Intense Melodic Rock Solo in A minor, that complements my intense rock ballad backing track (Rain Jam). Download the tab here:
The idea
A few weeks ago, one of my YouTube followers left a comment on my channel about wanting the next solo video to be about a ‘sad ballad.’ My latest video at that time was the Sunset solo, a slow ballad in a major key and with quite an uplifting chorus. I thought it would be a challenge for me (being an optimist) to write an emotional and melodic guitar solo in a minor key. Certain emotions are better transferrable in a minor key. For the occasion, I wrote an intense rock ballad backing track, called ‘Rain Jam’ in A minor.
About the solo
After the publication of the backing track, I started writing this intense melodic rock solo. After a short acoustic intro, the A-section (verse) follows a dreamy chord progression in the key of A minor (with the occasional G-chord). To translate the emotional element, I focus on the notes of the A Aeolian mode, chord tones (thirds), and the friction of string bends and suspensions (like the 9th). Similar to earlier solos, I balance longer notes (with vibrato) with faster licks. There are a few shred licks in the guitar solo because this also helps to discharge melodic tension. Look at these shred licks as a way of releasing feelings of agitation.
The B-section chorus moves the melody up the octave to intensify the emotional component of this guitar solo. The second chorus brings a new theme to drive this story home. The guitar solo ends with a melody in octaves.
Featured Lick
Near the end of an intense solo, I like to switch to octaves, because it is one of the few options you have at that point to increase the energy. (Other options are playing double stops or harmonizing). The cool thing about octaves is they created a sustained, but rhythmic wall of sound. In the intense melodic solo video, I follow the steps of the A minor scale, but in bar 34, I move to the G# (the third of E7 or natural seventh of Am). This note is hugely expressive and captures the attention of the listener immediately. Some people might consider this a cliché, but cliches work in the right places, is it not? 😉
Gear used
GEAR: Suhr Guitars / Suhr Modern Pro HH with Floyd Rose (all solos) Martin HD-16R Acoustic (intro) All guitars played by Maarten Bass: Spectrasonics Trilian Drums: Steven Slate 5.5 Recorded with Logic Pro X
I hope you enjoyed this emotional ballad solo and tab sheet music,
I dedicate this video to Alepsis Cruz as a thank you for inspiring me,
Cheers, Maarten
2 Comments
Bellissimo!
thanks a lot Rudy! Maarten