“Monday Monster Licks” Lead Guitar Tricks
Thanks for taking the time to read this article! This lick is a combination of essential techniques for lead guitar players. For the most part, I used scale fragment ideas (as shown in the lesson here, Dominate Your Scales. The tab for this lick is down below!
The first part of the lick uses scale fragments in A minor. In measure 2, the outline of a B half diminished chord breaks the flow of the run. In the 2nd half of measure 2, hammer ons and pull offs outline A minor again. For help with the arpeggio and how to use it creatively, check out Major 7th Phrases.
Measure 3 contains sequential scale fragment ideas, running up the fretboard to a high E, getting into the sweep picking found in measure 4. This lick is an A minor arpeggio, one note per string, with a chromatic note added for flavor (E flat). For ideas on sweet picking, and how to come up with your own variations, check out Easy Sweep Picking Variations.
Measure 5 is a descending scale run through the A harmonic Minor scale, which is a different scale than the one used in earlier measures. Combining scales and modes when improvising is an important skill in lead guitar, and used here effectively. Following this, the lick ends on E, then a big bend from high D to E, before falling all the way back to an A power chord, and a pinch harmonic on the 4th fret of G.
When trying to tackle this lick, take it in small bites, mastering each section before moving on to the next. The lick is designed to be digested in such a way, and mastering each piece will help you understand the methods on creating it. Following that, experiment with the method, coming up with your own ideas. Finally, try them out as often as possible in real world settings. Make the theory you practice the music that you play!
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Enjoy!
