I may be in over my head, but I will do this.

I was listening to some Beatles tunes last week(anyone surprised?) and decided that I wanted to learn a new one all the way through, but one that would much more challenging than Hey Jude, I Will, or any of the other completely first 4 fret tunes I've done so far. While my Guitar Gently weeps is of course way beyond my realm of ability right now..... so I settled in on Something. The tune itself was not too tough to learn, but the solo, with it's slides and bends is kicking my ass.

... but I WILL DO IT!

I found a great instructional video on youtube that teaches just the solo with demonstration, and tab. I've got the first two thirds down with some rough edges, and have been through all of it slowly just once. I'm taking it in small bites, and putting the pieces together. I'm hoping to be presentable with it by week's end. I think when I get this one down I'll actually feel like I can play something.... no pun intended.

That's great, good luck!
Even "Yesterday" is a great song, when you want to start playing with your fingers instead of a pick!

Look forward to a listen Steve, you can do it mate.
I thought you might have been having a go at Guthrie Govan's "Fives"

I used to know the whole solo, but I've long since lost the tab I had for it. All I can remember now is the first half. Great solo. The bassline is amazingly underrated. At the time, George thought it was too busy, but I think it's one of Macca's best ever parts.

Here's the lesson I'm using on the solo if you want to give it a whirl.

It has the tab too if you want to copy it down by hand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knxPTs6kUXs

I've had other players tell me that "it's deceptively easy".... well... maybe so for someone whos been playing for a decade or two.

Everything I've learned to this point has simply been learning what notes to play in what order.
This is very different because it's requiring me to learn some real technique. Knowing what notes to play in the correct order doesn't get there with a piece like this, so now I'm learning slides, and bends, and working on how to transition between them without pauses.
Foe me this is new, and fun territory.

OK... try not to cringe too much, as I'm still workin on it.

This it where I am right now.

I want this one really bad, so I will keep working on it until I get it right.



http://youtu.be/liOtedP16r0

Getting there

You might find this software useful - http://riffstation.com/ It has a 30 day trial and is very simple to use. You can use it to isolate the part of the track you're learning and then loop it at slower speeds. It also analyses the tempo of the song and will give you a click to help with timing. You can even use it to isolate the guitar solo, mute it, and make a custom backing track to play along with after you've nailed it.

Thanks Neal.
Getting there is about right. I know what I have to do... now I just have learn enough to to do it right. Slow progress, but progress.
You should have heard me early in the week on this!
Having never done slides, or bends before trying this one I've really done a job on my fingertips this week working to get this down.