20 devastating licks, based on the language of
Michael Brecker, Chris Potter and Bob Berg.
 
This PDF features some of the most captivating and colourful licks I’ve discovered over my 30
years of transcribing solos. Each phrase explores a range of tonalities and modalities to create
tension, movement, and a sense of storytelling that captures the listener’s ear. Studying these licks will not only strengthen your phrasing and musical vocabulary but also reveal effective approaches for developing your own original lines.
 
You’ll also get an explanation for every lick, helping you understand the idea behind it and inspiring you to create your own lines.
 
Most of the lines in this collection are constructed over a single minor chord; however, I’ve also
included several II–V–I lines. I encourage players to experiment with applying II–V–I phrases over
a single chord, as they naturally create a sense of forward motion and harmonic tension. For
example, a II–V–I in the key of C major can be played over a D–7 chord. Since the II–V–I typically
resolves to the I chord, you can choose to avoid the sense of resolution by omitting or altering the notes that outline the I chord.