You should always play with just your heart like what dhalif said, only then will the music have soul in it... but like what he said too, you wouldn't know theory then! :wink:
Try to learn some theory, it can help you immensely, especially when it comes to jazz and soloing over complicated chords...G13(#11) kind of stuff... Theory is something that always helps the musician until the musician starts to compose with his brain... souless music is always boring, and makes the solos machanical.
Another way to play solos is to use your voice... hum or go lalala over the chords... improvise a humming solo, then play it out on the guitar... very easy to get started with this but the biggest problem is that you'd tend to play the same thing over and over and over again...
Always remember that when you solo, its really you there, taking out something from inside you, to tell the listener a story or bring the listener on an emotional voyage...
And be open minded when you solo... Never get boxed up playing the same licks over and over... Or even insisting that pentatonics must be played in a certain way... Experiment and challenge yourself to be different every time you play every day...
Lastly, practice like hell. I sit at home for hours doodling on my guitar... set aside some time to practice everyday and get a good practice schedule... skill doesn't drop out of the sky, if you don't practice, you'd never get to be good.
Shred on brother... when you start to totally kick ass in your solos, rem us in the forums who helped jump start ya!
