This ascending trill lick is something I’ve been doing for many years. I can’t remember exactly where I got it from but most likely by trying to copy some King Curtis records.

Cannonball Adderley also had a similar type of lick which is referred to as the Adderley Trill, which is a little different than this lick I’m using here, but still creates a very similar effect.

The following tutorials will demonstrate 4 of these licks. Each have a specific fingering technique that make it possible to make these licks sound right.

4 examples we will cover:

1. G (Honky Tonk)
2. E (One Mint Julep)
3. D (Red River Rock)
4. C (7 Starter Licks from Killer Blues)

This lick is in the key of E and is used in the turn-around of the 12 bar blues “Mint Julep” (as shown in the video example).

But we can use it in other places of the progression, 12 bar or any other for that matter. These ascending licks are very versatile and can be used to start your solo, later one over the 1 chord, 4 chor or the 5 chord. So, it’s just a matter of earning and memorizing them.