Understanding Guitar Riffs: A Beginner's Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 7 min read

Embarking on the journey of understanding guitar riffs can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming. But don't fret! This beginner's guide is designed to break down the basics, from knowing your guitar to creating your own riffs. Let's dive into the world of guitar riffs, making you familiar with what a guitar riff is, and how to master them.

1. Know Your Guitar

Before we delve into the depths of what a guitar riff is, it's important to familiarize yourself with your main tool—your guitar. A good understanding of its parts, how to fine-tune it, and the names of the guitar strings will go a long way in your journey to understand and create guitar riffs.

Parts of a Guitar

A guitar is composed of several parts, each serving a unique purpose. The main parts include the body, the neck, and the head. The body houses the sound hole (in acoustic guitars) and the pickups (in electric guitars), while the neck hosts the fretboard. Learning these parts will help you understand where and how a guitar riff is played.

Tuning Your Guitar

Tuning is a fundamental skill every guitarist should master. It involves adjusting the tension in each string to ensure it vibrates at the correct pitch. You can use a digital tuner, tuning app, or even your ear (with some practice). Keep in mind that a well-tuned guitar is crucial to playing accurate and pleasant-sounding riffs.

Guitar String Names

Each of the six strings on a standard guitar has a name corresponding to the note it plays when it's strummed open. From lowest to highest, these are E, A, D, G, B, E. Knowing these names will be extremely helpful when you start learning how to play and understand guitar riffs, as riffs often involve playing notes on specific strings.

2. Basic Guitar Terms

Now that you're familiar with your guitar, it's time to get acquainted with some basic guitar terms. Understanding these terms will provide a solid foundation when you dive into riffs, chords, melodies, and more.

What is a Riff?

So, what is a guitar riff, exactly? A guitar riff is a repeated sequence of notes or chords that forms the backbone of a song. Think of the catchy part of a song that gets stuck in your head – that's often the riff. Riffs can be simple or complex, but they're always memorable, and learning them is a fantastic way to improve your guitar skills.

Melody vs Riff

While a melody is a sequence of notes that form the main theme of a song, a riff is generally a short, repeating pattern. Here's how to tell them apart: if a sequence of notes is repeated often throughout the song, it's probably a riff. If it forms the main tune and varies as the song progresses, it's likely the melody.

Common Guitar Slang

As you delve deeper into the world of guitar playing, you'll come across terms like 'lick', 'jam', 'shred', and 'bend'. These are part of the guitar slang. For instance, a 'lick' is a series of notes that you can incorporate into your solos, while to 'jam' means to play music informally with others. Understanding these terms will make your journey in learning guitar riffs more enjoyable and less confusing.

3. Understanding Guitar Tabs

You've got a handle on your guitar and some basic terms, including "what is a guitar riff". Now, let's move on to guitar tabs. Guitar tabs, or tablature, is a way of writing music specifically for guitars. It's a simple system that can help you learn new songs and riffs quickly.

How to Read Guitar Tabs

Reading guitar tabs is a lot easier than it looks. Each line represents a string on your guitar, with the top line being the thinnest string, and the bottom line being the thickest. The numbers on the lines tell you which fret to press. For example, a 3 on the top line means you press the third fret on the thinnest string. Simple, right?

Interpret Rhythm in Tabs

Tabs show you where to play, but they don't always tell you when to play. To interpret the rhythm, you'll need to listen to the song and figure out the timing of each note. It might take some practice, but over time, you'll get the hang of it and it will make learning riffs a whole lot easier.

Practice with Simple Tabs

Now that you know how to read and interpret tabs, it's time to practice. Start with simple songs that you know well—this way, you'll have a clear idea of how the rhythm should sound. As you get more comfortable, you can move on to more complex tabs and riffs. Remember, practice makes perfect!

4. Learning Basic Riffs

So, you've mastered the basics of your guitar and tabs. Now, let's dive into the heart of the matter—guitar riffs. A riff, as you may recall, is a repeated chord progression or melodic figure, the building block of many songs. Let's explore some basic riffs that every guitarist should know.

The Blues Riff

The blues riff is a must-know for any guitarist. This 12-bar riff uses a sequence of three chords, typically the I, IV, and V chords of a key. Think of BB King or Muddy Waters—those catchy, repeated figures are the blues riffs that give the genre its distinctive sound. Try playing a simple blues riff in the key of E to get the feel of it.

The Rock 'n Roll Riff

Next stop, the land of rock 'n roll. The rock 'n roll riff typically features power chords and is usually fast and rhythmic. A prime example is the iconic riff from 'Johnny B. Goode' by Chuck Berry. If you're wondering what a guitar riff really is, that's a perfect example! Get your fingers moving fast and try out a few rock 'n roll riffs.

The Country Riff

Let's not forget the twangy, rhythmic riffs of country music. Country riffs often use a mix of open and closed chords and have a distinctive, syncopated rhythm. A great example of a country riff is the opening of 'Friends in Low Places' by Garth Brooks. Pick up your guitar and give it a try—remember, the key to a great country riff is all in the rhythm.

5. Creating Your Own Riffs

Now that you've got a handle on playing riffs, why not take a crack at creating your own? Crafting your own unique riffs is a rewarding way to express your musical style. Let's walk through some steps that can guide you on this exciting journey.

Understand Scales

First things first, you need to understand scales. Scales are like the DNA of music—they give us the notes that sound good together in a song. The most common scales used in riffs are the major, minor, and pentatonic scales. Spend some time getting to know these scales. The better you know them, the easier it will be to create a riff that sounds pleasing to the ear.

Experiment with Notes

Once you're comfortable with scales, start experimenting with different notes. Play around with the order, try different rhythms, add a slide or a bend here and there. There's no right or wrong way to do this—it's all about what sounds good to you. Remember, the most iconic riffs were born from experimentation, so don't be afraid to get creative.

Record and Review

Last but not least, record your riffs and listen back to them. This will help you hear what's working and what's not. Plus, it's a great way to track your progress and see how far you've come. You might even surprise yourself with what you come up with!

Creating your own riffs requires patience and practice, but the payoff is worth it. The next time someone asks you, "What is a guitar riff?" not only can you answer them—you can play them one of your own!

6. Practice and Perseverance

Let's face it: mastering guitar riffs doesn't happen overnight. It's a journey that takes time, patience, and a whole lot of practice, but don't let that discourage you. With the right mindset and approach, you can conquer any riff that comes your way. Let's explore some strategies to keep you on track.

Schedule Regular Practice

Consistency is key when you're learning anything new, and the guitar is no exception. Try to set aside some time every day for practice. It doesn't have to be hours on end—even just 15 minutes a day can make a big difference. Make it a habit, like brushing your teeth or walking the dog. Before you know it, you'll be playing riffs with ease.

Stay Patient

There will be times when you'll want to toss your guitar out the window. Maybe that riff you've been working on just isn't sounding right, or your fingers are sore from all the string bending. Don't let these frustrations get the best of you. Remember, every great guitarist started where you are now. It's all part of the learning process. Stay patient, keep at it, and you'll get there.

Celebrate Small Wins

Finally, don't forget to celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Nailed that blues riff? Pat yourself on the back. Finally understood what a guitar riff is? That's a win! These small victories are signs that you're improving, and they're worth celebrating. Plus, they make the journey a whole lot more fun.

So there you have it, with practice and perseverance, anyone can master guitar riffs. Who knows, you might just be the next Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan. But remember, it's not about being the best—it's about expressing yourself and having fun. Now, go forth and riff!

If you're looking to improve your understanding of guitar riffs and incorporate them into your songwriting, don't miss the workshop 'Technique in Songwriting' by Gianna Adams. This workshop will provide you with valuable tips and techniques to elevate your songwriting skills and help you create memorable guitar riffs in your music.