Jamie Hunt of BIMM Bristol brings you a new and varied selection of licks to learn at easy, intermediate and advanced levels.
EXAMPLE 1 TED TURNER (WISHBONE ASH)
This riff uses the open D Major chord shape and slides it to a range of positions along the fretboard. Look out for the sus4 chords within the sequence. On these variations, add your fourth finger to the first string, a fret above the usual note within this chord shape. Also, take note of the Ebsus#4 in bar 3. Here, we stretch the fourth finger one fret higher than the typical sus4 shape. Use your bridge pickup and enough gain for some grit, then, add chorus and a splash of reverb.
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EXAMPLE 2 TAYLOR YORK (PARAMORE)
This riff uses octaves, along the fifth and third string, to create a smooth melodic sequence. To control the un-played strings, let the tip of your fretting fingers touch against the neighbouring, thicker string, ansd let the underside of your first finger touch against the un-played, treble strings. This allows you to attack the downstrokes and drive the phrases along. Use your bridge pickup, select the drive channel on your amp, set a medium gain level, and add reverb.
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EXAMPLE 3 ‘CAPTAIN’KIRK DOUGLAS (THE ROOTS)
This lick features a descending sequence in B Minor Pentatonic, while including the 2nd/9th (C#) for further interest. Each phrase in the sequence lasts three beats. So, this causes the pattern to displace against the 4/4 groove. Familiarise with the hammer-on, pull -off passages, as they bring fluidity to the faster subdivisions. Select your bridge pickup, set your amp to the drive channel, turn the gain up just above halfway, and add some treble for clarity and definition.
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EXAMPLE 4 ERIC STECKEL (BLUES ROCK GUITARIST)
This E Blues scale lick uses semitone slides on the third string to maintain pace and fluidity. It’s easy to run ahead of the beat when playing phrases like this. So, focus on the duration of each sliding note and try to hear the 16th-note triplet subdivision (six notes per beat) as you tap your foot to the pulse. This provides an accurate and consistent reference point. For the sound, use your bridge pickup, select the drive channel o
