About this recording
Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd · 1973 · Original album studio recording
Playing level: advanced · Theory level: beginner
Start with G minor pentatonic. Compare the brighter major notes only after the main five-note shape feels familiar.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| G Minor Pentatonic | G · B♭ · C · D · F | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
| G Major Pentatonic | G · A · B · D · E | 1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6 | Listening guide |
Solo breakdown
Main solo
Guitar: Allen Collins
Where is this solo?
The extended fast closing guitar solo in the studio recording. The slow slide introduction is a separate part.
G Minor Pentatonic
Listening guide
G minor pentatonic is the main map for the fast closing solo.
G · B♭ · C · D · F
◎ Outlined dots = G, the home note.
Standard tuning (teaching setup) · frets 3–6 · 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 3: G, interval 1, root
- String 1, fret 6: B♭, interval ♭3
- String 2, fret 3: D, interval 5
- String 2, fret 6: F, interval ♭7
- String 3, fret 3: B♭, interval ♭3
- String 3, fret 5: C, interval 4
- String 4, fret 3: F, interval ♭7
- String 4, fret 5: G, interval 1, root
- String 5, fret 3: C, interval 4
- String 5, fret 5: D, interval 5
- String 6, fret 3: G, interval 1, root
- String 6, fret 6: B♭, interval ♭3
More about these scales
G Minor Pentatonic Listening guide
G minor pentatonic is the main map for the fast closing solo.
G · B♭ · C · D · F
G Major Pentatonic Listening guide
G major pentatonic gives a brighter comparison within the closing feature. Listen for the major and minor colours as local choices.
G · A · B · D · E
How the chords shape the solo
Chords and note choices
Listen for the landing note
Listening idea The major third of G is B, while the minor third is B♭. Compare those two notes in a short phrase. Switching colour does not mean the whole song changes key each time.
Technique tips
Technique and phrasing
- bending: A bend raises a note by pushing the string across the fretboard. Play the target note first, then bend a lower note until it matches. Practice suggestion
Practice ideas
Try the ideas yourself
Original practice suggestions; these are not the recorded solo.
Try this slowly
In G Minor Pentatonic, repeat a two-note idea four times slowly. Rest for a bar, then choose G Major Pentatonic and make a brighter answer. Keep your hand relaxed through the repetitions.
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.