Riff-O-Matic Spotlight

Hurt 1

Here’s how to play the main riff from Johnny Cash’s version of the song “Hurt”.

Breaking The Law- Judas Priest

Blue Wind- Jeff Beck

This riff is in 4/4 time except for the 2nd measure in which we switch to 2/4 time (only 2 beats).

Notice that the 4th measure mirrors the 1st measure, but with the addition of bends. This is a typical Jeff Beckism. It may be tricky to get it to sound right because it relies on precise bending.

Talk Dirty To Me – Solo – Part 3

Creep 1

You’ll be repeating this 8 measure chord progression throughout the entire song.

The basic chord progression is G, B, C, Cm, but we’ll throw in a couple of suspended chords with the B and C chords that really add color. During the chorus, it’s played a bit differently, but the underlying chord progression stays the same.

The Ocean 1

Aqualung- Jethro Tull

Here is a cool riff from Tull that has quite a bit of technique that all guitarists need to know. The ribbon-like symbol in the first and second measure is known as “vibrato.” This is when you rapidly shake the string being played with your fret hand. There are also a few slides, which are performed by sliding your fret hand on the strings while playing at the same time.

Guitar

Riff Resources

Complete Transcription To “Aqualung” (PDF
Files)

Complete Transcription To “Aqualung” (Power
Tab)

All Along The Watchtower- Jimi Hendrix

http://gty.im/75555100
Bob Dylan reportedly refused to play his song “All Along The Watchtower” anymore at concerts after hearing Hendrix’s soaring version. “It’s his song now” said Dylan.

Hendrix really brings out the big guns for the multiple solos featured in the song. Here’s a detailed look at the first solo.

Notes

A pickup is a note or sequence of notes which precedes the first downbeat in a bar in a musical phrase
The first solo has three pickup notes beginning in the fifth measure
A musical rest means the instrument is at rest- in other words, don’t play!
The lead guitar rests for the first four measures of the song