STUDY

GUIDE

Lew Thomas
Clean Country Soloing

JTCGUITAR.COM
Lew Thomas / Clean Country Soloing 2

INTRODUCTION

Thanks for checking out my debut JTC package, I hope you

enjoy it!

This PDF booklet will serve as a guide to each and every one of the
solos within my pack, as well as the licks that are taken from them. I
hope you have fun learning some clean country licks!
Lew Thomas / Clean Country Soloing 3

CHAPTER 1

SOLO AND LICK BREAKDOWNS

LICK 1 - SOLO #1
Solo 1 is in G major, and this lick is played over the D7 chord leading into the
C. The quarter notes in bar 1 are F and C. They’re both bent slightly, and both
fit well as target notes over the D7 – the F is pushing up towards the major
3rd (F#) and the C is the minor 7th. This leads into a chromatic run over the
C chord, leading us back into the G. Feel free to experiment with different
note choices when playing the chromatic run, but be sure to land back on the
8th fret of the B string – this G note coincides with the G chord!

LICK 2 - SOLO #1
This lick uses a diminished arpeggio, moving up three frets at a time in
parallel. We eventually land on an F# to lead back into the D chord (F# is the
major 3rd of D).

LICK 3 - SOLO #1
This lick is a classic bluesy run down the G minor pentatonic scale (G Bb C
D F). A typical part of country guitar is the combination of the minor & major
pentatonic sounds, which we can see here as we move from G minor to G
major pentatonic (G A B D E) at the end of the phrase.

LICK 4 - SOLO #2
Solo 2 is in C major, and this lick combines a G major arpeggio (G B D) with
the C major scale (C D E F G A B). We eventually land on a bend up from G to
A, which targets the F major chord, where A is the minor 3rd.
Lew Thomas / Clean Country Soloing
CHAPTER 1 4

LICK 5 - SOLO #2
This lick opens with an oblique bend on a double-stop – bend the G string
(B to C) and hold while playing the high G note on the E string. Be careful not
to over-bend, and be sure to practise the next move, releasing the bend and
then sliding and pulling off. The whole movement needs to be smooth and in
time. The remainder of the lick is simply a run through notes of the C major
scale utilising open strings.

LICK 6 - SOLO #3
In Solo 3 we move to the key of E major. This lick is the sort of thing you can
expect to see down one of the honky-tonks on Broadway in Nashville – a
fast 8th-note note run using a mixture of notes from E Mixolydian (E F# G#
A B C# D) and minor pentatonic (E G A B D). Aim to dig out those low string
notes whilst pulling out the higher strings to get that classic spanky country
tone.

LICK 7 - SOLO #3
Similar to lick 6, this run uses notes from the E blues scale (E G A Bb B D) but
resolves onto that G-A hammer-on at the end, coinciding with the shift to the
A chord. Be sure to let that open E string ring out in the first bar!

LICK 8 - SOLO #3
This pedal steel-esque lick opens with the D-E bend (minor 7th to root). Hold
the bend while grabbing the G# note (the major 3rd), fitting perfectly with the
underlying E major chord. Take care with your timing on those bends; this is
crucial for the classic country pedal steel sound.
Lew Thomas / Clean Country Soloing
CHAPTER 1 5

LICK 9 - SOLO #3
This lick jumps through the chord changes of C#-F#-B, picking out target
notes along the way. Practise this one slowly so as not to trip up with your
picking hand.

LICK 10 - SOLO #4
We now move to the key of A major and 6/8 time. This bluesy lick uses A
Mixolydian (A B C# D E F# G) but notice the 5-6 hammer-on on the G string.
The target note is C# (major 3rd) but we create a tiny moment of tension
by hammering on from an outside note (the minor 3rd). Practise that little
opening phrase with the quick bend, slide & pull-off. It’s crucial to play the
slide with the correct timing.

LICK 11 - SOLO #4
Despite the A major backing, we’re using a mixture of A Dorian (A B C D E F#
G) and A blues scale (A C D Eb E G) here. This is a great lick you can steal
and incorporate into your own playing!

LICK 12 - SOLO #4
This ending lick starts with a short A minor pentatonic phrase and then
moves chromatically down to an A major pentatonic phrase. Notice the
swing timing of the 16th notes, giving a contrast to the rest of Solo 4.
Combined with the chicken pickin’ muted open A string you’ve got a perfect
combination of blues/swing/country!
Lew Thomas / Clean Country Soloing
CHAPTER 1 6

LICK 13 - SOLO #5
Solo 5 is in the key of G major. This opening run is a classic bluegrass style
lick. Aim to pick a little more than you normally would when playing country
guitar, so as to get the classic sound of guys like Tony Rice & Doc Watson.

LICK 14 - SOLO #5
This phrase over the C chord brings us back to the classic country sound,
especially with those double stops. Use your fingers to pluck the two high
strings together, and try to give them a good “snap”.

LICK 15 - SOLO #5
This repeated double-stop pattern is fast becoming a staple of modern
country guitar. Pick every note on the D string with your plectrum, as
opposed to hammering on, leaving your fingers available to pluck the double-
stop.

LICK 16 - SOLO #5
This ending lick is a great way of moving from the V chord to the I chord (D
to G in this case). Make sure you hold the last two notes together – they give
the sound of the G chord.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the licks and learnt something new from the solos. I’ll
see you next time!

Lew T
 A
LS
O
AV
A
IL
A
B
LE
Andy Saphir
HOT COUNTRY PICKING MASTERCL ASS

Raise the temperature and blow open the roof with hot country licks designed
to burn up the fretboard. Chicken pickin’ licks and smokin’ solos await in Andy
Saphir’s Hot Country Picking Masterclass.

AVAIL ABLE NOW

J T C G U I TA R .C O M
 Lick 1
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 126
D4
: 4 FB B B B B B B B B
1

B B B FB DB B EB
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1/4 1/4
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1/4

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Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

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 Lick 2
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 126
D4 B FB DB B B B B B B
1

: 4 B B B DB B
DB B
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B B DB B
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B B F B DB B B B B =
3

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Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

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 Lick 3
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 126

B B B EB B B FB B B B B B EB B B
u
D4 F B
: 4
1

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3 3 3 3
full full 1/4 full

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All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 4
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 130
B B B B B B B
1

: 44 P Q B B
L
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)
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B B B B B B B B B B B
3

L P

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full

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All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 5
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing

B
h = 130
4
:4 B B B B B B B B B DB FB B
B B
1

B
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let ring

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1/2 1/2

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B B B B B B B B B B B B =
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Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 6
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing

DD
h = 132

: D D 44 P Q H B FB DB B FB B
1

FB B B
c
# # ! !
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B B B P
B B B B B
3

B EB B FB B B B B B B B F B DB
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 Lick 7
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing

DD B B B B B B B B B B
h = 132

: D D 44 F B FB
1
B B B DB B
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EB B F B B FB B A
FB B FB B B B B FB
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Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 8
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing

B B B B B B B
h = 132

DDDD 4
FB B B B B FB B B F B
: 4
1

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Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 9
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 132
DDDD 4 Q B FB FB
1

: 4 P
L
B B B B. C
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All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 10
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 44
B F B B B B F B DB B BB. B B
1 DDD 6
: 8
Q B B
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1/2

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let ring
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All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 11
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 44

DDD 6 B B B B B B F B B B B DB B B
D

B F B B B B B B FB B
3 3 3

B B DB F B F B B B B B B B
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Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 12
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
e
B
h = 44
DDD 6 B
B B FB B B B B FB B B B B B.
C B FB
: 8
1

C L
let ring
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c # # '
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Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 13
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 105
D4 P Q B FB B B B B B EB B EB B EB B B B B B
: 4
1

L
" $ " "
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c $ $ $ #

B FB B B B B B B EB FB B B
B B FB B =
4

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Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 14
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 105
D4 B EB
: 4 FB EB B B FB B B B B B B
1

EB B B
c & $
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$ $ " $ & (
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B B B B EB B EB B B B B F B
B E B DB =
3

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1/4

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'

Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 15
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing

D4 E BB BB BB EB BB
h = 105
1

: 4 B EB B B B EB B B B B B B
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c * * * * *
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BB
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Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Lick 16
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 105
D4 B DB F B F B DB B B B B =
1

: 4 B B B B B DB B
let ring

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c ( & (
( * ( ) *
( *

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All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/1
 Solo 1
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 200
D4 B B B B B B Q EF B Q B DF B B P
: 4 DB
G Am7 Bbm7 Bm7
1

L L
$ & ' ' (
c $ % % & & ' ' (

BC E B B B B
F B B B Q B Q DB B B F B B FB B B BB
C7

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Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/3
 B DB B B F B B B GB B B B B BB B B B EB B FB B
G G Am7 Bbm7 Bm7

DB B B B FB B F B B DB
15

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full full 1/4 full

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B E B B E B B B B B E BFB B
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Page 2/3
 =
C
35

&

Page 3/3
 Solo 2
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 185

: 44 P Q H
B B B
1

B B
c
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$ &

AA B B B B B B B
Q B B
C G

== BB Q H B B B B
B
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1/2 full full full

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M M

Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/2
 B B B B B B P
A B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B
F C G
14

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let ring let ring 1/2

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Q H B DB B B
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18

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Page 2/2
 Solo 3
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing

DD
h = 260
1

: D D 44 P Q H
FB

c
$

B B B P
B
E7

B B F B DB B F B B B B BB B
2

B EB B FB B B B B B B B F B DB
&
# # ! ! # # % '
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FB B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B DB B EB B FB
B F B B EB B B B FB B F B B B B B
6

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B B
A7

FB B F B F B B B B B FB FB B B B
B B
10

B BF D
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1/4

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&
& # % ' ' *
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E7

14
FB B DB F B F B DB B B B
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@
full full full full full full 1/4

"' "' "#

"& "& "& "# "& "% "# "#
"% "% "% "# "% "# "# *
"% "% "# * ""
"% "$ "# "! ""

Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/2
 B F B B F B DB B B H
B B DB Q
B7 A7

FB B B B B FB B B B E B FB FB B B B B B F B DB
18

"" "! * ( ) # ! "

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BB B BB BB BB
E7 C#7 F#7 B7

B FB B B B. C
> B DB B B B F B B F B
22

L C
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,+- * ( * ) ( & '

26 =
E7

&

Page 2/2
 Solo 4
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 75 e

DDD 6 B H
B BF B. DF BB. BB B B B B
A Bm7

: 8 B H
B BB FDBB BB B B FB B
B
1

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let ring let ring

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c # % & ' ' ( * "! "" "" ,""-
( &
% & ' ( * "! "" "#

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D A

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full

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full full let ring 1/2
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B Q B B BB
B. B B BB BB. B. B B B B B F B B B B DB B B
A Bm7

B P
L L
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3 3
1/2 full

& * "! * & ( ( ( ( & & &

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' ( * "" * ' ( ( ( ) )
(

B FB B B B B B FB B FB B B
3 3 3 3 3

B B
3 3 3

B B DB F B F B B B B B F B B FB
B B F B
13 3

B
( & ( & &
( ( ( & & & ( ( &
( ( ' & $ & $ $ & ( (
& & & $ &

Copyright JamTrackCentral Ltd 2021

All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/2
 B B B B B B B B B C F B C B F B DB B DB B B. B B B
A

FB
15

L
let ring
&
# # '
& ( ( ( & & % $ # % #
( ,(- ,+- ,+- $ %

Page 2/2
 Solo 5
JTCguitar.com
Lew Thomas: Clean Country Soloing
h = 260
1

: 4
D4 P Q B
L
$
c

FB B B B B B EB B EB B EB B B B B B EB FB B B
B FB B B B B B B
G

B B FB B
2

" $ " "

$ $ # " " # " "
$ $ $ # ! # ! $ %
$ $ $ # ! $ & & $
$ &

B B E B E B F B F B EB
F

B EB B B EB B B B B FB B BBBBBB FB BBBBBBB
6

& % $ " #
$ " " $ & $ & $ & $ & $ & $
$ $ # " $ & & & & & &
$ &

B EB B B B B EB B EB B B B B F B EB
C7

FB EB B B FB B EB B B B B B E B
BB B
10

$
1/4
?
% $
& $ & $ $ & & $ $
$ " " # & ( & & & & % $
$ $ " $ & ( '
$ &

EB F B B FB B B B EB B EB F B B B B B DB B B B B B DB B B B B B E B F B E B
G D7
14

BB
$ % !
& $ $ ! # ! ! ! ! !
& & % $ ! " # % & % & % & % & % $ "
$

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All Rights Reserved - International Copyright Secured Page 1/2
 B DB B B B B B P
G

B B B B B
18

A EA B C C F B C B B DB
?
1/2

)
( * (
& ( ) *
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$ $ ,+- ,+- " ,+- $ ' (

B B B B B B B B B B B B DB B EB B FB B B B B
B B B FB B P
F

DB
22

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full

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full

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full

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full

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EB
B B E B B BB B BB B EB B
EB
B B
BB
BBB
EB
B B E B B BB B BB B EB B
EB
B B
BB
BBB
C7
26

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* * * * * * * * * *
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A
M
|<| | A
M

B B B BB BBB B B DB F B F B DB B B B =
DB B B B
G D7 G

30
P
B BB B B DB B
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full

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full

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full let ring

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( *

Page 2/2
J T C G U I TA R . C O M