supports musical expression. The result is a more informed approach to soloing, whether you are working on classic rock, hard rock, metal, melodic ballads or modern guitar-driven music.
This Course is Ideal for Players Who...
This course is ideal for guitarists who love classic rock and metal solos but want to go deeper than surface-level transcription. If you have ever learned a solo note-for-note but struggled to apply the same ideas in your own playing, Behind The Solos is designed to close that gap.
It is particularly useful for players who want to understand how great lead guitar parts are built. The course connects technical devices such as tapping, string skipping, alternate picking and legato with broader musical concepts such as phrasing, rhythm, melody, space and tension. That makes it suitable for ambitious intermediate and advanced players who want their solos to sound more intentional and expressive.
Behind The Solos will particularly benefit players who are looking for:
- A structured Nick Jennison guitar lesson focused on the mechanics of great solos.
- Rock guitar solo lessons that explain phrasing, not just finger placement.
- Practical insight into Nuno Bettencourt tapping arpeggios and funk-rock rhythm concepts.
- A route into Randy Rhoads-style neoclassical rock guitar ideas.
- More powerful Zakk Wylde-style pentatonic phrasing and aggressive articulation.
- Better melodic solo construction for classic rock, hard rock and metal songs.
- LickLibrary online guitar lessons that combine analysis, technique and musical application.
If you want to sound more fluent, more musical and less dependent on memorised licks, this course gives you a strong set of tools for developing your own lead guitar voice.
What will I achieve from completing this course?
This course works because it treats famous solos as musical case studies rather than fixed pieces of information. Great guitar solos are rarely memorable because of one technique alone. They work because phrasing, rhythm, timing, tone, articulation and melodic shape all support the song. Nick Jennison’s teaching approach focuses on those deeper ingredients, helping you understand the choices that make a lead part effective.[1]
The range of material is another strength. The course moves from the virtuosic funk-shred language associated with Nuno Bettencourt to melodic rock phrasing, neoclassical metal, aggressive pentatonic soloing and theme-based lead writing. That variety gives you a wider vocabulary and helps you recognise how different guitarists solve similar musical problems in different ways.
The technical content is also grounded in real musical application. For example, Premier Guitar’s lesson material on Nuno Bettencourt highlights his inventive use of tapping arpeggios, speed, accuracy, note groupings, shifting accents and the importance of developing a personal voice rather than simply copying licks. Behind The Solos follows the same useful principle: it encourages you to study influential ideas, understand them and then reshape them into your own playing.
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Behind The Solos – Nick Jennison
Unlock the secrets behind some of rock and metal’s most iconic lead guitar moments with Behind The Solos by Nick Jennison. This course takes a deep dive into the techniques, phrasing concepts, and musical ideas that define legendary solos, breaking them down into practical, digestible lessons you can apply to your own playing immediately. Rather than simply learning note-for-note lines, this course shows you why these solos work, giving you the tools to think like the players who created them.
Nick Jennison’s clear and analytical teaching style makes even the most advanced concepts accessible, guiding you through a series of focused studies inspired by classic tracks and albums. From the flamboyant virtuosity of Pornograffitti to the melodic sophistication of Is This Love and the theatrical metal of Mr Crowley, every lesson is designed to expand your technical ability and musical vocabulary.
Course Breakdown
Pornograffitti – Tapped, String Skipping Arpeggio Patterns
This lesson explores the high-octane arpeggio playing synonymous with Nuno Bettencourt’s style. By combining string skipping with tapping techniques, you’ll learn how to outline extended chord shapes across the fretboard with precision and flair. This approach builds coordination between both hands while unlocking fluid, cascading arpeggio lines that sound both modern and expressive.
Pornograffitti – Funk Shell Chords
Here, the focus shifts to rhythm guitar, examining the tight, percussive funk chord work that underpins many grooves on Pornograffitti. You’ll learn how to use stripped-back chord voicings and rhythmic accuracy to create space and feel. This lesson develops your timing, muting control, and rhythmic awareness—essential skills for any well-rounded guitarist.
Pornograffitti – Wide Interval Symmetrical Shapes – Part 1
This lesson introduces wide intervallic patterns that break away from traditional scale shapes. By using symmetrical fingerings across the fretboard, you’ll begin to visualise new pathways for soloing. These shapes create a distinctive, modern sound and encourage more adventurous phrasing.
Pornograffitti – Wide Interval Symmetrical Shapes – Part 2
Building on Part 1, this lesson expands these concepts further, helping you connect positions and develop longer, more expressive lines. The result is a more fluid fretboard understanding and the ability to create unique melodic ideas that stand out from conventional scale-based playing.
Is This Love
Inspired by the melodic phrasing of Whitesnake’s classic ballad, this lesson focuses on expressive lead playing. You’ll explore how to craft solos that prioritise feel, tone, and phrasing, using space and dynamics to create emotional impact.
Mr Crowley
Dive into the neoclassical brilliance of Randy Rhoads with a study of Mr Crowley. This lesson highlights classical-inspired phrasing, fast runs, and dramatic melodic structures, giving you insight into one of rock’s most influential guitar voices.
No More Tears
This lesson examines the groove-driven soloing of Zakk Wylde, combining pentatonic phrasing with aggressive articulation. You’ll learn how to balance precision with attitude, creating solos that are both powerful and memorable.
The Final Countdown
Explore the iconic melodic phrasing and harmonic ideas behind this classic track. This lesson emphasises strong thematic development and the use of scale-based ideas to create instantly recognisable lead lines.
Techniques Covered
Tapped Arpeggios & Two-Handed Coordination
By working through tapped and string-skipped arpeggios, you’ll develop advanced coordination between your picking and fretting hands. This technique allows you to cover large fretboard intervals with ease, opening up new sonic possibilities for lead playing.
Funk Rhythm & Chord Control
The use of shell chords and tight rhythmic patterns will refine your groove playing. You’ll improve your ability to lock in with a rhythm section while maintaining clarity and precision in your chord work.
Wide Interval & Symmetrical Patterns
These shapes help you break out of predictable scale runs, encouraging more creative phrasing. Learning symmetrical patterns also improves fretboard visualisation, making it easier to navigate complex ideas across the neck.
Expressive Lead Techniques
From bends and vibrato to subtle phrasing nuances, this course emphasises the importance of feel. Developing these skills allows you to convey emotion and personality in your solos.
Neoclassical & Scale-Based Runs
Fast, articulate passages inspired by classical music will enhance your technical ability and picking accuracy. These ideas are essential for players looking to expand into more advanced lead styles.
Pentatonic Power & Modern Rock Phrasing
You’ll learn how to push beyond basic pentatonic shapes, incorporating advanced articulation and phrasing techniques to create more dynamic and engaging solos.
About The Guitarists & Their Influence
The material in this course draws inspiration from some of rock and metal’s most influential players. Nuno Bettencourt’s innovative fusion of funk and shred revolutionised modern guitar playing, while Randy Rhoads brought a neoclassical sophistication that continues to inspire generations. Zakk Wylde’s aggressive, blues-infused style demonstrates the power of strong phrasing and tone, and the melodic sensibilities found in bands like Europe and Whitesnake highlight the importance of memorable, song-driven solos. By studying these players, you gain a deeper understanding of how technique and musicality combine to create truly iconic guitar moments.
Why Learn Behind The Solos?
This course goes beyond simply copying solos—it equips you with the knowledge and techniques to develop your own voice on the instrument. By understanding the mechanics behind great lead guitar playing, you’ll be able to apply these concepts across a wide range of styles, from rock and metal to funk and melodic ballads.
Whether you’re looking to improve your technical ability, expand your phrasing vocabulary, or gain insight into the thinking of legendary guitarists, Behind The Solos provides a comprehensive and inspiring pathway to becoming a more expressive and confident player.
Guitar Techniques Used
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Nick Jennison
I’m Nick Jennison, a guitarist, vocalist, producer and educator from the North East of England. It’s pretty cold up here, which seems like the perfect excuse to stay inside and make a bunch of great guitar-related videos for your viewing pleasure. I’ll be covering topics from technique, tone and musicality,...