[Ryan’s Ibanez FR custom shop guitar is tuned down 2 whole steps to C Standard: C F Bb Eb G C]
The following lick is based on an Emin7 arpeggio. Thought of in the key of D major and played over an A7 chord, the resulting sound has an A7sus4 flavor. The lick could also be played over an Emin6 chord for a Dorian sound.

In this variation on the above lick, Ryan more explicitly resolves the Emin7 line to an A dominant sound. Starting on the fourth beat of the second measure, he shifts to an A minor blues scale, making sure to also include a C#, the third degree of A7.

[Special thanks to Ben Mayer for his excellent camera work and last minute help, Peter Boyle for his impeccable transcription work, and Josh Hofmann for his assistance with this video shoot.]
About Ivan Chopik
Ivan Chopik founded Guitar Messenger in the Fall of 2007 and is currently running the online magazine as Editor-in-Chief, webmaster, and writer. He is also a guitarist, composer, and audio engineer who graduated from Berklee College of Music in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Guitar Performance, Music Business & Management, and Music Production/Engineering.
View other posts by Ivan Chopik
Visit Ivan Chopik's Website: http://www.ivanchopik.com
Courses
Articles
Derek Trucks is a virtuoso blues artist and is also known as one of the greatest slide guitarists. In addition to leading the Derek Trucks...
Shredlord Joe Stump is a professor at Berklee College of Music and is the head of the department of metal. GuitarOne Magazine rated him as...
George Bellas is a guitar virtuoso and one of the leaders of the neoclassical scene, with three solo albums released and a truly unique musical...
Lessons
Greetings to everyone at Guitar Messenger! I’m excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the Guitar Messenger community with this article. If you are...
Renowned session pro, solo artist, and Supertramp guitarist Carl Verheyen presents his Guitar Messenger Artist Lick. This C minor lick is a great example of...
I mentioned in the introduction to this column that it was my goal to talk about certain topics that rarely get mentioned on guitar related...

