What happens when you take one of the most iconic guitar solos in heavy metal and put it in the hands of a string quartet?
Mr. Crowley — String Quartet (Excerpt)
A bold, expressive take on one of heavy metal’s most iconic solos.
→ Listen to the full performance 🎧
When the Violin Gets to Be the Guitar
There’s something unexpectedly fun about playing a guitar solo on violin.
It’s not about copying it perfectly. It’s about stepping into the line, finding the phrasing, and letting it sit differently under the bow. Some solos translate almost immediately. Others take a second to figure out. But when it works, it really works.
And honestly, some of these are just too good not to try.
A Few That Always Work
Kirk Hammett — Nothing Else Matters
Lyrical and open. It gives you space to really lean into the line.
Slash — Sweet Child O’ Mine
Instantly recognizable, with a melodic contour that feels very natural on violin.
Brian May — Bohemian Rhapsody
Almost vocal in style. It translates with surprising clarity.
Kurt Cobain — Smells Like Teen Spirit
Raw and direct. On strings, it tightens up but keeps that underlying tension.
And Sometimes the Cello Steals It
A lot of this comes down to the arrangement.
If you’re looking for that kind of guitar-style solo on cello, Paul Ghica has some of the strongest arrangements out there. As an accomplished cellist, he writes in a way that really lets the instrument take on those lines, often featuring standout cello solos.
What Changes
The edge softens slightly.
Some things fall very naturally on the violin, and some clearly belong to the guitar.
Even without playing guitar, you can feel where the instrument wants to take the lead.
Why It Works
At the end of the day, it’s just really fun to play.
These solos already have so much shape and character, and on strings, you get to experience them in a different way.
Sometimes they surprise you. Sometimes they just work immediately.
Either way, it’s hard not to enjoy it.
Planning an event in Chicago?
Not every song needs to be traditional. Some of the most striking moments come from music no one expected—transformed through live strings.
→ Explore our Chicago String Quartet & Ensembles
→ Listen to full performance samples in our Sound Library 🎧
→ Browse unexpected song ideas
→ Contact Parkwest Strings