Recently, a lot of people have been asking me how to play the solo for Mr. Big's 1991 hit, "To be with you" --and I don't blame them. The solo for the song is an example of a really well constructed solo melding together with the rhythm as well as the vocals. It's almost as if they were perfect complements. But to be really honest, there's really nothing to it. I remember this is one of the first solos I learned when I had my very first guitar. And to this day it's still one that I still consider what's "up there" and I still play it now more than ever. This is fairly easy and it only requires only a little knowledge of scales since Paul Gilbert patterned this solo according to the vocal lines of the chorus --save for a little improvisation courtesy of Mr. Gilberto and it's in the key of E major. Lets get to learning shall we..
fig 1.
So, this is how the solo begins. The solo starts at 1:50 right when Eric Martin holds the note for the word "Smile". To get you started on this figure, think about how Eric Martin sings the chorus and try to syllabicate the chorus word for word. The syllables are simply the harmonized notes you see above.
fig 2.
This second figure.. people who are not familiar with plucking find difficult. The figure is simply like the start of the first figure only with a minor change at the end. To be able to play the last phrase of this figure, you'll have to practice coordinating your thumb with your index finger. The way I do it, the right hand only makes three moves in the last phrase. The movement of my right hand goes as follows: First thumb and middle fingers pluck both E and B strings at which point the left hand hammers G# on F# before pulling G# and F# off the E string. Then immediately pluck the B string with your thumb then back to open E with your index. Finally, pluck both open strings twice. Its a long process I know, just try to understand and read carefully. I know I explained that properly! Moving on..
Fig 3.
The third figure is simple. It's once again the first figure with a modification on the last part.
Fig 4.
If you're playing along with this lesson right about now, figure number 4 probably got you scratching you're head right now. Somehow if you are familiar with the pentatonic scale, this figure just simply follows that of the E major pentatonic. What I used to do was play along with the song and try to, as much as possible, play along at this part. If in case I messed up, I'll practice slowly and try to work up to speed once again. That's the key to getting this last stretch --Patience. Work on it slow and work your way up. Give it a few hours and you'll have it in no time. What I suggest in order for you to work on this figure, set your mouse on top of the jog bar of your media player a few seconds where the 2:05 mark is and attempt to play along with the song along with the tab so you wont get lost. And using the tab, break the phrase note for note. Its also worth noting that Paul Gilbert made this ascending phrase slightly syncopated (out of rhythym) to add character to the solo so watch out for that too.
Fig 5.
And finally we come down to the last figure of the solo. If you have reached this part of the solo, congratulations! You've actually played a solo made by an actual guitar virtuoso! This figure is simply like the 2nd figure, only with the open strings as a harmonic. If you are not familiar with creating harmonics, simply just place your index finger lightly on top of the 12th fret of the E and b string, and as soon as you pluck remove it quickly. This makes for a glassy effect. After that, end with a slide from F#(11) to G#(13) and lightly vibrato.
I certainly hope I've helped you in learning to play such a beautiful and melodic guitar solo. Feel free to save the figures I created as a reference if you want to pursue learning this song. Happy learning and peace out!
