Iconic Licks of the Jam Band Greats

Genre and Style Guitar Course from Michael Palmisano

Delve into 30 of the most influential licks in the Jam Band genre. These licks were inspired by the greatest bands and greatest players. Combine this series with Miachael Palmisano's "Your Jam Band Toolkit" course to complete your jam band learning.

31 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

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Tabs & Info

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Full Course Breakdown

The Jam Band genre, inspired by legends such as the Grateful Dead, Phish and The Allman Brothers is a staple of American music. This course is all about breaking down 30 of the all-time-best licks, discussing how and why they can be used, and then applying them over a JamTrack.

1

Series Introduction

Michael Palmisano gives an overview of the techniques and concepts he will cover in this course.

2:37 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

2

Chromatic Hammer-Ons to the Third

This lick features a Jerry Garcia inspired chromatic run, and uses hammer-ons for added effect. Incorporate this upbeat, happy lick into your solos.

3:10 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

3

Mixin' it Up

We examine a cool lick that features a B Mixolydian sound, and incorporates smooth slides and soulful vibrato. This lick can easily be moved between different chord positions for added versatility.

5:30 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

4

Pushing the Pedals

This B Mixolydian lick has a country flavor inspired by the pedal steel. It doesn't have a flat 7, which helps create a bright, major vibe.

6:07 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

5

Arpeggiated Blue Sky

This lick features a fast arpeggiated run that has a strong melodic structure and can easily be used over any Mixolydian progression.

5:52 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

6

Moving to the Top

It's time to learn a sequenced three note chromatic line in the style of the legendary Jerry Garcia. This lick is peppy, fast and perfect for playing over any Mixolydian progression.

5:09 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

7

Fun Mixolydian Slides

This lick makes use of slick melodic lines that make it one of Michael's favorites. With it's combination of tactful anchors and exuberant slides, it is not only physically fun to play, but also features a bright, energetic sound.

5:28 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

8

Walkin' On Down

Licks and melodic runs are great, but to make things truly interesting you need to change things up. This rhythmic piece can act as the perfect counterbalancing force in your playing.

6:23 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

9

Connecting Through Confusion

This lick is a beautiful melodic run that combines both technique and feel to create a line that truly speaks.

5:20 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

10

Country Style Bending Lick

This quick lick has a distinctly country vibe and features soulful bends and vibrato.

5:19 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

11

Ascending Pentatonic Lick

This happy sounding lick ascends the neck using the major pentatonic scale, ultimately concluding with some solid vibrato.

4:57 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

12

Chicken Pickin Dyads

This fun country style lick makes liberal use of chicken pickin' and dyads.

5:03 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

13

Walk Up the Double Stop

This bright lick ascends the guitar neck using simple, yet effective double stops.

5:07 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

14

End of the Line

This bassline run helps to create tension while simultaneously adding meat to the low end of the progression.

4:46 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

15

Texture Groove Lick

Add some texture to your chord progressions using this palm-muted rhythmic pattern.

4:58 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

16

Dorian Slide

This fun melody based lick makes liberal use of slides and vibrato to convey a deep sense of emotion.

5:07 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

17

Sleepwalk From C to E

This mysterious sounding lick slides up the scale, and then back down to the tonic. Afterwards it switches to an accented rhythm section to add variety and soul.

3:49 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

18

Soulful Dyads

Join Michael as he explores a lick that makes liberal use of dyads. This added little bit of soul and mystery really sets this lick apart.

5:10 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

19

Slow and Simple

This deceivingly simple lick sounds and feels quite complicated, but in reality is only three notes accentuated by big bends and soulful vibrato.

4:45 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

20

Saturday Night Streets

This lick starts out with a simple melody and ends by outlining the chords using simple shapes. It's slow, slick and filled with delicious vibrato.

5:28 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

21

Distracted Focus

Combining one part melody and one part arpeggio, this lick really showcases the goodness that can happen when you combine the two.

4:37 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

22

Funky Things

This fun and funky lick uses elements of the classic blues box pentatonic scale while adding a few extra melodic notes. Add in some quick bends, fast vibrato and you have a recipe for a great sound.

6:40 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

23

Forever Ascending

Ascending up the neck is fun, and that's what this lick is all about. This is a great way to learn to move from open position up the neck.

5:09 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

24

Chromatic Adventure

This fast chromatic lick moves up the neck and across the fretboard, before ending in a slow, vibrato filled line.

4:34 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
25

Pump the Bass

This bassy, double stop infused rhythm lick is perfect for breaking your solos out of the top half of the neck.

4:52 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

26

Keepin' it Simple

This slow, simple lick gently ascends the neck with tasteful slides, before descending back down and culminating in calming vibrato.

4:42 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

27

Country Road Bends

This country-style lick aims to emulate the pedal steel. It moves up and down the neck, makes use of tight bends, and uses a measured vibrato to round it all out.

5:19 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

28

Summer Nights and Fireflies

Using measured timing, slow notes, controlled slides and warm vibrato, this lick will have you dreaming of warm summer nights under the stars.

5:35 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

29

Green Grass and Blue Skies

This singing, melodic line doesn't contain all that many notes, but achieves a warm, soulful sound by letting the vibrato speak.

4:48 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

30

Home Sweet Home

This lick uses double stops that move up and down the neck to create the sounds of home.

6:55 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

31

Flying High Pentatonic

Played on the upper registers of the guitar, this lick uses the pentatonic scale, vibrato and tasteful hammer-ons and pull-offs to create it's high-flying sound.

4:30 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

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What's Next

  • Baltimore, MD
  • Playing since 1988
  • 127 lessons at JamPlay


Award Winning GIT Grad, Founder of PRS Sponsored Guitargate.com, 70k+ students worldwide, and Lead Guitarist in What's Next - Voted 5x "Best Band" in Baltimore, MD. I have been playing guitar since I was 5, and gigging and teaching professionally for the last 15+ years. I genuinely love to teach, and my goal is to help people learn the "why" behind the notes, bridge the gap between rhythm and lead guitar, and ultimately use these tools to improvise and get the stuff in your head out! On a side note, it's truly incredible that the internet has allowed us to connect from all over the world. I believe in online education, and I strive to be as helpful as possible. If I can help you in any way, please don't hesitate to email me with a question or a video for feedback - I respond to each and every message. We're in this together!
Reviews & Feedback 96/100 with 45 ratings
hansg

Super and well explained