Books. "How to write a solo"? Is there one?

[MartinBarre]

I can write a decent riff no problem, and working it up into an arrangement is fine, but trying to come up with a memorable solo is much harder.
Sure I can knock out a solo which will sound decent, but I have no idea how I played it when it's done. How can I write solos that fit the ryhtm music, are possible to remember and don't suck?
Are there any books/dvds out there that show you how to write solos?

I think my main problem is trying to play like Paul Gilbert when I have the chops of Angus Young.

[Shawn Lutz]

I never really written a solo per se, just improvise over the underlying chords. If I run dry of ideas or dont like whats coming out of me it I'll change the chords and improvise until I find something to grab on and build off of it. I really doubt people ever write solos...they improvise, build off that and sometimes if they get a fluid one on improv...that becomes the solo and they re-learn what they did for live purposes. You also get producers that record a bunch of different takes...splice and dice em into a solo that works for the song...the artist then has to learn it for playing live. The solo to me has to compliment the song and vibe and if it doesnt then dont do one.

To me its all theory and tehnique...I have no problem playing something I create to either double track or harmonize with...even if its just of of improvs... if you cant figure yourself out then you are not doing something right

[MartinBarre]

To me its all theory and tehnique...I have no problem playing something I create to either double track or harmonize with...even if its just of of improvs... if you cant figure yourself out then you are not doing something right

You can remember everything you play, even if it's something really fast? I can double track or harmonize melody lines no problem, but a solo is another matter altogether.

[cdwillis]

You don't just remember everything you played, but you should be able to sit down and listen back to your improvised solo you recorded and learn it.

[MartinBarre]

You don't just remember everything you played, but you should be able to sit down and listen back to your improvised solo you recorded and learn it.

Nope, I can't. I listen back to it and wonder how the hell I did it most of the time. The other night I recorded a solo and for literally 2 seconds I played something that sounded like Paul Gilbert or Steve Vai and I don't know how I did it. I can't do it again. I can figure out the individual notes, but I don't understand how I physically managed to play the thing at that speed. You can even hear where I realised how amazing it sounded and started to concentrate on what I was doing and it turned to shit.

In general I just don't improvise solos I think are worth learning. They don't seem to be "thematic" if that's the right term. Great solos by the likes of Angus Young or Joe Satriani seem to be built round themes. My solos just seem to be totally fucking random widdle fests.

[Endrik]

sing or hum... start singing or humming over some music... try to create cathy melodies that way... then play that on your guitar

[rustler]

My solos aren't the greatest, but I view the structure similiar to an action movie. It has a beginning, middle, and end. Begining - introduce your story, build a theme and tone for it. Middle - the meat of the story, more tone and building towards a climax. End - climax and resolution. It shouldn't sound like your solo ends just because you've run out of time..

[Soap]

I never really written a solo per se, just improvise over the underlying chords.

+1
I'd say Shawn has given really good advice and theres no need to repeat what he has already said, because what he has said, he said well.

With that said,
If you don't know any yet (scales) this is what you should be doing.
You won't be able to improvise over any chord melody or specific key.
For starters, learn the pentatonic...all positions
Learn how to apply them in major and minor keys.
Basic four to five keys you should eventually learn to solo over.
E, A, G, C, and D.

Sources:
Countless books, artist's instructional videos, internet (guitar forums, youtube.com), other guitar players you can play with and learn from.

[Gartron]

My solos just seem to be totally fucking random widdle fests.

you say this like it's a bad thing!!

[jonasaberg]

This is how I structure my solos:
1. Crack open a big can of suck
2. Big gulp
3. Regurgitate

[JacksonDean]

This is how I structure my solos:
1. Crack open a big can of suck
2. Big gulp
3. Regurgitate

I'm starting to really focus on learning to/trying to solo... I'm in that same boat currently!

[Trem]

sing or hum... start singing or humming over some music... try to create catchy melodies that way... then play that on your guitar

This is a great answer to your question, and what i was going to say.
If you can hum or sing melodies over your chords, you are on your way.
Also break the progression down into little parts and build it one lick or run at a time. You will create solos with structure in this manner, instead of weedling away.
That being said, i always sucked at it, and i just improvise a few, and learn/structurize the one i like the best

[RR05xx]

Do you have an understanding of music theory. Until I learned that, solos were a mystory to me as well. Now I at least understand why they suck LOL! Seriously, understanding when to play what (or at least what you are "supposed" to do) can not only make for better solos, but also allows an easier time remembering what you may have done. As for writing, I have found that most of the time I just see what comes, but about 1/3 of the time I at least pciture what I want somewhere and try to make it fit (either a concept to improvise with or even a specific patern/sequence that I have written for the purpose).

Some musicians obviosly planned their stuff (Randy, Malmsteen and Freidman come to mind), while others, for the most part, are obviously just doing what they do (Hendrix, EVH, early Alex Sckolnick).

The trick is to figure out what works for you and run with it and when in doubt, a hybrid approach is not a bad way to go in my expirience (I play mostly original music and most people who listen are not completely repulsed by my solos ).

[shredmonster]

You have to play and practice (your ass off) until your mind and fingers sort of come together where you can emphasize the things that make a guitar solo expressive.

Thats the simple explanation.

It has to do with how well you follow the progressions, use vibrato and various picking attacks, phrase your stuff, use tricks or pyrotechnics, etc... Most of all you have to learn to be melodic on the fly.

Advice: LISTEN TO MICHAEL SCHENKER - the definition of memorable solos.

[isaac311]

My method to doing solos is just to improvise over the chord progression with an appropriate scale or create your own scale ala Marty Friedman. When you hit a series of notes that sound good to you, remember it (recording it is a great idea). Then keep playing and when you find another lick you like, remember it and add it to the first one. Keep going until you have a long combination of licks and voila. You may find that sometimes you can write a GOOD solo in one sitting and other times it may take days or weeks to find the perfect fit. One other thing, don't make it sound like you're just playing a scale. Add some feeling and mix up the shred licks with slower ones. Hope that makes sense.