About this recording
The Last in Line · 1984 · Original album studio recording
Playing level: advanced · Theory level: beginner
Start with an E minor listening map. Follow one short phrase before comparing the longer runs.
The scales at a glance
Compare the notes
Learn these shapes, then see how they help explain each solo below. Some are extra ideas for your own practice.
| Scale | Notes | Intervals | Use in this study |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Minor Pentatonic | E · G · A · B · D | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
| E Natural Minor | E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · D | 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
Solo breakdown
Main solo
Guitar: Vivian Campbell
Where is this solo?
The fast electric guitar break in the studio track, separate from the quiet introduction.
E Minor Pentatonic
Listening guide
Use E minor pentatonic as a listening guide for the blues phrases. Find the outlined E notes before making a short phrase.
E · G · A · B · D
◎ Outlined dots = E, the home note.
Standard tuning (teaching setup) · frets 12–15 · high string 1 at top · toward nut →
These dots show where the scale notes are. They do not show the order of the solo.
Read the note positions
- String 1, fret 12: E, interval 1, root
- String 1, fret 15: G, interval ♭3
- String 2, fret 12: B, interval 5
- String 2, fret 15: D, interval ♭7
- String 3, fret 12: G, interval ♭3
- String 3, fret 14: A, interval 4
- String 4, fret 12: D, interval ♭7
- String 4, fret 14: E, interval 1, root
- String 5, fret 12: A, interval 4
- String 5, fret 14: B, interval 5
- String 6, fret 12: E, interval 1, root
- String 6, fret 15: G, interval ♭3
More about these scales
E Minor Pentatonic Listening guide
Use E minor pentatonic as a listening guide for the blues phrases. Find the outlined E notes before making a short phrase.
E · G · A · B · D
E Natural Minor Listening guide
Compare the seven-note E natural minor map for the longer runs. Find E first, then compare the notes that connect a phrase.
E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · D
How the chords shape the solo
Chords and note choices
Listen for the landing note
Listening idea A run and a chord shape are different ways of connecting notes. Find E, G and B in the map, then listen for where a longer line pauses. Those pauses are easier to follow than every fast note.
Technique tips
Technique and phrasing
- alternate picking: Alternate picking means taking turns with downstrokes and upstrokes. Use a small movement and keep each note clear before increasing speed. Practice suggestion
Practice ideas
Try the ideas yourself
Original practice suggestions; these are not the recorded solo.
Try this slowly
Play E, G and B separately, then connect them with one nearby scale note. Pause after each group. Keep each picked note as clear as the one before it.
Check: You can keep a steady pulse and hear the final note clearly.
A simple practice plan
Put the study into practice
- Listen to the chosen solo and identify its beginning and ending.
- Find the root notes: the notes the scale is named after. Say their names, then play them.
- Add one new note, or aim for a note from the chord. Make a short phrase of your own.
- Listen to the solo again. Can you hear where the phrase comes to rest?
Updated 2026-11-10
This analysis may contain errors or inaccuracies.