B.B. King

B.B. King has a simply gorgeous sound, and it is distinctively more major based than Albert King’s.  Interestingly, B.B.’s  “Box” is the same shape as Albert’s, but it is the parallel major pentatonic.  It’s not exactly a major pentatonic because of the 4th degree instead of the major 3rd, but it sits in pattern 1 major. 

B.B. Made use of a lot of semi and full bends, and also has a great signature vibrato where he “shook” the strings off to the side with his first finger.  I urge you to listen to “Live At The Regal” and try to nab some of these licks!

On either main B.B. signature - he would often play the highest octave of the tonic on the fretboard and slide down for a clean, slick finish. Try it. You know the sound.