Steve Gaines Guitar Lesson: Soloing Secrets & Licks from One in the Sun

Introduction to Steve Gaines

• 💡 Steve Gaines was a highly requested, late-great guitarist known for his work with Lynyrd Skynyrd and his solo career.
• 📌 He joined Lynyrd Skynyrd around 1975, replacing Ed King, and notably shared the exact same birthday with him.
• 💔 Gaines' life tragically ended in a 1977 plane crash with Lynyrd Skynyrd, limiting his major label studio album appearances to three releases.

Steve Gaines' Guitar Style & Influences

• 🎸 Gaines' playing featured modified blues phrasing with a distinct funky and jazzy side.
• ⚡ He incorporated chromatic scales and ideas, along with extensive use of legato, expressive string bending, and vibrato.
• 🔊 He achieved a unique tone from his Les Paul with a coil tap, which many musicians found impressive.
• 🧠 To understand his style, it's recommended to explore his musical influences, which reveal aspects of his playing.

The "One in the Sun" Album

• 💿 The lesson's featured music comes from Gaines' first and only solo album, "One in the Sun," recorded with his band Crawdad in 1975.
• 🗓️ Despite being recorded in 1975, the album was shelved until 1988, finally releasing over a decade later.
• 🔥 Described as an "outstanding" and "dynamite" blend of funky, bluesy Southern Rock, it's a must-listen for fans of the genre.

Key Guitar Licks and Techniques

• 🎶 From "Give It To Get It," techniques include C minor pentatonic scales, minor to major third bends, double stops, and chromatic ninth chords (F9, F#9, G9, A♭9).
• 🎸 "Talking About Love" features a slinky, funky groove with licks using A♭ minor pentatonic and the blues scale, often sliding into the major third.
• ⚡ "Nothing Is New" showcases chromatic walking ideas in C# minor, with both slow and rushed chromatic phrases.
• 🎛️ "Take My Time" highlights the use of a phase effect, F# minor scale, whole-step bends, and rolled fourths.
• 🤝 The title track "One in the Sun" includes a complex harmonized section with two guitars playing G minor pentatonic in triplets, creating a cool harmony.

Legacy of a Legendary Guitarist

• 🌟 Steve Gaines is remembered as a legendary and impressive guitarist, often overlooked but highly respected.
• 💔 His early passing in the 1977 plane crash left many wondering about his potential future contributions to music.
• 🙏 Despite the tragedy, the music he left behind is considered great, offering a glimpse into his remarkable talent.