First and foremost, let me start by saying that I in no way credit myself for coming up with these riffs and licks. I've accumulated them over many years from learning, listening, lifting, (from the greats-Oscar Peterson, Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Bud Powell, Phineas Newborn Jr., Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Tete Montoliu, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Barron, Makoto Ozone, Jimmy Smith, Keith Emerson, Jon Lord, Rick Wakeman, just to name a few), studying and adapting. In turn, I've "stylized" them keeping with the feel, or mood that I'm playing in. Performing all kinds of music, R&B pop, soul, jazz, funk, etc., has helped to develop and evolve them, so I can then use them accordingly. Also, a lot of the linear lines come from my classical background. The beauty of all this is that I'm still learning and finding new lines, which, is really what music is all about---endless discoveries!

Originally, I changed some of the notation enharmonically ( to avoid sharps and flats on the white keys) thinking it would make life a little easier. I then realized that it is in fact much better to read original notation and become used to it. A bit of initial stress certainly pays off, because your reading skills will definitely excel.

Following the Riffs and Licks are some short Thoughts of mine. These will be updated regularly, so keep an eye out.

Currently, I am working on a compilation of these riffs and licks mentioned above. This book will be available from my product page at a later date, but in the meantime, here are a few examples...


Note that each riff and lick can be used over a major chord, and it's tonic minor chord. Each example is notated in both major and minor keys.

Blues #1 Major view
Blues #1 Minor view
Blues #2 Major view
Blues #2 Minor view


These licks are notated in the mixolydian mode which the key signature indicates.
They can also be played in the key of G (if tonic key) with a flat 7th (indicative of blues, R&B and pop)

Entire lick can be used over the V chord in a { V - I } progression

-OR-

Over first half of the bar being II, then last half being V in a { II - V } progression

-OR-

Omit V and use over II only { II - I }

-OR-

Entire lick can be played over the I chord in a minor key.

Dominant #1 view
Dominant #2 view
Dominant #3 view
Dominant #4 view
Dominant #5 view


II-V-I's Major #1 view
II-V-I's Major #2 view
II-V-I's Major #3 view
II-V-I's Major #4 view


II-V-I's Minor #1 view
II-V-I's Minor #2 view


Here are some licks from the greats that I want to share with you.

Oscar #1 view
Oscar #2 view
Oscar #3 view
Red #1 view
Red #2 view
Red #3 view
Red #4 view

2 + 4 Dillemma view
I'm Just a Groove Player view
Jazz vs Classical view
Sequence or Play view
Six Octaves C to C view