Standard Tuning Licks - Key of E
The first section of standard tuning licks will be in the key of "E". The three principal chords in this key are E Major, A Major and B Major, i.e., when a song is in the key of "E", these are the three chords which are most likely to be used.
Examples will be given separately of licks which may be used with each corresponding chord. The licks will then be used in a chord progression to create a solo.
E Chord Licks
The first licks shown will be based upon the E Major chord. The following chart displays the "E" slide scale positions from which the licks are derived.
E Scale Positions
Note: The scale positions which have been given are only the basic framework of notes which may be used to play slide licks. The licks in each section are sometimes based upon the chord shape being used as well as the scale which is represented. Attention should be paid to the extra notes which have been added to the basic slide scale shown.
A Chord Licks
The next set of licks are based upon the A Major chord. The following "A" scale chart shows the basic two positions which are used to play the following licks.
A Scale Positions
B Chord Licks
The final set of licks in this key are based upon the B Major chord. The scale positions used are almost identical to the "A" scale positions, however, they are found two frets higher on the fretboard.
B Scale Positions
Standard Tuning Solos - Key of E
The following solos are in the key of E Major and use licks taken directly from the previous sections.
In the first solo you will find licks numbered one and two from the "E" chord licks section have been used for the duration of the A Major chord. Lick No. 8 from the "A" chord licks section is used for the A Major chord passage in bars 5 and 6. Lick No. 15 from the "B" chord licks section is played for Bar No. 9.
The second solo in this section is also made up of licks from the previous chord lick sections.
You may notice that the first four bars use Lick No. 4 from the E chord lick section.
Bars 5 and 6 are part of Lick No. 12 and bars 7 and 8 are part of Lick No. 6. The solo finishes with Lick No. 14 for the "B" chord in Bar No. 9 and part of Lick No. 9 for the A chord in Bar No. 10.
The first four bars of Solo No. 3 use Lick No. 7 from the "E" chord licks section. Bars 5 and 6 are part of Lick No. 9 and bars 7 and 8 are part of Lick No. 5. This time Lick No. 16 is used from the "B" Major chord in Bar No. 9.
The solo finishes with a turnaround lick which is explained in more detail in Progressive Slide Guitar Technique.
