Lesson 6...Guitar Riffs

Hi and welcome to lesson 6 featuring guitar riffs based on the pentatonic scale. In this lesson I would like to share a few licks that are based on patterns. It is my hope that these examples will inspire you to make up your own licks and provide some insight into using patterns for soloing. Learning licks is a great way to expand your vocabulary.

In future lessons I will show you how to take the guitar riffs from this lesson as a basis for making up your own. If you would like to see some ideas on this now check out the lessons in issues 7 and 8 of the Learn Guitar Online E-zine. Click here.

This first lick is very similar to a run that Slash played at the end of Sweet Child O’ Mine. That song features many classic guitar riffs, including the intro. Get a transcription of the entire song if you want to. Lot’s to learn in this one.

Pay attention here and recognize the pattern. Remember, that’s the focus of this lesson, using patterns to create guitar riffs

Ex. 1

Example 2 makes use of the pattern from lesson 5. It starts with a bend and then descends using the pattern, changes direction and ends with another bend. When using patterns to create your own guitar riffs it’s the changes in direction and the unexpected twists that make patterns effective. If you go on too long with a pattern, your licks will become predictable and boring.

Ex. 2

Example 3 demonstrates another pentatonic scale pattern. As always, take your time and play with a steady tempo. Remember to use your metronome if you have one.

Ex. 3

For additional lessons and insights to guitar playing check out the Guitar Alliance. Just the jam trax alone will be a valuable tool to help you improve. They will give you a background to practice your new guitar riffs over. The Guitar Alliance also features a series of lessons on pentatonic scale licks to take your playing to a new level. Click here to learn more.

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I would also like to invite you to sign up for the Learn -Guitar-Online E-zine. It’s free and comes to you once a month with extra tips and insights designed to help you reach your guitar playing goals. That’s it for lesson 6. In lesson 7 we will continue our study of the pentatonic scale. If you have any questions or comments please contact me at bob@learn-guitar-online.com. Thanks for reading and keep practicing. Stay focused and you will reach your goals.

Click here for guitar riffs lesson 7.