“Screaming” Lick, Boppin’ Country, 12-Bar Rock

It’s great to learn songs and improve your understanding of music with the modes, etc. But sometimes you want something short, sweet and fun. While a lot of guitar teachers discourage the learning of “licks,” it’s certainly the way many of us started out, myself included.

So, I decided to add a few fun “lick” lessons to DGP. One is perhaps more of a technique than a lick. I call it the Screaming Stretch to Unison, because it’s a way to make a very sharp, “screaming” sound on your guitar. (You will need skinny strings for this one.)

I also show how to play a couple country-sounding licks that work well over major chords. One is a cute and simple Country Bop Riff with descending and ascending (down and up), lines. The other is a bit more advanced, since it uses some fancy “hybrid” picking, plus “Slippery” Major and Minor Sixth intervals.

Last, I made a lesson on Basic Boogie Rock in a 12-bar blues format, ala Chuck Berry. This is a staple of rock technique, so if you’re not sure you know it, then you’d better check it out!

Happy Screamin’, Boppin’ and Rockin’!

—Dave