10 Pentatonic Licks Every Guitarist Should Know

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 · Explore the 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.