ANOTHER GUITAR SHOW
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Before tackling this course, you should be comfortable with all the material from Episode 9 - Tips For Smashing Your Guitar Goals In 2019

guitar club

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Summary: Tips and Tricks

In today's episode, Andy and Thomas take a look at rock riffs! How are they written, what makes a great riff. We take 3 awesome rock riffs to analyse, and even try to learn our own!

The question: What is a rock riff?

Well, this is debateable, but we think the riff needs three main elements to it, as Andy and Thomas talk about in the video. We'll even add one more to that list, as shown below.

  • >> Repetative - If it's not repeated then it's essentially a lick or a solo, not a riff.
  • >> Somewhat Unique - If it's not unique enough then it'll blur into other riffs and songs. Typically 3 notes will do it!
  • >> Instantly recognisable - The best riffs you can hear 2 or 3 secodns worth and you have it.
  • >> Rhythm - All the best riffs are full of rhythm. That doesn't necessarily mean they are strummed, just that rhythm drives the sound.

  • Try This Course...
  • If you love riffs and really want to learn how they are built from inside out, check out this awesome course: Essential Guitar Riffs.

Songs: Check out the full lessons here

If you enjoyed the section where we went through all the songs, here are full guitar tutorials of those songs that you can work through.

Whole Lotta Love (click to expand)

We start by walking through a little bit of Whole Lotta Love. If you want to see a full tutorial of this riff, check it out here (including the write up): Whole Lotta Love Guitar Lesson.

Sweet Child O' Mine (click to expand)

We then take a look at the classic Sweet Child O' Mine, which is epic! If you want to see a full tutorial of this riff, check it out here (including the write up): Sweet Child O' Mine Guitar Lesson.

Back In Black (click to expand)

We finish up with the AC/DC classic Back In Black! If you want to see a full tutorial of this riff, check it out here (including the write up): Back In Black Guitar Lesson.

Riff: Our Own Riff!

So our riff started int he key of E, and we settled on the E blues shape 3, as shown below. If you fancy learning it, here is the tab.

Our second riff, in Eb, is tabbed here as well. Enjoy!

Ready to move on? Remember to check out every lesson in this unit first – then try the next unit...

Episode 11 - Get Started Playing Lead Guitar

In this lesson we take a broad look at where to start when learning how to solo. We even take a quick look at a some awesome solos to help you understand how we can learn from the best!