I have felt for a long time that the cut “Lucille” has some of BB King’s finest guitar playing ever. In this video I dissect his first chorus “intro” lead. Truth be told I feel his playing gets better and better as the cut progresses. He also “dials in” his tone as he moves into the cut. But the first chorus is first, and it has really incredible licks.
His style is tricky! For the most part it is not based on primarily using the pentatonic minor scale (Blues scale). He seems almost to favor the “sweet blues” scale (or country scale), pentatonic major, in conjunction with what are really arpeggiated figures. And the whole of it always says “BB King”, somehow. Great licks!
I believe this is the only instructional video posted on You-tube on how to play “Lucille.” I hope you enjoy this one.