That’s exactly how I do it Sajid👍
-
Get the notes in order so fingers know where they are going
-
Try the rhythm but really slowed down
-
speed up gradually
-
Try and play them over different backing tracks or incorporate when noodling
I have the exact same issue with lick 5. No issues playing it, but I can’t play it along to the backing track at all. Timing just feels really off. It would be great if Justin gave an example of playing it along with a track to understand how it should sound.
Why are we supposed to use the ring finger to stretch to the 8th fret instead of just using our pinky?
I find that using the pinky more natural, and I can bend with my pinky just fine to execute these licks.
Hey @JesseLGoulet, Justin explains his thinking here on his lesson on the pentatonic scale:
It seems to me a matter of personal choice, though. If you’re happy to do the bends with your pinky, then no problem. I will note that later on when you apply vibrato to a bent note, that will require even more strength and coordination of the pinky, so you may want to keep that in mind.
1 Like
Several people have been asking what the licks sound like over a backing track. Never one to shun such a challenge I have created something for you all.
Licks 1 to 5 inclusive.
Each is played repeatedly over a 12-bar shuffle. I altered the licks a small amount for some or all of the final 4-bars of the 12-bar sequence most times. I won’t put the TAB for those altered licks - see if you can figure them out yourself! 
8 Likes
Wow… that is so useful @Richard_close2u . I had all the notes down OK, but playing along with you I realised my timing was way off. Thank you. 
1 Like
A big thank you Richard for preparing this, and for all the other great work you do for the Community.
1 Like
Hey @Richard_close2u - I have converted your sound file to wav and loaded it into a memory slot on my Boss RC-5 so I can now pull it up with the tap of a footswitch.
If you ever get bored and want to do the same with other sets of licks that Justin covers, I’m sure there would be many appreciative people.
(I believe the relevant term here is making a rod for your own back 
)
1 Like
Was that an easy task? From the software that I used to create mp3 I could just as easily have created WAV also and shared via a host site.
Yes, just opened it in Audacity and then saved as wav. I would probably have had to do it anyway, as the Boss is very particular about the file format parameters. Took me a while to find how to make it recognise a file.
1 Like
Thanks.
Yeah I figured it’s a matter of personal choice, which seems to be guitar rule of thumb: whatever works!
I find using my pinky in most spots are natural, those particular spots where it isn’t I can resort to the ring finger.
Vibrato on bends I don’t find too hard using my pinky either.
Cheers.
Should I practice these licks with metronome or just play them by feel? Generally how do I practice licks using backing tracks?
If you can get the rhythm by feel, then I think that’s best. If you’re having trouble with getting the rhythm right, you can try with the metronome. Once you have the lick down, you can use the metronome to help speed it up, if necessary.
Regarding playing using backing tracks, for me it was important to find a backing track that was slow enough, so I could play the licks in time. I found the backing track linked to this lesson too fast at first.
Here is an old video of Justin playing these licks over a backing track:
2 Likes
Hope this makes sense.
I’m learning the 5 licks on the A minor pentatonic scale, using backing tracks for AM.
But I’m also learning the 3 G major scales Justin teaches. would I do these blues licks over the G major scales I’m learning? Or are there different licks for the G major scales I’m learning?
When practicing string bending on the highest E string (String 1), I have now broken two strings when bending from fret 8 to 10. The string break occurs around the 8th fret. This has happened whilst bending to the correct note (i.e., I have not been overbending to a too high pitch). Any experts out there have any advice for me?
First, check for sharp frets. Maybe give them a polish.
Cheers, Shane
1 Like
@Richard_close2u That’s exactly what I was looking for, an example of playing these licks over a backing track. Thanks for putting this together, glad I found it!
1 Like