15 Easy to Learn First (Easiest to Hardest) · #1 of 15
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Seven Nation Army

The White Stripes · 2003 · solo by Jack White
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Learn to play · 15 solos

15 Easy Guitar Solos to Learn First (Easiest to Hardest)

These are the solos guitar teachers hand out first: short, mostly minor pentatonic, and slow enough to learn by ear. The list runs from one-string melodies (Seven Nation Army, Smells Like Teen Spirit) up to solos with real bends and vibrato (Parisienne Walkways, Nothing Else Matters, Californication). Every video starts right at the solo, so you can loop the part you are learning.

  1. 1
    Seven Nation Army
    The White Stripes · solo by Jack White · 2003
  2. 2
    Smells Like Teen Spirit
    Nirvana · solo by Kurt Cobain · 1991
  3. 3
    Come as You Are
    Nirvana · solo by Kurt Cobain · 1991
  4. 4
    Holiday
    Green Day · solo by Billie Joe Armstrong · 2004
  5. 5
    About a Girl
    Nirvana · solo by Kurt Cobain · 1989
  6. 6
    Apache
    The Shadows · solo by Hank Marvin · 1960
  7. 7
    Wish You Were Here
    Pink Floyd · solo by David Gilmour · 1975
  8. 8
    Can't Stop
    Red Hot Chili Peppers · solo by John Frusciante · 2002
  9. 9
    Let It Be
    The Beatles · solo by George Harrison · 1970
  10. 10
    Knockin' on Heaven's Door
    Guns N' Roses · solo by Slash · 1991
  11. 11
    Highway to Hell
    AC/DC · solo by Angus Young · 1979
  12. 12
    Paranoid
    Black Sabbath · solo by Tony Iommi · 1970
  13. 13
    Parisienne Walkways
    Gary Moore · solo by Gary Moore · 1978
  14. 14
    Nothing Else Matters
    Metallica · solo by James Hetfield · 1991
  15. 15
    Californication
    Red Hot Chili Peppers · solo by John Frusciante · 1999

Quick answers

What is the easiest guitar solo to learn?

Most teachers start students on solos that stay on one string or follow the vocal melody. Seven Nation Army and Smells Like Teen Spirit are the usual first picks, because you need no bends and no fast picking.

How long does it take to learn an easy guitar solo?

The first few solos on this list are short and repetitive, and most players get them after a few practice sessions. The last few add bends and vibrato, which take longer to sound clean.

Do I need to know scales before learning solos?

No. Learning solos note for note is one of the best ways to pick up the minor pentatonic scale, because nearly every solo here is built on it. Many players learn the shape from songs and put a name to it later.