B.B. was, well, the King when it came to the blues. It only takes about 30 seconds of the classic “The Thrill is Gone” to put to rest any doubts you may have had. This classic slow blues is originally in B minor, but I thought I’d show you a lick in that style in A minor instead. The lick is best served over a IV chord (the Dm in an A blues progression).

It starts with a root note before riding up in a chromatic fashion in the second bar. Be sure to play it nice and smooth with a straight feel, no swing here.