Yet Another Blues Lick!

In an effort to redeem myself for my lame-assed performance of the “blazing blues lick” depicted in last December's LICK#16, in this installment of Psycho Licks, I'm serving up a tasty two-bar phrase worthy of inclusion in any modern blues scenario.

THE NOTES: Basically, this lick revolves around pitches from the E Minor Pentatonic scale (E-G-A-B-D), with the “b3” (the note “G”) frequently bent up 1/2 strep to “G#” (the “major 3rd” of E7) and a “b5” (the note “Bb/A#,” always bent to from the note “A”) thrown in for maximum bluesiness. Also, the inclusion of the note “C#” hints at the use of the E Dorian scale (E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D), or perhaps more appropriately (given that this lick is designed to be played over E7), the E Mixolydian scale (E-F#-G#-A-B-C#-D).

THE RHYTHM: This lick is based on steady triplets (three evenly-spaced notes per beat in 4/4 time), but written in the time signature of 12/8—essentially four accented beats, counted “one-two-three, four-five-six, seven-eight-nine, ten-eleven-twelve.” This exact rhythm is also depicted in the count-in that precedes the lick.

Watch the numerous tricky position shifts! Also, once you get the basic lick down, analyze it [e.g., it starts on the “b3” (G), descends to the tonic (E), pulls off to the “b7” (D), etc.], then try finding other locations on the fretboard where you can unload this same type of intervallic blues line. Next, transpose the bugger to other “blues-friendly” guitar keys like A and G.

ENJOY!

(*You can hear the lick FAST by clicking HERE*)

(*You can hear the lick SLOW by clicking HERE*)

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To help support this site's free online guitar lessons, please check out my new acoustic CD, INTERPRETATIONS—10 crazy versions of '60s and '70s classic rock cover songs (including Queen's “Bohemian Rhapsody,” reproduced “live” with a single guitar and voice!!) Thank you :)

1. “Bohemian Rhapsody” 6:03  2. “God Only Knows” 2:39  3. “Blackbird” 2:28  4. “Sweet Baby James” 3:52  5. “Hallelujah” 6:28  6. “She’s Always a Woman” 3:08  7. “Leader of the Band” 4:17  8. “Sister Golden Hair” 2:53  9. “Castles Made of Sand” 3:12  10. “Coconut” 3:44

Total playing time: 39:03 All songs used by permission. All rights reserved.

CD dedicated to my mother, Jeff Buckley, and a few of my friends.