Guitar solo facts for kids
A guitar solo is a portion of a musical performance when a guitar is used without other instruments.
In addition to their roles of rhythmic and harmonic accompaniment, guitars are well-suited to performing solo lines. This can take the form of a prominent section where the guitar is heard over other instruments, or unaccompanied, the guitarist providing all the necessary melody and harmony themselves. Many times, a guitar solo is a virtuosic performance in the rock music idiom with a heavily-overdriven electric guitar. However, solo instrumentation for the guitar can be found in a wide variety of musical styles and eras.
Many famous guitarists are known for their solo work. Approaches to solo creation vary from the jagged/atonal approach of Andy Gill from Gang of Four and Andy Partridge from XTC, the studio-produced soundscapes of Jimi Hendrix or Bill Nelson, or the composed approach of Frank Zappa.
The use of the guitar solo in popular music was especially notable during the 1980s, where a flashy and attention-grabbing instrumental was virtually obligatory for a guitar-based band. In later years, guitar solos became viewed as something of an "80s cliché", and their usage declined. Guitar solos in pop music have subsequently become much rarer, and more subdued and understated when used.
Notable rock-guitar soloists
- Eric Clapton
- Jimi Hendrix
- Eddie Van Halen
- Frank Zappa
- Steve Vai
- Joe Satriani
- Yngwie Malmsteen
- Jimmy Page
- Kerry King
- Dimebag Darrell
- Kirk Hammett
- Randy Rhoads
- Zakk Wylde
- John Petrucci
- The Edge (David Howell Evans)
- Carlos Santana
Related pages
Images for kids
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Classical guitar soloist Andrés Segovia (1962)
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American blues guitarist and singer B.B. King in 2009.
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Eddie Van Halen in 1977
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