Guitar riffs serve as the essence of a song, acting as the captivating element that immediately engages listeners and immerses them in the music. What’s remarkable about guitar riffs is their accessibility – they’re incredibly easy for almost any guitarist to grasp! To kickstart your musical journey and have you jamming to unforgettable tunes, we’ve curated a selection of top songs featuring beginner-friendly guitar riffs.
Exploring the Definition of a “Guitar Riff”
Guitar riffs are catchy and memorable melodic phrases played on the guitar, often serving as musical “hooks” that are instantly recognizable, sometimes from the very first note.
The Coolness and Utility of Learning Guitar Riffs
Every guitarist’s journey should include learning guitar riffs, as they offer numerous benefits. Here are some of the advantages:
- Learning guitar riffs significantly enhances your technique:Frequently, guitar riffs entail technical challenges, thereby instantly enhancing your dexterity and technique as a guitarist. Beyond technique, mastering guitar riffs also refines your timing skills.
- Guitar riffs represent a significant aspect of guitar culture: Across history, they’ve played a pivotal role in shaping the essence of popular music, making them a rite of passage for any guitarist.
- Playing guitar riffs is an absolute blast: There’s nothing quite like the joy of mastering your favorite riffs on the guitar. It’s hard to beat the sheer excitement and satisfaction that comes with playing those iconic melodies.
Easy Guitar Riffs: Perfect Start for Beginners
“Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple
This iconic guitar riff, renowned across music history, is frequently misinterpreted as being played on the 6th (low E) string. In reality, it utilizes double stops—where two strings are struck simultaneously, then immediately muted—across multiple strings.
Once you’ve mastered the subtle slide between the 6th and 5th frets, you’ll find yourself endlessly exploring this riff for hours on end.
“Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits
Another iconic riff featuring double stops, “Money for Nothing,” owes its punchy tone to Mark Knopfler’s fingerpicking technique. To simplify learning, start by playing the riff on one string at a time before attempting the double stops. This approach can facilitate smoother transitions between frets.
Using your index finger to bar across the B, G, and D strings during sections with rapid string changes can be advantageous. Additionally, this riff offers a side benefit by engaging your ring or pinky fingers for higher notes, thereby assisting in the passive development of fretting strength.
“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes
“Seven Nation Army” has an infectious, melodious, and utterly rocking riff that can get a crowd chanting along in no time. The best part? It’s deceptively simple! A straightforward sequence on the A string moves down the fretboard, with a quick jump to the 5th fret of the D string.
There’s nothing overly intricate about this riff; the key is to ensure you maintain the correct tempo, as it subtly shifts throughout. Pay close attention to the crucial pause between the notes played on the 3rd and 2nd frets to capture its essence accurately.
“Iron Man” by Black Sabbath
Prepare to unleash your inner rocker because Iron Man is here to electrify your music with passion. Featuring power chords played in rapid succession and punctuated by slides between positions, this riff generates the legendary wobbly cadence that defines its iconic sound. It’s the perfect track to get your headbanging in full swing.
Following the chord section, a steady sequence of notes emerges, featuring pull-offs from the 5th fret to the 4th. Once mastered, you’ll have another killer riff at your disposal.
“Plug in Baby” by Muse
Packed with distortion, this energetic riff propelled “Plug in Baby” to smash-hit status. The note sequence itself isn’t overly complex, allowing you to methodically work through the individual frets at a slow pace until you’ve committed it to memory.
Incrementally boost the tempo of each section until you reach the recorded speed. With consistent practice, the hammer-on and pull-off techniques will become more fluid and effortless.
“The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac
Short and sweet, this line from “The Chain” is technically a bass riff, but it translates seamlessly to guitar. It consists of a brief passage of notes on the A and low E strings that’s quick to grasp! Additionally, you can easily learn the guitar lead that plays over it—a simple sequence on the higher frets and strings.
“Dammit” by Blink 182
Fueling this pop-punk hit is a delightfully simple yet infectious riff. To play “Dammit,” begin on the 3rd fret of the A string, then transition to two open D notes followed by the 2nd fret on the D string. Next, hit the 3rd fret of the low E string, repeating the earlier pattern.
The riff switches up towards the end, with “2 – 2 – 0” replacing “0 – 0 – 2”. Once you’ve nailed that transition, you’ll be ready to rock along with the rest of “Dammit” in no time.
“Original Prankster” by The Offspring
Infectious and exhilarating, the “Original Prankster” riff loops seamlessly for endlessly satisfying repeats. It kicks off with a power chord on the 3rd fret of the D string, followed by a few notes on the A string—nothing overly intricate, yet collectively crafting an unforgettable sound.
This riff serves as an excellent tool for honing your rhythm and feel, particularly when playing alongside other instruments or vocalists. Once mastered, you’ll be eager to dive into even more music!
“Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream
Exuding pure ’60s coolness, the “Sunshine of Your Love” riff is iconic and an absolute joy to play. It begins with two briskly played power chords in a staccato strumming style, followed by a deliberate succession of notes on the D and A strings. As you become accustomed to the rhythm, you’ll feel the effortless flow of this timeless riff.
“Breaking the Law” by Judas Priest
Unleash your inner rockstar with this timeless metal anthem. The catchy riff is a breeze for guitarists of any skill level and a pleasure to loop. It starts with a steady flow of notes on the A and low E strings, maintaining a relaxed tempo that simplifies fretting each string.
As the song progresses, you have the option to play the same riff an octave higher on the G and D strings, spanning the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th frets.
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day
This emotionally charged riff is both simple and catchy. The chords follow a sequence that’s easy to memorize, with a straightforward strumming pattern. Overlaying these somber chords is a haunting melody, played on the B and G strings at the higher frets.
It’s an ideal song for beginners seeking to enhance their chord transition and timing skills. Practicing the riff alongside the backing chords provides a great opportunity to refine these abiliti
“Girl All The Bad Guys Want” by Bowling For Soup
A fantastic introduction to drop D tuning, this delightfully simple earworm riff is a pleasure to play. Drop D tuning is easy to achieve—simply lower the pitch of your low E string by a whole step, transforming it from E to D. This adjustment gives your guitar a robust, bassy tone that complements the song perfectly.
The entire riff is confined to the 5th fret and below, followed by power chords that are simply bars across the first three strings—making it incredibly easy to grasp!
“Beat It” by Michael Jackson
The opening riff of this pop classic is remarkably straightforward yet incredibly enjoyable to play. Ensure you dial up the gain on your amp to capture the biting tone that “Beat It” is renowned for. All you need to master the riff is a simple sequence on the low E, A, and D strings—just be sure to execute a hammer-on to the 4th fret of the D string to maintain the rhythm and tempo.
To complement this iconic signature sound, the high-end riff incorporates an effortless set of double stops, allowing you to add vibrato for a captivating wail over the main riff.
“Satisfaction” by Rolling Stones
The main riff of this song is crafted with just a handful of notes on a single string, making it an ideal starting point for beginners. Transitioning from the 2nd fret of the A string to the 5th fret is a simple finger stretch, especially at a steady tempo. As the riff progresses, it seamlessly transitions into open chord shapes, providing practice in holding chords while picking the strings individually.
“Back in Black” by AC/DC
This iconic rock anthem features a catchy and straightforward riff that’s perfect for beginners. It’s an excellent introduction to chords and rock rhythm guitar techniques, starting with three quick and punchy open chords followed by an easy lick.
Begin by hitting an Em chord once, followed by open D three times, and then open A three times to master the initial passage. Shortly after these chords, the riff descends from the 3rd fret of the high E string to the G string—there’s a slightly challenging part where you’ll bend the 2nd fret G up a step, but keep practicing to strengthen your finger muscles!
“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People
An introspective indie anthem, “Pumped Up Kicks” features a groovy riff that mirrors the song’s bassline. The notes are relatively simple, and the steady beat is easy to synchronize with. However, there are some speedy hammer-on/pull-off licks later in the riff that may pose a challenge initially. Take your time to master them slowly, then play along with the song to ensure everything aligns perfectly.
“Fluorescent Adolescent” by Arctic Monkeys
Energetic and melodic, this late ’00s guitar riff is both catchy and enjoyable to play. The main riff features a sequence of brisk, upbeat notes played in a repeating pattern, perfectly complementing the song’s fast-paced tempo and driving rhythm.
Played on the low E and A strings, it’s a straightforward progression that effortlessly aligns with the beat, making it easy to sing along with.
“Day Tripper” by The Beatles
This Beatles classic boasts a catchy riff that’s bound to leave an impression. “Day Tripper” may pose a bit of a challenge initially, but once you grasp the rhythm, you’ll find yourself effortlessly playing it on repeat! The riff primarily occurs on the low E, A, and D strings, with manageable stretches between the 2nd and 4th frets.
As with anything played at a brisk tempo, start slowly and gradually increase your speed until you can seamlessly match the recording.
“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
This riff exudes attitude. It’s a straightforward yet potent sequence of power chords tailor-made for beginners. Start with the open E chord, then pull off on the 3rd fret of the E string before transitioning to the A chord. The G note (3rd fret, low E string) acts as a separator between each chord transition, adding to the riff’s bold style.
Towards the end of the chord section, there’s a speedy lick higher up the fretboard – but it’s not as daunting as it appears! Practice the string bend, and you’ll gradually match the swift tempo set by the song.
“Straight to Hell” by The Clash/MIA (Paper Planes)
The staccato riff of “Straight to Hell” is an instantly recognizable classic. Made famous by its sample in MIA’s “Paper Planes,” it begins with a power chord shape on the 5th fret of the A string. Next, move your index finger onto the 5th fret of the low E while keeping your ring finger planted on the 7th fret of the D string, creating a harmonic effect.
Finally, slide down two positions to the 3rd fret of the low E to complete the riff. Ensure to pluck the strings in a short, sharp staccato style to capture its distinctive sound.
Having these riffs in your repertoire serves as a fantastic launchpad for crafting your own hooks or delivering crowd-pleasers during performances.
The Top 11 Electric Guitar Brands Ever
Different Types of Guitars – An In-Depth Guide