Guitar Licks for Beginners: Simple Ideas to Get You Started
A guitar lick is a short musical phrase that can add character to a song or solo. Licks are often built from just a handful of notes, making them a great way to practise picking, fretting and rhythm while starting to develop your own sound.
You don’t need to play fast to make a lick sound good. Begin slowly, aim for clear notes and pay attention to the spaces between them. Here are two easy licks to try.
How to read guitar tab
Guitar tablature, or tab, shows which string to play and which fret to press. Each line represents a string; the top line is the thinnest string, or high E. A number tells you which fret to play, while a 0 means to play the string open.
e|----------------
B|----------------
G|----------------
D|----------------
A|----------------
E|----------------
These examples use standard tuning: E, A, D, G, B, E from the thickest string to the thinnest.
Lick 1: A simple E minor pentatonic phrase
This little run uses open strings and the first few frets. Pick each note evenly, starting slowly enough to keep every note clear.
e|----------------0-3-0-----|
B|----------0-3---------3-0-|
G|--0-2---------------------|
D|--------------------------|
A|--------------------------|
E|--------------------------|
Try playing the notes in order, then repeat the lick several times. Once it feels comfortable, experiment with leaving a short pause before you play it again. A bit of space can make a simple phrase sound more musical.
Lick 2: An A minor pentatonic run
This lick uses notes around the fifth fret. Rest your index finger on the fifth fret and your little finger on the eighth fret of the high strings. Keep your fretting hand relaxed and avoid pressing harder than necessary.
e|----------------5-8-5-----|
B|----------5-8---------8---|
G|--5-7---------------------|
D|--------------------------|
A|--------------------------|
E|--------------------------|
For a smoother sound, try using alternate picking: play one note with a downstroke and the next with an upstroke. If that feels awkward at first, use whichever picking direction lets you play cleanly, then work on alternate picking as the lick becomes familiar.
Make the licks your own
Once you can play a lick comfortably, try changing one thing at a time:
- Change the rhythm: Hold one note for longer or add a pause.
- Repeat a note: Repeating a note can make a phrase feel more deliberate.
- Play quietly, then louder: Practise controlling your picking hand rather than relying on speed.
- Move the phrase: Learn the note pattern and try it in another position, checking that it still suits the chords.
A simple practice routine
Spend a few minutes on each lick. Start at a relaxed tempo and use a metronome if you have one. Play the phrase cleanly several times before increasing the speed slightly. If the notes start to buzz or run together, slow down again.
It can also help to record yourself. Listening back makes it easier to notice whether the notes are even and whether the timing feels steady. Most of all, enjoy experimenting: a short lick is a starting point, not a rulebook. With regular practice, these small phrases can help build the technique and confidence to create your own.
8 Essential Guitar Lick Tips for Beginners
- Start with short, simple licks.
- Practise slowly before speeding up.
- Use a metronome to keep time.
- Keep your fretting fingers close to the strings.
- Learn licks in small sections.
- Use alternate picking where it feels natural.
- Bend strings gently and listen to the pitch.
- Add licks to songs you already know.
Start with short, simple licks.
Start with short, simple licks to build confidence and get the notes sounding clean before tackling anything more complicated. Choose a phrase with just a few notes, practise it slowly and focus on steady timing and relaxed fingers. Once it feels comfortable, repeat it, gradually increase the speed or experiment with the rhythm.
Practise slowly before speeding up.
Practise each guitar lick slowly before trying to play it faster. A steady, relaxed pace gives you time to place your fingers accurately and pick each note clearly, helping you avoid mistakes becoming habits. Once the lick feels comfortable and even, increase the speed a little at a time; if it starts to sound untidy, slow down again.
Use a metronome to keep time.
Use a metronome to keep your timing steady as you practise guitar licks. Start at a slow tempo so you can play each note clearly and in time, then increase the speed gradually as the lick becomes comfortable. If you find yourself rushing or missing notes, slow the metronome down again. This steady approach helps you build accuracy and control before adding speed.
Keep your fretting fingers close to the strings.
Keep your fretting fingers close to the strings, even when they’re not pressing a note. This small habit reduces unnecessary movement, helping you switch between notes more smoothly and play licks with greater speed and control. Try to keep your fingers relaxed and hover just above the strings rather than lifting them high after each note.
Learn licks in small sections.
Learn each lick in small sections rather than trying to play the whole phrase straight away. Practise just a few notes at a time, making sure they sound clear and your fingers feel comfortable, then gradually join each section together. This makes tricky passages easier to remember and helps you build accuracy and confidence before increasing the speed.
Use alternate picking where it feels natural.
Use alternate picking by switching between downstrokes and upstrokes as you play each note. It can make licks feel smoother and help you build speed over time, but there’s no need to force it if it feels awkward. Start slowly, keep your picking hand relaxed and focus on clean, even notes; with practice, the movement should begin to feel more natural.
Bend strings gently and listen to the pitch.
When practising string bends, start gently and push the string just a little at a time. Listen carefully to how the pitch rises, aiming for a clear, controlled sound rather than bending as far as you can. Try matching the bent note to a fretted note on a nearby fret; this helps train your ear and makes your licks sound more in tune.
Add licks to songs you already know.
Try adding a lick to a song you already know well. Start by finding a quiet moment between vocal lines or chord changes, then play a short phrase that fits the song’s key and feel. Begin slowly and keep the lick simple, so it complements the music rather than distracting from it. Listening closely to the original track can help you find a natural place to play, while experimenting with different rhythms and notes will help you make the phrase your own.