About this recording
Phenomenon · 1974 · Original album studio recording
Playing level: advanced · Theory level: beginner
Start with E minor pentatonic, then compare the wider natural minor map. Follow the studio break in small sections.
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 |
| E Dorian | E · F♯ · G · A · B · C♯ · D | 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7 | Practice idea |
Solo breakdown
Main solo
Guitar: Michael Schenker
Where is this solo?
Michael Schenker’s extended studio lead break on Phenomenon. The longer Strangers in the Night live solo is separate.
E Minor Pentatonic
Listening guide
E minor pentatonic is a smaller listening guide for the blues-shaped phrases.
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
E minor pentatonic is a smaller listening guide for the blues-shaped phrases.
E · G · A · B · D
E Natural Minor Listening guide
E natural minor adds F♯ and C. Use this as a listening reference for the connecting lines.
E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · D
E Dorian Practice idea
E Dorian has C♯ instead of C. Compare that colour in your own phrase; it is not a claim about every passage in this studio solo.
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 repeating idea can grow while staying around the same home note. Keep E, G and B in view, and listen for a phrase that returns to one of them after a longer run.
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 a three-note E minor idea twice. On the third attempt, move the final note to a higher E. Keep the first two notes and the rhythm unchanged.
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.