Contents
Rock and Blues Riffs Basics
Riff vs. Lick
Understanding the Fretboard
Beginner Rock and Blues Riffs
Rock and Blues Chord Riffs
Double-Stop Rock and Blues Riffs
Rock and Blues Bass-Note Riffs
Rock and Blues Riffs with Bends
Open-String Rock and Blues Riffs
Power-Chord Rock and Blues Riffs
Writing Your Own Riffs and Licks
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- The secrets behind the sounds that make up great guitar riffs
- Riffs used by AC/DC, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin
- Tips on how to create your own arsenal of riffs
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Rock and Blues Riffs Basics
This guide includes many classic phrases that guitar players have been using for decades. You’ll hear these, and variations on them, in thousands of recordings across a range of styles. Most great guitar players have an arsenal of riffs and licks they use so frequently that they become part of their individual style.
As you learn and practice the riffs in this guide, keep these general guidelines in mind:
- Rhythm and tempo: Use a metronome to make sure you play each riff with the right rhythm. When you first try out a riff, start slowly and build up to speed. Make sure each note rings clearly, with no fret buzz.
- Use the right tone: It’s best to use a tone that matches the style of the riff you’re playing. For instance, when playing a Metallica-style riff, you’d use a heavily distorted rock tone, whereas for a country riff, you might use no distortion and add reverb.
- Practice first: Remember that practicing and playing are two different things. Before you can incorporate any of these riffs into your everyday playing, you’ll first need to practice them in order to perfect the notes, rhythm, style, and tone they require.
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