Best YouTube Channels to Learn Guitar Solo
Looking to boost your soloing skills without spending a fortune? Guitar solo YouTube channels are hands down the best free option available today. Whether you’re learning your first blues lick or diving into advanced phrasing, the right video lessons can help you progress faster—without feeling overwhelmed.
The beauty of these guitar solo YouTube channels is their accessibility and variety. You get access to world-class guitarists teaching everything from slow blues lines to rock shredding, all in crystal-clear video with tabs and backing tracks. Whether you’re a total beginner or pushing into advanced territory, there’s a channel perfectly suited to your style and goals.
With thousands of videos to explore, we’ve narrowed it down to the most valuable guitar solo YouTube channels that truly help you level up.
1. Marty Music
Style: Blues, rock, classic solos
Best for: Beginners to intermediate players
Why it’s great:
Marty Schwartz has an easygoing teaching style that makes soloing feel fun and approachable. His channel is loaded with iconic solo tutorials—think Pink Floyd, Clapton, Hendrix—and simple licks for blues and rock players.
Best soloing videos:
- “Blues Licks for Beginners”
- “How to Improvise Solos with the Pentatonic Scale”
- Song-based solo breakdowns (Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, etc.)
2. Paul Davids
Style: Modern, blues, classic rock, theory-based
Best for: Intermediate players who want to go deeper
Why it’s great:
Paul’s videos combine practical solo techniques with music theory in a beautifully clear way. His melodic approach helps you learn not just what to play, but why it works.
Best soloing videos:
- “How to Start Soloing (Without Memorizing Solos)”
- “What Makes a Great Guitar Solo?”
- “How to Sound Like David Gilmour”
3. JustinGuitar
Style: Structured lessons, blues, rock, pop
Best for: Total beginners to intermediate learners
Why it’s great:
Justin’s step-by-step soloing series is legendary. His beginner-friendly style and clear roadmap help you start with simple licks, then build up to full solos with confidence.
Best soloing videos:
- “Beginner Soloing Course” playlist
- “Pentatonic Scale Licks”
- “Blues Lead Guitar for Beginners”
4. Steve Stine Guitar Lessons
Style: Rock, metal, blues, technique-focused
Best for: Intermediate and fast learners
Why it’s great:
Steve’s high-energy teaching and clear breakdowns help you develop speed, phrasing, and control. He explains how to solo over different chords and gives you practical drills to get better fast.
Best soloing videos:
- “Soloing Over Chord Changes”
- “Blues Lick Workout”
- “Improve Your Guitar Solos in 10 Minutes a Day”
5. Sean Daniel
Style: Melodic soloing, theory application, songwriter approach
Best for: Players who want to solo with feel, not flash
Why it’s great:
Sean focuses on phrasing and musicality, not just fast runs. His lessons show you how to connect scales to emotion and make your solos sound like music—not just exercises.
Best soloing videos:
- “Melodic Soloing for Beginners”
- “Soloing Over Chords with Intention”
- “How to Build Solos with 3 Notes”
6. Guitar Lessons 365 (Carl Brown)
Style: Note-for-note solo breakdowns
Best for: Learning full solos from real songs
Why it’s great:
Carl teaches solos in full detail, note by note, with tabs and slow demos. If you want to play the exact solo from a famous track, this is your guy.
Best soloing videos:
- “Stairway to Heaven Solo Lesson”
- “Hotel California Solo Lesson”
- “Eric Clapton Solo Style Lesson”
7. Active Melody
Style: Blues, country, roots soloing
Best for: Blues lovers who want a slow, soulful approach
Why it’s great:
Active Melody offers some of the most digestible and expressive blues solo lessons on YouTube. You’ll learn licks that sing, not just shred.
Best soloing videos:
- “Blues Lead Guitar Lesson for Beginners”
- “Soloing with a Simple Melody”
- “Mixing Major and Minor Pentatonic”
8. Music Is Win (Tyler Larson)
Style: Modern lead, fun tone tricks, gear tips
Best for: Intermediate to advanced players
Why it’s great:
Tyler mixes humor with solid technique and great phrasing advice. His content is fun, and his solo tips are packed with personality.
Best soloing videos:
- “How to Solo Like a Pro Without Thinking”
- “Phrasing Tips That Changed My Guitar Playing”
- “Making Solos Sound Musical”
Tips for Using YouTube to Learn Solos
- Use slow playback – Set YouTube speed to 0.5x or 0.75x
- Loop tricky parts using YouTube’s A/B loop extensions
- Look for tab links in the description
- Record yourself to hear phrasing and timing
- Practice over backing tracks to develop improvisation
Conclusion
You don’t need expensive lessons to learn how to solo—you just need the right guide. Whether you’re learning from JustinGuitar’s gentle structure, Marty’s jam-friendly licks, or Paul Davids’ deep dives into melody, there’s a channel out there that fits your vibe.
Pick one or two teachers to follow. Stay consistent. And remember: the best solos aren’t the fastest—they’re the ones that say something.
FAQs
- Can beginners really learn to solo from YouTube?
Absolutely. Start with beginner-focused channels like JustinGuitar and Marty Music. Stick with one teacher and follow their roadmap. - Should I learn solos note-for-note or improvise?
Do both. Learning solos helps build vocabulary. Improvising helps you find your own voice. - What scale should I start soloing with?
The minor pentatonic scale is the go-to for beginners. Learn it in A minor to start. - How long does it take to learn soloing?
With regular practice, you can start playing simple solos within a month. Mastery takes longer—but it’s a fun journey.
Do I need to know music theory to solo?
Not at first. You can learn patterns and phrasing by ear. But a little theory later on helps expand your playing.