Master Slash's Iconic Solos: A Beginner's Guide

About the Course

Dive into the electrifying world of Slash, the legendary guitarist from Guns N' Roses, with our comprehensive course designed to bring his iconic lead guitar style to your fingertips. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this course will help you capture the essence of Slash's sound, from the soulful bends of 'November Rain' to the blistering licks of 'Paradise City'. With easy-to-digest licks and solos, you'll be surprised how quickly these techniques become part of your repertoire. This article focuses on Chapter 1, laying the foundation for your journey into Slash's style, with the full course available in the Gibson App.

Chapter 1

Intro To This Course

Welcome to the world of Slash, where the unmistakable sound of one of rock's most iconic lead guitarists comes alive. From the fiery licks of 'Paradise City' to the melodic bends of 'November Rain', Slash's style is a blend of power and emotion. This course introduces you to key concepts, including double-stop bends and the harmonic minor scale, all presented in easy-to-digest licks. Once mastered, these licks will form solos that you can perform over a Slash-style backing track. Grab your guitar and let's decode the iconic sounds of Slash.

Lick 1

Mastering the Double Stop Bend

Our first lick introduces the double stop bend, a technique where two notes are played, and one is bent up in pitch. This creates a satisfying resolution, especially over specific chords. Slash uses this expressive style in tracks like 'November Rain' and 'Sweet Child O' Mine'. To play this lick, fret the 15th fret of the B string, with your first finger on the 13th fret and your second finger on the 14th fret for strength. Bend the note up by a whole tone and add your little finger on the 15th fret of the top E string. This technique is powerful and expressive, perfect for C Major and A minor chords.

Putting It All Together

After mastering the double stop bend, bend up another whole tone on the B string, release, and resolve to the 13th fret. Pay attention to bending the B string up to pitch by a whole tone. Practice this lick with a click track, repeating it four times. This powerful lick is a staple in Slash's solos, offering a rich, expressive sound.

The Full Course

Chapter 1: Double Stop Bend Lick

Begin your journey with the foundational double stop bend, capturing Slash's blues-infused rock sound. This chapter sets the stage for expressive playing, introducing techniques that will be built upon in later chapters.

Chapter 2: Semitone Bend Lick

Mastering semitone bends is essential for capturing Slash's expressive phrasing, as heard in 'Paradise City' and 'Don't Cry'. This chapter focuses on bending techniques that enhance your musical expression, allowing you to play with the same emotional depth as Slash.

Chapter 3: Harmonic Minor Lick

The harmonic minor scale is key to creating the dramatic, melodic feel that defines solos like 'Don't Cry' and 'Sweet Child O’ Mine'. This chapter explores the scale's application in solos, helping you develop a more nuanced and dramatic playing style.

Chapter 4: Major Pentatonic Lick

Slash’s melodic approach often relies on the major pentatonic scale, a cornerstone of his solos in 'Paradise City' and 'Estranged'. This chapter delves into the scale's use, enhancing your ability to create memorable melodies.

Chapter 5: Bending Combination Lick

Using both double-stop bends and semitone bends captures the emotional depth of Slash’s solos, as heard in songs like 'Out Ta Get Me' and 'November Rain'. This chapter combines techniques to enrich your solos with emotional complexity.

Chapter 6: Chromatic Lick

Slash’s use of chromatic runs shows how he blends influences from other classic solos into his own style, as heard in 'Patience'. This chapter introduces chromatic techniques, adding color and flair to your playing.

Chapter 7: Play A Solo Like Slash

Bring all the licks together to create a full solo, capturing the iconic style of Slash. This final chapter is about synthesis, combining all the techniques learned to perform a complete solo that embodies Slash's legendary sound.

By the end of this course, you'll have a deeper connection to your guitar, equipped with the skills to play solos that resonate with the iconic sound of Slash. From foundational techniques to full solos, this journey is about unlocking your potential and expressing yourself through music.