| Playing solos is not about simply memorizing short | | | | extensively used in electric guitar licks. |
| musical phrases called licks or riffs; they are about | | | | You not only have to learn these different |
| providing the lead player an opportunity to show his | | | | techniques commonly involved in licks and solos, but |
| creativity. Creating guitar licks and practicing them can | | | | you have to actually practice them to the extent |
| be a wonderful way of building manual dexterity and | | | | that they become your second nature. Your ability to |
| improving your overall guitar playing skill. Every new | | | | play one of these elements at the spur of the |
| lick you master makes you a better and more | | | | moment is what is required for improvisation. Once |
| versatile lead player. Due to the wide spread use of | | | | you feel comfortable using these techniques, you will |
| electric guitars in different music genres, you will find | | | | find it easy to experiment with them to create |
| a much wide range of electric guitar licks. | | | | pleasing solos. |
| Regardless of the guitar type - whether acoustic or | | | | Using guitar backing tracks for practice is a good idea |
| electric - the fundamentals of licks and their | | | | to practice with licks and improvisation. You get an |
| application remains the same. Mastery over scales, at | | | | opportunity to first practice at slow speed and then |
| least a few, is a pre-requisite before attempting licks | | | | try maintaining accuracy at fast speed. This helps you |
| and solos. Pentatonic and blues scales are often | | | | perfect your timing. Accuracy and speed playing are |
| preferred as starting point by most lead players. | | | | distinctive identifications of electric guitars. |
| Your dexterity of scale playing is judged by the | | | | Wide varieties of licks offer you a very exciting |
| different ways you can play it cleanly and evenly. For | | | | opportunity to showcase your caliber with your |
| instance, try playing the scale by alternate picking | | | | electric guitar. With proper training and determined |
| -both up and down movement of hand. Other ways | | | | practice schedule you will sure be able to create |
| of playing include hammer-ons and pull-offs, note | | | | mesmerizing solos much sooner than you imagine. |
| bending, and vibrato playing. All these techniques are | | | | |