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intermediate
Blues-Rock Licks
Combine pentatonic with blue notes for expressive soloing.
Objective
Play three distinct blues-rock licks over an A minor backing, incorporating bends, slides, and the blues b5.
Concepts
- ▸Blues-rock vocabulary layers two scales: minor pentatonic (A–C–D–E–G) + blues scale adds the b5 (Eb).
- ▸The b5 (Eb in A) is the "blue note" — it creates tension between D and E. Use it as a passing tone, not a resting note.
- ▸Slides: approach a target note from 2 frets below or above. Creates a vocal, legato feel.
- ▸Hammer-ons and pull-offs: sound a note without picking it, using left-hand force.
- ▸Vibrato: after a sustained note, oscillate the pitch slightly by rolling the fretting finger.
- ▸Call and response: play a lick (call), pause (response), play another lick that answers it.
Diagram / Notation
Lick 1 — Classic BB King-style bend (A pentatonic)
e |--8b10--8--5--8--5-------|
B |------------------8--5---|
Lick 2 — Sliding blues line
e |--5/7--8--5/7--5---------|
B |------------------8b10---|
G |-------------------------|
Lick 3 — b5 passing tone (Eb)
e |--5--6--5--8-------------|
B |--5--6--5--8b10----------|
(6 = Eb, the blue note in A)Exercises
1.Learn each lick in isolation
- 1.Play Lick 1 at 70 BPM until every bend is in tune and every note speaks clearly.
- 2.Same for Lick 2 — the slide should arrive exactly on the beat.
- 3.Same for Lick 3 — let the Eb ring briefly before resolving to E (one fret up).
2.Chain licks with space
- 1.Over a 12-bar A blues backing: Lick 1 in bar 1, REST bars 2–3, Lick 2 in bar 4.
- 2.Silence is part of the solo. Do not fill every bar.
- 3.Match your phrase endings to where the chord changes (bar 5 = D chord).
3.Vibrato development
- 1.Hold the G string fret 5 (A note). After 1 beat, add vibrato: rock the finger in a tight loop.
- 2.Width: approximately a quarter-step sharp and back. Speed: roughly 3–4 oscillations per beat.
- 3.Listen to Gary Moore or Stevie Ray Vaughan for reference vibrato width and speed.
Tips
- 💡The space between licks is as important as the licks themselves — breathe like a singer.
- 💡Steal licks from your favourite solos — transcription is the best teacher.
- 💡Develop your own vibrato style. Speed and width are personal — there is no universally "correct" vibrato.
- 💡Play over actual backing tracks (not just a metronome) — the drums and bass change what feels right.