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Fast Rock Guitar Licks YOU Must Know!

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Fast Rock Guitar Licks YOU Must Know!

Hey Everybody! Here's some of the best fast rock licks you can use with any of your solos / improvisations. I'm sure you've heard these licks in countless rock solos, From Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Richie Blackmore, Stevie Ray Vaughan to Joe Satriani (just to name a few).

Tips

All these licks are repeating licks, we'll be using the pentatonic scale (A minor), I recommend you use your pinky finger whenever possible to do the hammer-ons / pull-offs, this will allow you to play with less movement so you can play faster and also strengthen you pinky for future uses. Practice these licks slowly at first, get the mechanics (Picking directions, Hammer-ons, Pull-offs) and then you can start to build up the speed. Remember to always use a metronome and to play each note clearly.

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Rock Lick # 4

This lick can be used as a transition to other licks but sounds great just by itself too.

Start with a down-stroke on the 7th fret G-string then an up-stroke on the 5th fret B string followed by a hammer-on to the 8th fret and pull-off to the 5th fret B-string.
Alternatively you can bend the 7th fret G-string a half-step to give it a more bluesy sound.

Rock Lick # 3

This lick can be heard a lot from Eric Clapton, I think it might be one of his favorites ;)

Start with a down-stroke on the 8th fret B-string then an up-stroke on the 5th fret E-string, a down-stroke on the 8th fret E-string, up-stroke on the 5th fret E-string and finish it up with a hammer-on to the 8th fret and a pull-off to the 5th fret E-string.
Alternatively you can start with a down-stroke on the 8th fret B-string then an up-stroke on the 5th fret E-string and a hammer-on to the 8th fret and a pull-off to the 5th fret E-string for a simpler lick.

Learn Licks and Riffs by Ear!

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Rock Lick # 2

This is a very simple lick but sounds very fast and powerful! Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page used this all the time for a nice thrilling effect.

Bar the 5th fret of the B & E strings with your index finger, start with an up-stroke on the 8th fret E-string the pull-off the 5th and finish it with a down-stroke on the 5th fret B-string.

Rock Lick # 1

In my opinion, this is the fastest, coolest, most rockin' sounding lick, but also the hardest to master.

Bar the B & E-strings on the 5th fret, start with an up-stroke on the 7th fret G-string and bend it up a whole-step, then a down-stroke on the 5th fret B-string, up-stroke 5th fret E-string, down-stroke 8th fret B-string (but keep the pick between the G & the B-string) and finish with a pull-off to the 5th fret B-string and repeat.

Final Tips

Practice, Practice and... Practice!

Practice these rock licks daily and use them in your playing as much as possible and you'll master them in no-time!, I'm sure they'll really help you when soloing and improvising. The purpose of this lesson is not to teach you specific licks but to Show you the concepts behind them and hopefully help you come up with your own licks.

There are many variations to each one of these licks, by simply adding a note or two, playing them in different octaves, using different scales, playing them in a different scale positions etc. etc. For more Ideas, Phrases & Exercises, Click Here! Also, if you need help developing your speed and techniques like legato, alternate picking, tapping and many others I recommend you visit The Essential Guide To Guitar Virtuosity website. Rock on!