A little more on constructing solo's... while allot of people seem to think that a solo exists purely to demonstrate ones skill, IMO what it should be is a chance to introduce alternative or modified melody lines to the song. So a good place to start is just with the melody of the song, find counter melodys and alterations and you start to have the makings of a solo.
Its also a chance to take that melody line in totally unexpected directions, and often this is the part of the solo that sounds best and is most memorable. Its also what sets the true greats apart from the crowd. Think of any Van Halen solo you can remember, most likely its not the blazingly fast parts you recall, but surprising twists and turns that he can throw into the melody line.
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