how do i make up a guitar solo?

Question

I can play a ton of stuff that other people wrote, after a while it's all just more of the same. So I started making up my own stuff, and while I can string chord progressions together I get completely bogged down trying to come up with any kind of solo. Where do I begin?

Answer 1

the important thing to remember is to play from your heart.
yes, cheesy, i know.
but also, in order to write great guitar solos like so many rockers before you, you have to bear in mind that they played the notes that sent chills down their spine. Most people don't realize that most solos were discovered just by goofing around. your heart can tell you when a solo is right. Pick up your guitar and play it. No particular strings: just play any note you think up. When you hit a certain chord sequence, or something similar, your heart will give a certain shudder. build off of the chord sequence until you have your solo. if your heart pounds at one sequence, but slows at another, take out the one that slows your heart, etc..
the same thing happens to me on the saxophone. when i play notes that no one has ever written down in the same order before, i can always depend on my heart to tell me what greatness can come from it.
and sorry for making this answer sound like the end of a cheesy Disney movie. Just play by your heart; it wont let you down.

Answer 2

Get a chord sequence. Record it many times over. Listen to it. Find a starting note that blends with the chord, and paly around from there. Works for me. Hope this helps