lead guitar

Latest about lead guitar

Noel Gallagher performs during the Oasis Live ’25 world tour at MetLife Stadium on August 31, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Noel Gallagher was forced into becoming Oasis’ lead guitar player – and he didn’t want the role

By Phil Weller Published

From the Archive Gallagher shouldered the lead guitar player spot despite never feeling entirely comfortable with solos

From the Archive
Carlos Santana
Technique, theory, taste and feel are the key ingredients in any guitar solo – work on these elements and you will play better, more expressive leads

By Jon Bishop Published

There's no messing around with this tab and video lesson: it’s time to workshop some lead guitar ideas and get your solos spotlight-worthy

Musical Tips & Advice
Male guitarist plays music in neon light with smoke.
5 ways to start a guitar solo

By Jenna Scaramanga Published

Grab the audience's attention right off the bat with these fail-safe lead guitar tips

Lessons
Josh Smith
How to solo over one of the most important turnarounds in music

By Andy G Jones Published

The I-VI-II-V turnaround is one of the most common progressions in music, and in this lesson we'll help you find the bluesy lead guitar mojo to accompany it

Lessons
Albert Collins
How to get more out of fewer notes in a guitar solo

By Richard Barrett Published

Here are four blues solo ideas that demonstrate how sometimes less is more, reminding us that the space between the notes is music too

Lessons
Man playing Les Paul electric guitar
Learn 20 rock guitar licks that will elevate your solos

By Total Guitar editors Published

Expand your lead guitar vocabulary with solo ideas in the styles of Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamassa, David Gilmour and many more

Lessons
Eric Clapton
How to go beyond pentatonics in a blues guitar solo

By Richard Barrett Published

Thanks to John Mayer, Journeyman-era Eric Clapton is having a moment, and this lesson lets you climb into that '80s vocal blues guitar style

Lessons
Beginner guitar: how to take your first steps with lead guitar
How to play lead guitar: learn to play your first solos

By Chris Bird Published

Start your lead playing journey with TG’s easy lesson on two essentials: the minor pentatonic scale and string bends

Beginner Lessons
Fredrik Thordendal
Give your solos a sinister edge with the diminished scale

By Charlie Griffiths Published

Explore the scale beloved of Fredrik Thordendal and Allan Holdsworth with symmetrical fretboard shapes, Dim7 chords and a fresh perspective on major triads

Techniques