I have since continued the tradition and taught “Paranoid” to the masses. I then raced to the record store to buy the album of the same name. I walked out with three power chords and a basic understanding of palm-muted, eighth-note rhythms. Enjoy.Ĭome Together (The Beatles) YouTube Paranoid (Black Sabbath)įast-rewind back a thousand years ago when 12-year old me was trying to grow his hair long and heading into my first guitar lesson. Finally, the solo is pure pentatonic licks with some bluesy bends. The verse uses power chords (the classic power 5 to power 6 move made famous by Chuck Berry). The main riff falls nicely under the pentatonic box pattern. The Beatles were masters of songwriting and major contributors to the Rock 101 curriculum.
The solo is typical Angus: tasty pentatonic licks with bluesy phrases plus the double-pulloff licks during the final cadenza put a stamp on it.ĭirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC DC) YouTube Come Together (The Beatles) Open-string power chords and moveable power chords are used for the syncopated chord riffs. This tune was part of my first band’s setlist. So, break out the leather jackets and rev up those Harleys. Power chords and sliding power chords fill out this tune. The main riff is based on the A natural minor scale. Quarter notes and syncopated eighth notes are used to drive the “Breaking the Law” riff. TNT (AC DC) YouTube Breaking the Law (Judas Priest) In “TNT” the eighth notes are syncopated, and that’s where the fun lies. What’s a Rock 101 riff? Power chords and eighth notes. The Bad Boys from Down Under have provided us with enough Rock 101 riffs to get our rhythm playing in line. Open-position power chords! If you don’t know ‘em, then you haven’t played enough AC DC. Sunshine of Your Love (Cream) YouTube TNT (AC DC)
“Sunshine of Your Love” is a rite of passage for any young gunslinger learning how to turn the pentatonic scale into the blues scale. Landslide (Fleetwood Mac) YouTube Sunshine of Your Love (Cream)įirst, you take two single-note pentatonic-blues riffs, than you add three chords, sprinkle in a little Clapton mojo and you have an instant rock classic that will stand the test of time. The fingerpicking pattern may take a little getting used to, but definitely worth the effort. The chords are open-position C–G/B–Am and G–D/F#–Em played at the 3rd fret with a capo.
The beautiful interaction between Stevie’s vocals and Lindsey’s guitarwork is evident in this duet. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham had a lot of chemistry both on stage and off stage. Mony Mony (Billy Idol) YouTube Landslide (Fleetwood Mac) Steady eighth-note rhythms played with distortion and power chords make up the bulk of this classic. This Tommy James and the Shondells tunes was revived by Billy Idol and his guitar ace Steve Stevens. Summer of ‘69 (Bryan Adams) YouTube Mony Mony (Billy Idol)
The TAB also includes the keyboard riff arranged for guitar as well as the lead guitar riffs that are played during the outro. Syncopated eighth-note, open-chord strumming and arpeggios are prominent in this ‘80s classic. An enjoyable tune that creates a lot of different textures with just a few chords.Ĭlosing Time (Semisonic) YouTube Summer of ‘69 (Bryan Adams) The TAB also includes the main riff that is played on the piano and the piano solo arranged for guitar. Power chords and octave riffs make up the four-chord riff that is “Closing Time”. Louie Louie (cover by Motorhead) YouTube Closing Time (Semisonic) The Motorhead version contains a rhythmic variation however, both versions are in the key of A and would make a fun addition to your setlist. That is, until Lemmy and his cohorts got a hold of it. This three-chord, garage band classic by The Kingsmen was considered a corny rock tune from the 50s. “All the Small Things” is a wonderful way to get started with rock-style rhythm guitar playing.Īll the Small Things (Blink 182) YouTube Louie Louie (cover by Motorhead) When I teach rock guitar techniques for the first time to a student, we usually begin with power chords and palm muting. The guitar chords are pretty straight ahead making this a fun tune that is simple and quick to get under your fingers.Ĭlocks (Coldplay) YouTube All the Small Things (Blink 182) The piano riff for “Clocks” can be used as an arpeggio exercise and the TAB has notated a guitar version that makes it easy to play. You Really Got Me (The Kinks) YouTube Clocks (Coldplay) Not only is this a great song to get your power-chord playing in shape but also the perfect tune for your first band. The Van Halen version stays pretty true to the Kinks version with a slight key adjustment. This Kinks’ classic was also covered by Van Halen however, for this article we’re going to look at the original version. Zombie (The Cranberries) YouTube You Really Got Me (The Kinks)