---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A great guitar solo is really a song…"
description: "\"A great guitar solo is really a song within a song. You can always go off and do your pageantry, but it has to be structured.\" — Orianthi"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/926/orianthi-4216_always_a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-wit_281210.png"
---

#  A great guitar solo is really a song within a song. You…

![“A great guitar solo is really a song within a song. You can always go off and do your pageantry, but it has to be structured.” quote by Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/926/orianthi-4216_always_a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-wit_281210.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/926/orianthi-4216_always_a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-wit_281210.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/926/orianthi-4216_always_a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-wit_281210.png)

> “A great guitar solo is really a song within a song. You can always go off and do your pageantry, but it has to be structured.”

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A guitar solo should be a self‑contained musical idea, yet it must fit within the larger song structure.

**In simple terms:** Solo is a song inside a song, needing structure.

Key Takeaway

Craft solos that tell a story within the song.

Themes

music creativity structure performance guitar

Mood

inspired reflective

Type

artistic educational

When to use this quote

- songwriting
- live performance
- music education

Key Concepts

musical narrative thematic development

Questions to Reflect On

- How can a solo enhance the song’s emotional arc?
- When should a solo simplify?

A Different Perspective

Over‑emphasis on virtuosity can disrupt song flow.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitar/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/)

## Related quotes

> [Being solo really lends itself to different interpretations - and everything is in the moment and on a whim. I never realised how far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/being-solo-really-lends-itself-to-different-interpretations-and/)

[Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/)

> [You can go out and find ways to make your own record and get it out there now. If you really want to, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/you-can-go-out-and-find-ways-to-make-your-own-record-and-get-it-out/)

[Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/)

> [The first song on my first album is not a song - it's a guitar solo! It's called 'Frenzy,' and it's pretty much nonstop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gilbert/the-first-song-on-my-first-album-is-not-a-song-it-s-a-guitar-solo-it/)

[Paul Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gilbert/)

> [Songs that are just a vehicle for a guitar solo are very empty, just an excuse for a guitarist to show what scales he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-moore/songs-that-are-just-a-vehicle-for-a-guitar-solo-are-very-empty-just/)

[Gary Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-moore/)

> [My dad is a huge rock and roll lead guitar fan. I didn't even really know that until recently. Everything has to have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slash/my-dad-is-a-huge-rock-and-roll-lead-guitar-fan-i-didn-t-even-really/)

[Slash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/slash/)

> [I Still Approach A Scene As One Would Approach A Guitar Solo. You Don't Exactly Know How You're Going To Phrase This Or That.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/i-still-approach-a-scene-as-one-would-approach-a-guitar-solo-you-don/)

[Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/)

> [For me, if we're going to have a guitar solo, it needs to be over the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-static/for-me-if-we-re-going-to-have-a-guitar-solo-it-needs-to-be-over-the/)

[Wayne Static](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-static/)

> [I think a guitar solo is how my emotion is most freely released, because verbal articulation isn't my strongest communication strength. My wife thinks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gilmour/i-think-a-guitar-solo-is-how-my-emotion-is-most-freely-released/)

[David Gilmour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gilmour/)

> [I did the first backwards guitar solo on ‘I’m Only Sleeping’](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dhani-harrison/i-did-the-first-backwards-guitar-solo-on-i-m-only-sleeping/)

[Dhani Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dhani-harrison/)

> [So you do shorter versions of the hits, or you take out a long guitar solo or things like that to make time for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-ann-womack/so-you-do-shorter-versions-of-the-hits-or-you-take-out-a-long-guitar/)

[Lee Ann Womack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-ann-womack/)

> [I saw Jennifer Batten do a cool guitar solo before I ever saw any other girl do a cool guitar solo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-strauss/i-saw-jennifer-batten-do-a-cool-guitar-solo-before-i-ever-saw-any/)

[Nita Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-strauss/)

> [I think a good guitar solo sounds so much better within the context of a good song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-moore/i-think-a-good-guitar-solo-sounds-so-much-better-within-the-context/)

[Gary Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-moore/)

> [I played all the guitar parts except the guitar solo on 'Beat It.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lukather/i-played-all-the-guitar-parts-except-the-guitar-solo-on-beat-it/)

[Steve Lukather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lukather/)

> [A guitar solo in the same part of every tune - that's been done so much. I think solos shine more when you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-iero/a-guitar-solo-in-the-same-part-of-every-tune-that-s-been-done-so-much/)

[Frank Iero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-iero/)

> [I don't just sing the song, I also sing the background music and the guitar solo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-just-sing-the-song-i-also-sing-the-background-music-and-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Orianthi

> [I'm a rock/blues guitar player. I'm not wanting to be a pop star or anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-m-a-rock-blues-guitar-player-i-m-not-wanting-to-be-a-pop-star-or/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [The great thing about country songs is the storytelling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/the-great-thing-about-country-songs-is-the-storytelling/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [Sometimes I write from personal experience, but so much depends on what mood I'm in. If I'm in a good mood, I'll write happier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/sometimes-i-write-from-personal-experience-but-so-much-depends-on/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [I listen to everything. My I-Pod's really diverse-from guitar instrumentals to Rascal Flatts to Usher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-listen-to-everything-my-i-pod-s-really-diverse-from-guitar/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [It's a huge honour to be able to get on stage and jam with an icon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/it-s-a-huge-honour-to-be-able-to-get-on-stage-and-jam-with-an-icon/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [I'm half Greek, half Australian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-m-half-greek-half-australian/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [I just love food and the art of it. There's such an art to being a good chef and the way you present food…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-just-love-food-and-the-art-of-it-there-s-such-an-art-to-being-a/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [Everyone has troubles in their life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/everyone-has-troubles-in-their-life/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [If somebody likes your videos, they're gonna tell their friends. They're gonna send e-mails about you, and before you know it, your name is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/if-somebody-likes-your-videos-they-re-gonna-tell-their-friends-they/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [I play a PRS Custom 22. I learned on a Custom 24. It was set for a country guitarist, so it had a really high action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-play-a-prs-custom-22-i-learned-on-a-custom-24-it-was-set-for-a/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [Music's my life, and it always has been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/music-s-my-life-and-it-always-has-been/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [I'd be a chef if I wasn't a musician, that's for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-d-be-a-chef-if-i-wasn-t-a-musician-that-s-for-sure/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [I've had pigeons, doves, mice. I had a cat, dogs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-ve-had-pigeons-doves-mice-i-had-a-cat-dogs/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [Since I was three, music's been my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/since-i-was-three-music-s-been-my-life/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

> [When I saw Santana for the first time, I was really inspired. Same with Stevie Ray Vaughn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/when-i-saw-santana-for-the-first-time-i-was-really-inspired-same-with/)

[Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

[Explore all 114 Orianthi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/)

## More Always quotes

> [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/)

[Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/)

> [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/)

[Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/)

[William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/)

> [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/)

[Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/)

> [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/)

[Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/)

> [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/)

[Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/)

> [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/)

[Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/)

> [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/)

[Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/)

> [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/)

[Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/)

> [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/)

[Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/)

> [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/)

[Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/)

> [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/)

[Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/)

> [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/)

[Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/)

> [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/)

[Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/)

Browse all 36,048 Always quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A great guitar solo is really a song within a song. You can always go off and do your pageantry, but it has to be structured.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Orianthi"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-within-a-song-you-can-always-go/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Always"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-within-a-song-you-can-always-go/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/926/orianthi-4216_always_a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-wit_281210.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/926/orianthi-4216_always_a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-wit_281210.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/926/orianthi-4216_always_a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-wit_281210.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A great guitar solo is really a song within a song. You can always go off and do your pageantry, but it has…” — Orianthi",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Orianthi",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A great guitar solo is really...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-within-a-song-you-can-always-go/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/a-great-guitar-solo-is-really-a-song-within-a-song-you-can-always-go/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
