This solo takes influence from the neo-classical rock style, which gained popularity from Yngwie Malmsteen’s groundbreaking 1984 debut, Rising Force. From the mid to late-1980s, this fast melodic style gained popularity on the guitar instrumental scene, with players such as Vinnie Moore, Tony Macalpine, Paul Gilbert, Jason Becker and Marty Friedman developing the new modern rock techniques to their highest levels. Based around the A harmonic minor scale/E Phrygian dominant mode, the solo features alternate picking and sweeping techniques along with an emphasis on accurate bending and vibrato. Gear wise, i used my customised Tokai 1984 Goldstar, which can be seen as the fifth guitar down here on the gear page, going into the Axe-FX II and set up with a Brit Super (Marshall AFD100)/Tubescreamer type sound, with the Matrix GT1000FX poweramp and CFR12′s for monitoring. The sound also output from the Axe into an Apogee Ensemble soundcard straight to a mac running Logic. All video done with a Canon 60D and then into FCPX.

The solo study can be seen here on the marketplace for free with the option to buy the package which includes full and slower speed HD video demonstrations, along with a 10 minute video breakdown and a batch of extended backing tracks at various different speeds. Tabs are provided in Guitar Pro format with additional PDF copies. There is also a free lick which is available for download here! The solo tries to capture the feel and phrasing of the mid to late 1980′s, built around sextuplet-orientated legato and tapping phrases reminiscent of players like Reb Beach and with an emphasis on accurate bending and vibrato following in the tradition of the post-Van Halen modern rock players. Gear wise, i used my customised Ibanez RG550 Ltd which can be seen as the second guitar down here on the gear page, going into the Axe FX II set up with a Marshall JCM800/Tubescreamer type sound, with the Matrix GT1000FX and CFR12′s for monitoring. The sound also output from teh Axe into an Apogee Ensemble soundcard straight to a mac running Logic. All video done with a Canon 60D and then into FCPX.