Killer Pop Solos

Unlock the secrets to crafting unforgettable guitar solos that have defined some of the biggest pop hits of all time. In this comprehensive course, “Killer Pop Solos,” you will embark on a journey to master the art of the pop guitar solo, learning the techniques and melodic phrasing that will make your playing stand out. Taught by the incredible Sam Bell, this course is your ticket to understanding how to blend rock-infused techniques with pop sensibilities, creating solos that are both technically impressive and melodically captivating. Whether you are looking to improve your lead guitar playing, learn famous pop guitar solos, or add a new dimension to your musical vocabulary, this Licklibrary.com course provides the tools and instruction you need to succeed.
Medium
1 Hours, 29 Minutes
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Sam Bell Tutor, Professional Guitarist
Image of tutor: Sam Bell

Song Lessons in this Course

1 Introduction
2 All Right Now - Solo
3 Beat It - Solo
4 Easy Lover - Solo
5 The Heat Is On - Solo
6 Is This Love - Solo
7 Maniac - Solo
8 Rosanna - Solo
9 Since You've Been Gone - Solo
10 Kid Charlemagne - Solo
11 Hard To Handle - Solo
12 Outro

Song-by-Song Guitar Lessons Taught by Danny Gill

This course provides a deep dive into ten iconic pop solos, offering detailed breakdowns of each performance. You will learn to play:

  • Beat It - Michael Jackson (Solo by Eddie Van Halen)
  • Easy Lover - Philip Bailey and Phil Collins
  • Rosanna - Toto
  • Since You’ve Been Gone - Rainbow
  • Is This Love - Whitesnake
  • The Heat Is On - Glenn Frey
  • Kid Charlemagne - Steely Dan
  • Maniac - Michael Sembello
  • Hard To Handle - The Black Crowes
  • All Right Now - Free

Through these lessons, you will master a wide range of essential guitar techniques, including:

  • String Bending & Vibrato
  • Alternate Picking & Legato
  • Two-Handed Tapping & Tapped Harmonics
  • Double Stop Bends & Unison Bends
  • Whammy Bar Tricks & Dive Bombs

This Course is Ideal for Players Who...

This course is perfect for intermediate to advanced guitarists who want to expand their soloing skills and learn how to apply rock and fusion techniques in a pop context. If you are a guitarist looking to improve your phrasing, learn iconic solos from top artists, or understand the nuances of crafting melodic and memorable guitar solos, this course is for you. It is also ideal for those who want to improve their technical proficiency and learn from a world-class instructor like Sam Bell. Whether you are a gigging musician, a songwriter, or an aspiring professional, “Killer Pop Solos” will provide you with the skills and confidence to take your playing to the next level.

What will I achieve from completing this course?

“Killer Pop Solos” is more than just a collection of song lessons. It is a structured learning experience designed to provide you with a deep understanding of what makes a pop solo great. By learning these ten solos, you will not only add a set of classic tracks to your repertoire but also gain invaluable insights into the art of solo construction. The inclusion of backing tracks for each solo allows you to practice in a real-world context, improving your timing, feel, and improvisational skills. Sam Bell’s clear and concise teaching style, combined with Licklibrary.com’s high-quality video lessons, makes this course an effective and engaging way to learn. By the end of this course, you will have the skills and knowledge to create your own killer pop solos and elevate your guitar playing to new heights.

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1-ON-1 COACHING

Access to thousands of lessons is great, but without a plan you can feel like you’re practicing in circles. Book your FREE 1-on-1 video call with a Licklibrary pro to fix your technique, build a practice plan, get motivated, or overcome any challenge. It's all included in your membership!

** Disclaimer **
*This product is not endorsed by or made in association with any of the artists featured, nor do they perform or appear on this course.*

Killer Pop Solos: A Licklibrary Guitar Masterclass

"Killer Pop Solos" by Licklibrary is a comprehensive guitar course designed to elevate your guitar soloing skills to extraordinary levels. This course delves into the iconic and challenging pop guitar solos from various decades, featuring songs like "Beat It," "Easy Lover," "Rosanna," among others. Each lesson is crafted to enhance your playing technique and musical knowledge, making it ideal for guitarists eager to refine their style and skills. Below, we delve into each solo featured in this course, highlighting the learning outcomes and the benefits of mastering these solos, followed by the advantages of practicing with the provided backing track. This course is taught by Sam Bell.

Songs Included in this Course

  • Michael Jackson - Beat It
  • Phil Collins - Easy Lover
  • Toto - Rosanna
  • Rainbow - Since You've Been Gone
  • Whitesnake - Is This Love
  • Glenn Frey - The Heat Is On
  • Steely Dan - Kid Charlemange
  • Michael Sembello - Maniac
  • The Black Crowes - Hard to Handle
  • Free - All Right Now

Song Breakdown

Beat It

The electrifying solo in Michael Jackson's "Beat It," crafted by Eddie Van Halen, serves as a perfect introduction to rock techniques within pop music. This lesson focuses on string bending, vibrato, and tapping, offering a comprehensive skill set for incorporating rock elements into pop contexts.

Easy Lover

"Easy Lover" showcases a solo that blends perfectly with the song's rhythm. This lesson on the Phil Collins and Philip Bailey classic emphasizes timing, syncopation, and dynamic play, essential for creating solos that enhance a song's groove.

Rosanna

The solo in Toto's "Rosanna" is a beautiful blend of melody and technical skill. It teaches the art of musical expression through smooth transitions, emotive bends, and techniques like harmonics and legato play, making it vital for improving musicality.

Since You've Been Gone

"Since You've Been Gone" by Rainbow offers an accessible yet challenging solo. This lesson covers the effective use of scales and precise articulation, critical for crafting memorable melodies and elevating your solo performance.

Is This Love

The expressive solo in Whitesnake's "Is This Love" focuses on vibrato, slides, and string bending to convey deep emotion, enhancing your ability to tell stories through your guitar.

The Heat is On

Glenn Frey's "The Heat is On" features a saxophone-like guitar solo, teaching adaptability and creative solo construction. This lesson improves your improvisational skills and musical versatility.

Kid Charlemagne

Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne" is an exploration of jazz-rock fusion soloing, offering lessons in complex chord progressions and jazz scales. It broadens your harmonic knowledge and improvisational skills.

Maniac

The energetic solo in Michael Sembello's "Maniac" emphasizes rhythm and repetition. This track teaches the use of the guitar as a melodic and percussive instrument, boosting rhythmic soloing skills.

Hard to Handle

Learning "Hard to Handle" by The Black Crowes immerses you in blues-rock techniques, focusing on bluesy bends and soulful vibrato. This solo enriches your phrasing and expressiveness.

All Right Now

"All Right Now" by Free is an essential study in rock soloing, covering power chords, open string riffs, and pentatonic scales. It lays the foundation for rock guitar solos.

The Advantage of Practicing with a Backing Track

Using the backing track provided in this course enhances your musical practice by simulating a live band environment. It improves timing, encourages improvisation, and aids in playing in harmony with other instruments. This essential practice tool is key for transitioning from solo practice to live performance.

Guitar Techniques Covered


Sam Bell playing the guitar.

About The Tutor

Tutor Profile

Sam Bell

Sam Bell has been playing guitar from the age of 4, since then he has played many styles from Funky Blues to screaming Metal/Fusion on 8 string guitar. A member of UK tech metal band ‘Mask of Judas’, he is also currently writing his own solo instrumental album. He also...

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