How to Write a LEGENDARY Solo w/ Scotti Hill of Skid Row!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
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Solo lesson: 2:53
Scotti Hill interview: 12:09
Hey guys! Uncle Ben Eller here with a VERY special episode of Weekend Wankshop!!! Today, we're gonna break down the solo from 18 and Life by Skid Row, then spend some time on Zoom with Scotti Hill HIMSELF to chat about how he writes legendary solos like this one! He's got all kinds of wisdom to share, you don't wanna miss this one!!!
Playing my Ibanez RG3120 with Suhr Aldrich pickups into the Axe FX 3.
Whats your favorite Skid Row solo? Let me know in the comments!
What piece of Scotti’s advice rang the most true to you? For me, it was the breathing tips!!! That’s a game-changer!
Scotti Hill, what a cool guy.
The pinch harmonics part had me laughing, I can relate, I don't get those all the time either. And I've always thought to play his solos you HAVE to hit those. what a cool down to earth guitar god!!
I read that Miles Davies/ breathing story in a Scotti Hill interview on either Guitar World or GFTPM (cant remember) and it has stuck in my head ever since, i can recall he me tioned listening to sax players because you can get cool ideas for solos. I was trying to learn Randy Rhoads, Lynch, DeMartini etc. but that first Skid Row album kickstarted my insterest in playing guitar again, i learned that you can write cool stuff on guitar without being a Vai or Satriani.
I totally agree and only wish I had heard this advice 30 years ago lol
Indeed, that tip alone stood out to me, big time! One tiny error, though. Last week was Weekend Wankshop 322 (I know, as I just watched it again earlier today), making this one 323. No biggie, though. This was one awesome video, Ben. Way to go!!
So many great and underrated guitarists in the 80s. Scotti, Vito Bratta, and Ronni Le Tekrø probably the three most underrated. Superb stuff Unca!! 👏 👏 👏
I remember quite vividly, it's not that they were underrated, they were just overshadowed in the Guitar Mags by their slouch ass- predecessors like Keith Richards or the Dead on the covers, and bunch of other lame ass crap comparitively.
@@Feverdream7777 nothing to do with Richards but more to do with the likes of Yngwie and Vinnie Moore and all the neo classical harmonic minor shredders. The three guys I mentioned had great technique but more importantly they had a sense of melody. Too many metal and guitar fans in the 80s were obsessed with speed to the detriment of melody. Vivian Campbell (another great underrated guitarist while in Dio in the 80s) said at the time it was getting like athletics.... 😆
@@APK-pn4qh arguably both our scenarios are true
@@Feverdream7777 I agree. 👍 I was just thinking more in the terms of metal but of course you are right, not all guitar magazines covered metal as much as I'd have liked!
What a great interview! Honest and humble. I'm a year younger than Scotti and enjoyed his playing back in the day when Skid Row first hit the scene in 1989. He definitely carved out his own sound. It's melodic while packed with dynamic bends, seamless pull-offs, and elegant position shifts. His solos often have a "soaring" quality--sort of like a violin voicing, as he establishes a thematic core, surrounded by quick and tasty shorter phrases that are always in key and highlighted by great vibrato. His description of this solo as a "whistler" is perfect. Great solo!
So cool....I remember first hearing skid row on pirate radio back in the day with their single Youth Gone Wild...went straight out to buy the cassette and just being blown away by all the great songs on that album. Still crank up Can't Stand the Heartache whenever it comes on Hair Nation
Scotti is super underrated. What a legend
TRUTH
So true.
Both snake and Scotti
Scotty is so cool. From the youth gone wild guy to a chilled and funny older guy. 👍
Awesome! As a kid listening to Skid Row, I thought the guitarist (Scotti Hill) really put a lot on the table with the songwriting.
As much as I love this solo, the I Remember You solo, takes the cake for me. The pinch harmonics are so over the top and just take that one to the max.
It’s a great one
Same, chills every time
I agree,..this one is absolutely great but "I Remember You" solo gets the edge.
I learned it note for note many years ago and still play it in sets (along with 18 & life) depending on the particular gig. That solo is one of my favorite pieces of music.
15th fret pinch is the hardest
Agreed. Love all his solos though
I have been playing guitar since 1990. Skid Row was my obsession. Thank you so much Ben for what you do and thank you so much for sharing Scott Hill with those that may not know of him. This video made my year. BTW, the breathing advice was my favorite tip. I cannot believe I never looked at phrasing in that light before.
One of the best interviews on YT of one of the best song writing Guitar Players of all time🤘🏻
YES! Thank you Ben! I dig the Row!
Bro, one of the best interviews ever. Scotti is way down to earth and definitely not one of those players that pedestals himself. Very very cool.
I watched you play it in "preview mode" in TH-cam with no sound, and I swear I heard every single note. :)
And your channel is one of the best out there man
Thank you!!!
Hell yes 🔥 so awesome to see Scotti Hill join you for this he’s one of my favorite players and this was one of the first solos I learned by ear (incorrectly LOL) 🎊🎉
Thanks Ben for bringing Scotti in to the fold.He's a true Hero to many us around the World.Cheers from Oz
Great episode, Ben. Scotti is from the era of when songs were written melodically and very tasteful. Not to say there aren’t artists that do it today, he was one of those guys that had a knack for riffs, solos and phrases. Just think how many great songs he’s been a part of. Youth gone wild is still one of my favorites. So cool you got to meet him. 🤘
AWESOME video Uncle Ben!!! Scotti and Snake are some of my original guitar heroes and probably the most influential on my playing. I still play the 'I Remember You' probably every other day! 🤘🏼❤️🤘🏼
I loved this interview ❤ Very cool!
5 Star Facial Expressions during the end of the solo! Awesome! 80s Hair Metal Rules!
Funny vibrato is brought up. I remember an interview in a guitar magazine when Skid Row came out and Snake commented how jealous he was of Hill's Vibrato.
So humble and so true, guitar player, i can relate to what he says.. i was born in the 80's and is hard to learn guitar in that era you have to repeat it a thousand times till u get it , and we always play by ear 👂because we dont know how to read tabs.. and only rich people can by vhs tapes guitar lessons
Amazing chat. Scotti is the man! Thanks Ben!
When Scotti says " I can tell my story" It is a pure thing to say, He does it and He does it great! Those solos have been in my head for just that reason. What I always liked about Skid Row sound is that raw emotion that come from their music like pain and rage.
This was the first solo I ever learned way back in 1989 I think it was. Well, the first solo I butchered I should say. I love your videos! Thanks for making these.
"The first solo I butchered"
Lol !
Great solo and lesson. Loved your tips about the dynamics, often overlooked. This is a great solo to learn how to build it up rythmically, ending with the cool flurry. Arena ready!
Scott.. such a humble soul❤
Thanks Uncle B
Piece of history right there
Fantastic solo, perfect emotion for the song.
It was absolutely awesome seeing Scotti Hill and getting some of his input. Seems like a really good dude.
In my top 10 solo list he has two of them, he and Vito Bratta are two of my favorite players, so melodic in their solos, great video Ben
I love this! Thanks Uncle
Great man scotti hill!!!. His Best stuff for me
I remember you
18 and life
Youth gone wild
Great video again, love your stuff
Super laid-back video, it would be cool if they brought out a signature guitar that he used back in the days like they finally did with Dave Sabo, I bought his Kramer and installed some FU-Tone parts and it's a sweet axe. I would definitely pick up Scott's as well. I grew up playing there stuff lol. I met Zakk Wylde a couple times, another huge icon for me as well, if it wasn't for Zakk I wouldn't be hitting all the pinch harmonics either lol. Something different about that generation of guitar players. They make music fun and interesting and more party like. Everything not is so robotic. I really miss S.R.V. , man the good ol day's!
Fantastic video and interview!
Awesome video again! Hope to see more of the videos with the artist's input like this.
Would love to hear your opinion on the Aldrich's...been eyeballing them for a while now.
I am a member of a weekly solo challenge group and this is this week's solo, so this video has come in very handy indeed. However, I can't help but notice that in the original studio recording, Scotti manages to fit in 2 more notes then Ben does, at the end of that crazy run!
Ben, GREAT interview, you killed it, thanks for this !
My favorite of Scotti's would be Quicksand Jesus, because I love that song so much (that whole album is just killer anyway). Plus Scotti was using a Strat on the video to that song, and being a Strat guy myself, I loved that. And these moody, Hendrixy licks were so cool...
And believe it or not, but for the longest time I though Scotti was Snake, and vice-versa.
The amazing thing about Scotti is, he's so melodic while being able to just rip when needed. To me, he's like a heavier, darker Ritchie Sambora (who was a MASSIVE influence for me) in the way he knows how to serve the song. Major props.
Scotti Hill is one cool, humble, and generous dude. Holy cow… One guitar hero I’d love to meet.
This WHOLE album is an absolute masterpiece.
I love you Scotti, and thanks for this Ben! I can't believe I missed this video, I was probably working a lot those days, or some irrelevant shit like that lol. Congrats Ben, you rock!!!!!
Nerd. That looked like you were having the best time. Childhood guitar hero geeking out with you? Scotti is right you have to do more of these.
Awesome dude. Scotti always comes off as a super cool dude. Great feel player wirh a touch of flash.
Because you asked at the beginning of the video - my favorite Skid Row song: Monkey Business.
That song has SO MUCH attitude and a MEAN groove to it!! 😃
Awesome!
Absolutely loved it!
Something I found pretty fascinating about this video is this is a solo that I've been listening to for over 30 years. It's ingrained into my brain. When I was listening to Ben's playthrough, a couple of parts sounded off to me and I was wondering why he chose to play them like that. Lo and behold, the next time I listened to the song, suddenly I'm hearing those differences in the original recording.
I'll take a Scotti Hill over a modern shredder any day. I've probably listened to 18 and life over 200 times (and enjoyed it), I could never listen to a modern song that many times without smashing my radio. Everyone that grew up with this music has memories tied to these songs. It was a lifestyle not just music back then.
You've got Uncle Ben playing and teaching the solo for 18 and Life, and you have Scotti Hill. I literally don't even need to watch the video to give you my like. But also, I'm still going to watch because why the f*ck wouldn't I? lol
Absolutely amazing!!!
I can still remember one situation very clearly. It was the summer of 1990 and I met a great girl. At some point we met at her place and turned the music up a little so that her parents wouldn't hear anything. Then when Skid Row's "18 and Life" came out of the tape recorder and the guitar solo started playing, I stopped and just focused on the music. the girl was so mad she kicked me out of the room and never spoke to me again 😂😂😂
Great video. Thanks for posting.
Great video! Hill and Snake are favorites!
I always thought he was rad AH!
My Mother let me watch the Moscow Peace tour on pay per view when i was 8 and
I even watched it again later, after it expired,all static and white noise like i loved it so much.
I’ve always loved Skid Row ,Mr Hill and the 🐍 Sabo ever since!
I literally asked for my first guitar and got one the following year.
I have to say,the Skid Row with Eric G is absolutely unbelievable!
They sound unequivocally amazing and complete now!
Park Avenue leads to…?
the phone mic can't handle the awesomeness
Great band. Great guitarist. Great video. Thanks for sharing! 🤘
Rob Affuso's (drummer for skidrow) sister my 7th grade social studies teacher. I wore a Skidrow shirt on the first day of school. The next day she had his autograph for me. That autograph stayed on my wall till I left home!!
👍 hell yeah Scott and Dave are 2 of the dudes I grew up listening to this was great I knew when he was talking pinches he was going say I'm not Zakk😂 hope you do more of this
This was amazing!! More of this please, how about one with Nuno!!!
Bad Ass!!! I loved watching this!
This is WEIRD! Just a few hours ago that song popped into my head & I was thinking this is one of the best solos of the era. I had no idea this segment had even been published. Great minds think alike :-) Anyway, I tracked some guitars for my friend's tune the other day & when I listened back I realized I'm totally trying to channel my inner Scotti Hill. I'll post a clip of it.
Love it! Thank you
great stuff as always..
I Remember You, is one of the most memorable solos of that era. Mick Mars had a great solo in Home Sweet Home too.
Phrasing is something very unique to each player. I was like Scotty, not a great shredder and playing in the 80s you had to compete with these shred monsters. Now I had one ace up my sleeve and that was that I first played the keys. So my solos were very melodic and on keys too, you have to push the meddle and let go of the peddle to kill the sustain as you move positions. And that caused a natural rest. One of my best Friends, who claims is a lousy player but I don’t agree. He’s a machine right on the beat and knows all the weird chords. But he’s like: “you play so much better because there’s swing and phrasing and playinv with the beat”. I tell him: “that’s me being sloppy really. I always rush! Because when I play I’m already in my mind at the next bar thinking what to play and preparing to move positions.”But that was also the reason why I still got in bands and do session music in the 80s and early 90s because it was uniquely me. And it separated me from these shred gods that I still envy.
Saw Skid Row back in the early 90's when they opened for Guns N Roses. Great band.
Nice job Ben!!;-))
Love your work Ben !
So true about pinch harmonics ( squealing )…if you preconceive it, it might not happen, just like picking up on chicks !..Pat Travers was another cat that could squeal like nothin’
One of the first solos i have learned ( but i forgot it ! Lol!).... And great song too!
Great band, amazing singer.
PS. Your breakdown is top notch!
PS 2. What about a Steve Stevens solo breakdown video?
Awesome! Love Skid Row. Your version is indistinguishable from the original. Which amp/cab model were you using on the Axe FX III? 🤔🤘
Hey man! It’s actually Andy Wood’s 90’s EVH patch. Available on his Patreon!
@@BenEller Thanks! 🤘😀🤘
"Don't need to alt pick like a monster" .... Nods head. There's hope for me!.... listens to the killer alt picking speed run solo in Griftwood...... "Sads"
what ya got against step dads im a step dad and a bloody good one to boot
There are 2 notes missed in the last phrase of the solo in the tutorial. Before last 18-16 on G string (after 17-16 on B string ) there ARE 18 (G string) and 16 (B string). Check it closely and you will hear 2 additional notes missed.
Scotti 2 Hottie... SO underrated
FU-Tone commercial! 🤘😎🎸
Sorry for the mispelling its because my keyboard switches into Spanish hehe
Gotta ask. How hard was it to play the solo at stepdad speed?
Tough!!! The floaty phrasing parts are even harder slow.
This video chat was thoroughly entertaining. I bet him saying that his bandmate and him watch your channel was stellar to hear. The hugeness of the TH-cam universe is amazing. Uncle Bens channel is like a planet of guitar Inspiration.
I bet that is a FU-Tone bridge on that Goldtop. Kewl
Ben what is your thought when Left had guy that flipped and played right handed after 5 years ? Was I wrong to change ? I was comfortable when I started , but I decided to play in a right handed world , I’m comfortable with my playing but notice I have handicap in some playing
Hey Ben, great channel. You never mention bucket head in your video's, he's a master of guitar solos. What's your take ? Any plans to tackle any of his stuff ? Take a listen to " the closed tryptych" if you haven't already.
Ben, it occurred to me Scotti's amazing solo may draw from Detroit Rock, at least the first part.
"...like if every solo has this crazy alternate picking line..." Vinnie Moore looks on with disappointment.
Whistling the solo as he’s saying he wanted a solo you can whistle
When Skid Row is mentioned, it's usually all about Sebastian. People don't realize that Sabo and Bolan wrote most of their amazing material and Hill and Sabo were/are incredible players.
Scotti's guitar work on the 'Little Wing' cover is mind-blowing!
Yeah that was solid work on that one
That clean guitar intro in Little Wing was sexy as hell...!
The solo Mr. Hill did for 'In A Darkened Room' was so melodical and perfect, that since the day I heard it (half a century ago), I could never get it out of my head. As soon as anyone says Skid or Row or both words together, that solo pops into my head. Ultimately I'd be one to say that Scotti accomplished his mission. I can discern his solo or style apart from any other for sure. Good show tonight Mr. Eller as always! Thanks to both you and Mr. Hill. Was most enjoyable! 🤙😎
I agree,in a darkend room is in a league of it's own,the intro and that solo just move you,it's truly beautiful,I still get chills when I hear it,you can just feel the emotion pouring out of it.
There is no wrong on the STTG aLBUM.
@@adamrushka8096 agreed
Two years later, I’m 19 and I play guitar and I love the guitar work in skid rows songs. That outro solo on in a darkened room is one of my favorite solos of all time
i rarely comment on anything - i’ve seen a lot of interviews with him but THIS hits b/c you know wtf to ask a guitar player AS a guitar player. kudos. great job
Thanks a lot!!!
I love Scotty Hill, he’s got some of the best melodic solos!
Scotti is amazing! He judged our shred competition in Sarasota in 2009! We hung out a few times and had a lot of laughs! Top notch guy!
Screw Sarasota,the Quays and Siesta Key you bastard- still freezing my ass off up here in NH.
@@billyarsenault1970 I have been back in Ohio since 2018 to help family, so I agree! 😂
“Do what’s right for the song”…I remember struggling to learn how to do pinch harmonics, when I was much younger, from learning the solo to “I Remember You”. I loved hearing him call them “happy accidents.”
Shredders touch the strings very fast, Scotti touches heart. Scotti is a genuine artist
Nah, you play what's most appropriate for the song. You don't have to play slow for a solo to be meaningful.
Obviously immediately liked the self titled album when they came out. Theres some really solid riffs on there and groove (Piece of Me). But hands down Slave to the Grind is their masterpiece. From the loose bluesy intro of Monkey Business to my favorite Mudkicker, its just one amazing song after another. Scotti and Snake do not get the credit they deserve. They need mentioned with the great guitar duos of rock music. I love that you can tell ones playing from the other once you listen enough. Just like Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, they have a unique voice that works together so well. When you hear the melodic solos with big bends and legato passages, thats Scotti. The reckless abandon adrenaline rush is Snake. They've both done Gibson Riff Lords videos that everyone should check out. They break down the fine detail of the best riffs. Amazing interview with an extremely humble guy. Favorite part? That even he has a moment with your lessons where its like "ahhh dammit". Makes me feel better that Im in good company and just need to keep pushing through. Thank you for this Ben.
That was 28min of two dudes who love the instrument talking about the instrument they love!
Can't wait to see how, or who, you get to be able to fulfill Scotti's challenge.
To this day I still say that the lead tone that Scotty Hill has on the first Skid Row Record is the best lead tone I have ever heard in my life. It's the only instance were I have heard an amp played even thru a small radio that actually sounds like a full stack. The reverb, punch and saturation is just unbelievable. There is no doubt that that amp was cranked in the studio.
So good!!!
Scotti’s one of five players from back then who inspired me to pick it up at 16 and keep playing even after 34 years into sucking at playing. Thanks for the continued inspiration, y’all!!
Snake and Scotti are such a killer lead guitar duo. 18 and life is my favorite song of all time.
Awesome! Started playing in 1990 and this is one of the songs I wanted to play. Figuring it out by ear was tough back then. Can still remember seeing it transcribed in guitar world and feeling excited to see how I did! Thanks for this one!
That was ridiculous cool. Thanks for taking the time to create such great content.
What a history lesson! I agree with Scotti. Would be great to hear more interviews like this. Great video. Thanks, Uncle Ben.
There are so many bands I wish would get the original hit lineup back together before it's to late....journey with Steve....oasis back from the dead....and Seb back in Skid Row