Essential Rock Guitar Techniques: Beginner's Guide
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 7 min read

Contents

  1. How to hold the guitar pick
  2. How to play power chords
  3. How to play barre chords
  4. How to do palm muting
  5. How to play hammer-ons and pull-offs
  6. How to bend strings
  7. How to slide on the guitar
  8. How to play guitar riffs

If you've ever dreamed of lighting up a stage with electrifying guitar riffs or just jamming out to your favorite rock anthems in your bedroom, learning how to play guitar for rock is a journey worth embarking on. From iconic power chords to expressive string bends, this guide will walk you through the essential techniques that make rock guitar so thrilling. So, whether you're an aspiring rockstar or a passionate newbie, read on to discover how to play guitar for rock.

How to hold the guitar pick

Before you start shredding like Slash or Jimmy Page, let's start with the basics: the guitar pick. This small piece of plastic will be your best friend on your journey to learning how to play guitar for rock. Here's how to hold it right:

  • Position the pick: Hold the pick in your dominant hand. Position it so that one corner points towards your chest and the other towards the guitar.
  • Secure the pick: Close your fingers around the pick. Your thumb should be on the flat side of the pick, while your index finger should be on the other side. Make sure to hold it firmly, but not too tightly. You want some flexibility for smooth strumming.
  • Angle the pick: The pick should be at a slight angle to the strings - not perpendicular. This lets you glide over the strings more easily and produces a better sound.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Initially, it may feel a little awkward, but with time, you'll get used to it. And soon enough, you'll be ready to tackle those power chords and barre chords that are the heart and soul of rock guitar.

How to play power chords

Power chords are the backbone of rock guitar. They're the raw, punchy chords that give rock music its energy and drive. Whether it's the opening riff of AC/DC's "Back in Black" or Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", it's all about the power chords. Ready to learn how to play them? Let's get started.

  1. Position your fingers: Start by placing your index finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th string. This is a G note. Next, put your ring finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string. This is a D note. Together, they form a G power chord.
  2. Strum the right strings: When playing power chords, you only strum the strings your fingers are on. In this case, you'd only strum the 6th and 5th strings.
  3. Move it around: The beauty of power chords is that you can move this same shape up and down the fretboard to play different chords. For example, if you move this shape up two frets, you'd be playing an A power chord.

And there you have it! With just one simple shape, you can play a whole range of power chords. Give it a try, and soon you'll be rocking out with the best of them.

How to play barre chords

Now that we've nailed power chords, let's move on to the next big thing in rock guitar: barre chords. These versatile chords can be a bit tricky at first, but once you've got the hang of them, you'll have a whole new world of sound at your fingertips.

  1. Get your barring finger ready: Barre chords involve pressing down multiple strings at once with a single finger. This might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but don't worry, your fingers will get used to it.
  2. Form the shape: Let's try a basic F barre chord. Place your index finger across the first fret of all the strings. Then, place your other fingers as if you were forming an E major chord. This might seem strange, but trust me, this is how the magic happens.
  3. Strum away: Just like with power chords, when playing barre chords, you strum all the strings. So give it a strum and hear that full, rich sound.

And voila, you've just played your first barre chord! Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep going until you can change between barre chords smoothly. Soon enough, you'll be playing your favorite rock songs with ease.

How to do palm muting

Alright, you're getting the hang of this rock guitar thing. Let's kick it up a notch with palm muting. This technique is a staple in rock music, and it's easier than you might think. Here's how you can master the art of palm muting:

  1. Start with the pick in hand: The key to palm muting is in the name—it's all about the palm. Make sure you're holding the pick as we discussed earlier.
  2. Find the sweet spot: Rest the side of your picking hand palm lightly on the strings, right where they meet the bridge of the guitar. Too far forward, and you'll mute the strings too much. Too far back, and you won't mute them at all. Experiment until you find that sweet spot.
  3. Strum and mute: When you strum the strings, keep your palm in place. You should hear a 'chug' sound—that's the sound of rock!

Feeling the rhythm yet? Palm muting is all about adding texture and rhythm to your playing, making it an essential technique for aspiring rock guitarists. Keep practicing, and soon enough, you'll have that rock 'n' roll sound down pat.

How to play hammer-ons and pull-offs

Now that you're comfortable with palm muting, we can move onto some showier techniques: hammer-ons and pull-offs. These techniques can make your rock guitar playing sound smooth and fast, without requiring you to pick every single note. Ready to learn how to play guitar for rock even better? Let's jump right in:

  1. Start with a fretted note: To begin, fret a note as you normally would. For our example, let's say you're fretting the third fret on the E string.
  2. Hammer-on: Without picking the string again, use one of your other fingers to tap down hard on a higher fret. If done correctly, you should hear the pitch raise to the note you hammered onto. Congrats, you just did a hammer-on!
  3. Now for the pull-off: Keeping both fingers on the fretboard, lift off the finger you used to hammer-on. It's important to do this in a slight sideways motion, as if you're lightly plucking the string with your fretting finger. If done correctly, you should hear the pitch fall back to the original note. And there you have it — you just did a pull-off!

Hammer-ons and pull-offs might take some time to get used to, but they're worth the effort. They add speed and fluidity to your playing, making your rock guitar solos sound more impressive. So keep at it, and before you know it, you'll be playing like a pro.

How to bend strings

Alright, let's move onto the next technique — bending strings. This technique adds a lot of expression to your playing by changing the pitch of a note. It's a staple in rock guitar playing and gives your music that classic "wailing" sound. Excited to learn how to play guitar for rock with a little more flair? Let's go:

  1. Start by fretting a note: Let's say you're fretting the 7th fret on the G string.
  2. Push or pull the string: Use your fretting finger to push the string towards the ceiling or pull it towards the floor. This will raise the pitch of the note. For our example, pushing the string up should make the note sound like the pitch of the 9th fret.
  3. Release the bend: After hitting the desired pitch, you can either release the string back to its original position (a 'bend and release') or mute it altogether. Both are commonly used in rock guitar playing.

Bending strings can be a bit tough on your fingers, so take it slow and don't rush. Remember, it's not about how quickly you can bend the string, but how accurately you can hit the pitch. Keep practicing, and soon enough, you'll be bending strings like a rock star.

How to slide on the guitar

Ready to add some more coolness to your rock guitar playing? Let's talk about slides. Sliding on the guitar is another expressive technique that can add a smooth and flowing sound to your playing. If you want to know how to play guitar for rock with style, mastering slides is a must. Here's how you do it:

  1. Pick a starting point: First, you need to fret a note. Let's say you're starting on the 3rd fret of the B string.
  2. Initiate the slide: Strum the string and immediately slide your finger up the fretboard to a higher fret. Let's move it up to the 5th fret. The key is to maintain pressure on the string as you slide, so the note continues to ring out.
  3. Stop at the destination: Stop your finger when you reach the target fret. You should hear the pitch smoothly transition from the original note to the note of the target fret.

Sliding can also go in the opposite direction, from a higher fret to a lower one. It's a versatile technique that can add a lot of character to your rock guitar playing. So, don't be shy — give it a try!

How to play guitar riffs

Now that we've covered some basic techniques, let's dive right into the heart of rock music: guitar riffs. A guitar riff is a repeated chord or melody sequence that forms the basis of a song. Think of the iconic opening to "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple — that's a classic guitar riff. Here's a straightforward way to start developing your own rockin' riffs:

  1. Start with a chord: Many great riffs start with a basic chord. Let's take the A power chord as an example. Play it a few times, and get comfortable with its sound.
  2. Add rhythm: Next, add some rhythm to your playing. Instead of strumming the chord in a steady beat, try playing it in a syncopated rhythm, like 'ONE-two-THREE-four'. This will give your riff a punchy, rock feel.
  3. Mix it up: Now, let's mix things up a bit. Change one or two notes in the chord and play them in the same rhythm. You can also move the entire chord up or down the neck of the guitar. This will give your riff some variety and keep it interesting.
  4. Repeat: Remember, a riff is a repeating sequence. Once you've created a sequence you like, play it over and over again. This repetition is what makes a riff catchy and memorable.

So there you have it. By following these steps, you can start creating your own rock guitar riffs. Remember, the best riffs are often simple and catchy, so don't worry if you're not playing something complex. As long as it sounds good to your ears and gets your foot tapping, you're on the right track.

If you're eager to take your rock guitar skills to the next level, consider joining the workshop 'How to Get Better at What You Do - Go from Good to Great!' by Debbie Knox-Hewson. This workshop will help you apply effective practice techniques and strategies to improve your guitar playing and become an even more incredible musician.