Welcome
Wanna learn some killer blues licks? You’ve come to the right place.
Hey blues fans! Haywyre here. Welcome to learnblueslicks.com and thanks for taking the time to check us out. If you’re a return visitor, view the Lesson Archives or pick a category and get playin’.
If you’re a new visitor, please register so you get notified when new lessons are available.
Sign up for the newsletter and get a special SRV style lesson not listed on the site. Its fast, easy and FREE!
Have fun!
Here’s a sample video lesson:
new to this site but its great. Is that a fender MIJ contemporary strat your using? It looks a lot like mine.
admin Reply:
May 15th, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Yes. I believe it’s a 1987 MIJ Contemporary Strat. I traded a scuba tank for it in 1989. It’s been a pretty nice guitar. Plays well and it’s nice to have access to the adjustment rod.
This site has some great licks.A request Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets “Changing Neighborhoods”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NqhBofYowKc
You still around Haywire? Haven’t seen any new lessons in some time and we all like them.
admin Reply:
April 12th, 2013 at 5:02 pm
As Johnny Winter would say, “every now and then I know it’s kinda hard to tell, but I’m still alive and well”. Will post a new lesson soon.
I’m a professional guitar teacher in Putnam County, Florida. I’m always looking for sights to learn new licks & techniques. I have a feeling I’ll be a regular visitor here!
konaakai Reply:
March 9th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
Saw lessons on you tube and enjoyed them, but cant use your site because i use an ipad on my music stand to practice with.
Please consider using html5 video instead of flash, which won’t work on ipads
admin Reply:
March 9th, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Agreed. All future videos will be iPad compatible. If anybody out there can suggest a good way to convert FLV to html5, I’m all ears. If it’s not too time consuming, I’ll start converting all the old videos.
boy here goes ,i apologize for my ignorance!to learn srv with step down tuning .is it worth it?setup intonation ,hevier strings etc,but step down means that all scales are off and how do you know a song is played in that mode?what iam trying to ask is why use step down?iam confused!!what happens when i want to play regular scales do ineed a new setup again/ holy i better shut up again iam really lost now
As a novice blues player I really appreciate your lessons. I’d like to make a request: How about the live version of “Sympathy for the Devil” on Get yer YaYa’s Out. Keith’s solo is blues rock and then Mick Taylor takes it to another level. Txs.
admin Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 11:25 am
Forgot I did this one:
http://www.learnblueslicks.com/keith-richards-style-lick/
This should get you started.
admin Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 7:47 am
That’s a good one. Let me see what I can do.
Glad to have you back Haywre, you have been sorely missed. Keep up the good work and many thanks.
Expect some more lessons in 2012. This year was very busy with “real” work and I haven’t had time to make new videos.
slowhiteboy Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 5:03 pm
That is good to hear Haywyre! Hoping you can extrapolate more on that Trower Daydream digression you did on the Basic Chord Embellishment lesson. You certainly seem to have the Trower “feel” going on there.
I see you haven’t done any lessons since April 2011. Are you going to do anymore? I find your lessons to be excellent, love the presentation.
My dad sent me a youtube link to the 2nd greatest guitar lick and I found this wonderful site from there.
Such a shame that the forum is spoiled by spammers, would it be possible to moderate membership so that genuine folk can swap experiences etc.
Just found your site i was looking for Robin Trower licks on youtube and it lead me here. Thanks you for sharing you talent.
Bruce Austen Reply:
July 26th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
I only discovered this website yesterday and find the contents to be quite awesome!!! How do I go about getting the “1 Year Guitar Licks” package advertised on the website as I see that the “special” has passed its “sell by date”…I also notice that there are no contact details on the home page, so am resorting to using this facility..
Haywyre – Thanks so much for the neat licks and lessons. I really like the chord pregression lessons. Could you do a lesson sometime that explains how to play the “simple” fills that you use (not simple for me). I appreciate all your work – Beggars can’t be chooses but we can beg! Seriously thanks for keepin you stuff free!
Old_Blues_69
I’m diggin’ all these great licks…and it’s free! Thanks for all your time and effort.
Greetings, thanks for the GREAT lessons. Been playing awhile but only acoustic. Then decided to start learning to play electric and some lead technique for the past two years. Steep learning curve to overcome, but now I’m learning the Kid Charlemagne solo thanks to your excellent instruction. Thanks again.
Also, I want to donate but the BURGER/paypal link does not work, says “Failed”.
BluesRulz
Haywyre, when i clicked on the burger i got this message……… We were unable to decrypt the certificate id. anyway thanks man i’m gonna use this site like a rented mule! get the burger fixxed i feel guilty hahahaha
As usual, great site. I always enjoy stoppin by here and checkin’ out all the cool licks. I was wonderin’ if I might bother you with a request. I’ve recently been tinkerin’ with John Hiatts “Feels Like Rain”…Buddy Guys interpretation of it actually. I was wonderin’ if you might post a lesson on it…mainly the intro. I think I’ve figured it out for the most part, but I always like to get some sort of verifacation from actual “skilled” guitarists…seein’ as how I’m quite possibly the most untalented guitarist there is…haha…anyway, thanks for the great site…and keep the great licks comin….
I just signed up but the first video got me hooked right away! I like the way your video is a close up of the fingers so I can see what you are doing. Plus I really like how you break it down slowly and tell what you are doing, and repeating it, very helpful. I’ve bought other guitar video lessons before and they will have a shot of the guy playing from far away so I can’t tell where his fingers are and then he will just fly through it. I like your style much much better! Thanks
Cool beans!
Just hooked into your site and man what a whopper all the songs, I have been trying to nut out for a while. Happy New Year – you just made mine – 2010.
Thanx for a great site!!
admin Reply:
January 10th, 2010 at 8:47 am
You’re welcome. Come back often.
great site!!!!!
best regards,
peter
awsome!…Just started learning new licks on my new strat. thanks man.
Hey awesome website, great lesson and licks
thank you for your help Haywyre 
and could i request a Cream style eric clapton lick lesson and a billy gibbons lick lesson thank you once again and merry XMAS
Tom from England
Have not played much in the last 6 years due to a life change but bought a LP and got back on the wagon. Thanks to your videos on youtube the transition back to my band playin days has been a cake walk. Thank you. I look forward to more lessons to help break all the rust off this nut.
finally a site i can understand and learn something from.. No SHow off just plain down to earth instructions, Thank you-Thank you.. Michael
admin Reply:
December 12th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
You’re welcomw – you’re welcome. Have fun.
Hi
You have a great site I came across you on youtube.
Came back to guitar after many years away from it. You’ve got a great teaching style and some cool licks. I’m interested in anything that improves my improvising and makes it smoother, using triads, playing out of chords etc.. Thx for helping me become a better guitar player.
The moment i signed up i loved you site but im concerned about something…
“Sign up for the newsletter and get a special SRV style lesson not listed on the site. Its fast, easy and FREE!”
If its not listed on the site….how do i get it?…Also, uhrm whats SRV?
admin Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
SRV = Stevie Ray Vaughn
Once you sign up for the newsletter, you’ll get an email with a link to the lesson.
I don’t remember where I found your site. youtube link maybe? But, I enjoy your style and like the content. Ocassionally, a breakdown of a longer piece, would be interesting. But, then return to the licks and tips.
Keep it goin’ man!
G’day Haywyre from Oz. Great site, thanks. I only just stumbled upon it (lucky for me). I’ve busted out my Strat and am rediscovering the joy of the blues. And learning heaps, thanks again!
admin Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Welcome my Aussie friend. I love it Down Under. Spent time in Cairns, Brisbane and Gold Coast. Had my best scuba dive ever on the Yongala, and some excellent dives on the GBR. Enjoy the site.
10 points for this web
Saludos
Salva – Catalonia
You know, I never thought I could sound as good as I can currently play. I’ve just recently discovered your site (less than a year) and I’ve really improved. Your a good teacher, excellent really. Thanks from the bottom of my blue heart.
admin Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 8:05 am
You’re welcome and thanks for the compliments. I’m glad you’re getting something out of this site.
i really love what you do here. it’s great for me because i never really took lessons. they usually just bore me when i have tried. if you are familiar with johnny rawls, can you do something from his red cadilac disc?
Thanks for the clear , close-up , no hype videos !
A great guitarist is one who doesn’t have to tell us ; they just play well , clear, and don’t play too many notes- just the important ones !
Cheers, G.
admin Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
You’re welcome. I make the videos the way I would want them. I don’t like to hear myself talk, so I try to keep it to a minimum.
Okay that was weird, I tried one more time and it showed up…. cool lick for sure…….. you make it look easy bro…..
Hi there Haywyre, I’m enjoying all these licks your throwing out there for us, thank you. For some reason I can’t seem to pull up the Keith Richards licks. All the others I can view. Any ideas?….. thanks Dave
Nice lessons, simple but effective. All knowledge is good and I have already learnt a couple of useful licks to improve my solo playing.
I started playing at about 14. Now I’m 51 and still learning!
Cool indeed!
Thanks!
Farl
What an unbelievable opportunity to learn how to correctly play so many great licks etc…
Thanks, Jim
admin Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
You’re welcome.
I was just wondering if you could post videos of one of my favorite blues/glam guitarist Tom Keifer from Cinderella. Maybe the Don’t know what you got till its gone solo or something. please consider thanks!
Great site! Putting all my rudimentary blues at a higher level.Thanks so much haywyre62!
This is a great site, but im beginner at best. The content here is kinda scattered around. Could someone point me in the right direction for me to start? Thanks much.
Wow! Am I glad I found your site.
Great licks right off.
Scales are a good thing to learn but it sure is nice to be able to play some licks that actually sound GOOD.
Learning some of these and putting them together actually sounds good.
Thanks for your easy to learn website.
admin Reply:
September 8th, 2009 at 11:26 am
You’re welcome. Keep checking back as I’ll be adding new licks weekly, even daily sometimes.
Are you familiar with Tinsley Ellis? I have his CD “Highwayman, Live”. He plays some great stuff and I was wondering how to send youa song file to listen to. Thanks
FC
Bruce Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
We saw Tinsley live about two years ago, right after he recorded Highwayman. They played the entire CD. He was great. As was the “Evil One” (the bassman) and Todd Hamrick on keyboard was outstanding. Listen to the words also, truly a bluesman.
FrankC Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
I would like to learn some of Tinsley’s phrasing. Do you think you could post a few of his licks. Thanks
FC
admin Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:49 pm
From any particular song?
admin Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Tinsley does play some good stuff. You can send the file to learnblueslicks@gmail.com.
Sorry about that,your right its Aledort,you sound just like him.Any way love the site and I’d like some Stevie Ray also.Maybe Tin Pan Alley or Empty Arms.
you sound just like Andy Deardort
admin Reply:
August 15th, 2009 at 8:32 am
I think it’s Aledort. I’ve seen some of his videos and I guess your right…we do sound similar.
Love the site and the way you teach.
Would really like to see you do “Life without you or “The things I used to do ” by SRV.
Thanks again for a great blues site
tuner1
I just got back from the NGW “camp” and wish I had seen this site before going. We decided on “I’m Tore Down” and now I see how it’s really done. Fantastic the way you break the licks down into bitesize pieces. Thanks.
Muddy Fingers
Hi, this site is may just be my savoir.
Before I found it I was close to admitting defeat. I have taken hours of theory & live performance workshops for over a year. Practiced hours of scales with metronomes & tabs at home. Weathered countless tendon and finger joint issues. Learnt scores rhythm & lead parts & performed them on stage at Guitar College.
Yes, my playing and technique has come on (~ 2 or 3 on a scale of 1 to 100). I’m old(ish) and slow and can’t shoot blues from the hip and express what I want.
So when I discovered this site and the scaleable licks and turn arounds it re-kindled my enthusiasm. I found that I could mix and match the licks and phrases with others I’ve already acquired and start to get little flashes of the blues feel I’m searching for. That’s from less than a week on this site.
Maybe putting the guitar down for a month or so allowed all the previous learning to gel and made me ready for the next stage. Still early days (perhaps 4 – 5 out of a 100 now) but I will really enjoy the next few weeks and months learning new lick from this site.
A sincere and big thank you from me.
Sysdevman
ksanders83 Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
sweet lick
admin Reply:
July 27th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I’ve had so munch going on the last few months that I haven’t had time to record new lessons. A new job, lots of business travel, and moving to a new house has taken all my time. However, after reading your comments, I’m inspired to do more ASAP. I still need to finish the Tore Down solo, and the outro solo for Kid Charlemagne, plus some other fun stuff. Bear with me while I settle into the new digs, unpack all the boxes and get all the equipment set up. I just got the cable internet installed today.
Cool.
Thanks
Hi Haywyre,
Yorkysteve here from the Uk.
Stumbled across the site and wish you well . Great tutorials.
As an RGT tutor crazy for the blues it warms my heart to hear the soul in your playing .
Long may you continue
Hi Gang, new old guy here.. played bass for many years, learning some chops on guitar as I like to sing, bass does not cut if for accompaniment, unless your singing “King of the road” or moon dance all night…
Build amps in my semi retirement years..
bye.. Buddo
I remember you teaching me in your office at Aqua Lung… that’s when I realized I have short, chubby fingers. Not the best suited for playing guitar. You are a gifted guitar player and I admire your talent my friend! Keep up the good work.
Thank You Haywire for your lessons. I know that you have been busy, but is there a chance that soon you will post the last parts of the “Torn Down” solo.
Thanks,
Ron
ndk1 Reply:
July 5th, 2009 at 2:40 am
Where oh where have you been, buddy? Can’t wait for another lesson:)
jimclymer Reply:
July 5th, 2009 at 8:21 am
New job. Lots of business travel. Makes it tough. I’ll get a new one up asap.
admin Reply:
June 18th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
I’ll try to put some more up this weekend. Lots of international travel lately.
Haywyre,
Love the site. You’ve got some great stuff here. Especially the Clapton items. Any chance of a tutorial on Hideaway ala Clapton and the Bluesbreakers??
Cheers,
gjs
gjs850 Reply:
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
OK. But Hurry up. (Just kidding). I’m working through Tore Down right along with you..
Cheers…!!
admin Reply:
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Hideaway is a good one. Let me finish Tore Down first.
Great site, the best I’ve seen so far. Veeeery helpful and highly motivating. I have been working on Johnny Winter Cheap Tequila solo quite a while, can’t get it right, I like the laizy, loose feeling with seemingly unintentional notes in between. Great solo, can anyone crack it.
Greetings from Estonia to all the blues fans.
admin Reply:
May 23rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Which JW album is that from? If I get a chance, I’ll download it and try to break it down. When I worked in Europe, I used to spend a lot of time in Helsinki, but never made it over to Estonia. I always wanted to take the ferry over to Tallinn (sp?).
reinman Reply:
May 23rd, 2009 at 10:52 pm
It’s from Still Alive and Well 1973, very glad to hear you are willing to work with it. When did you work in Helsinki, nowadays there is quite a lot of traffic and new boats between Hel-Tal, even the large ferries make it in 2 hours. Next time around you need to make it.
Take care
ChaliQ Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I am so freakin glad to find a site where people actually know who Johnny Winters is. I can’t believe the people out there who have never heard of him the best slide guitar from anyone in the States. One other nice easy laid back blues song is “Ain’t nothin to me.” I try to visit as often as time allows.
admin Reply:
May 25th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Listened to it for a few minutes. Haven’t heard it in a long time. Great tune. Sounds like he’s starting the solo in the D major pentatonic at the 7th position, then down to the A major pentatonic at the 2nd position. Lots of bends to sort out. The first lick: G-7 = G string 7th fret; BU = bend up
Bend up on the 9th fret G. Keep that note bent, pick the 10th fret E with your pinky, then release the bend. G-7, G-9, G-7, G-9 (BU), B-7, E-7, B-10 (BU), E-10 (BU-Release), E-7, B-7, G-9 (BU), B-7, E-7, B-7, B-10 (BU-Release), E-10, B-10 (BU-Release).
Let me know if that sounds right.
Im Andre from Indonesia .I just want to say blues licks is fantastic bluess
thanks
moccanet
Thanks
your great buddy 
you helped me a lot… i wanna be like you someday 
)
Thank You ..
Hi Just joined. When you get a minute would you be so kind as to let me know what amp/pedals you are playing through on the vids? Thanks for what you are doing for all us blues wannabees.
David
admin Reply:
April 25th, 2009 at 6:22 am
I’m playing through a Line6 POD 2.0 and an old small Fender Pro Junior Tube amp.
Thanks for the comments. Keep checking back, as there are more lessons to come. This full time job, however, has limited my lesson production time. I’m trying to put up at least one lesson a week. But it takes time to write the tab, shoot and edit video, and update the site.
Hi just want to say keep it up. I am a 43 year old hobbiest guitarist just really getting into the blues. I like that you are putting up stuff mere mortals can use. I have a couple of dvd’s (arlen roth playing in a 3 piece band for instance) that are great just to listen in awe to, but are wayyyy to advanced. I like your more licks less theory and giving tried and true stuff. keep it up and big thanks.
All i can say is wow and thank you very much,you make learning very enjoyable thanks a ton
dg3665
I cant tell you how pleased I was to stumble upon blues licks. I’m gonna get back into blues and guitar playing after a long lay off. my big problem is I managed to cut off the top 1/4 inch of my index finger 4 years back so as they say “There’s no gain without pain” But having said that I really do miss not playing. Love BB Kings licks and Claptons blues and it looks like you have that covered. Its gonna be fun.
Thanks
Bob
admin Reply:
March 25th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Inspiring a person to play guitar is probably the greatest compliment one could get. Thank you. Your inspiration inspires me to create more lessons.
Greetings Haywyre…
Found you on You Tube!…followed your link, registered, and want to express my heartfelt thanks for what I consider a wealth of information and instruction that you offer here!
I played many years ago, but “life” got in the way and didn’t go as far as I wanted! I’m semi-retired now with more time to devote to musical studies!
I notice your “Guitar Store” and I’m wondering if you have any recommendation on purchases! It’s a fresh start for me so I want a new “Axe” as I mounted mine in a display case for my home office!
Thanks…
Majik
jimclymer Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
For an amp, the Line6 products are really good in my opinion. Most of the stuff in the store is starter stuff. If you have the money, go to a real guitar store and play some guitars and see how they feel. You can never go wrong with a Strat or Les Paul, but there are other good brands out there, too. I wish I could give you a definite recommendation. Perhaps some others could chime in.
dreamer_al Reply:
March 22nd, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Hi Majik……seeing that Haywyre invited comment, im recently retired…..looked around for a “decent” guitar and purchased an EPIPHONE Les Paul…ok its not as “good” as big brother Gibson Les Paul but you get 90% of goodies for only a fraction of the cost……its a beauty in my humble opinion…..but the only way is to actually go play some at guitar store…mexican fender strats or tele are quite good and around similar price as epiphone.
Majik Reply:
April 19th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Hey Dreamer…
Thanks for the heads-up and recommendation!
Just returned from a month in Costa Rica and will direct my energies to my future purchase!
Majik
hi mate, just got to say how much I like the site, just joined, one problem is the vidios keep stoping is this a normal sort of problem. Bill
admin Reply:
March 15th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Haven’t hadn’t any complaints; however, traffic today has been unusually high. I’m on pace for a record number of visitors and page views. If this thing keeps growing, I may have to move to a different host.
i having problem finding the video since you change the screeem, can you help me. thank you
admin Reply:
February 13th, 2009 at 8:17 am
macrey18,
Are you registered? You need to be registered to see the videos. Registration is free.
Your site displays incorrectly in Explorer, but content excellent! Thank you for your wise words =)
admin Reply:
February 5th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Hadsensudge,
I haven’t had any complaints so far and most of my visitors are using Explorer. Are you registered? if not, you won’t be able to see the videos. Registration is free.
Bluesdude, you rule, learned a lot from you even though I’ve played my entire life…Having trouble loggin on this site, any help would be great. Keep up the great work mate
Cheeter
admin Reply:
January 31st, 2009 at 9:41 am
Cheet,
I show that you’re still an unverified user. I resent the verification email. Once you’re verified, you can see all the videos.
Cheet Reply:
February 1st, 2009 at 11:41 am
how do I get verified?
admin Reply:
February 1st, 2009 at 11:48 am
Cheet,
I manually verified you.
admin Reply:
February 1st, 2009 at 11:47 am
Cheet,
You should have received an email with a link to verify your account. Perhaps you entered the wrong email.
i am signed up but can’t open video?
Wow! Thank you!
I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my site?
Of course, I will add backlink?
Regards, Timur I.
Great site!..I tried to register but no matter how many times I type in the image it comes back as invalid…using correct case and number sequence so at a loss as to what to do next
admin Reply:
January 21st, 2009 at 8:28 am
Billy,
I disabled the Captcha feature. Try again.
Rick Reply:
February 13th, 2009 at 8:10 am
@admin, Thanks! Registered yesterday with my actual name “Rick”..we exchanged a note or two on youtube about my broken wrists and fingers and your lack of feeling in some of yours…you would never know watching your vids!
Best Regards
admin Reply:
February 13th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Hey Rick,
Welcome to the site. As you can see, there are videos here that aren’t on YouTube. Let’s see if we can’t get those broken wrists and fingers back into top shape.
i am a beginning guitar player and would like to know what videos i should start with to gather the basics thanks wes
admin Reply:
January 14th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Wes,
I think you should start with lesson titled, “No.1 Most Important Guitar Lick” and practice that bad boy until it’s second nature. Then work on the “2nd Most Important Guitar Lick.” Practice both slowly and build up speed. Once you master those, it’ll make learning some of the other stuff easier.
Just on big fat THANKS for the great, no, super lessons you have been gracious enough to provide on your website. This newer one is just another example.
As a suggestion, could you also provide a lesson on soloing over the blues chord progression, as in “hitting ” notes that suggest the changes? And is it necessary to know all the notes on the fretboard, like you seem to do?
Thanks again.
admin Reply:
January 11th, 2009 at 9:41 am
@ndk1,
Glad you like the lessons. And thanks for the great suggestion. I’ve added that one to the list. While it’s certainly better if you know the fretboard, it isn’t necessary; however, you should know the notes on the low E and A strings because the are the root notes of all the barre chords, and it’s where the pentatonic scales start. Take a look at my lesson on “Starting on the V”. It talks about this briefly.
hi i love your work, very nice about some santana lick or technique. thank you, ralph
absolutely awsome licks you make it look so effortless hope to learn a lot from you.
Thanks Damo
Happy new year from the u.k
hi this is mikael from denmark.
I would like too say that i just love the way you teach the licks and stuff. even i who is getting a little old can benefit from it. I found your videos on youtube two days ago and already i have learnt more than in the last twenty years. After seen a few of the videos i played the guitar fore six hours straigth along with my bluesalbums, my fingers hurt but i cant stop. I would like too thank you very much and i wish you a very happy new year. keep up the good work. i can only say, with love mikael!!
How do I change my password?
admin Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Click on the Profile link when you log in. At the bottom there’s a place to change your password.
Haywyre
Anonymous Reply:
January 10th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
@admin, just words no video?
admin Reply:
January 10th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
You need to be registered to see the videos. Registration is free.
Hi!
Thanks for good site!
M. Christmas from Norway!
Just love your blues licks and songs and want to learn a great
deal from you… I think your a excellent guitarist and I know
I’ll learn alot from your videos..
Please send links to your videos…
Thank You…
BigT2009