ExAMPLES

TRA CKs 13-15

Rock Ex 10 This example draws from the B minor pentatonic scale, basically using shape 1 and adding a further note from the scale on each string by way of tapping with either the first finger (i) or second finger (m) of your picking hand. Try this Van Halen style sequential triplet lick both with a clean sound (to gain strength of execution) and then with loads of distortion (to hone your muting technique in order to avoid lots of unwanted string noise).

Countr y Ex 11 For our first country style example we are in A minor pentatonic. It’s a shuffled 8ths feel and the held and re-picked bend from 7th fret to 9th fret on the third string is a common idea in this genre - aim to get the 8th fret on the second string ringing simultaneously as well.

Countr y Ex 12 This example contains some fiery country style licks and the basic rule is that we are using the corresponding major pentatonic for each chord in this I, IV, V, I progression. That gives us G major pentatonic (E minor pentatonic), C major pentatonic (A minor pentatonic) and D major pentatonic (B minor pentatonic). See how the same ringing bend-based lick from Example 11 is used for both the C and D chords, essentially bending from the 2nd to the 3rd of each chord, while adding the 5th to the mix as well. We also get a little bluesy in the final bar, with a semitone bend up to the minor 3rd (Bb), which if you see it from the perspective of E minor pentatonic is the so- called ‘blue note’ (flat 5) of the scale.