LEAD GUITAR
Start your lead playing journey with TG’S easy lesson on some essential basics
“I’ve always played chords and rhythm. How can I get started playing lead guitar?”
Lead guitar is an all-encompassing approach to playing, so try not to think of rhythm and lead as separate disciplines. Lead guitar is simply taking the spotlight so your guitar becomes the, er, “lead” instrument. Think about how, say, Joe Bonamassa might blast out a fiery bluesrock solo or how Johnny Marr might drop into a run of sparkling arpeggios during a lead break. Funk maestro Cory Wong usually takes a “rhythm as lead” approach, crafting chord extensions into a melodic run. Three totally different players and three different ways of playing lead guitar.
“Interesting! I’ll keep an open mind then. But how should I get started?”
Well, let’s keep it simple to begin with. For our purposes, we’ll think of lead guitar as playing one note at a time. Basically, the opposite of chords – which have several notes. It might sound simplistic but bear with us. It’s the best way to get started, and, if you’re only used to playing chords, you’re going to need to learn to move one finger at a time. Start by fretting just one note and picking the string. It should be nice and easy...
“Just one note? That’s much easier than playing chords!”
Single notes don’t really need a lot of strength. The real challenge is the speed and dexterity involved in moving from note to note – usually several times in every bar of music. Chords are more static. Try switching between four different notes using different fingers – that’s the skill you’ll be aiming to build up.
“Ah yes, that is harder. What next then?”
Here’s the bit some guitarists find boring... Learn a scale. Even just one shape will get you started and help you choose which fingers to use when you plot out a solo. The scale shape in the boxout on the right will get you underway.
“I’m doing it, but it is tricky...”
It takes time to develop coordination, especially in the fourth finger (that’s the pinkie!) – which always seems to lag behind the others. Keep at it and, for now, use the scale shape to help you decide where to put your fingers as you try our tabbed melodic rock lick below. This should provide a challenge for you to gradually build up to. Start slowly, and with patience and practice you’ll soon be rocking.
These dots tell you where to put your fingers to play this easy scale. Your fretting fingers are represented by numbers 1 to 4. Remember, play one note at a time starting from the lowest one. ‘Single-note’ lead guitar A slow rock ballad lick Scales and techniques
Lead guitar essentials
Bend the string to change the note – it’s a great alternative to fretting every single note you play. Use all your available fingers to hold down the string and bend it towards the middle of the fretboard.
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