Michael: This interactive lesson is the second part on the licks of Brian Setzer (Stray Cats). In this lesson you'll unlock the secrets for playing classic Rockabilly type licks, but with a modern edge. Here's what you'll learn:

1. E Dorian mode w/b5 note
2. Licks using that scale
3. Playing the licks over a I-IV-V progression
4. Using Diminished chords within the solos

Here's a sample some of the licks you'll learn:



Michael: Brian got his style from many '50s guitar legends can any of you think of players from that era?

Jim: Chuck Berry

brt: Eddie Cochran? Duane Eddy, Gene Vincent....

andy61: Chet Atkins?

Michael: Correct everybody, Andy, Chet and many early '50s guitarists have influenced Brian. We're going to base our first scale on the E Dorian with a b5 note added.



Michael: Notice the cool sound the altered scale produces. Let's try a few licks using the scale:





Michael: You can play that lick over E and then change with the I, IV, V progression. Now let's try a variation on that lick.





Michael: Notice we reverse the phrase a little. Now you can apply that lick to a progression. First, here's a looping jam track fast and slow version depending on your skill level.

Looping Jam Track 1 - Slow

Looping Jam Track 1 - Fast

Rhinosaur: Do you always the I, IV, and V progression or does that just sound best usually.

Michael: Usually in Rockabilly you have a I-IV-V progression, but it can change. Remember this is based on early rock-n-roll and blues, even a country influence. Practice the licks over the jam tracks, Here's the lick played over in the I-IV-V:





Michael: Now try playing to this jam track.

Looping Jam Track 2

Michael: Do any of you know what type of guitar Brian Setzer plays?

Jim: Gretsch

Michael: Yes, a 6120 and a few signature models Gretsch has produced like the G6120SSU, G6120SSL and G6120SH. Check out www.gretschguitars.com.

nssane: Currently it's a custom version of his Hotty Rod series Gretsch.

Michael: He had an amazing purple sparkle one at his live show! Here's the progression, I break it down into the I-IV-V. The last jam tracks use the I - IV - I - V - IV - I. See how it follows the progression, notice how your hand position works by using the 2nd and 3rd fingers on the 6th (E) string and then using the 1st and 2nd fingers on the 5th finger. Here's another variation you can use.





Michael: Now try playing to this jam track.

Looping Jam Track 3

Michael: The licks kind of remind me of The Munster's theme, remember that show? The b5 gives it the evil sound. This version has a walking bass line in between the licks. Here's another lick variation you can add to these lines.





Michael: I played a few Diminished chords in the Lesson sample, here's how you play that chord. The diminished chord has a I, b3, b5, 6 (bb7) note in it.



Michael: Now you can use the chord to descending every 1 step and a half.





Michael: Notice how it descends, it gives a falling type sound.

Rhinosaur: First one is tough!

Michael: You can also try other patterns ascending. You play the same chord and slide up 4 half-steps, move one whole-step up from the beginning of the last sequence and play 4 more half steps up and keep repeating.





Michael: It sounds very cool! Since the b5 is so evident in the licks and adding diminished chord sounds great. Check out the lessons sample again and see if you can spot the diminished chords.

Michael: Well time to go, see you next lesson! Bye class!