This is a 2-year-old recording of an original song that I never fully finished. I got stuck around 1:52 where a guitar solo should go—just couldn’t land on anything that felt right, so it’s been sitting like this ever since. The bass was done with my guitar using a bass tone from the Helix.
If you’ve got any ideas, suggestions, or even just creative thoughts for what could work there, I’d really appreciate you sharing them in the comments. Whether you’re a seasoned shredder or just have a cool melodic concept, I’m all ears.
Big thanks to Justin for all his amazing content—this is such a great guitar community, and I’m grateful to be part of it.
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I’m afraid I can be of no help in offering creative ideas for the solo, Bibi. I’m not really that into metal in all its various incarnations nor do I have the improvising chops. That aside, it does sound wicked and watching your fingers dance is mind-boggling.
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There may be people who are rocking along and bursting with ideas or suggestions to help.
Can I suggest you provide some detail on the song to help hose who might help you.
What (dropped) tuning are you using?
What is the overall harmonic structure (chords etc)?
Especially during the section you want help with.
What scale(s) are you using for the riffs and lead parts already?
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Thanks a lot for the reply and suggestions—I really appreciate it! The tuning is either Drop D or Drop C# (I honestly haven’t played this one in a long time, so I’d have to double-check). The rhythm part under the solo is based on the D minor pentatonic (or C# minor pentatonic if it’s tuned down), and I generally stick to minor pentatonic scales since I’m not trained in music theory—everything was done by ear.
I was aiming for a solo that’s a mix of melodic and a bit of shred, but I ran out of ideas and ended up shelving the track about two years ago. Would love to hear any ideas or suggestions if something comes to mind!
Ok Bibi, my name is Hec and I know just the man that may help you I am teaching today and the guy I help is well into metal and drop tuning I will see what he can do for you so ill get back in touch cheers HEC
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Hi Bibi do you have link to your YouTube channel, a friend of mine would like to send a few ideas your way if that’s ok cheers HEC
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Why not leave it as is, which is a rocking/metal good instrumental? It’s over 3 minutes, I wouldn’t say that you are stuck. To make it a song there needs to be some singing, so in that sense it needs some sort of lower intensity/volume spaces in the playing.
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TBH, it was so good as it is that IMO it didn’t need anything else added.
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@Dropdsterling - that’s a cool song and really well played.
I was into metal as a kid - Rainbow were my favourite band - but that’s a longtime ago. I haven’t really paid much attention to it for a long while and certainly haven’t thought much about chord progressions, structure etc.
As a listener, the 20s or so where you feel you are missing something are a break from the rest of the song - so you could just leave it. I guess as you’ve asked, you are hoping for something different to that though. Here are a few other thoughts for you, that may help to kick your creative process off.
It feels like this song has a number of different sections. Can you repeat one of those but switch something else in. E.g. use the bass for the melody; or use a different effect on the guitar. Or added an octave to the bass to give it a more synth like sound. Or bring a different instrument in, perhaps some pads on a keyboard - maybe just hold the chords and only change when the chord change.
How about adding a note from a scale that’s related to the scale you are using in one of the other sections, and emphasising that added note. E.g. If the section is based on an C# minor pentatonic, all the notes in that scale are present in the E major scale (C# minor being the relative minor of Emajor). So pick one of the 2 notes that aren’t in the C# minor pentatonic but are in E major (D# and A, based on a quick check on my guitar and piano 
). Note I haven’t tried to work out what harmony you are playing, so I’m just using C# minor pentatonic and E major as examples.
I doubt any of these are what you will end up doing, but I hope that by trying them you will find your creative juices flowing and that helps you produce something that fits and that you like.
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Thanks 
I will try to add the solo probably the next week
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Okay. I’m trying to pick up on what you’re doing in the rhythm (bottom pane in the video). I’m not 100% due to camera angle and the audio being busy and full. But I think I have it mostly. I have created a GuitarPro file track to match. By altering the settings I can confirm you are definitely in Drop C# tuning.
You mostly play C#5 with occasional visits to B5 and D5.
C#5 is the tonic. Neither major nor minor. The C# minor pentatonic works either way.
The note D is the flat 2 viewed from a C# rooted scale. For all intents and purposes that b2 only exists in one usable scale - the Phrygian. All I am going to suggest is that you add that note to your C# minor pentatonic and when the D5 comes along aim for that colour tone.
B is the flat 7 note so B5 is bVII chord. The b7 note is within your C# minor pentatonic already.
C# minor pentatonic plus b2 = C#, D, E, F#, G, B
I have to say right from the outset that fast modern metal is not my listening nor my playing style. I’m right out of my comfort zone here.
That said, I took the liberty (and several hours on a Sunday) to try to compose a little solo piece for twin guitars. They are harmonising in thirds using the C# minor pentatonic plus the b2.
It is, no doubt, a poor attempt at a metal solo - seen from the perspective of someone invested in that music. I hope, even if it is rather lame, to be of use in giving some idea.
TAB for Rhythm, Lead 1 and Lead 2 plus audio.
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Wow, Thanks so much for your suggestions! Really glad you think the Phrygian scale is a good fit—it definitely has that dark, heavy vibe that works well in metal. My theory knowledge isn’t the strongest either, but I’ll check out some tutorials and try to adapt it to the song. Also, really appreciate you attaching the file of your solo—that’s super helpful. Thanks again for the great ideas and support!
Don’t get distracted by phyrgian thoughts and theory deep diving if you want something quick and accessible.
Just play C# minor pentatonic and slide to / nini-bend to / hammer/on to the note ine fret abive the root note. Do it sparingly and at the right moments to emphasise that you are adding some b2 spicw to your track.
ps
I didn’t detune my guitar for this. Truth be told I didn’t pick up my guitar. I just concocted it in my imagination and used software to generate the audio.
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Hey Mr C, just saw this and had to swerve across from listening to Tyranny Of Souls.
When you did the Modes “expose” the Phryg was always an interesting place to visit, you know late night creeping down the stairs.
Like what you did here and hope it gives Bibi some pointers. But overall I am getting a flavour of gingham metal, as there is a strong country vibe coming through the progression, could just be the percussion but its what I am hearing. So I am intrigue to how this one is going to pan out.
Back to Bruce D,
Thx
