Lick 3 - Albert King
With
Scott McKeonScott McKeon teaches a blues lick in the style of Albert King, using finger-and-thumb attack, string slides and vibrato for that vocal Texas tone.
What's in the course
34 lessons (1h 29m) · 2 free
01. Traditional Soloing with Call and Response
2:24
02. Solo Example 1 - BB King
0:52
03. Leaving Space
3:17
04. Solo Example 2 - Stevie Ray Vaughan (Rhythmic Chords)
0:54
05. Soloing Using Your Fingers
1:47
06. Solo Example 3 - Albert Collins
0:55
07. Combining Techniques
1:06
08. Solo Example 4 - Putting It All Together
0:56
Lesson transcript
Albert King Style Lick
This lick is inspired by Albert King, one of my favorite guitarists ever. Just. Yeah, just unbelievably great. An absolute monster of a guitarist!
Tips for Capturing Albert King's Sound
-
Start Clean:
- Play it clean first for clarity.
- Then add some fuzz on the bridge pickup, with the volume down a touch.
-
Technique Matters:
- Use your fingers and thumb to add a bit more grit.
- Focus on how you phrase this lick.
The Opening Lick
When you start, that's the opening lick. You can play it fairly softly. You can also play that with your middle finger, which gives it a much more vocal sound because you're sliding back and then sliding up.
-
Finger Choice:
- Use the same finger for everything after the first intro lick.
- This maintains a consistent sound.
-
Sliding Technique:
- Sliding produces a different sound compared to fretting each note with a different finger.
- It sounds more like a voice.
Vibrato Awareness
Be conscious of your vibrato:
- The first note doesn't need vibrato; let it stand still in the air.
- You can add to that lick as well.
Additional Techniques
- Grabbing Other Strings:
- Albert used to grab the other strings under that one finger.
- It creates a cool effect, especially with added drive, it sounds like a train going past!
So, yeah, that's one of my favorite Albert King licks!
34 lessons
1h 29m of structured video lessons
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
Scott McKeon has given a lifetime of dedication to his craft as a guitarist. Initially inspired by his dad's love of blues, soul and rock music, he took up the guitar at the age of four and has developed a reputation as one of the UK's most in-demand guitarists, both in the studio and performing live.
In 2014, Scott got a call to play in Sir Tom Jones' band, alongside Robbie McIntosh and Pink Floyd drummer Gary Wallis. The blues, rock 'n' roll and gospel-orientated set allows Scott to call on his early influences and travel the globe. Performances so far have included five European tours, three tours of the US and South America, and tours of Australia and the Far East, as well as TV appearances including Later... with Jools Holland and TFI Friday, and playing New Orleans Jazz Festival in 2019.
Scott's third album, 'New Morning', is an earthy, raw, guitar-led record showcasing his range and ability as a guitarist. The album was recorded live in the studio at RAK in London, capturing the energy and spontaneity of the sessions. It was produced by Paul Stacey (Black Crowes/Oasis), and features Jeremy Stacey (Sheryl Crow/Tal Wilkenfeld) on drums, Rocco Palladino (Tom Misch/D'Angelo) on bass, and Gavin Conder (Rufus Black/The Kondoors) as vocalist on several tracks.
Scott also has a signature fuzz pedal and signature pickups, modelled on his '62 Strat.
In his course, Scott shares the tone, phrasing and feel behind authentic Texas blues guitar, showing you how to dig into the style and make every note sing.
