Getting Started With…Chords For Solos

Ditch scale shapes and use chord tones for a creative approach to your first guitar solos

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“Okay, what on Earth is chord tone soloing?”

Solos are usually accompanied by a set of chords called a progression. Each chord contains notes – these are the chord tones. In this situation, though, we’re going to play them individually (known as an ‘arpeggio’) and use them for soloing.

“Surely chords are chords? How do you use them in solos?”

Some guitarists like to map their lead lines – either by writing solos in advance or by being skilled improvisers – to these chords to give their playing a synergy with the rest of the music. The most effective way of doing this is to use the notes from the chords being played.

“Gotta be honest, I’m feeling a little intimidated right now...”