Alex Skolnick was/is the most talented guitarist of the thrash scene by far. All of his solos are very vocal and singable. These guys have never gotten the credit they deserved.
hrosemd I would say Marty Friedman is easily on par with Skolnick. There are some other great thrash lead guitarists out there like Holt, Waters and Dimebag, but Friedman and Skolnick always stood out as the best lead thrash guitarists for me.
Not only is he insanely good he knows exactly what he is playing musically, there many great guitar players that have no idea the theory of what there playing, his knowledge is impressive.🎸
Best solo i have ever heard in a metal song and believe me I dont get impressed easilly,you can repeatedly hear this solo 100 times in a row and not get bored of it. Thumbs up Skolnick
This is why Alex rules...how many other guitarists use melodic minor, diminished scales, m7b5 chords, and stuff like that in a thrash metal context? He's been a breath of fresh air to me ever since he came on the scene...he just doesn't play "normal" things for this type of music, and it's awesome to hear. I don't think I've ever heard him do a bad solo...keep it up, Alex! You da man!
+woodchuk1 Exactly. Most lead guitarists in thrash just play at high speeds using the same scales, but Alex throws in some jazz and classical influences. His solos are like a song within the song. Most players get too technical and forget about the melodic and musical aspects. Not Alex. He can play really technical while still making it sound tasty as hell.
I'm not a guitarist, but I love music, especially metal of all sorts, and Testament is one of my favorite bands. I enjoy learning things about music, Alex makes it interesting to learn about how he makes music.
I've been playing for a little over a year now and am just beginning to try lead stuff. Listening to this man talk is both insanely confusing and incredibly inspiring. He's my favorite lead player by far... Glad he's still making incredible music
Alex puts all the simple notes of any scale in a way so simple, that sounds awesome. It doesn´t need to be complicated. In Life, the simple things are allways the best...and of course, that applys to music too
This guys guitar solos are the best ... I love Megadeths guitar riffs and solos but Testament just slightly eclipses that ... But respect to both . Megadeth And Testament all day for me 🙂
Hell yeah. I always knew the book had the wrong fingerings. The fast run in the beginning seemed impossible to play up at the 11-14 fret and the other run near the end didn't sound right. Now i see he goes up and down the string.
One thing I've learned in music is tab books are a guide. Not a definition. Most players play things in the way that is best comfortable to them. And all things can be played on multiple places on the neck. My rule of thumb is, if it seems too impossible where the book says it should be beat find another way. The pitches are the "answers." We "musicians" have to do the work. And the rewards are awesome.
+OmniscientVirtuosity I agree. By looking for a different way, you end up "unlocking" the fretboard. Then one starts seeing the board in a way one didn't see it before.
funny since Billy told him to write it down in the early days! I read that in guitar magazine since Alex always would play it by ear and do the variations!
I noticed something weird. I have seen 2 different tutorials of this solo (this and a different one) and in each one Alex omits the same 4 bar section of the solo! Those of u who know the solo really well probably noticed. I'm not a lead guitarist or a theory whiz but it's a section where he does an ascending tritone (I think) lick with legato trills and its ends with 2 handed tapping. Can't be a coincidence that he skipped that part in 2 different vids haha. It would've occurred at 12:30 in this vid.
Alex, I disagree I have both of your signature Guitars one hard tail, and one with the Floyd Rose they both sound different but one does not sound better than the other. They are outstanding Guitars! 20:1620:16
I pulled it from a 2008 Guitar World DVD 📀 which featured a large Testament article, a rhythm gtr breakdown by Peterson, this solo lesson by Skolnick and Practice What You Preach TAB.
Megadeth and Metallica do it too now days, it's because the vocalists have gotten older, in men this generally causes a deepening of your voice. If you notice in the start of the video he says the solo uses a melody based on the songs vocal melody, as their vocalist can no longer reach the same higher notes Alex tunes his guitar down to match.
Tommy Yaya not really. Yeah Alex is a better lead better for sure but as far as rhythm and song writing goes, Mustaine is way ahead. Not to mention playing megadeth songs while singing is kind of fucking hard.
The truly great guitarists, when citing influences or inspirations, always draw from a deep well. The typical shredder will say "I was listening to Dimebag" or "I was listening to Def Leppard" or something. The greats say "I was listening to flamenco, Jeff Beck, or this mariachi guy, John McLaughlin, Bach, SRV..."
My favorite metal guitarist of all time, besides marty friedman
Hahaha too!
Yep
Dimebag, Alex and Marty are my top 3.
Alex Skolnick was/is the most talented guitarist of the thrash scene by far. All of his solos are very vocal and singable. These guys have never gotten the credit they deserved.
hrosemd I would say Marty Friedman is easily on par with Skolnick. There are some other great thrash lead guitarists out there like Holt, Waters and Dimebag, but Friedman and Skolnick always stood out as the best lead thrash guitarists for me.
Not only is he insanely good he knows exactly what he is playing musically, there many great guitar players that have no idea the theory of what there playing, his knowledge is impressive.🎸
Alex is a musical genius, it's very compelling to watch him construct a solo...
Best solo i have ever heard in a metal song and believe me I dont get impressed easilly,you can repeatedly hear this solo 100 times in a row and not get bored of it.
Thumbs up Skolnick
This is why Alex rules...how many other guitarists use melodic minor, diminished scales, m7b5 chords, and stuff like that in a thrash metal context? He's been a breath of fresh air to me ever since he came on the scene...he just doesn't play "normal" things for this type of music, and it's awesome to hear. I don't think I've ever heard him do a bad solo...keep it up, Alex! You da man!
+woodchuk1 What you mention are the exact reasons why I love Alex as well. So diverse and unique
+woodchuk1 Exactly. Most lead guitarists in thrash just play at high speeds using the same scales, but Alex throws in some jazz and classical influences. His solos are like a song within the song. Most players get too technical and forget about the melodic and musical aspects. Not Alex. He can play really technical while still making it sound tasty as hell.
woodchuk1 only other person who comes to mind is Marty Friedman
Best metal player imo using jazz blues classical flamingo styles all in his solos simply amazing Alex 🤘🏼
Raiyan Islam Um, Chris Poland? Jeff Waters?
Can't believe it! My favourite testament solo and one of my favourite solos of all times taught by the man himself! Thanx a lot bro.
I ve seen magazines calling Billy Joe or Slash a guitar legend......wtffff. Alex Skolnick is a Guitar Legend
Those two can't even tune they're instruments...
Alex Skolnick is a fucking legend.
2:58 You take a mortal man...and put him in control...watch him become a goddddd.Mustaine was referring to Alex.
Good one!! 👍🏻👍🏻
How could you possibly dislike this man's guitar work?! Goddamn
One of the finest thrash guitar players ever in the pages of the books of history
One of my favorite solos! First time I heard it, I was blown away. Alex, you skipped a few parts though 😉
Alex is a musical genius for sure.
Alex is the best since Randy Rhoads
and chris oliva
Been a fan since The New Order. Skolnick...'NUFF SAID
This guy is a musical genius
that solo is so well composed.
I'm not a guitarist, but I love music, especially metal of all sorts, and Testament is one of my favorite bands. I enjoy learning things about music, Alex makes it interesting to learn about how he makes music.
I've been playing for a little over a year now and am just beginning to try lead stuff. Listening to this man talk is both insanely confusing and incredibly inspiring. He's my favorite lead player by far... Glad he's still making incredible music
Alex puts all the simple notes of any scale in a way so simple, that sounds awesome.
It doesn´t need to be complicated.
In Life, the simple things are allways the best...and of course, that applys to music too
The PWYP solo is a worthy rival to "Tornado Of Souls" as the best-ever epic solo in a Thrash Metal context. Skolnick vs. Friedman!! Who wins??
If they had a duet, we all would win.
They both win!
@@GrooveDuude Perfect answer
This is a joke right?
Still one of my favorite solos of all time. It’s so elaborate and good sounding. You feel the mode changes and it gives it a strange fabulous vibe.
It's like Einstein himself breaking down all his theories in front of you.
Man this guy is a genius! Love his guitar playing!
I watched this video once and can now play these solos perfectly ...
Alex is a monster
Goddamn that Hertitage sounds amazing and you know it plays amazing as well!
Alex is fucken Amazing
Can’t imagine The Hamster doing anything like this with Alex’s eloquence and musical theory knowledge.
This guys guitar solos are the best ... I love Megadeths guitar riffs and solos but Testament just slightly eclipses that ... But respect to both . Megadeth And Testament all day for me 🙂
met Alex a few years ago when he did a guitar clinic at my school MI, really nice guy cool dude to talk to no bs
love the sound of that guitar+pickups & amp combination. lovely :)
Alex have learn a whole lot of knowledge from Satriani. One of the best metal guitar player in the world
the best solo of the world..............beatiful...loved
Great stuff, I've always enjoyed his playing.
great player....nuff said...
such a beast
Liked the video even before watching..
Alex Rules!
Bricklinsv1970 Yes he does!
+Bricklinsv1970 One of the most underrated guitar players.
FINALLY! The mysteries are revealed!
Hell yeah. I always knew the book had the wrong fingerings. The fast run in the beginning seemed impossible to play up at the 11-14 fret and the other run near the end didn't sound right. Now i see he goes up and down the string.
Feels awesome to actually see is played by the original composer
One thing I've learned in music is tab books are a guide. Not a definition. Most players play things in the way that is best comfortable to them. And all things can be played on multiple places on the neck. My rule of thumb is, if it seems too impossible where the book says it should be beat find another way. The pitches are the "answers." We "musicians" have to do the work. And the rewards are awesome.
+OmniscientVirtuosity I agree. By looking for a different way, you end up "unlocking" the fretboard. Then one starts seeing the board in a way one didn't see it before.
Wow cool!
I I'll love Alex skolnick!
brilliant player,he knows where he based his scale ideas
funny since Billy told him to write it down in the early days!
I read that in guitar magazine since Alex always would play it by ear and do the variations!
great lesson
Cool stuff :)
hell yea ty
I noticed something weird. I have seen 2 different tutorials of this solo (this and a different one) and in each one Alex omits the same 4 bar section of the solo! Those of u who know the solo really well probably noticed. I'm not a lead guitarist or a theory whiz but it's a section where he does an ascending tritone (I think) lick with legato trills and its ends with 2 handed tapping. Can't be a coincidence that he skipped that part in 2 different vids haha. It would've occurred at 12:30 in this vid.
Love Bar no.31 - 32
Hold On.
Bay area musicians are the best
Absolutely...
Remember...he had lessons from Satch!....Strong Island in the house!
What nonsense.
Alex, I disagree I have both of your signature Guitars one hard tail, and one with the Floyd Rose they both sound different but one does not sound better than the other.
They are outstanding Guitars! 20:16 20:16
I just uploaded a cover of the PWYP solo. Thanks to this video I got it pretty close!
Awesome and congrats. You gotta link for us?
Here it is. Check it out! :-)
ua-cam.com/video/wrIVoWt5cHE/v-deo.html
Lmao, when started to play the phrygian 😂💀
Hi my name is alex, and ... i listened to flamenco lmao
Skolnick and Marty Friedman are the best in the trash power metal scene out there oh and Gus G who recently made a name with his band Fire Wind
What about Chris Poland?
CosmicRuna shut up. Fuck that guy.
1 person can't practice what he preach
agreed! Does any one has the tabs for the video?
mr modesty
Nice vid! btw, was this recorded on a potato?
zeldamage001 its extracted off someone’s memories
Missed a section out!
Yeah he skipped over the end of the A flat section!
So 95% of guitars use 95% pentatonic scale and Alex use it only a small part of the solo
That's right, cause this man knows wtf he is doing.
Was this recorded with a Samsung?
I pulled it from a 2008 Guitar World DVD 📀 which featured a large Testament article, a rhythm gtr breakdown by Peterson, this solo lesson by Skolnick and Practice What You Preach TAB.
OpnDoarPlcy I was just playin. Thanks for sharing!
Norseman14 No worries
@@OpnDoarPlcy Was it a standard monthly issue or a special DVD release? If it was a monthly release do you know what month the magazine was?
@@MrDG666 Thanks for the question. I went back and found the DVD, it was from the July issue of Guitar World 2008.
"slow"
Why did he teach it in Eb tuning :( Just makes it harder to figure out but I'm slowly getting it
Megadeth and Metallica do it too now days, it's because the vocalists have gotten older, in men this generally causes a deepening of your voice. If you notice in the start of the video he says the solo uses a melody based on the songs vocal melody, as their vocalist can no longer reach the same higher notes Alex tunes his guitar down to match.
@@tobyhall8048 You think a half tone will safe a singer hehe? Anyway he surely has like 50 guitars and at least 1 in standard tuning.
Alex Skolnick >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...... Kirk Hammett
Lol dude, can't even compare.
not even close.....alex is awesome
Not disrespecting kurt but skolnik kicks his ass
+DereMemo nah
Mohamed Danilla Skolnick is the best thrash lead of them all. The rest are dogshit compared
I wonder if Alex was ever approached by Mustaine through the years about joining Megadeth?
i think they toured together didnt they? Megadeth and testament that is
I'm sure he was and they had some creative differences.
Skolnik is leagues beyond mustaine
Tommy Yaya What's does that have to do with the question???
Tommy Yaya not really. Yeah Alex is a better lead better for sure but as far as rhythm and song writing goes, Mustaine is way ahead. Not to mention playing megadeth songs while singing is kind of fucking hard.
The truly great guitarists, when citing influences or inspirations, always draw from a deep well. The typical shredder will say "I was listening to Dimebag" or "I was listening to Def Leppard" or something. The greats say "I was listening to flamenco, Jeff Beck, or this mariachi guy, John McLaughlin, Bach, SRV..."
To each their own. Its all good music. Iron sharpens iron either way
In d# you say..../me leaves
Why even attempt to learn this? It’s insane!
Half scale minor half major? weird...
0.75 speed for retired Skolnick. x)