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• 101 Amazing Licks - Lick 41
• 101 Amazing Licks - Lick 42
• 101 Amazing Licks - Lick 43

We all know a great lick when we hear one—Jimmy Page’s solo breaks in “Whole Lotta Love” and Mark Knopfler’s blistering triads in “Sultans of Swing,” for example. Moments like these grab your attention and aurally brand your ears forever. Or, sometimes it acts more subliminally: You suddenly find yourself playing a certain lick over and over again, wondering, Where have I heard this before?

Through the years, these licks have evolved into a vocabulary for the guitar. And like great writers who are always able to find the right word to make a point, great guitarists always have that essential lick at their disposal to express, in the moment, what they’re feeling. And whereas the best writers are able to string those words together to form remarkable prose, the best guitarists link their licks to form living, breathing, musical statements.

We called upon our mighty stable of instructional writers to assemble these 101 Amazing Guitar Licks, spanning over eight decades and ranging from rock, metal, and blues to jazz, country and bluegrass. Regardless of what style music you play, it will do your ears and your chops good to go through each of these licks. Learn them, master them, and keep them on file for the next time you’re looking for just the right way to say what’s in your soul.

ROCK

	Lick 44 Tablature mp3 Coming Soon

FIGURE 44

Origin: With his unique flair for the outlandish and no-speed-limit style, Vernon Reid (Living Colour) had no peer in the realms of “outside” rock guitar. This bebop-rock crossbreed lick proves it to a tee. Check out his work on Time’s Up, Vivid and Stain, but be prepared—it may melt your brain!
Theory: Based in G minor (G–A–Bb–C–D–Eb–F), chromatic passing tones throughout hint at the bebop nature of the lick. Measure 2 cycles through two arpeggio sequences: the first implies F major, and the second, F7.
Playing Tip: When playing the arpeggios in measure 2, apply an upward sweep-picking motion as opposed to the alternate picking that should be used throughout the rest of the lick.

Check back tomorrow for Figure 45!

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