Cascade Licks with the E Blues Scale

In this lesson we're looking at combining open strings and fretted notes to play a cascade lick. This moves up and down the E Blues scale, but the open strings ringing out give a unique feel to the lick.

Lesson aims

• Learn the example lick
• Focus on fluidity - this pattern should flow smoothly
• Pay attention to the picking pattern and keeping good timing between your picking and fretting hands

E Minor Blues Scale

In this example we're largely playing the E Minor Blues scale in 3rd position. However, as in lessons 8 and 9, we're substituting notes that would normally be played on the 4th and 5th frets (shown in light blue) with the same notes on open strings.

Learn the regular way to play the Blues Scale here

Study Piece 11 - Cascade Lick 4