Included with TGL Membership

Master the licks
that define
the blues.

Most blues guitarists plateau because they're missing something crucial—authentic blues vocabulary. Blues Guitar Lick Lab changes that by giving you the exact licks, riffs, and phrases used by BB King, Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, and other blues legends.

Master bends, double stops, sliding scales, and signature riff patterns. Level up your playing from generic soloing to authentic blues expression.

Start Membership arrow_forward

One membership. 25+ courses. $20/month. 30-day free trial.

Watch: Introduction to Blues Guitar Lick Lab

91
Lessons
3.5 Hrs+
Content
25+
Other Courses
Full
Access
30 Days
Free Trial
The Path to Mastery

From scales to
real blues
expression.

There's a moment every blues guitarist reaches: you can play a few licks, but your solos still sound generic. That gap exists because you're missing something crucial—a real vocabulary of phrases.

Real blues mastery comes from learning the actual licks, riffs, and phrases used by blues legends like BB King, Albert King, Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and many other blues greats. These are the soloing building blocks—the components that define authentic blues expression. Once you own them, everything changes.

That's the difference between "I can improvise" and "I sound like a blues player."

You might recognize these gaps…

close

Playing random notes that technically fit but lack character

close

Limited lick vocabulary to draw from in the moment

close

Struggling to hear and transcribe licks by ear

close

Solos lacking the phrasing and personality of the greats

close

"I know the scales. Why don't I sound like a blues player?"

What if you owned a real blues vocabulary?

91 lessons teaching you the exact techniques, phrasing, and approaches that define authentic blues playing. Learn how to build phrases, add character to your solos, and play with the confidence and expression of a true blues musician. This course teaches you not just what to play, but how to use it.

Systematic Learning

Learn.
Understand.
Apply.

This course teaches blues vocabulary systematically. You'll master bends, double stops, sliding scales, repeating riffs, and lick chunks—organized by technique so you see how they connect and build on each other.

Each lesson breaks down exactly how a technique works, shows you how blues legends use it, and then walks you through applying it in real contexts over backing tracks. You practice immediately so it sticks.

No confusion. No overwhelm. Just clear, focused learning that turns vocabulary into real playing skills you can use right away.

Everything Included

What's Inside

Everything you need to master authentic blues vocabulary through 91 systematic lessons.

01 play_circle

91 Lessons

Systematic blues vocabulary organized by technique. Learn authentic phrases, hear them in context, and practice immediately. 3.5+ hours total.

02 description

TAB Workbooks

Complete TAB and notation for every lick so you can learn by eye as well as ear.

03 volume_up

Complete Solo Studies

Complete solo demonstrations in the style of blues legends, showing how to combine vocabulary into cohesive musical statements.

04 library_music

Backing Tracks

Professional blues progressions in multiple keys and tempos for applying licks in real scenarios.

05 music_note

Interactive Soundslice

Soundslice embeds playable notation into every lesson. Slow down to any tempo, loop sections for repetition, and transpose to different keys—all while reading the tab and hearing the audio.

06 checklist

Lick Library

Complete vocabulary organized by technique (bends, double stops, slides, riffs, chunks) so you can quickly reference and apply what you've learned.

The Curriculum

What You'll Learn

A complete blues vocabulary organized by technique, with complete solos and interactive tools.

Module 1: Essential Blues Bends

Master the foundation of blues expression with bent notes and vibrato control.

  • Quarter-step, half-step, and full-step bends
  • Pre-bends and release techniques
  • Classic vibrato styles for emotion and impact

Module 2: Funky Double Stops

Add thickness, movement, and attitude with two-note combinations.

  • 3rd and 6th interval patterns
  • Bent double stops for aggression and attitude
  • Moving double-stop lines and sequences

Module 3: The Sliding Blues Scale

Move fluidly through positions with smooth, flowing slides.

  • Single-string and multi-string slide patterns
  • The sliding blues scale shape and applications
  • Connecting positions and creating fluid lines

Module 4: Speedy Repeating Licks

Build memorable phrases and develop lick chunks for endless soloing possibilities.

  • Signature repeating lick patterns
  • Call-and-response phrasing techniques
  • Creating hundreds of variations from core phrases

Module 5: Putting It Together - Complete Solo Breakdown

See everything in action with the "Deep Blue" solo study—a complete demonstration that puts together all the techniques from modules 1-4 into one cohesive blues solo.

  • Full solo demonstration
  • Lick-by-lick breakdown of the Deep Blue solo
  • Multiple practice tracks at different tempos

Module 6: Lick Chunks & Combinations

The secret to an unlimited soloing vocabulary without memorizing hundreds of licks.

  • How to break licks into chunks and segments
  • Combining chunks to create new licks
  • Building infinite variations on core techniques

Module 7: Playing the Minor Blues

Master the other essential blues form with the "King of the Hill" solo study—a complete solo inspired by BB King's style that puts together all the minor blues techniques into one cohesive demonstration.

  • How to solo over the minor blues progression
  • Complete solo breakdown using BB King style techniques
  • Adapting major blues vocabulary to minor blues contexts

Module 8: The BB Box - Secret to Classic Blues Sound

Unlock the sounds of BB King and Robben Ford with this underrated blues tool.

  • Understanding and playing the BB Box shape
  • 7 essential power moves and licks
  • Mixing scales for depth and sophistication

Module 9: Open String Techniques - Stevie Ray Vaughan Style

Master the open string styles with the "Open Up" solo study—a complete SRV-style solo that puts together all the open string techniques into one cohesive demonstration.

  • The open E blues scale and extensions
  • Complete SRV-style solo breakdown
  • Creating thick, resonant bluesy tones
Real Results

What Students Say

Real guitarists building a lick vocabulary through TGL membership.

★★★★★

"I've played blues for over 20 years, studied at Berklee and tour yearly. BGLL is helping me fine tune my playing and I already sound more decisive and definitive in my note selection."

Andrew W

USA

★★★★★

"This is the first course I started with. My playing has improved so much! The lessons are easy to follow and there is so much to learn, you never get bored!"

Sandy R

USA

★★★★★

"After wondering around many guitar lesson sites, finally found what suits me. The way James makes you improve with fun licks on increasing difficulty is really nice."

Jose E

Spain

★★★★★

"After taking a couple different courses, James Shipway's TGL blues course is the best out there. The coverage is thorough and the modules are set up with simplicity in mind."

Greg H

USA

The Difference

Before & After Blues Guitar Lick Lab

Before
  • 01 Playing scales instead of phrases
  • 02 No lick vocabulary to draw from
  • 03 Can't transcribe licks by ear
  • 04 Solos lack personality and character
After
With This Course
  • 01 A complete blues vocabulary you can apply immediately
  • 02 Real phrases organized by technique and style
  • 03 Understand where authentic blues comes from
  • 04 Sound like an actual blues player
$16.58
/Month (Billed Yearly)
or $20/month on monthly plan

Join the TGL Membership

Get unlimited access to Blues Guitar Lick Lab plus 25+ other courses. All the tools you need to master guitar.

Monthly & Annual: cancel anytime, first 30 days free. 6-Month: one-time payment, no trial.

Simple Pricing

Choose Your Plan

All plans include full access. No locked content, no upsells.

Monthly & Annual include a free 30-day trial. The 6-Month plan is a one-time payment with no trial.

Monthly

$20

Per month

  • Full course library access
  • Study Plans
  • TGL Backstage community
  • Direct access to James
  • 30-day free trial included
  • Cancel any time
Start Monthly

6 Months

$109

One payment

Save ~9% vs monthly · No auto-renewal

  • Full course library access
  • Study Plans
  • TGL Backstage community
  • Direct access to James
  • No auto-renewal
  • No free trial — one-time payment
Start 6 Months
Most Popular

Annual

$199

Per year

Under $17/month — 2 months free

  • Full course library access
  • Study Plans
  • TGL Backstage community
  • Direct access to James
  • 30-day free trial included
Get Annual Access

🎸 Not sure which to pick? Annual works out under $17/month — less than one private lesson, for unlimited access to everything.
Monthly & Annual include a free 30-day trial. The 6-Month plan is a one-time payment with no trial.

Questions?

FAQ

Do I get lifetime access? add

You have full access to Blues Guitar Lick Lab and all TGL courses while you're a member. Your membership keeps you connected to your learning. If you decide to pause or cancel, you'll no longer have access—but you can always rejoin anytime.

What level is this for? add

This is an intermediate course. You should know basic chords and be comfortable navigating the fretboard. It's a perfect follow-on after Blues Guitar Launchpad. If you're brand new to blues, start with Launchpad first to build your foundation.

Can I download the materials? add

Yes. All TAB, audio files, and backing tracks are downloadable so you can practice offline and at your own pace.

What if the course doesn't work for me? add

On the Monthly and Annual plans, we offer a full 30-day free trial so you can explore the entire course risk-free. Cancel anytime with no questions asked. A credit card is needed to start the trial, but you won't be charged until day 31. The 6-Month plan is a one-time $109 payment with instant full access — there's no trial and no auto-renewal, so there's nothing to cancel.

Can I use this on mobile? add

Yes. Our platform works on desktop, tablet, and mobile. Watch lessons, access TAB, and use Soundslice from any device.

Ready to Master Blues Licks?

30-day free trial on Monthly & Annual plans — you won't be charged until day 31, cancel anytime. The 6-Month plan is a one-time payment with no trial and no auto-renewal.

Get Started Now