Playing a really cool guitar solo may look like the guitarist is playing a series of random notes that somehow come together and flow effortlessly to the audience, but it cool guitar solos do not happen that way.  As guitarists gain experience, they come to realize that playing solo does not mean playing randomly.  Guitarists usually draw their guitar solos from a basic scale.  The scale serves as their template.  From their signature template, the guitarists learn to improvise.  A scale known as the Blues scale is a template scale used by many solos guitarists.  Guitarists practice this scale forwards and backwards until each note can be played cleanly and evenly.  Once the Blues scale is perfected, solo guitarists should then try playing each note twice before moving to the next note.  Once mastered, keep experimenting and familiarizing yourself with new Blues scale challenges.  When you are comfortable with the Blues scale, you will most likely want to play guitar solos to some form of accompaniment.  Carefully select your accompanying piece making sure all the parts come together.Most solo guitarists agree that there are six keys to playing a cool guitar solo:

• Improvisation – Practice techniques regularly and master the fret board by knowing the notes. If you are creating your own solo, be free flowing but use recurrent notes to start and end.
• Break it down – Break ideas into small sections that can be practiced individually. From these core sections, you can create themes and eliminate undesirable parts.
• Record your progress – Confirm your progress by recording your practice sessions. Record everything and be your own critic.
• Be the listener – Imagine how your solo guitar sounds to the listener. Do you have a hook? Keep refining your performance until it sounds the way an audience would want it.
• Alternate scales and modes – When you have something that sounds good but could be better, try the same pattern in a different scale or mode. You might be surprised what a difference changing one note can make.
• Stay in touch – Listen, listen, listen. Go to hear other guitarists and stay on top of current guitar trends. Be active on the music scene.

Always remember that playing a cool guitar solo is playing the music that is in you.  Refrain from playing outside yourself or music that does not light your fire.  Being a good solo guitar player is about your passion and the way you express it.