When you’re new to guitar, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by showy leads and super-speedy riffs. Grabbing some beginner-friendly solos gives you a chance to sharpen your basics: solid fret-hand control, accurate picking, and a good sense of timing.
You’ll be able to dial in simple string bends, start getting the hang of vibrato, and learn to anticipate what the next note should feel like under your fingertips.
Another plus: picking up solos from famous tunes keeps you motivated. Even if your technique isn’t perfect yet, it’s a huge rush to recognize a familiar melody coming from your own amplifier.
That little boost can be the difference between sticking with guitar for the long haul or losing steam too early.
Let’s jump in and look at ten solos that won’t fry your brain cells or your fingers, but will still make you sound like you know what you’re doing.
A Quick Look
| Song | Artist | Key Techniques | Why It’s Great for Beginners |
| Holiday | Green Day | Power chords, simple transitions | Builds a solid punk-rock foundation without too much speed. |
| Voodoo Child | Jimi Hendrix | Gradual string bends, blues vibe | Slower pace gives room to practice those classic Hendrix bends. |
| Purple Haze | Jimi Hendrix | Bends, half-step slides | Memorable riff, forgiving tempo, good for ear training. |
| Apache | The Shadows | Sustained notes, steady groove | Lets you focus on letting notes ring out for a surfy, dreamy sound. |
| Johnny B. Goode | Chuck Berry | Single-note runs, iconic melody | Classic rock ‘n’ roll flavor, boosts confidence with a famous riff. |
| Heartbreak Hotel | Elvis Presley | Power chords, dynamic pauses | Slower style helps develop control and expression. |
| Slow Ride | Foghat | Finger placement, repeated parts | Simple progression that’s great for building coordination. |
| On the Road Again | Willie Nelson | Single notes, light bends | Country feel encourages a relaxed but focused playing approach. |
| Pipeline | The Ventures | Hammer-ons, pull-offs | Surf-rock energy, solid for building up dexterity at moderate speed. |
| Californication | Red Hot Chili Peppers | Expressive bends, smooth phrasing | Shows how a mellow solo can still sound deep and emotional. |
1. Holiday – Green Day
Green Day’s “Holiday” is a pop-punk anthem, and its solo section is short, sweet, and super fun. Power chords hold it all together, and the tempo is manageable.
For a brand-new player, this one offers a gentle intro to melodic playing without having to worry about complicated runs or advanced fingerings.
You also get to practice transitions between chords at a slower pace. Play it with a bit of attitude, and you’ll feel that punk spirit right away.
Pro Tip: Try palm muting sections of the rhythm part to add dynamics. Switching between muted strumming and open strumming injects flavor into an otherwise simple progression.
2. Voodoo Child – Jimi Hendrix
“Voodoo Child” might sound intimidating because it’s Hendrix, but don’t be scared off. One of the main highlights of the opening solo is its drawn-out bends and that gritty, bluesy swagger.
You can take it slow, zero in on each bend, and listen carefully to the pitch until it lands just right. Even if you can’t nail the full Hendrix vibe (nobody can truly copy him, right?), you’ll still capture the essence with enough practice.
Pro Tip: Start each bend at half the intended distance, then bend up the rest of the way. This helps keep your pitch from going sharp or flat.
3. Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix
Yes, another Hendrix track! “Purple Haze” is practically a rite of passage for guitarists looking to dip their toes into rock soloing.
The main lead section isn’t overly complex, and it’s actually a fantastic exercise in half-step slides and moderate bends. It’s also got one of those instantly recognizable melodies that keep you feeling stoked as you learn.
There’s a bit of fuzz effect in the original recording, so messing around with your tone can be half the fun.
Pro Tip: If you find your string bending technique is shaky, practice unbent notes first. Then bend up to the same pitch and compare how close you are by ear.
4. Apache – The Shadows
A lovely instrumental that’s all about smooth, echoey melodies. The Shadows were masters of that clean, twangy surf-rock vibe, and “Apache” lets you lean into ringing notes and steady, pulsing rhythms.
Beginners often appreciate how the tempo stays friendly. Try to avoid rushing through the sections; let each note resonate.
The straightforward chord progression supports the lead line nicely, so even small slip-ups won’t completely throw you off.
Pro Tip: If you have access to a delay pedal, set a short, slapback delay. It adds that authentic ‘60s surf-rock sound.
5. Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
It’s pretty much impossible to talk about classic rock solos without giving a nod to Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.” The main lick is a huge part of rock history, and despite sounding flashy, it’s actually fairly repetitive once you break it down.
There are a bunch of double-stops (playing two strings at once) that are perfect for practicing your pick-hand accuracy.
The hardest part might be getting the quick slides under control, but with a bit of repetition, you’ll be nailing them in no time.
Pro Tip: Separate the riff into two or three smaller sections. Memorize each chunk at a slow speed, then link them together. Don’t jump straight into full-speed madness.
6. Heartbreak Hotel – Elvis Presley
“Heartbreak Hotel” has an older, almost laid-back style, which is exactly why beginners find comfort in it. The guitar work leans heavily on power chords and small melodic phrases.
Because the pace is fairly relaxed, you can concentrate on making each note clear instead of racing the clock.
The line itself might sound simple, but you can inject a lot of emotion by applying gentle vibrato or small bends on those lingering notes.
Pro Tip: If you want to ramp up the “vocal” quality of your playing, sing along (even just in your head). Match your guitar notes to your own sense of phrasing.
7. Slow Ride – Foghat
The name of this tune basically says it all: “Slow Ride.” The main solo sections are made up of repeated riffs and big, chunky chord hits.
Because the tempo isn’t too fast, you have breathing room to worry about fretting hand position and picking accuracy.
As your confidence grows, you can start adding in a little personal flair with slides or a heavier pick attack. This tune is a great stepping stone for players who want to transition from basic chord strumming into more structured solos.
Pro Tip: Work on your downstrokes, then experiment with alternate picking once you feel comfortable. It’s a quick way to build speed without losing clarity.
8. On the Road Again – Willie Nelson
Country guitar solos don’t have to be complicated. Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” proves that a catchy, straightforward melody can sometimes have more character than a flashy barrage of notes.
You’ll pick up some small bends and get a crash course in managing open strings alongside fretted notes. It’s a good intro to the world of country licks, especially if you’re coming from a rock background and want to broaden your sound.
Pro Tip: Let some of the open strings ring out. That slightly twangy resonance is part of the charm in country tunes.
9. Pipeline – The Ventures
Surf rock is all about reverb and zingy guitar lines, and “Pipeline” is a prime example. The solo uses a handful of hammer-ons and pull-offs, but not at a blazing tempo.
That means you can practice the movements without feeling rushed. The riff itself is repetitive, so after a few runs, you’ll have it locked in.
Once you’ve got the basics down, try messing with your picking dynamics to give it that vintage surfy edge.
Pro Tip: You can add a bit of palm muting to the lower strings for variation. It won’t be “authentic” in the strictest sense, but it creates a cool, punchy tone.
10. Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Californication” might be labeled as more of a mellow jam, but the solo section has enough little bends and melodic flourishes to keep beginners engaged.
The notes aren’t complicated—most revolve around the F# minor pentatonic scale—so you can zero in on expressing each phrase with heart.
This track is living proof that you don’t need monstrous speed to create a captivating guitar moment.
Pro Tip: Throw on a light overdrive or distortion and practice controlling feedback. A tiny bit of sustain goes a long way toward making each note sing.
How to Tackle These Solos Without Losing Your Mind
Learning a solo isn’t just about memorizing notes. It’s also about figuring out how to make those notes breathe and speak. Here are a few quick tips that can speed up your progress:
Break It Down into Sections
Don’t try to learn an entire solo in one shot. Focus on four-measure chunks, or maybe even smaller if you’re brand-new. Master each bit before moving on.
Use a Metronome
Timing is everything. Start super slow. If you can nail the solo at half-speed, raising the tempo gradually feels a lot smoother.
Practice with Backing Tracks
Backing tracks (or even the original song) help you develop a sense of musical context. You’ll hear how your part fits with the drums, bass, and vocals.
Watch Video Tutorials
Seeing how another guitarist places their fingers or approaches a tricky bend can clear up a ton of confusion. Ultimate Guitar and Fender both have helpful video lessons on many of these songs.
Aim for Good Tone
This doesn’t mean you need a fancy pedalboard. Even a budget amp can sound decent if you experiment with EQ (treble, mid, bass) to find a sweet spot.
Stay Patient
Everybody flubs a bend or misplaces a finger from time to time. Mistakes are normal. The point is to learn from them and move forward.
Wrapping It Up
Learning these solos can feel like opening the door to a whole new musical world. Keep in mind, every great guitarist started at square one, fumbling chord shapes and messing up riffs.
The key is consistency and a dose of fun. Grab your guitar, pick a tune that fires you up the most, and work through it piece by piece.
Before you know it, you’ll be gliding through “Johnny B. Goode” or nailing the moody bends of “Californication.” If you enjoy each small victory and keep pushing your boundaries, bigger solos and trickier techniques will start falling under your fingers down the line.
Go forth, jam hard, and let each note carry a piece of your own style.
