Quick Licks - BB King: Mastering the Art of Blues Expression

"Quick Licks - BB King" is an immersive guitar lesson series from Stuart Bull that delves into the techniques and style of the legendary blues guitarist B.B. King. Renowned for his expressive playing and unique sound, B.B. King has influenced generations of guitarists. This series focuses on key aspects of his style, including vibrato, mixing major and minor pentatonics, blues phrasing, and the art of leaving space in solos.

What You Will Learn In This Course

35 killer blues licks in the style of BB King. This course also includes a backing track to play over. The techniques you will learn include:

• Vibrato
• Mixing Major and Minor Pentatonics
• Blues Phrasing
• Leaving Space in Solos

Technique Breakdown

Vibrato

Vibrato is a technique where the pitch of a note is subtly varied to add expressiveness. B.B. King's vibrato is iconic, often described as rich, vocal-like, and deeply emotional. In these lessons, you'll learn the nuances of his vibrato technique - its speed, width, and timing - and how to apply it to your playing. Mastering this technique is vital for adding soul and depth to your blues licks.

Mixing Major and Minor Pentatonics

B.B. King was a master at blending major and minor pentatonic scales, creating a nuanced and expressive sound palette. This technique involves switching or combining the two scales to add color and complexity to solos. These lessons explore how to seamlessly integrate both scales, enriching your improvisational vocabulary and enabling you to convey a wider range of emotions in your playing.

Blues Phrasing

Blues phrasing is about how notes are articulated and arranged to convey a musical statement. B.B. King's phrasing was impeccable, often compared to a conversation or a storytelling session. This series will teach you the subtleties of blues phrasing - how to phrase your licks, use dynamics, and articulate notes to make your guitar "speak". Understanding this will not only improve your blues playing but also enhance your overall musical expression.

Leaving Space in Solos

One of B.B. King's key attributes was his understanding of space and restraint in his solos. Leaving space allows the notes you do play to have more impact and gives the listener time to absorb the music. These lessons focus on how to effectively use space in your solos, teaching you to balance notes and silence to create more impactful musical expressions.

Practicing Over a Backing Track: Real-World Application

Each lick and technique is practiced over a backing track, which is essential for developing musical context and application. Playing with a backing track improves your timing, feel, and ability to integrate these techniques into actual music. It simulates a live playing environment, helping you learn how to interact musically with other instruments.

B.B. King’s Guitar Style

B.B. King’s style is marked by its simplicity, clarity, and emotional depth. His playing, while not overly complex or fast, communicated a profound sense of feeling and soul. He often said more with a few notes than others could with many, making every note count. Studying his style offers valuable insights into the essence of blues guitar and the art of musical expression.

The Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Learning these techniques will enable you to:

• Add depth and soul to your playing with B.B. King’s vibrato.
• Enhance your soloing with the nuanced use of major and minor pentatonics.
• Develop expressive blues phrasing that tells a story.
• Understand the importance of space in creating impactful solos.

Guitar Techniques Used in "Quick Licks - BB King"

Completing the "Quick Licks - BB King" series will enhance your skills in the following techniques:

• Vibrato
• Double Stop Bends
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs

"Quick Licks - BB King" offers a deep dive into the techniques and musical wisdom of a blues guitar master. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, these lessons provide valuable insights and practical skills that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of the blues.