This is a fun lick that shows off BB King’s incredible use of my favorite thing – rhythm.

It’s a simple pattern, one I commonly call the House Pattern, with a slight variation towards the end that’s cool to see in use.

But the main thing is… (drum roll please) the counting! You get to use a bunch of off beats, and even switch between counting swing 1/8ths and straight 1/16ths (Yay!)

It’s worth your time, even if you don’t solo much yet, simply for the practice and because it sounds so sweet.

 

 

If you want the TAB you can download it HERE (PDF)


    19 replies to "BB King Let The Good Times Roll Lick"

    • Jerry

      In the early 1980’s I was working at a casino in Lake Tahoe and BB would periodically play at the Cabaret bar there so I got to see him a number of times. Always played his heart out and he and the band put on a great show. Good memory!

      • Bill

        I was there too. Loved watching and listening to him play!

    • cowboy

      good stuff Griff…thanks.

    • Gra

      So helpful Griff. Thank you

    • Gra

      So good Griff. Thanks again.

    • Thomas Guitarman

      great lesson but Ill bet BB did not know he was doing all that

      • Bob

        You’d be wrong. He was pretty sharp.

    • Chris G

      That whole pattern is genius! ! Take the 2nd and the 6th from the major pentatonic, but bend the 2nd up to either the Minor or Major third – and with that one little move we can switch between major and minor sounds. I think this just woke me up to what Robben Ford does all the time – it looks like he’s playing major, but he slips over to minor as slick as goose-poo. Thanks Griff – now I also know what the “BB Box” means.
      Chris G in Australia.

    • DaveyJoe

      Cool! That House Pattern really comes in handy.
      4/6/20

    • tony

      The Allman brothers have done a time change . 4/4 to 3/4 and back . Swing to straight. I like the house pattern . You can solo for ever . I just wonder if the sheet music shows a time signature change for BBs tune. I will have to find a live video if one has been done.

    • Phil Ricossa

      Thanks Griff! Finally having time to get into it. Appreciate all you do! Phil Ricossa

    • John Mccloskey

      Love this. Without knowing the tune I already have in my head where to go after this lick.

    • Tony Brown

      great lick I have to practice that lick to get good at it thank you.

    • Jumpin Jack Flash

      I have learned so much from you and your wall…..

    • Jumpin Jack Flash

      That is going on the wall with all the other B.B.King licks….
      Great….

    • Bob Utberg

      I am so a believer about the counting Griff! Thank you for another amazing lesson. I have said this before: Some folks are GREAT guitar players; some folks are GREAT teachers of the gitfiddle; you my friend are super talented at BOTH! Blues On.
      Bobby Ut

    • Tony D

      Awesome lesson Griff. I can take all the B. B. King that you can dish out. Cheers, Tony

    • cowboy

      neat…always love the major/minor bend…thanks…later.

      cowboy

    • Colin Campbell

      Excellent and I wish I had learned the ‘house’ pattern many years ago.

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