The opposite of shred - My take on the "Hotel California" Solo

Playing Technique
#1

In case the YT-link doesn’t work, click on the vimeo-link:

Although (like many guys on the forum) I’m also on the never-ending quest of improving my picking technique (and especially speed and accuracy), there are many solos that have a mesmerizing quality about them while not being fast at all. This is one of them and it is generally considered one of the greatest solos of all time.

This solo is considered “slow”, but it is not exactly easy to play. For one thing, you have to play for 2 minutes straight without making a mistake, and it also makes demands on your guitar sound, bending technique, vibrato and phrasing.

It took me quite a while to learn it (and it is still not completely to my liking), because there are a lot of tricky parts.

The YT-fascists won’t let me upload it on my channel because of supposed “copyright claims”, while I feel The Eagles should be paying ME for promoting their music in such a tasteful way XD

On a serious note, it’s quite ridiculous that you can’t upload covers, while YT could do something like split the advertising money 50-50 or 70-30 in favor of the original artist. After all, you ARE promoting their music. But that is a completely different discussion…

Anyways, I still wanted to share this solo with you, any kind of feedback is welcome :slight_smile:

I hope you like it!

5 Likes
#2

Really enjoyed it, welldone! Particularly liked the execution staccato picked slow released bend around the 1:00 mark.
To give criticism feels a bit like nit-picking tbh, the only thing I would love to hear is it played through a gig volume marshall type amp to get the tone a little creamier!!!

2 Likes
#3

Thank you, I will do another version with a cranked Marshall stack :grin:

1 Like
#4

Excellent tone and playing. I love the big ass bend at the start of that solo.

Have you heard The Eagles tune Long Road Out Of Eden? It’s reminiscent of Hotel California.

2 Likes
#5

Nice! And the solo that taught me how to bend back in the day. Thanks for sharing!!!

2 Likes
#6

Thank you, this solo is so well constructed, I love every single note of it. No, I don’t know the song, but I will check it out :+1:t3:

#7

Yw :pray:t2: Yes, this solo sure teaches you how to bend :grin: When I was learning it, the next day my fingers hurt so much, I couldn’t play guitar for a day :grin:

1 Like