# 10 Pentatonic Licks Every Guitarist Should Know > Learn 10 essential pentatonic licks that work in any jam. Blues, rock, and pop licks with tabs, audio descriptions, and tips for making them your own. Source: https://guitarwiz.app/articles/pentatonic-licks-guitar Licks are the vocabulary of lead guitar. They're short, memorized musical phrases that you deploy during solos, fills, and improvisations. Every great guitarist has a library of go-to licks - phrases they've learned, modified, and made their own. The A minor pentatonic scale is the source of most blues and rock licks. These 10 licks cover the essential patterns that every guitarist should have in their back pocket. ## Before You Start All licks are in **A minor pentatonic, Position 1** (the box): ``` e|---5---8---| B|---5---8---| G|---5---7---| D|---5---7---| A|---5---7---| E|---5---8---| ``` Practice each lick slowly with a metronome before playing at speed. The goal is clean, musical execution - not raw speed. ## The 10 Essential Licks ### Lick 1: The Classic Bend ``` e|---8b10---5---| B|--------------| ``` Bend the 8th fret up a whole step (to match the 10th fret pitch), then play the 5th fret on the same string. This is the most fundamental blues lick. B.B. King plays this a thousand times per concert. ### Lick 2: The Box Climber ``` e|---5---8---5---| B|---5---8---5---| G|---5---7---5---| D|---5---7-------| ``` Walk up through the pentatonic box on the top four strings. Simple but sounds great when played with rhythmic variation - try triplets or swing feel. ### Lick 3: The Pull-Off Cascade ``` e|---8p5---------| B|-------8p5-----| G|-----------7p5-| D|---------------| ``` Three pull-offs descending through the box. Pick only the first note of each string; the pull-offs do the rest. Fast, flashy, minimal effort. ### Lick 4: The Hammer-On Run ``` D|---5h7---------| G|-------5h7-----| B|-----------5h8-| e|---------------5h8---| ``` The reverse of Lick 3 - ascending hammer-ons. Pick each string once; the hammer-on snaps to the second note. ### Lick 5: The Double Stop Bend ``` e|---5--------5---| B|---8b10---8b10--| ``` Bend the B string while holding the E string stationary. Two notes ring together, creating a thick, rich sound. This is a Clapton/Hendrix staple. ### Lick 6: The Slide Entry ``` e|---3/5---8---5---| B|-----------8---5-| ``` Slide into the pentatonic box from two frets below. The slide creates a smooth, vocal-like entry that sounds more musical than picking the first note cold. ### Lick 7: The BB Box ``` e|---8b10--8---5---| B|-------------8---| ``` Bend on the high E, play the lower note, then jump to the B string. B.B. King's entire career exists within 4 frets of this pattern. Master the vibrato on the bent note. ### Lick 8: The Minor Pentatonic Turnaround ``` e|---5---8---5---------| B|-------------8---5---| G|---------------------7---5---| D|-----------------------------7---| ``` A descending run through the box that works as a turnaround at the end of a 12-bar blues or the resolution of a solo phrase. ### Lick 9: The Unison Bend ``` e|---5--------------| B|---8b10-----------| ``` Play both strings simultaneously. The B string bend rises to match the unbent E string note. When they meet, the unison creates a thick, calling sound. ### Lick 10: The Repeating Phrase ``` e|---8---5---------| B|---------8---5---| e|---8---5---------| B|---------8---5---| ``` Repeat the same 4-note phrase on the top two strings. Repetition creates tension and expectation. Vary the rhythm each time through - straight, swung, triplet. ## Making Licks Your Own ### 1. Change the Rhythm Play any lick with triplets instead of straight eighth notes. Or add a pause mid-lick. Rhythm changes transform a generic lick into a personal statement. ### 2. Add Vibrato Apply vibrato to the last note of every lick. This adds expression and finality. Experiment with slow/wide vs fast/narrow vibrato. ### 3. Combine Licks Chain licks together: start with Lick 6 (slide entry), flow into Lick 2 (box climber), end with Lick 1 (classic bend). Connecting licks creates longer solo phrases. ### 4. Move to Other Positions These licks work in Position 1 (5th fret). Move them to Position 2 (8th fret area) or Position 3 (10th fret area) for new sounds. ### 5. Play Behind the Beat Slightly delaying your notes - playing just after the click - creates a relaxed, bluesy feel. Playing exactly on or slightly ahead of the beat feels urgent and driving. ## Practice Exercises ### Exercise 1: One Lick Per Day Learn one lick per day. Practice it for 5 minutes at various tempos. By day 10, you have a complete lick vocabulary. ### Exercise 2: Lick Improvisation Put on an A minor backing track. Play ONLY from your lick vocabulary - no random notes. This forces you to use the licks musically, with timing and phrasing. ### Exercise 3: Lick Combination Chain 3 licks into a continuous 12-second solo. Practice the transitions between licks until they flow seamlessly. ## Common Mistakes **1. Playing licks too fast.** Speed kills musicality. A slow lick with great vibrato and timing sounds 10x better than a fast, sloppy run. **2. Not varying rhythm.** Playing every lick as straight eighth notes sounds monotonous. Mix up the rhythmic feel. **3. Using licks mechanically.** Licks should serve the music, not show off your vocabulary. Leave space, play fewer notes, and make each lick count. ## Try This in Guitar Wiz Use the **Metronome** in Guitar Wiz to practice each lick at progressively faster tempos. The **Chord Library** helps you visualize the chord tones within the pentatonic scale, connecting your lick playing to harmonic understanding. [Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6740015002?pt=643962&ct=article-licks&mt=8) · [Explore the Metronome →](/metronome) ## FAQ ### How many licks should a guitarist know? Start with 10-15 solid licks that you can play musically and in time. Gradually expand your vocabulary. Quality over quantity. ### Can I use these licks in any key? Yes. The shapes are moveable. In A minor pentatonic, it's based at the 5th fret. In E minor, move everything to the 12th fret (or open position). Same shapes, different frets. ### Should I learn licks or just improvise? Both. Licks provide vocabulary; improvisation teaches you to speak with that vocabulary. Start with licks, then use them as building blocks for improvisation. ### People Also Ask **What are the best pentatonic licks for beginners?** The classic bend, the box climber, and the pull-off cascade are the top three licks to learn first. **How do I practice guitar licks?** Learn the lick slowly with a metronome, gradually increase speed, then practice playing it over backing tracks in musical context. **Where do guitarists learn licks?** From songs, other players, YouTube tutorials, and by ear. The best licks come from transcribing solos you admire.