Guitar solo

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. Often 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  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
 Riff

Category:Guitars