PHIL HILBORNE’S ONE-MINUTE LICK

Country Open String Arpeggio Lick

The use of open strings abounds in all styles with virtually endless ideas. This month it is the open second string – the 5th of the accompanying e7 chord. The lick uses only the first and second strings and features notes mostly drawn from e7 – e-G#-B-D. The challenge is in the frequent position changes, how the lick uses the open B combined with fretted notes in a ‘3 against 4’ rhythm, and the use of hybrid picking - you can use alternate picking if you like, but it’s ‘snappier’ with hybrid. After playing it try to come up with other ideas of your own using different rhythms and in other keys - remember you need at least one open string to be a chord tone so you can use it as a pedal note between regular fretted notes.