Today’s video is quick… but it’s a favorite lick for starting a blues solo in a variety of feels.
Plus, the lick works really well in the middle or the end too… there’s almost no end to what it can do for you.
Download – MP4 | WMV
Download – MP4 | WMV
55 replies to "How to start a blues solo…"
Hey Griff,
Long time viewer, first time message. I am a physicist at Caltech and a long time hobby guitarist, since the late 60’s)I have been using this lick for years and it is also the intro to Lynard Skynard’s “I know a little (about love)”. They add a couple of notes and also repeat it in the 4 and 5 chords (c and d but their version is in the key of A) I have never been satisfied with the way I play it and I am still not sure if it is a timing thing or if I am missing a note or 2. Have you ever played the song and what is your version?
Very Curious,
Jeff 🙂
Hi Griff,
This is simply Cool Blues Guitar…………..unleashed. keep these coming. I am saving all these lessons.
Michael- St Andrews NSW Australia.
Griff, what help can you give me on gaining the ability to use vibrato? I am really struggling with getting down to how this is done. Everyone says it is the hardest thing to learn. I have been trying for two years and still can’t get it.
On camera you say there are two hammer-ons but the tab only show one.
Thanks for a great lesson.
Thanks Griff. Even my 88 year old hands and brain can do this.
thanks Griff! I bought Playing on the porch and actually can do it!! look forward to all your riffs!
Griff,
Another superb lesson. You provide the most thorough explanations. As a beginner, I find your lessons invaluable. I’m working on learning more about theory.
I love the sound of this lick, especially for slow blues. I would have found it a bit more helpful if the tab provided also showed the notes in the other positions.
Keep up the great work! you’ll make all of us aspirants better for it.
Thanks,
Nico
Best thing i ever did was buying your courses, Grff. You are a great etcher… if only i could keep up with you!
This “starter lick” is just great.
Thank you!
Thanks griff
I like slow sound
Whistler
In Wales (in the UK) they’d call you “Griff The Riff” – I’ll stick with calling you an inspiring, excellent and generous teacher – many thanks!
Thanks for another great nugget! Little by little I’ve acquired quite a few licks from you over the years. Thanks and keep ’em coming !
Great. Lick can do alot with it
I like this lick I can do alot with it
….interesting that the lick contains an E..not part of the blues scale, and there’s the major third there too, making it sound good.
Got any more of these ‘cross-over’ licks?
Tqvm griff you been a lot of help.
I agree with another writer that the course is great but overwhelming. Your quickies on the other hand are inspirational and help me stay interested.
As a blues neophyte, having come from an acoustic-folk background, I’m struggling with my choice of instruments, a Les Paul. I love the purity and sustain of it’s sound when played clean but find it uncomfortably heavy and poorly shaped. I also recognize a more “bluesy” sound achieved on the semi hollow body. On the other hand you play a wide variety of guitars when you make your videos. If someone were to look for the most suitable guitar for blues genre, what would you recommend? Maybe just a video to show the different sounds that can be made by the various instruments?
Thanks. Love your sound(s).
Greg,
I am a guitar neophyte who is also addicted to having one if each type….yet I find my cheap tele squire $80 on craigs list my favorite. She is light and beat up but she is so easy to play. Buy a few on cl and find your style….cheap is better when searching.
That said,
At the end of the day, the amp is more responsible for tone.
Just my unsolicited opinion.
Perfect!!! Great lesson!! I recently bought the whole DVD course but haven’t been able to delve into it due to life getting in the way– but I will soon for sure! In the mean time these cool quicky lessons keep me inspired!!
Thanks Griff!
J. Chris T.– guitar player(noodler) for almost 40 years (yikes!) with no clear guidance until now. Thanks again!
Thanks very much Griff, Good as usual ! very Sweet Lick, the beauty is, you can play it in many tempos, sounds like the Lynard Skynard track “I know a little about love”
WOW Nice im progresing Big time.
Thanks Griff you have really helped with my playing
Thanks Griff,that was great.I have just received 52 fills and variations looking forward to learning from it.Great after sales care.Thank your office for me.
Diolch! Thanks! Griff, Well off I go to have a go at learning that little gem 🙂
Thanks Griff, I use that lick all the time it &, it really works
well.
it make nit ease to get started.
I believe your “Killer Blues Solos Made Easy DVD teachings have a lot to offer as well Griff. Thanks
Sounds a little like the old instrumental “Alley Cat” by Bent Fabrick from the late 50s!
chips-ahoy, the little morsels make a great cookie!!! thanks griff…
Another great ‘bite size chunk’ lesson& what a classic riff. I’ve just received your 52 riffs & licks, can’t wait to get started.
Keep it blue !!
You are the best guitar teacher. Fast teaching, show lessons without complications , everything looks so easy,
Thanks, Griff,,
A great start up riff with so many possibilities.
Thanks
Thanks for that Griff. Still makes you the best out there showing us all ‘your tricks’. I have only yesterday received your 52 Rhythm Fills & Variations DVD / CD set. I will be off for the week-end but right back into practice on Monday. Oh to be retired. Unfortunately the hands and mind do not always work at the same pace that you (I) would like when I see such great little pieces as you have given us today. keep up the great work Griff.
A great start up riff to open up in so many different ways.
Thanks
That sho’ll is purty.
Thanks for all your help Griff. This lick is good to build off of. If its good enough for BB it will do for me.
thanks griff really good
Thanks Griff will work on that.
hi griff….a littel tuff for me butt i”v been saving all your grate stuff and all your video:s thank”s for the awesome lessons i”ll get there in dew time still going though the B.B.G progressing well….thank”s again for the grate lick…samiyam the lefty..
great lesson. Thanks griff.
THAT’S MY LICK! Weird, I was just playing this the other day and thinking it’s the only lick I REALLY know. It’s the beginning to Johnny B. Goode, Fun,Fun, Fun, Roll over Beethoven, etc., etc, and Griff’s solo’s!
A MUST know lick! GREAT Lesson (even though you stole MY lick) !!!
Great stuff. I’m gonna try it at at next open mic
Very helpful, thanks
oh yeah just jumped right into it , tended to prefer a fast tempo but its a good one to see where you may find another set of the same notes or its relitive that was cool man (:-+}
Great stuff Griff
I will definitely use that lick.
Cheers mate
Now this is the kind of lick I enjoy and I just hope I can do it on my acoustic with the bad frets. You have a unique ability for picking notes so quickly. I just cannot use a pic so you can imagine how hard it is for a 74 year old to grasp this-but I thank you and I enjoy it.
Great lick and simple lesson that I can use immediately. Thanks Griff!!
Griff, this is so cool. Thanks for another great lesson. Mike Z.
Best way I know to start a new day, Learn a new lick. Thanks Griff
Very tasty, thanks again
Thanks Griff, simple yet extremely effective.
Damn Griff. You make this so much fun. You make me smile.
love that riff…been using variations of it for a while now…thanks Griff…
Thanks Griff, very cool. I will use these licks at my next gig.
Thanks Griff, Simple but very effective.
as always, very usefulinfo, thanks
Nice Riff Griff , Gracyas