Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud Pt.2 - Solo - Guitar Lesson

About Thinking Out Loud Pt.2 - Solo

The solo section of "Thinking Out Loud Pt.2" asks for something many rhythm-focused players find surprisingly tricky: a melodic, vocal-style lead tone that sits right on top of a smooth groove at 104 BPM. In E Standard tuning, the challenge is not raw speed but phrasing, keeping every note singing and connected the way a vocalist would shape a line. Bends and vibrato need to feel relaxed and controlled, not rushed, so use the Practice Toolbar to loop the solo slowed down and focus on the character of each bend before worrying about tempo. Ed Sheeran writes guitar parts that reward feel over flash, and this solo is a good example of that approach in Pop Rock. Getting the dynamics right, softer entry notes swelling into the peak phrases, is what separates a clean run-through from one that actually sounds musical.

• The solo sits in E Standard tuning, so no retuning is needed, but clean intonation on bends is critical to matching the vocal quality of the melody.
• At 104 BPM the solo is moderate in pace, meaning finger control and vibrato technique matter far more than picking speed.
• Looping the solo slowed down with the Practice Toolbar is especially useful here, as the phrasing and note shaping are harder to copy than the actual fingering.