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Play Blues Guitar 5: Lick Vocabulary

Supercharge your blues guitar licks with this Blues Learning Path core course.
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Overview

Welcome to Play Blues Guitar 5: Lick Vocabulary for intermediate to late intermediate students of blues guitar. This Blues Learning Path core course is presented by 10 top TrueFire educators: Jeff McErlain, Corey Congilio, Jeff Scheetz, Robbie Laws, Anthony Stauffer, James Hogan, Richard Von Bergen, Andy Aledort, Steve Trovato and Mike Zito. The Lick Vocabulary curriculum is comprised of select blues guitar lessons from the educators' existing TrueFire course libraries.

Music is a language. In the same way that words and sentences are connected to form stories, musical licks and phrases are connected to form solos. And just like any language, the more robust your musical vocabulary is, the more interesting and diverse your solos will be. The video guitar lessons in this core course will equip you with an essential vocabulary of licks along with the technical skills required to take your soloing skills to the next level.

Play Blues Guitar 5: Lick Vocabulary is organized into 3 sections. In the first section, you'll work on learning new concepts and gaining insight for putting licks together. Section 2 will have you playing your way through some essential blues licks. Finally in Section 3 you will head down south to brush up on your Texas blues licks.

When you've completed the lessons here in Lick Vocabulary, you'll find more lessons focused on building your vocabulary in Lick Lexicon, also a Play Blues Guitar 5 core course.

The educators demonstrate all of the key examples over jam tracks (where and when applicable) to simulate a real-world application, in a musical context. All of the key examples are also tabbed and notated for your practice, reference and study purposes. Take as much time as you need to work through each video guitar lesson before moving on to the next lesson. If you want to dig deeper or wider into any of the topics covered in this core course, check out the rest of the courses in the Blues Learning Path where you'll find more examples, techniques and insight from top TrueFire educators. Grab your guitar and let's get started!

About

Learn how to play guitar with free online guitar lessons and interactive video guitar courses at TrueFire, the world's most comprehensive library of guitar video lessons.
Play Blues Guitar 5: Lick Vocabulary - Introduction

01: Play Blues Guitar 5: Lick Vocabulary - Introduction

Welcome to Play Blues Guitar 5: Lick Vocabulary for intermediate to late Intermediate students of blues guitar. This Blues Learning Path core course is presented by 10 top TrueFire educators: Jeff McErlain, Corey Congilio, Jeff Scheetz, Robbie Laws, Anthony Stauffer, James Hogan, Richard Von Bergen, Andy Aledort, Steve Trovato and Mike Zito.

2 min
Concepts & Insight - SECTION 1: Overview

02: Concepts & Insight - SECTION 1: Overview

In this section you will learn how to mix the minor and Major pentatonic scales in order to be able to play over any blues tonality. Like any person who speaks eloquently has a grasp of a variety of words to get their message across, so it is with licks for guitar players.

1 min
Minor Pentatonic Scale - Concept 1

03: Minor Pentatonic Scale - Concept 1

Minor Pentatonic Scale - Concept 1 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. The A minor pentatonic scale is most likely the first scale you learned on the guitar and there is a lot of music in those notes. An easy way to look at it is as a minor scale with the half steps removed.

13 min
Minor Blues Scale - Concept 2

04: Minor Blues Scale - Concept 2

Minor Blues Scale - Concept 2 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. The Minor Blues scale is just a minor pentatonic scale with an added b5. The b5 is often called the blue note, hence the name of the scale.

5 min
Major Pentatonic Scale - Concept 3

05: Major Pentatonic Scale - Concept 3

Major Pentatonic Scale - Concept 3 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. The major pentatonic scale like the minor pentatonic scale is just a major scale with the half steps removed. As its name suggests it produces a more major and happy sound.

9 min
Major Blues Scale - Concept 4

06: Major Blues Scale - Concept 4

Major Blues Scale - Concept 4 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. The major pentatonic scale formula is R 2 3 5 6, to get a major blues scale we add in a b3rd. So the new formula is R 2 b3 3 5 6. It sounds great and makes things a bit more... bluesy.

8 min
Mixing Major and Minor - Concept 5

07: Mixing Major and Minor - Concept 5

Mixing Major and Minor - Concept 5 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. The real good stuff starts to happen when we mix the major and minor blues scales. This is what Jimi, Eric, Jeff, Peter, BB, Buddy, Albert, Albert, Freddie, and everyone who I left out does!

6 min
LIVE! Playing with a Vocalist Means Sharing the Stage - Performance

08: LIVE! Playing with a Vocalist Means Sharing the Stage - Performance

LIVE! Playing with a Vocalist Means Sharing the Stage - Performance is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff Scheetz. It is a love hate relationship between vocalists and guitarists. So - the best way to endear you to your vocalist... Don't play over their vocals!

5 min
GoTo Licks: Funk It Up with the Maj/Min Pentatonic - Examples

09: GoTo Licks: Funk It Up with the Maj/Min Pentatonic - Examples

GoTo Licks: Funk It Up with the Maj/Min Pentatonic - Examples is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff Scheetz. Nice standard lick with a bend that stops, and then the lick ends on the root note, which is a common way to make licks feel like "home."

1 min
Lick Vocabulary 1 - Key of E 1st Position

10: Lick Vocabulary 1 - Key of E 1st Position

Lick Vocabulary 1 - Key of E 1st Position is a video guitar lesson presented by Andy Aledort. Now let's begin developing our lick vocabulary by taking small elements of the scale and developing a variety of melodic and rhythmic inventions and permutations.

9 min
Hybrid Rolling Lick 1 - Concept 12

11: Hybrid Rolling Lick 1 - Concept 12

Hybrid Rolling Lick 1 - Concept 12 is a video guitar lesson presented by Mike Zito. Here is a hybrid rolling lick, utilizing the hybrid picking technique and banjo rolls. With half step slides and slurs, here is a fun countryesque rocking lick.

5 min
Essential Blues Licks - SECTION 2: Overview

12: Essential Blues Licks - SECTION 2: Overview

This section will give you a ton of great licks to add to your arsenal. Everything from Albert and B.B. King licks to down home blues. Having a variety of licks under your fingers will give you confidence in any jam situation.

1 min
More Essential G Blues Licks - Examples

13: More Essential G Blues Licks - Examples

More Essential G Blues Licks - Examples is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff Scheetz. Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Page, SRV, all of these guys have played these licks time and again and probably learned them from cats like Albert King, and even earlier guys.

10 min
Sidewinder - Lick 13

14: Sidewinder - Lick 13

Sidewinder - Lick 13 is a video guitar lesson presented by Robbie Laws. A minor pentatonic box pattern #1. This lick is an inspired tribute to the Great Texas blues swing master T-Bone Walker.

6 min
Rollin' With Albert - Lick 19

15: Rollin' With Albert - Lick 19

Rollin' With Albert - Lick 19 is a video guitar lesson presented by Robbie Laws. A minor pentatonic box pattern #2. Here you have one of the most classic Albert King licks of all time.

4 min
Sweet Talkin' - Lick 26

16: Sweet Talkin' - Lick 26

Sweet Talkin' - Lick 26 is a video guitar lesson presented by Robbie Laws. A minor pentatonic box pattern #3. You say that you can't get enough B.B., well then, here you go.

4 min
B.B.'s Box - Lick 3

17: B.B.'s Box - Lick 3

B.B.'s Box - Lick 3 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. Here is lick that BB has made his signature. A simple A major pentatonic lick is what is often referred to as BB's box due to his extensive use of the position.

2 min
Swampy Lick - Lick 6

18: Swampy Lick - Lick 6

Swampy Lick - Lick 6 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. Great delta blues lick in the style of Lightnin' Hopkins. This lick incorporates open strings ringing out over fretted notes to give that swampy sound.

2 min
Chicago Turnaround  - Lick 7

19: Chicago Turnaround - Lick 7

Chicago Turnaround - Lick 7 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. The classic staple of a blues turnaround will have fans weak in the knees.

2 min
On The Chord - Lick 21

20: On The Chord - Lick 21

On The Chord - Lick 21 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. Let's get a little more complex here. This lick basically outlines a G7 chord so there is no question as to what chord I am playing on. This is called playing "on" the as opposed to "over" the chord.

2 min
One of Eric's - Lick 24

21: One of Eric's - Lick 24

One of Eric's - Lick 24 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. My favorite electric blues guitar playing comes from the 60's, and one of the most influential guys for me, and much of the guitar playing community is Eric Clapton.

2 min
Super Turnaround - Lick 32

22: Super Turnaround - Lick 32

Super Turnaround - Lick 32 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. Here is a slightly more complex turnaround that really gets your hands stretching.

2 min
Roy's Touch - Lick 41

23: Roy's Touch - Lick 41

Roy's Touch - Lick 41 is a video guitar lesson presented by Jeff McErlain. Roy Buchanan's tragic death in 1988 was a real blow to musicians everywhere. This lick in E minor uses some of his trademarks starting with a volume swell.

2 min
Keep Moanin' - Lick 30

24: Keep Moanin' - Lick 30

Keep Moanin' - Lick 30 is a video guitar lesson presented by Richard Van Bergen. This lick in the key of A has some interesting bends. You bend two or three notes at the same time, creating a moaning sound. T-Bone Walker used this trick a lot in his solos.

2 min
One Finger Lickin' Good - Lick 47

25: One Finger Lickin' Good - Lick 47

One Finger Lickin' Good - Lick 47 is a video guitar lesson presented by Richard Van Bergen. Albert King had a very personal style. Especially his bending is interesting. With his tuned down guitar, his bends sound dramatic and vocal-like.

3 min
Two Steps Forward - Lick 4

26: Two Steps Forward - Lick 4

Two Steps Forward - Lick 4 is a video guitar lesson presented by Anthony Stauffer. B.B. King is known for making his guitar talk, but to my ears, his playing also communicates physical movement. It's also a great example of B.B. mixing major and minor together in the same lick.

6 min
Approaching the IV - Lick 6

27: Approaching the IV - Lick 6

Approaching the IV - Lick 6 is a video guitar lesson presented by Anthony Stauffer. You can add a lot of polish to your soloing by playing licks that highlight the changes of the chord progression.

3 min
Snake Drive - Lick #8

28: Snake Drive - Lick #8

Snake Drive - Lick #8 is a video guitar lesson presented by Steve Trovato. This one has a 5 fret bend! Bend using your third finger while supporting with your first and second fingers. Light strings will probably facilitate the bending for this one.

5 min
Walkin' Shoes - Lick #48

29: Walkin' Shoes - Lick #48

Walkin' Shoes - Lick #48 is a video guitar lesson presented by Steve Trovato. This lick is from the great Texas blues guitarist Anson Funderburgh. He is a master at playing meaningful melodic solos and always staying in the pocket.

4 min
Black Country Blues - Lick 7

30: Black Country Blues - Lick 7

Black Country Blues - Lick 7 is a video guitar lesson presented by James Hogan. Lick # 7 "Black Country Blues" is a tribute to all of the great rock bands who hail from the "Black Country" region of the West Midlands in England.

3 min
Texas Blues Licks - SECTION 3: Overview

31: Texas Blues Licks - SECTION 3: Overview

Here we will explore Texas blues licks and look at what makes them so cool! You will be asked to play a Texas blues often, so having a handful of licks to pull out will make your solos shine.

1 min
Alimoanin' Blues - Lick #1

32: Alimoanin' Blues - Lick #1

Alimoanin' Blues - Lick #1 is a video guitar lesson presented by Corey Congilio. We'll start with a lickfrom T-Bone Walker. Aaron Thibeaux Walker is one of the most well known Texas blues guitarists.

3 min
Hot As Ice - Lick #5

33: Hot As Ice - Lick #5

Hot As Ice - Lick #5 is a video guitar lesson presented by Corey Congilio. This is a repetitive lick I got from a Collins tune I heard called If You Love Me Like You Say. Collins had a great senseof humor in his tunes but, nothing was funny about his playing.

4 min
Struck By Love - Lick #12

34: Struck By Love - Lick #12

Struck By Love - Lick #12 is a video guitar lesson presented by Corey Congilio. Again, in this lick, we are focusing on repetition. You'll often hear the word phrasing when it comes to soloing. Repetition is key in phrasing.

4 min
King's Turn - Lick #40

35: King's Turn - Lick #40

King's Turn - Lick #40 is a video guitar lesson presented by Corey Congilio. You've probably heard this turnaround used by many players. I first heard Freddy King play this and I always save it for that perfect slow blues tune.

4 min
E Flat Tuning - Overview

36: E Flat Tuning - Overview

E Flat Tuning - Overview is a video guitar lesson presented by Anthony Stauffer. This course is taught in E flat tuning. This was Stevie's tuning of choice, and if you want to study his music, you'll have to become adept at tuning down.

1 min
Starting Blocks - Lick 1

37: Starting Blocks - Lick 1

Starting Blocks - Lick 1 is a video guitar lesson presented by Anthony Stauffer. This first section focuses on the song Texas flood. During his live performances Stevie played some of his most impressive licks during this song. This first lick is the most foundational lick in this entire course.

5 min
Texas Froth - Lick 2

38: Texas Froth - Lick 2

Texas Froth - Lick 2 is a video guitar lesson presented by James Hogan. Stevie Ray Vaughan had an enormous impact on the guitar world when he came onto the scene in the early 1980's. Lick #2 "Texas Froth" is a great Stevie lick based in Position I of A minor pentatonic.

3 min
Play Blues Guitar 5: Lick Vocabulary - Conclusion

39: Play Blues Guitar 5: Lick Vocabulary - Conclusion

Congratulations on completing this core course in your learning path! When you're ready to advance your skills further, dive into the next core course in your TrueFire learning path. Practice smart. Play hard!

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