Adrian Smith believes that the best guitar solos come spontaneously, driven by instinct and emotion rather than structured theory. In a recent interview, he shared insights into his creative process, emphasizing how he relies more on what he hears and feels rather than following rigid musical guidelines.
While music theory provides a framework for understanding compositions, Smith’s approach leans toward intuition. Whether working on Iron Maiden’s legendary tracks or his latest material with Smith/Kotzen on the “Black Light/White Noise” album, he focuses on crafting solos that evoke emotion and connect with listeners. Though knowledge of music theory can help explain his solos, Smith believes that the true essence of music lies in the feeling it generates rather than technical precision.
During the interview, Smith revealed that his process of crafting solos starts with listening to the track and allowing the melody to form naturally in his head. He then translates that mental composition into a tangible performance. His solos tend to be melodic, shaped more by instinct than theoretical understanding. While he has a grasp of scales, he admits that his primary method of playing is by ear.
Reflecting on his early days with Iron Maiden, Smith recalled that he often worked out solos in advance, as he did not consider himself highly technical at the time. He believed in carefully constructing each solo, ensuring it had a clear melodic structure. Over time, his technique improved, allowing him to incorporate more improvisation into his playing. However, he remains committed to making every solo memorable, with a strong opening and a powerful conclusion.
Smith’s philosophy highlights the balance between technical skill and emotional connection in music. For him, a great solo should feel like a “little song within a song,” leaving a lasting impression on the listener.
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