Acoustic · #1 of 20
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Nutshell

Alice In Chains · 1994 · solo by Jerry Cantrell
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Gear & technique · 20 solos

The Greatest Acoustic Guitar Solos

No amp, no pedals, nowhere to hide. These are the greatest solos played on acoustic guitar: Jerry Cantrell's Unplugged break on Nutshell, John Frusciante on I Could Have Lied, Django Reinhardt's gypsy jazz, the Friday Night in San Francisco trio, and bluegrass flatpicking from Doc Watson, Clarence White and Tony Rice. Every video starts at the solo.

  1. 1
    Nutshell
    Alice In Chains · solo by Jerry Cantrell · 1994
  2. 2
    I Could Have Lied
    Red Hot Chili Peppers · solo by John Frusciante · 1991
  3. 3
    Minor Swing
    Django Reinhardt · solo by Django Reinhardt · 1937
  4. 4
    Mediterranean Sundance
    Al Di Meola & Paco de Lucía · solo by Al Di Meola & Paco de Lucía · 1977
  5. 5
    Passion, Grace & Fire
    John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucía · solo by Paco de Lucía, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin · 1983
  6. 6
    Entre dos aguas
    Paco de Lucía · solo by Paco de Lucía · 1973
  7. 7
    Never Going Back Again
    Fleetwood Mac · solo by Lindsey Buckingham · 1977
  8. 8
    Little Martha
    The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Duane Allman & Dickey Betts · 1972
  9. 9
    Anji
    Simon & Garfunkel · solo by Paul Simon · 1966
  10. 10
    Embryonic Journey
    Jefferson Airplane · solo by Jorma Kaukonen · 1967
  11. 11
    Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
    Crosby, Stills & Nash · solo by Stephen Stills · 1969
  12. 12
    Black Mountain Rag
    Doc Watson · solo by Doc Watson · 1964
  13. 13
    Wild Horse
    The Kentucky Colonels · solo by Clarence White · 1964
  14. 14
    Blackberry Blossom
    Muleskinner · solo by Clarence White · 1973
  15. 15
    Manzanita
    Tony Rice · solo by Tony Rice · 1979
  16. 16
    Tamacun
    Rodrigo y Gabriela · solo by Rodrigo Sánchez · 2006
  17. 17
    Revelator
    Gillian Welch · solo by David Rawlings · 2001
  18. 18
    Dust in a Baggie
    Billy Strings · solo by Billy Strings · 2017
  19. 19
    Crooked Tree
    Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway · solo by Molly Tuttle · 2022
  20. 20
    To Zion
    Lauryn Hill · solo by Carlos Santana · 1998

Quick answers

What is the best acoustic guitar solo of all time?

Among rock songs, Jerry Cantrell's solo on Alice in Chains' Nutshell (MTV Unplugged) and John Frusciante's on I Could Have Lied rank highest on the site. For pure acoustic virtuosity, the Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin trio recordings are hard to beat.

What acoustic solos are good for beginners?

Lindsey Buckingham's Never Going Back Again and Davey Graham's Anji (as recorded by Paul Simon) are fingerstyle staples that most players tackle early. Bluegrass tunes like Wild Horse and Blackberry Blossom are good ways into flatpicking.

Is flamenco included?

A few flamenco landmarks are here, like Paco de Lucía's Entre dos aguas. The site also has a separate list of the 25 greatest flamenco guitar recordings.