Every guitarist, whether they admit it or not, dreams of mastering mind-blowing solos. From the bluesy bends of Jimmy Page to the shredding acrobatics of Joe Satriani and the modern complexities of Tim Henson, the pursuit of blistering, technically demanding guitar work is a common thread. But within the vast landscape of guitar solos, some stand apart as monuments of sheer difficulty.
Today, we’re diving deep into the realm of virtuosity to distinguish the truly legendary from the merely proficient. We’re counting down ten of the most brutally challenging guitar solos ever conceived. Even if you’ve conquered Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption,” these solos are designed to push every facet of your guitar playing ability to its absolute limit.
Think you’re up for the challenge of learning them? That’s a journey for you to decide. But before you embark, let’s explore this list of the Hardest Guitar Solos EVER – presented in no particular order of pain and suffering!
Charvel guitar displayed in a store, representing difficult guitar solos
Jennifer Batten – Flight of the Bumblebee: Two-Handed Tapping Mastery
Jennifer Batten isn’t just a phenomenal guitarist; she’s an electrifying performer with a unique voice. Her rendition of “Flight of the Bumblebee,” a classical piece already known for its frenetic pace, transcends human limitations. Batten’s version is almost entirely executed with two-hand tapping, demanding not only blinding speed but also pinpoint accuracy. The sheer audacity and flawless execution make this solo a benchmark in guitar difficulty. It’s a true testament to technical prowess and musicality combined.
Guthrie Govan – Fives: A Masterclass in Guitar Virtuosity
Let’s be unequivocally clear: Guthrie Govan is a guitar god walking among us. His playing is a symphony of perfect timing, impeccable taste, diverse note choices, soulful feel, rich tone, dramatic phrasing, and boundless imagination.
And yes, he can absolutely melt faces with sheer technicality. “Fives,” from his solo album Erotic Cakes, is a prime example. This track showcases Govan’s ability to weave complex melodies at breakneck speed, incorporating advanced techniques with effortless fluidity. Attempting this solo isn’t just a practice exercise; it’s a deep dive into the mind of a modern guitar genius and one of the hardest guitar solos to even comprehend, let alone play.
Jason Becker (David Lee Roth) – It’s Showtime!: Speed, Precision, and Showmanship
David Lee Roth has always had an eye for exceptional guitar talent. Stepping into the shoes of Eddie Van Halen was daunting enough, but Jason Becker had the unenviable task of filling the roles of both EVH and Steve Vai!
Jason Becker, despite facing immense personal challenges, remains an underappreciated guitar hero. His incredible speed, laser-like precision, and infectious sense of fun are on full display in “It’s Showtime!” – a clear nod to Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher.” This solo is a whirlwind of notes, demanding both technical mastery and a playful swagger. It’s a high-energy, high-difficulty showcase that firmly cements Becker’s place among the guitar elite.
John Petrucci (Dream Theater) – As I Am: Progressive Metal Guitar Complexity
If you can listen to the solo in Dream Theater’s “As I Am” without experiencing a moment of bewildered awe, you might just be superhuman. John Petrucci is legendary for both his formidable physique and his equally staggering guitar abilities. Dream Theater’s discography is filled with solos that could qualify for this list, but this opening track from Train of Thought is particularly breathtaking.
This solo is a masterclass in progressive metal guitar playing, combining rapid-fire alternate picking, intricate legato phrases, and sweeping arpeggios with flawless execution. The sheer density of notes and the demanding techniques make this solo a true test of endurance and precision for any guitarist.
Plini – Electric Sunrise: Redefining Instrumental Guitar with Djent
While labeling Plini a “new generation guitar hero” might feel reductive given his established career, he undeniably reshaped the landscape of modern instrumental guitar music. He’s a pioneer of instrumental Djent, a niche subgenre that blends heaviness with ethereal soundscapes.
Plini’s genius lies in his ability to create compositions that are both intensely complex and beautifully melodic. “Electric Sunrise” perfectly encapsulates this, featuring intricate tapping passages, shifting time signatures, and a signature solo that seems to defy gravity. This solo isn’t just about speed; it’s about sophisticated phrasing and navigating a constantly evolving musical landscape, making it incredibly challenging and rewarding to learn.
Buckethead – Jordan HQ: Guitar Hero Nightmare in Real Life
For fans of the Guitar Hero video game series, the mere mention of “Jordan HQ” might trigger flashbacks of digital frustration. Infamously difficult in the game, the real-life solo is, unsurprisingly, even more demanding.
Buckethead is a true enigma and an outrageously talented guitarist, known for his eccentric persona and mind-bending techniques. “Jordan HQ” showcases his signature blend of precise kill-switch effects, otherworldly sonic textures, and a solo that’s simply ludicrously fast. Attempting to learn this solo is an exercise in pushing your speed and dexterity to the absolute limit, and even partial success is a badge of honor.
Jason Richardson (Within Destruction) – Sakura: Melodic Mayhem of Modern Shred
In just 30 seconds, Jason Richardson’s solo in “Sakura” by Within Destruction can either ignite your passion for guitar greatness or make you question your life choices as a guitarist. This solo is a condensed explosion of ridiculously difficult techniques packed into a short timeframe.
Richardson seamlessly integrates tapping, sweep picking, alternate picking, and hybrid picking into a melodic and surprisingly well-structured piece of music. The sheer density of techniques and the blistering tempo make “Sakura” an exercise in extreme guitar athleticism. It’s not just hard; it’s absurdly hard, demanding incredible precision and stamina.
Steve Vai & Ry Cooder (Crossroads) – Head Cuttin’ Duel: The Ultimate Guitar Battle
Does the “Head Cuttin’ Duel” from the movie Crossroads count as one solo? For our purposes, absolutely. This iconic scene depicts a fictional guitar battle between the protagonist and the devil’s guitarist, played by Steve Vai.
While Ry Cooder initially provided the bottleneck slide guitar parts for the film, as the duel intensifies, it becomes clear that only Steve Vai could deliver the escalating levels of virtuosity required. The final back-and-forth between the two “characters” is entirely Vai, essentially a solo performed against himself. The sheer complexity and theatricality of this piece, designed to represent the pinnacle of guitar skill in a dramatic showdown, make it undeniably one of the hardest guitar solos, especially considering it takes two legendary players (in spirit) to bring it to life.
Yngwie Malmsteen – Far Beyond the Sun (Live with the Japanese Philharmonic Orchestra): Neo-Classical Shredding Grandeur
For unapologetically over-the-top, old-school shred, look no further than Yngwie J. Malmsteen. Embracing the pomp and grandeur of the archetypal “shred master,” Yngwie even sports frilly cuffs while unleashing torrents of notes from his Stratocaster, often backed by a full orchestra. His musical heroes are Ritchie Blackmore and Paganini, and “Far Beyond the Sun” perfectly blends these influences into a neo-classical shred masterpiece.
This live performance with the Japanese Philharmonic Orchestra elevates the solo to another level of epic difficulty. It’s a relentless barrage of arpeggios, scales, and lightning-fast runs, demanding incredible technique and stamina. “Far Beyond the Sun” is not just hard; it’s a statement of virtuosity, a timeless example of shred guitar at its most flamboyant and challenging.
Shawn Lane – 1993 NAMM Show: The Unrivaled Speed Demon
While equating difficulty solely with speed is an oversimplification, there’s certainly a strong correlation. Shawn Lane was the quintessential “guitar player’s guitar player,” revered within a smaller circle of guitar aficionados for his otherworldly abilities. His playing was predicated on sheer, unadulterated speed, reaching levels that often elicited laughter at its seemingly superhuman nature.
Lane may not have achieved mainstream fame, but his guitaristic achievements remain a benchmark against which other incredibly fast players like Rusty Cooley and Michael Angelo Batio are measured. This impromptu solo from the 1993 NAMM show is legendary. It’s said to be the only time in history that guitar titans like Paul Gilbert, Reb Beach, Andy Timmons, and Joe Satriani were collectively “owned” on stage simultaneously.
Attempting to learn Shawn Lane is a journey into the extreme limits of guitar technique. If you ever manage to approach an accurate rendition, please, visit one of our stores and demonstrate it – we’d be honored to witness such mastery.
Most Difficult Guitar Solos EVER: The Challenge Awaits
Now, be honest: can you truly nail any of these solos note-for-note right now? This isn’t a competition, and there’s no shame in acknowledging that these pieces are, for now, beyond your current skill level. Or perhaps they aren’t, and in that case, we humbly bow in admiration!
For most of us, these solos serve as aspirational goals, springboards for improvement. You don’t need to conquer them entirely to benefit from the challenge. Even learning a few licks or phrases can significantly elevate your own playing.
So, if you dare to attempt these monumental solos, remember to stretch thoroughly and take frequent breaks. The path to virtuosity is paved with practice, patience, and a healthy respect for the sheer difficulty of these incredible pieces of music.
