Ibanez RG 770 DX
Parker Nitefly SA
Line6 POD 2.0

(Clean sound: Fender amp simulations with short stereo delay / Lead sound: Soldano amp simulations with delay & reverb)

In this section I have spiced up some standard blues licks with hotter techniques.

Unpredictable blues lick (17/7)

Blues11.wmv (4 mb)                   TAB

This lick is yet another illustration of how the pentatonic scale can be "manipulated" to sound more fresh. The first pattern of the lick could be described as "ascending backwards", eventually resolving into a rhythmic and descending pattern, ending on a pre-bend (notated as "pb" in the tab, see Glossary for explanations). In other words we are doing everything we can to avoid predictability. The practice beat for this lick can be found in the "free backing tracks" section.

Hybrid picking lick (2/7 - 05)

Blues8.wmv ( 3,09 mb)              TAB

This lick is a pentatonic scale played horisontally (=with position shifts). The technique used is hybrid picking ( the use of right hand middle finger is sometimes also called "popping"). Blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan was a frequent user of this technique. The advantages are:

1) Popping causes an increase in dynamics, and in combination with a sensitive amplifier, it leads to a gain or volume "attack"

2) The technique facilitates string skipping since the middle finger constantly may rest on the high (=thin) E-string

To incorporate the technique into your guitar playing, you should try "popping" with a lick you are already familiar with: improvise and jam around with it.

Shred blues in A (19/6 - 05)

Blues7 (4,34 mb)     TAB          

This lick is an illustration of how a mix, or fusion, of different techniques can be used to create a fresh sounding lick. The techniques hereare

1) three-notes-per-string chromatic speed picking combined with

2)more standard blues phrasing. If you masterdifferent licks or techniques, try combining them to achieve your "own" style. This is, in my opinion, the best way to develop originality.

Country/jazzy blues lick in A minor (12/6 - 05)

Blues9 (2,7 mb)        TAB      

This lick is an example of how you can use the pentatonic scale to create more country/jazzy sounds. The concept is quite simple, take your standard "blues box" (also known as pentatonic scale) and add notes that aren't included in the scale. The result will be harmonically more interesting than your standard blues licks. If you feel your are stuck playing the same licks over and over again, then you should definately check this method out.

Am pentatonic ascending pattern

Blues5 (2,5 mb)      TAB

Am pentatonic hot blues lick w/ string skipping

Blues4 (3,33mb)     TAB      

String skipping crazyness!

Am pentatonic w/chromatic passing tones

Blues3 (3,19mb)      TAB      

An intresting phrase is often composed by many different elements.
This lick contains chromatic passing notes, string skipping, combined minor/major
thirds and a healthy dose of standard blues phrasing.

Am pentatonic w/double stops

Blues2 (1,45mb)      TAB

Am pentatonic w/chromatic passing tones

Blues1 (1,78mb)     TAB