Here are some useful guitar licks and playing tips by Homespun owner/instructor Happy Traum and others. Homespun Performances are excerpts from lessons by some of our great artists that are worth listening to just for pleasure. Keep checking back as we'll be adding to them frequently. And take a look at Happy's Blog. He has had a fascinating journey through more than six decades of playing, writing, and studying about American folk music, and he has quite a few stories to tell.
Here's a really pretty little lick on the 6th and 3rd strings that you can use descending as a blues turnaround or ascending as a lead-in to the A chord. I've put DR "Neon" strings on my Santa Cruz OM both because they look and sound great and also so learning players can more easily see which strings and frets I'm playing. Let me know if this helps. For more beginning blues instruction, try my "Easy Steps to Acoustic Blues Guitar."
Here's one of the greatest bluegrass licks of all time. It's a real challenge and will keep you busy for quite a while, but it will be worth the struggle. Just remember that no one plays like Tony!
Here's a really nice turnaround for blues in E that's easy and accessible for most players. Add it to the collection of others like it in previous posts.
Here's a nice little lick out of the C chord that can be very useful for up-tempo blues, ragtime, and old-time tunes. Once you get it under your fingers you can vary it in any number of ways. Learn it and enjoy.
Here's a "Lick of the Day" for mandolinists. Multi-instrumentalist Dix Bruce, a veteran player, studio musician and teacher from the Bay Area, shows you a great little lick, reminiscent of Bill Monroe's style. Great for all aspiring pickers. We think you'll have fun with this. Check out Dix Bruce's "Mandolin Licks-ercises" lesson here on Homespun.