20 Country Licks You Can’t Live Without - Volume One by Erik Holmbom

Licklibrary’s 20 Country Licks You Can’t Live Without - Volume One is a deep dive into the essential sounds and flavours of country guitar playing. Taught by the exceptional Erik Holmbom, this course delivers note-for-note breakdowns of 20 iconic country-style licks, designed to elevate your phrasing, timing, and technique. Whether you're a budding Telecaster twanger or a seasoned six-stringer looking to sharpen your chops, this course is a goldmine of style-specific ideas, each rooted in classic country tonality and technique.

This lesson series focuses on soloing over static dominant seventh chords—a key feature in country guitar—and showcases how to create expressive, melodic solos using a variety of techniques and approaches. From chicken pickin’ to hybrid picking, and from subtle bends to flashy harmonic flourishes, Erik guides you through every move with crystal-clear instruction and performance context.

Licks 1–4: C7

The first set of licks focuses on soloing over a C7 chord. These licks are designed to highlight how dominant 7th chords in country music allow for blending major and minor tonalities—specifically through the use of the Mixolydian mode and the Blues scale. Expect tasteful use of double-stops, slides, and plenty of string bending.

Benefit: You’ll learn how to balance melodic clarity with country grit, building foundational control in your phrasing and timing.

Licks 5–8: A7

Licks 5–8 shift to the A7 chord, dialling up the twang with hybrid picking and hammer-ons. These licks explore targeting chord tones with chromatic passing notes—adding a colourful, "chicken pickin'" character.

Benefit: These licks enhance your right-hand precision and allow you to inject bounce and swing into your lines, a hallmark of authentic country phrasing.

Licks 9–12: G7

For G7, Erik brings in classic trills, pull-offs, and alternate picking. There’s also a focus on syncopation, helping you develop solos that breathe and dance across the beat, with careful use of space and dynamics.

Benefit: Develops rhythmic awareness and hand coordination while showcasing how a simple chord can be turned into a narrative solo landscape.

Licks 13–16: E7

These licks revolve around E7 and lean more blues-infused, borrowing expressive phrasing such as unison bends and pinched harmonics. This section explores the gritty side of country—blending soulful bend work with punchy melodic motifs.

Benefit: Great for improving pitch control, emotional expression, and expanding your dynamic range on the fretboard.

Licks 17–20: D7

Closing out with the D7 chord, this set brings together all previously used concepts while introducing vibrato techniques and quicker flourishes like tapped harmonics. This is where the licks become more performance-driven, offering real-world applicability in live and studio situations.

Benefit: Builds confidence and finesse, teaching how to stitch together techniques fluidly within a musical context.

Performance

At the end of the course, Erik performs over an A7 backing track, showing how the licks can be seamlessly linked and adapted for your own soloing. This full-speed demonstration ties all concepts together, making it easier to visualise and hear how country licks function musically.

About Erik Holmbom

Erik Holmbom is a highly skilled country guitarist known for his precision, musicality, and deep respect for traditional country techniques. His teaching style is clear, engaging, and packed with detail, making him the perfect guide for dissecting the building blocks of this distinct genre. Drawing influence from greats like Brent Mason, Albert Lee, and Johnny Hiland, Erik’s phrasing is tasteful, articulate, and brimming with authenticity.

By studying Erik’s approach, you'll not only learn what to play—but why it works, giving you a deeper musical insight that can be applied beyond just country.

Techniques Used in This Course

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Pull-offs
• Hammer-ons
• Double-Stops
• Slides
• String Bending
• Hybrid Picking
• Trills
• Tapped Harmonics
• Pinched Harmonics
• Unison Bends

If you're serious about mastering the language of country guitar, 20 Country Licks You Can’t Live Without - Volume One is an essential addition to your library. Add fire to your solos, unlock new phrasing ideas, and gain the technical skills to bring your country playing to life.