This A minor blues lick from ZZ Top’s ‘La Grange’ is typical of ‘power blues’ Billy Gibbons’ licks. Like most Billy’s licks this one is it’s using shape 1 blues scale.
Billy often uses ‘pinch harmonics’ in his licks and you can hear them being used in this one. Billy simply descends the A blues scale in a ‘quarter note triplet’ rhythm, playing a pinch harmonic on each note for a cool squealing effect!
For tips about perfect pinch harmonics watch this lesson here.
Check out ZZ Top’s ‘La Grange’ to hear this lick and plenty more awesome Billy Gibbons’ licks!
This lick from ZZ Top’s ‘La Grange’ is typical of Billy Gibbons’ ‘power blues’ style licks. Most of Billy Gibbons’ licks and solos are based on, and this one is using the C minor pentatonic scale in shape 1 played around the 8th fret.
Notice the bluesy double stop phrase at the start of the lick. You can play this with a pick or if you prefer you can use ‘hybrid picking’. This is when you use the pick and a finger or fingers to sound the notes. Let the notes ring together for that strong blues flavour so present in most Billy Gibbons’ licks!
The lick then moves down into the sliding scale shape for some growling blues slides on the low strings! Check out ZZ Top’s ‘La Grange’ to hear this lick and plenty more awesome Billy Gibbons licks!
This lick from ZZ Top’s ‘La Grange’ is typical of Billy Gibbons’ ‘power blues’ licks. Most of Billy Gibbons’ licks and solos are based around the blues scale or minor pentatonic scale…and this lick is no exception. It’s using the C minor pentatonic scale in shape 1 played around the 8th fret.
Notice the tasty bend that kicks the lick off and the quick descending scale pattern that follows. The lick then moves down into the sliding scale shape for some tasty blues slides! Check out ZZ Top’s ‘La Grange’ to hear this lick and plenty more awesome Billy Gibbons quick licks!