An initiative by the British magazine Total Guitar, an analysis of 50 solos chosen by readers was carried out to assemble the ideal product
What would the perfect guitar solo sound like? Each person has a different answer to this question, but there are some solos so historic that they can even be considered unanimous among fans of the most popular instrument in the modern world.
Aware of this, the specialized British magazine Total Guitar sought to assemble what would be the perfect guitar solo from the construction of the best – and based on a scientific method. Initially, the publication made a poll with its readers to find out their 50 favorite solos – and the work of Brian May in “Bohemian Rhapsody”, classic of queenranked first in a list that also has works by Guns N’ Roses, Pink Floyd, Metallica and many others.
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Then, the editorial board of the publication analyzed all the chosen soils. There were no few criteria: melody, tone and time were some of the many details considered. Highlights from all these recordings were taken to compose what would be the perfect guitar solo.
The magazine explains, for example, how time was analyzed. “The top 50 solos vary between 64 and 170 beats per minute (BPM), so we opted for 120 BPM, close to the average”, he says.
With regard to sonority, they state that the major tonality would be essential, as it is used as the basis for many of the chosen solos. “So we’re in E (E) Minor, but with some moments close to E Harmonic Minor and E Doric. A minimum of 2.5 octaves of pitch range is vital, and we cover about three octaves,” he explains.
Construction and the way banknotes appear were also considered. The most serious sounds appear in the initial step of the solo, while the final passages are more acute – and have more notes per measure, as if the “robot” guitarist was playing faster.
The perfect guitar solo references
See, below, the main songs used by the magazine Total Guitar to build the perfect guitar solo, as per his own explanation:
“Following a melodic opening lick, we move into an arpeggio in the style of ‘Comfortably Numb’ (pink Floyd), staccato notes in the style ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and tapped bends inspired by ‘Crazy Train’ (Ozzy Osbourne).
Then there are picks like ‘Highway Star’ (Deep Purple)), with brief licks inspired by ‘Free Bird’ (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and ‘Sweet Child O’Mine’ (Guns N’ Roses) to lead to an idea like ‘Fade To Black’ (Metallica).
The arpeggios that follow refer to the ‘Hotel California’ (Eagles) amidst a chord progression influenced by ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ (Beatles). We complete with more references to ‘Sweet Child’ and harmonics in style ‘Beat It’ (Michael Jackson). Ufa!”
With so much description, you must be curious to hear the result, right? Check out the perfect guitar solo according to the Total Guitar – christening of “The Franken Ground”, since it was set up like a Frankenstein.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
