Understanding the A Minor Pentatonic Scale
Licks are The Main Go To as A Lead Guitar Player. It’s Basically Notes From A Scale Made into individual Riffs.
The A Minor Pentatonic scale is a cornerstone of rock, blues, and jazz improvisation. Comprised of five notes (A, C, D, E, and G), this scale is known for its versatility and expressive power. Its simplicity and effectiveness make it a favorite among guitarists across genres. In this article, we’ll explore licks based on this scale, focusing on the first position to build a solid foundation.
Essential Licks for Lead Guitarists
The Classic Rock Riff
Tab 1
E———————————-
A———–5-8-5—————
D—–5-7———-7′-7-5—5
G–7————————–7–
B————————————
E————————————-
The Bluesy Groove
Example 2 (Tab 2)
E———————————–
A-5————-8——8——-8
D—-7-5—-5—-7-5–7-5—
G———–7——————–
B———————————-
E———————————-
The Syncopated Shuffle
Example 3 (Tab 3)
E————————————
A-5————-8′——8—-8—
D—-7-5—-5—7′-5—–7–5-
G———-7———————–
B———————————–
E————————————
Ace Frehley’s Iconic Lick
Example 4 (Tab 4)
The Famous Ace Frehley Lick. Check out Kiss “Alive” On His Guitar Solo.
He’s doing this lick in Several Positions on the Guitar Neck.
E————-5———–5——-
A——–5————5———-
—-7-bend’—–7’bend—–
G———————————
B———————————
E———————————
The Melodic Ascend
Example 5 (Tab5)
E-5-8-5——–8—————8-
A———-5—————-5——-
D————-7—–7-5————
G———————————–
B———————————–
E———————————–
The Blues Bend
Example 6 (Tab 6)
E—————————————
A———-5-8-5——————–
D—5-7———–7’bend-7-5—
G-7———————————7
B—————————————-
E——————————————-
The Rock Rhythm
Example 7 (Tab 7)
E——–5————-5—————-
A—–5————-5———-5-5-
D-7’bend—–7’bend-7’bend –
G—————————————
B—————————————
E—————————————
Practice Tips
- Start Slow: Begin by playing each lick slowly to ensure accuracy.
- Use a Metronome: Gradually increase the speed while maintaining precision.
- Experiment: Apply these licks in different musical contexts to discover their full potential.
A Tribute to John Mayall
Today’s lesson is dedicated to John Mayall, a blues legend who played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of guitar icons like Eric Clapton. His song “Stepping Out” is a great example of how to use these licks effectively. Listening to Mayall’s work will provide additional context and inspiration for your playing.
Conclusion
Mastering these A Minor Pentatonic licks will significantly enhance your lead guitar skills. Whether you’re aiming to capture the essence of classic rock or the depth of blues, these riffs provide a versatile foundation for expressive solos. Keep practicing, and let these licks become a natural part of your guitar vocabulary.
Also read:
5 Positions to Play the A Minor Pentatonic Scale: Discover How to Play it Across the Fretboard
