Creating Variations
A great way to develop your own licks is to create variations on any lick you have learned. Let’s take another lick from the lesson 9 solo; the lick starting in bar 8 and going into bar 9.
Now try playing it in the,D form. You will probably have to use a Hammer-On instead of a bend on the first string. Also, the fingering is totally different from the E form.
Now play it in the lower octave in the C form. Notice the different tone because of the lower strings. Variety of tones is another great reason for learning to play a lick in all the forms.
Here it is again in the A form. This time you have to use the second finger to bend the C up to the D, on the 2nd string.
Here is a variation, still in the A form but changing the first bent note.
Here is another variation, this time in the D form. It uses almost exactly the same rhythm with a different arrangement of notes. This is a great way to incorporate a new influence into your playing. You can learn a lick from a favourite player and then create variations which end up as your own. Do this every day, make a habit of it. The more you do this, the easier it gets.
