Rainbow - Gates Of Babylon I know you know that I know I’ve already posted this piece many times, that I’ve already told you this is the best Rock guitar solo of all time despite Riccardino Moranera’s UGLY outfit, a piece of crap as a man but a guitarist from another dimension.
But maybe I’ve never explained to you why.
You see, when I teach guitar (Rock in this case), I do explain the harmonic basics - rarely complicated - the meaning of riffs, the various types of scales, and so on.
But when I need to explain what a rock solo is, I always use this example, starting each time in this way.
“Let’s set aside the notes he plays, the scales he uses, the very particular rhythmic phrasing, the fluidity of execution, etc. I’ll tell you about those things later.
Instead, focus on the structure, on the development times: think of an opera. The Maestro uses the same progression: description - tension - apotheosis - resolution.
Listen to the beginning: he starts with some harmless little Arabic-sounding scales that gradually lead you into the piece. Description.
Then he begins to harmonize them in increasingly complex ways, both by increasing the speed and gradually bringing the piece to a higher key. Tension.
Then he starts unleashing sixteenths with inhuman precision; but not progressive sixteenths, rather clusters of very melodic notes interspersed with piercing bends (also with the skillful use of the tremolo arm), glissandos, syncopation, notes on the upbeat that bring even more height to the pathos. Apotheosis.
Finally, he returns to the Arabic-sounding scales mentioned earlier, which reference the initial riff. Resolution.
In short, something must be started, then developed, then made creative, and finally concluded.
Now that you understand this, you can tackle the purely technical side of this solo.
And if by chance you think it sounds easy the way I’ve explained it to you, you’re very much mistaken: 2/3 out of five of those as good as you will make it.”
