Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Solo by Queen

Queen’s Crazy Little Thing Called Love is a masterpiece of rock and roll, showcasing a blend of vintage swing with rockabilly flair. The guitar solo in this track is a testament to Brian May's precision, melodic sensibilities, and iconic tone. Our lesson at LickLibrary.com breaks down this solo note for note, providing you with the skills and insights to master this classic. Stuart Bull breaks down this classic solo in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: Brian May

Brian May is one of rock’s most innovative and influential guitarists. Known for his distinctive tone, created using a homemade Red Special guitar and a sixpence coin as a pick, May has shaped Queen’s sound with his melodic phrasing, technical prowess, and ability to blend rock with other genres. His solos, including the one in Crazy Little Thing Called Love, are a study in articulation and musical storytelling. Learning May’s techniques not only pays homage to a guitar legend but also enhances your understanding of musical dynamics and phrasing.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

String Bending

The solo features string bending, a signature technique for adding expression and vocal-like quality to the guitar. By mastering bends, you’ll enhance your ability to replicate Brian May’s emotive style while developing greater control over intonation and sustain.

Slides

Slides are used to seamlessly connect notes, creating fluid transitions and a smooth, vocal-like phrasing. Incorporating slides into your playing helps develop hand coordination and adds flair to your solos.

Double Stops

Double stops appear prominently in the solo, adding richness and harmonic depth. These two-note combinations enhance your fretting hand’s dexterity and allow for creative exploration in both lead and rhythm playing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The lesson also focuses on hammer-ons and pull-offs, essential techniques for achieving smooth legato passages. These are fundamental skills for improving speed and fluidity in your lead work.

Vibrato

Brian May’s expressive vibrato is a hallmark of his style. The lesson dives into perfecting this technique to give your notes a singing quality and to convey emotion effectively.

Rakes

Rakes, or muted sweeps, are used to add a percussive element and dynamic buildup to the solo. Rakes enhance your articulation and rhythmic precision, essential for recreating Brian May's subtle nuances.

Alternate Picking

The solo employs alternate picking to maintain clarity and consistency during faster passages. Practicing this technique improves speed, accuracy, and efficiency in your picking hand.

Bluesy Bends

Characteristic bluesy bends bring a raw, emotional edge to the solo. These bends teach you to manipulate pitch expressively and incorporate blues influences into your playing.

Benefits of Learning This Solo

1. Understanding Melody and Phrasing: Brian May’s solos are exercises in storytelling. Learning this solo enhances your ability to craft memorable and melodic lead lines.
2. Technical Proficiency: The varied techniques in the solo develop both your fretting and picking hand skills, providing a comprehensive workout.
3. Dynamic Expression: Techniques like vibrato, bends, and rakes help you convey emotion and nuance in your playing.
4. Genre Versatility: The fusion of rockabilly and rock in this solo expands your stylistic range and exposes you to diverse musical influences.

List of Guitar Techniques Used

Here are the techniques featured in our Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Solo lesson:

• String Bending
• Slides
• Double Stops
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Vibrato
• Rakes
• Alternate Picking
• Bluesy Bends

This lesson not only equips you with the ability to play an iconic solo but also provides the foundational skills to tackle a wide range of guitar styles and techniques. Get started today and let your playing shine!