The Best Guitar Solos of All Time – And What Makes Them Legendary

Every guitarist dreams of playing a soul-stirring, face-melting, emotionally gripping solo.

The kind that makes people stop in their tracks, close their eyes, and feel the music. The kind that defines a song. The kind that makes history.

But what really makes a guitar solo one of the best guitar solos of all time? Is it speed? Emotion? Melody? Innovation?

The truth is, the greatest solos aren’t just about technical skill—they’re about storytelling, phrasing, and note choices that serve the song.

In this deep dive, I’ll analyze some of the best guitar solos ever recorded, breaking down:
✔ Why they work musically
✔ How you can apply their techniques to your own solos
✔ What these solos teach us about phrasing, melody, and note selection
✔ How FretDeck can help you craft better solos and navigate the fretboard effortlessly
✔ Why joining our Guitar Freaks Discord will help you level up your soloing skills

Let’s get into it. 🎸🔥

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1. “Comfortably Numb” – David Gilmour (Pink Floyd, 1979)

If there’s a solo that feels like a dream unfolding in slow motion, it’s David Gilmour’s work on “Comfortably Numb.”

🎯 Why This Solo Works:
✔ Phrasing is king – Every note has a purpose. No wasted movement. No meaningless shred.
✔ Perfect use of bends and vibrato – His vibrato isn’t just fast; it’s wide, expressive, and emotional.
✔ Chord-tone targeting – Gilmour always lands on notes that complement the chord progression, making the solo feel harmonically rich.

🔥 How to Apply This to Your Playing:

• Don’t rush—let each note breathe.
• Use wider bends and hold them longer for maximum emotional impact.
• Try landing on chord tones instead of just running scales.

💡 Pro Tip: Use FretDeck to learn how scales connect to chords—it makes soloing over progressions effortless.

👉 Get FretDeck here:

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2. “Hotel California” – Don Felder & Joe Walsh (Eagles, 1976)

Two guitarists. One legendary harmonized solo.

This solo is a masterclass in melody, phrasing, and twin-guitar harmony.

🎯 Why This Solo Works:
✔ Melodic themes – You can sing the entire solo. That’s the mark of a great guitar solo.
✔ Harmonic layering – The dual guitars create a rich, orchestral feel.
✔ Smooth transitions – The lead lines blend seamlessly into each other, making the solo feel like a song within a song.

🔥 How to Apply This to Your Playing:

• Sing your solos before playing them—melodic phrasing is key.
• Experiment with harmonized lead lines—play the same phrase in thirds or sixths.
• Record multiple takes of your solo and layer them to create depth.

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3. “Eruption” – Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen, 1978)

Some solos tell a story. This one started a revolution.

“Eruption” wasn’t just a solo—it was a statement that changed guitar playing forever.

🎯 Why This Solo Works:
✔ Tapping mastery – Eddie popularized two-handed tapping, making it sound effortless.
✔ Speed + melody – Even at lightning speed, his phrases are melodic and memorable.
✔ Rhythmic unpredictability – The solo feels like a rollercoaster of tension and release.

🔥 How to Apply This to Your Playing:

• Start slow—tapping only works if the notes are clean and intentional.
• Use tapping not just for speed, but for unique phrasing.
• Experiment with asymmetrical rhythms—play with space and unpredictability.

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4. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Slash (Guns N’ Roses, 1987)

Slash’s signature bends and bluesy vibrato make this solo one of the most recognizable in rock history.

🎯 Why This Solo Works:
✔ Blues-inspired phrasing – It feels raw, but every note is placed perfectly.
✔ Dynamic build-up – The solo starts slow and melodic before exploding into aggression.
✔ Vocal-like quality – Slash plays like a singer—every bend feels like a vocal cry.

🔥 How to Apply This to Your Playing:

• Work on making your bends as expressive as a human voice.
• Use dynamic contrast—build your solos up instead of playing at full intensity the whole time.
• Think like a singer—try playing alongside a vocal line to develop melodic phrasing.

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5. “Stairway to Heaven” – Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin, 1971)

A solo that defines rock guitar.

🎯 Why This Solo Works:
✔ Perfect tension and release – The solo mirrors the build-up of the song.
✔ Blues-meets-classical – Page blends pentatonic licks with modal melodies.
✔ Loose, yet intentional – It feels raw, but every note serves the song.

🔥 How to Apply This to Your Playing:

• Experiment with triplet phrasing—Page uses it to add movement to his runs.
• Blend blues scales with modal ideas to create new colors in your solos.
• Don’t over-polish—sometimes, a little rawness makes a solo feel alive.

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How to Write Better Solos (Inspired by the Best Guitar Solos Ever)

So, you want to write solos that actually sound good? Here’s how to get started:

🎯 Step 1: Start With a Melody, Not a Scale
Too many guitarists run scales, hoping for magic. Instead, start with a melody—something you can sing.

🎯 Step 2: Focus on Phrasing Over Speed
The best guitar solos aren’t about playing fast—they’re about playing with intention.

🎯 Step 3: Learn How Chords and Scales Connect
If you don’t understand how scales fit over chord progressions, your solos will sound disconnected.

💡 This is where FretDeck helps. It teaches you how to navigate the fretboard with confidence, so your solos actually sound musical and intentional.

👉 Get FretDeck here and start crafting solos that matter:

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Join Our Guitar Freaks Discord – Get Feedback on Your Solos

Want to improve even faster? Join our Guitar Freaks Discord, where you can:
✅ Get feedback on your solos from other players
✅ Jam with other musicians in real-time
✅ Learn from experienced soloists and level up your phrasing

👉 Join our Discord here:

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Final Thoughts: Learn From the Best, Then Make It Your Own

The best guitar solos of all time aren’t just about speed or technicality—they’re about emotion, phrasing, and musical storytelling.

If you want to write better solos, focus on:
✔ Melodic phrasing over mindless shredding
✔ Using chord tones instead of random scale runs
✔ Developing strong vibrato, bends, and dynamics
✔ Connecting solos to the song instead of forcing flashy licks

🚀 Ready to master your fretboard and write better solos?
👉 Grab FretDeck today
🤝 Join our Guitar Freaks Discord for live feedback

Now grab your guitar and start crafting your own legendary solos! 🎸🔥

For a deeper understanding of fretboard mastery, check out our article on Learning the Guitar Fretboard: The Fastest Way to Unlock the Neck. This guide offers strategies to navigate the fretboard with confidence, enhancing your soloing skills.​

External Resource:
To further explore legendary guitar solos and their impact, consider reading Comfortably Numb. This resource provides insights into the creation and legacy of one of the most acclaimed guitar solos in rock history.​