"Isaiah Sharkey, who has played with music legends like John Mayer, D'Angelo, and Paul Simon, discusses the art of guitar soloing, comparing it to the greats such as George Benson, B.B. King, or Albert King, suggesting that he can almost hum their solos"

Musical artist and backup performer to celebrities emphasizes that everything begins by removing self-importance.

, and ASMedia

2025 August 29 . 7:33 PM

2 min read

"Guitarist Isaiah Sharkey discusses the influences of soloing legends like George Benson, John... — "Guitarist Isaiah Sharkey discusses the influences of soloing legends like George Benson, John Mayer, B.B. King, or Albert King, stating that their styles are almost singable."

"Isaiah Sharkey, who has played with music legends like John Mayer, D'Angelo, and Paul Simon, discusses the art of guitar soloing, comparing it to the greats such as George Benson, B.B. King, or Albert King, suggesting that he can almost hum their solos"

Isaiah Sharkey, a renowned guitarist known for his tasteful playing, recently shared his insights on creating a captivating guitar solo in an interview with Reverb.

"What comes from the heart reaches the heart," his father once said, and this sentiment resonates in Sharkey's approach to guitar playing. He emphasises the importance of taking the ego out of the equation, focusing instead on making the solo sing like a human voice.

Great solos, according to Sharkey, mimic the phrasing and feeling of the human voice, as demonstrated by artists such as George Benson, John Mayer, B.B. King, and Albert King. The magic ingredient, he believes, is simplicity and the ability to almost sing it.

Sharkey stresses that a good solo should prioritise melody and emotional expression, connecting directly with listeners, and fitting the moment in the song rather than focusing solely on technical prowess. The goal, he says, is to make the moment shine and make people feel good.

If a solo makes the musician feel good, it is successful, he asserts. This philosophy, combined with his nuanced understanding of a song, has earned Sharkey a reputation as a guitarist who serves the music rather than showcases his technical chops.

During the interview, Sharkey was holding his Ritter Princess Isabella jazz guitar, a testament to his passion for music. The interview was conducted a couple of years back and has since been published on our website.

For those interested in the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals, and more, we invite you to subscribe to our Pick Newsletter. Sharkey's insights offer a valuable perspective for any aspiring guitarist.

Throughout his career, Sharkey has worked as a solo artist, as part of D'Angelo's Vanguard on Black Messiah, and as a session player for various artists including John Mayer, Chris Martin, Corinne Bailey Rae, Keith Urban, and Paul Simon.

In a previous interview with the same website, Sharkey discussed the difference between playing guitar and being a guitarist. He believes that a great guitar solo should be complex enough to be thought of as the human voice, which connects to the soul and energy of others.

In essence, Isaiah Sharkey's approach to guitar playing is a testament to the power of emotion and connection over technicality. His philosophy encourages musicians to create solos that resonate with the soul, making every note sing and every moment shine.