Killer Pop Solos: Masterclass by Licklibrary

Licklibrary's "Killer Pop Solos" is an innovative guitar course meticulously designed to catapult your guitar solos from the realm of the ordinary to the extraordinary. This course offers an immersive dive into some of the most iconic and challenging pop guitar solos across the decades, including hits like "Beat It," "Easy Lover," "Rosanna," and many others. Each lesson is a treasure trove of guitar techniques and musical wisdom, tailored for players seeking to elevate their playing style and technique. Below, we explore each solo featured in this course, highlighting the benefits of learning these masterpieces, followed by the unique advantage provided by the accompanying 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

Michael Jackson's "Beat It" features a guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen that's as electrifying as it is iconic. Learning this solo teaches you not just about string bending and vibrato but also introduces you to the high-octane world of tapping. Mastering this solo boosts your ability to integrate rock techniques into pop music, enhancing your versatility as a guitarist.

Easy Lover

The "Easy Lover" solo, with its catchy melody and rhythmic precision, offers a lesson in how to craft solos that complement a song's groove. By dissecting this Phil Collins and Philip Bailey hit, you learn the importance of timing, syncopation, and dynamic playing, skills indispensable for any guitarist looking to add expressive depth to their solos.

Rosanna

Toto's "Rosanna" is a masterclass in blending melody with technical prowess. The solo section, with its smooth transitions and emotive bends, teaches the subtlety of musical expression alongside advanced techniques like harmonics and legato playing, making it an essential study for those aiming to enhance their musicality.

Since You've Been Gone

Rainbow's classic hit, "Since You've Been Gone," offers a solo that's both accessible and challenging. Learning this solo, you'll gain insights into the effective use of scales in constructing memorable melodies and the importance of precise articulation, elevating your soloing skills to new heights.

Is This Love

Whitesnake's "Is This Love" presents a solo that's as expressive as it is technical. Through this lesson, you'll explore the use of vibrato, slides, and string bending in conveying emotion, honing your ability to tell a story with your guitar.

The Heat is On

The saxophone-like guitar solo in Glenn Frey's "The Heat is On" offers a unique lesson in mimicking other instruments on the guitar. This solo teaches the art of adaptability and creativity in solo construction, enhancing your improvisational skills and musical versatility.

Kid Charlemagne

Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne" is a study in jazz-rock fusion soloing. Learning this solo introduces you to complex chord progressions, jazz scales, and the seamless integration of different musical styles, expanding your harmonic knowledge and improvisational fluency.

Maniac

The driving solo in Michael Sembello's "Maniac" provides insights into the use of rhythm and repetition in building energy within a solo. Mastering this track, you delve into the world of rhythmic solos, learning to use your guitar as both a melodic and percussive instrument.

Hard to Handle

The Black Crowes' version of "Hard to Handle" offers a solo ripe with bluesy bends and soulful vibrato, making it an excellent lesson in blues-rock playing. This solo not only boosts your bending and vibrato techniques but also enriches your phrasing and expressiveness.

All Right Now

Finally, "All Right Now" by Free encapsulates the essence of rock guitar solos. This lesson focuses on power chords, open string riffs, and the use of pentatonic scales, equipping you with the foundational elements of rock soloing.

The Benefit of Using a Backing Track

Practicing with a backing track, as included in this course, offers numerous advantages. It simulates a live playing environment, helping you to develop timing and rhythm, encourages improvisation and creativity, and enhances your ability to play in harmony with other instruments. This crucial practice tool bridges the gap between solo practice and band performance, preparing you for real-world playing situations.

Guitar Techniques Covered

By embarking on this journey through "Killer Pop Solos," you not only enhance your technical skills but also deepen your musical expression, preparing you for any stage or studio session.

Killer Pop Solos

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